10 Best Places to Retire in Switzerland

If you’re thinking of spending your golden years abroad, Switzerland might be the right choice for you, especially if you pick one of these 10 best places to retire in Switzerland.

Everyone deserves a rest after a long hard-working life, but whether or not you’ve spent your last working years longing for the time of retirement, it’s impossible to deny that, with one of the world’s highest standards of living, a long history of political stability, beautiful landscapes, low tax rates, and a strong health care system; Switzerland is a dreamland for folks wanting to lay back and enjoy their long awaited retirement years abroad.

Keep in mind, though, that these luxuries come at a price, for Switzerland has one of the world’s highest costs of living. According to Expatistan, the cost of living in Zurich is on average 11% higher than in New York, so the Helvetic Country might not be the best choice for those seeking an abroad retirement plan to reduce costs. Still, some areas are cheaper than others, so don’t give up yet on your dream of living by the Swiss mountains.

Obtaining a retirement visa in the Switzerland is not particularly hard, but it is much easier for EU/EFTA nationals, who will be granted a permit, in most cases, solely by presenting proof of sufficient resources to cover themselves and their family members, and valid health and accident insurance. But don’t be alarmed, for those with nationalities outside of the European Union can still apply for a visa at their country’s embassy, if they show they have close connections with Switzerland, such as frequent stays, family members living there, or a past residency.

So, if money is not a problem for you when considering retirement, you may also have a look at Insider Monkey’s previous article on the 10 best places to retire in Ireland, where language barriers are nonexistent for American retirees, given Ireland’s official use of the English Language.

Still, though not an English speaking community, Switzerland stands out from other European countries in the sense that it has four official languages, three of which are common second languages for many people: French, German, and Italian. Though we do recommend speaking a place’s regional tongue before planning a life there, exclusively English speakers do have the chance of getting by, given Switzerland’s high rate of English speakers.

In order to create this list we used the data provided by The Swiss Statistics Web, which is maintained by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, in search for two specific parameters that we know are truly important for people when looking for a retirement destination: Health and safety. We listed the 10 Cantons that had the highest amount of doctors per capita and the lowest percentage of yearly criminal offenses. Finally, we ranked those 10 cantons by where it’s cheaper to live, using this report by Credit Suisse on disposable Income by region, since the cost of living is the third major aspect retirees are after when picking out a retirement destination.

Do you already have a favorite location to retire in the Swiss Confederation? Check out if it made our cut of the 10 best places to retire in Switzerland!

10. Canton of Vaud

This canton is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is home to Lausanne. The Lausanne city lies on the coast of Lake Geneva and shares Geneva’s metropolitan area. Geneva is accessible on a mere 45-minute car drive, so it’s a great option for people wanting to enjoy the best aspects of a global city like Geneva – its international airport, for instance, while not having to be in the center of its movement.

9. Canton of Zurich

Ranking as the city with the world’s second quality of life -surpassed only by Vienna, the city of Zurich becomes a great spot for folks who are not particularly concerned with the economic aspect of retirement. Though relatively cold in the winter, with daily means of about 32 ºF in January, its status of the global city provides it with the necessary infrastructure to make you comfortable during the winter so that you can be ready to enjoy a 65 ºF average summer.

Keep in mind, though, that world-class hospitals, museums, opera houses and restaurants, come at a price, for Zurich is among Europe’s most expensive cities.

8. Canton of Neuchâtel

Neuchâtel is known to be one of Switzerland’s most progressive cantons in terms of politics, being one of the first to grant women the right to vote. A great option for retirees wanting to live in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, but would rather avoid Geneva and its satellite cities.

7. Canton of Bern

With its picturesque old town – declared a UNESCO world heritage site, the city of Bern-the canton’s capital is the envy of the Swiss Plateau’s cityscapes. Having its own regional airport gives Bernese residents a chance to visit the top European destinations, of which Switzerland lies in the center.

6. Canton of Zug

Though one of the smallest cantons in Switzerland, the Canton of Zug can amaze its visitors with a wide diversity of natural sceneries. With one of the lowest tax rates in the country, its capital city, Zug, of over 28.000 inhabitants, stands as a great option for people wanting to retire in a quiet environment close to nature.

5. Canton of Ticino

Enjoying the country’s lowest yearly increase in house prices, Ticino is the only Swiss canton to have Italian as its sole official language. It is home to two important Swiss cities: Lugano, a beautiful mid-size city on the coast of Lake Lugano; and Bellinzona, the canton’s capital, which is the perfect spot for anyone wanting to live in a city surrounded by castles, three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

4. Canton of Valais

Home to the famous Matterhorn, it holds some of Switzerland’s highest peaks and is known as one of the world’s greatest areas for winter sports, standing as the perfect destination for retirees who dream of spending their retirement years at the ski tracks. It lies fourth on our list of the 10 best places to retire in Switzerland.

3. Canton of Lucerne

The Canton of Lucerne is located in the center of Switzerland and has German as its official language. It’s capital city, Lucerne, is a great choice for those seeking a quiet retirement place, with all the major services and commodities of large cities. The town’s center is car free, giving it a quiet, almost lost-in-time atmosphere.

2. Canton of Graubünden

Switzerland’s easternmost canton shares borders with Italy and Austria. It is the only canton to have three official languages, and its geography provides the perfect conditions for those dreaming of quiet retirement in small mountain villages, with plenty of small towns providing great options for living arrangements by the mountains.

1. Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

The small Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden lies at Switzerland’s northeast. Its combination of great health care, low crime rates and cheap cost of living grant it the first place on our list of best places to retire in Switzerland.