So as the comet seems to be finally hitting EF tonight, it's time to say goodbye from me too. I arrived in Zurich after quitting my unrewarding graduate job in London in 2001. I carried with me just one sports bag of possessions. I had followed my Swiss girlfriend (met in London, now my wonderful Swiss wife) back here and at the time regulations allowed me to stay only for six months to find a job. With just one week left before that deadline, I secured a job as a financial trader in Zug, and so began my time here proper. For the first five years in Zurich I was doggedly determined to integr ..read more

I am looking for a doctor anywhere in Switzerland / Europe, who is specialized in IBD (Crohn's disease). We have been to a few gastroenterologists around Zurich. I am now looking for a research-based doctor, who can propose "out of the box" tests and solutions/diets, not necessarily a specialist with mass approach. Does anyone have recommendations? Thank you ..read more

I was laid off last year and it will become effective at the end of this month. I was under the assumption that I anyone in Switzerland working and paying taxes had the right to get unemployment benefits if they lost their jobs at some point. In my case I have been employed here for the last 11 years always with the same company. When I went to the employment office a couple of weeks ago I was told that I most likely won't be eligible because I will get a lump-sum from my soon to be ex employer and that should be more than enough to get me by for the next few months... before that I was contem ..read more

It would be interesting to know which EFers you consider(ed) the most useful members who contributed the most to this forum by posting the most valuable information, tips, guides or news which helped the community the most in Switzerland * and neighbouring DE/FR/IT/FL. Give a list of members, (1 to 10 ... or more if you want), so their posts can be backed up (saved / transfered to the new forum). Your list can include any EF members (active or non active). * It can also be about sports, cars, cooking, travelling (UK, USA, EU...), repairs, and so on. I am right now working on my list which I ..read more

I was laid off last August. Most of the suggestions I got is to register for RAV and get unemployment insurance. But because I was on B permit and due to personal reason, I have left Switzerland permanently just before Christmas. Therefore, I did not apply for RAV. Now, I heard somewhere that unemployed people in Switzerland also had to pay AHV and I have some questions: 1. In my case, was I obliged to register for AHV to arrange payment? 2. If YES, how is the payment arranged? I mean, is the AHV payment on monthly basis? Or on yearly basis, especially after the tax assessment? 3. Is it comm ..read more

Hi folks, Over the past few months, I was very frustrated by dealing with the health insurance companies. Any suggestion is welcome! Since I was a PhD student till 2023 March, I had the exemption from compulsory health insurance. And I got Swisscare instead. Later I started a new job and still paying to Swisscare student insurance monthly till 2023 November because I thought I can only terminate it in November, as most of the other health insurance providers in Switzerland. Last November, I was calling Swisscare to terminate it and I was informed that I should have already done it in April ..read more

Hi all, Last minute to post here ... ;) Looking for someone with programming skills (php, javascript, html) to help maintain 2 older very similar websites. Thanks ..read more

Hi there! I need to move some small furniture and boxes from Zurich Altstetten (1.5. flat with elevator) to ZH Oerlikon (2nd floor, no elevator), as I am changing apartments Please send me your quotes and availability. Preferably during March 20-24th ..read more

Hi, We are about to apply for family reunification. My wife is a US citizen, but lives in Europe. ZH Kanton is asking for criminal records. As far as we can tell, the only way to get them is to be in the US and get fingerprinted. The embassy isn't of any assistance. Is there a way to avoid a long and expensive round trip just for that ..read more

Dear all, I was a student in Switzerland and last January I have finally graduated and applied for Stellungnahme (6 month permit in which graduates can look for a job). My wife arrived here in Switzerland in November 2024 to live with me. We both have a B permit now which expired in 31st of January 2024. We are in the application process and we are having some difficulties. I decided to ask my question here because government is not particularly helpful. Here is the problem. My wife's permit has a remark on it "Berechtigt zur Erwerbstaetigkeit". We have also confirmed before her entra ..read more