Switzerland happens to be one of the top 20 wealthiest countries around the world and is praised for its excellent standard of living. Remarkably, it is home to several highly ranked universities and one of the safest countries in Europe which is why a number of international students aspire to study in Switzerland. Not only this, high wages and low tax rates are some popular features of the Swiss economy. Switzerland is also a popular tourist destination which generates a number of part-time and full-time jobs every year.
International students who are currently studying or planning to study in Switzerland must have definitely considered the cost factor. To counter your expenses for studying in Switzerland, part time jobs in Switzerland for international students is the perfect option. So if you are looking for part time jobs in Switzerland, this guide will help you in exploring your options and understand the eligibility criteria, rules and regulations, average pay and a lot more.
Benefits of Part Time Jobs in Switzerland
If you are considering part time work in Switzerland, it is important for you to know the landscape of student work. There are not one but many benefits of doing part time jobs in Switzerland especially for international students. Let us take a look at some of these benefits:
- Cover expenses: The first and foremost advantage of having part time work in Switzerland is that it will add as a source of income and help you cover a major part of your expenses.
- Meaning work experience: Whether you are doing paid or unpaid work in Switzerland, it will definitely add meaningful work experience to your CV and show your hard work and enthusiasm.
- Financial responsibility: You are on your own while studying abroad. As international students, an important part of your journey in Switzerland will be to manage your expenses and operate within a budget. Having part time jobs in Switzerland for international students will help you in being mindful of your own finances and also develop responsible saving and spending habits.
- Skill enhancement opportunity: Among the several benefits of doing part time jobs for students in Switzerland is that it will prove to be a worthy skill enhancement opportunity. You will learn to balance your studies and work as well as time management, effective communication, team work, initiative and a lot more.
Suggested: Cost of studying in Switzerland
Eligibility Criteria for Part Time Jobs in Switzerland
You will have to fulfill some eligibility criteria for part time jobs in Switzerland to be able to apply for on and off-campus work. The eligibility criteria are quite simple, take a look yourself:
- You must have a valid visa to study in Switzerland and a residence permit as well.
- At least 6 months of your stay in Switzerland must be over at the time you apply for part time jobs.
- Your intention to work in Switzerland must be specified to the relevant immigration authority.
- Your employer must apply for a work permit at the cantonal Office for Economy and Labor.
- The part time job you apply for should not exceed 15 hours per week during semesters.
Suggested: Working in Switzerland
Rules and Regulations for Part Time Jobs in Switzerland for International Students
Students from EU/ EFTA countries have no restrictions regarding part time jobs for students in Switzerland. International students with residence permits will have to abide by certain rules and restrictions for part time jobs in Switzerland for international students. Here are the rules and restrictions regarding part time jobs in Switzerland that concern you as international students:
- International students can only work for maximum 15 hours per week during semester while full-time work is allowed during semester breaks.
- As per the 6 months residence rule, international students have to live and study in Switzerland for at least 6 months before applying for part time jobs for international students in Switzerland.
- Switzerland is known as a multilingual country where several languages including German, French, Italian and Roman are spoken. You are expected to know at least one language other than English to blend well in your workplace. You can take language courses to become proficient in any of these languages.
Types of Part Time Jobs in Switzerland for International Students
Part time jobs for international students in Switzerland mainly include on-campus jobs and off-campus jobs. Let us take a look at the different types of part time jobs available for students in Switzerland:
On-campus Jobs
The easiest and most convenient part time jobs for students in Switzerland are on-campus jobs. Finding jobs on campus will help you to save a lot of time and money that would be otherwise spent on traveling. You will be able to easily manage your studies and work because you will be on campus itself. However, finding jobs on-campus is comparatively difficult due to limited opportunities. Some common on-campus job titles are as follows:
- Library assistant
- University cafeteria
- Campus tour guide
- Administrative office
- Tech support staff
- Teaching assistant
- Laboratory assistant
Off-campus Jobs
You will find a number of off-campus part time jobs in Switzerland for international students. It is advisable to target jobs that are close to your campus. While applying for off-campus jobs, make sure you are adhering to the rules and regulations for part time work in Switzerland. Take a look at the most commonly available part time jobs for international students in Switzerland:
- Call center agent
- Private tutor
- Freelance worker
- Tourist guide
- Retail outlets
- Cashier
- Dog walker
- Staff at hotels, resorts and other tourist destinations
- Security guard
- Housekeeper
- Delivery person
How Much Do Part Time Jobs in Switzerland Pay?
If you are looking for the minimum wages for part time jobs in Switzerland, let us tell you that there is no fixed minimum wage rate in Switzerland. You can expect to be paid around 20-26 CHF per hour for various part time jobs in Switzerland.
Average Pay Scale
The average wage for part-time work in Switzerland is 23 CHF per hour and you can expect to earn around 2,200 to 2,800 CHF per month. Take a look at the table below to know more about job fields and their respective average pay per hour:
|
Job Field |
Average Pay per Hour |
|
Library Assistant |
22 CHF |
|
Teaching Assistant |
24 CHF |
|
Tourist Guide |
20 CHF |
|
Private Tutor |
21 CHF |
|
Dog Walker |
16 CHF |
|
Housekeeper |
18 CHF |
|
Delivery Person |
21-25 CHF |
|
Security Guard |
24 CHF |
|
Call Center Agent |
22 CHF |
Taxes Applicable for International Students
Working international students in Switzerland pay taxes held at source which means if taxes are applicable on your income, your employer will deduct it from your salary. You don’t have to worry about calculating and paying taxes on your income. Also, the tax slabs in Switzerland are not uniform. There are 26 cantons in Switzerland and each has different tax rates.
How Can Students Find Part Time Jobs in Switzerland?
You can track down part time jobs in Switzerland through various sources. Before you start looking for part time jobs for international students in Switzerland, make sure you have your CV, cover letter and educational records in one place.
- Job portals: There are several job portals available to find and apply for part time jobs for students in Switzerland according to your preference of location, type of work you are interested in, hours of work, etc.
- University career service: Your university’s career service will also keep you informed regarding part time jobs in Switzerland and also publish job openings on campus through bulletin boards.
- Recruitment agencies: You can register with recruitment agencies to receive regular job updates that match your skills and interests and also get help in applying and appearing for interviews.
- Newspapers: Local newspapers advertise job openings around you with all relevant details.
- Networking: Job positions in Switzerland are commonly filled through references and contacts. Keeping in touch with people who can help you apply for jobs can be of great help. You can also join professional networking sites such as LinkedIn to find potential job opportunities in Switzerland.
Part-time jobs have become increasingly popular among international students in Switzerland. But given the well-paid jobs and low tax rates, the level of competition will be no less. The need for part-time workers keeps arising in the tourism industry as well as the food industry in Switzerland so you can look for jobs here. Such part-time jobs are quite flexible and will not hamper your higher education in Switzerland. When you are applying for jobs just make sure you are following the rules for working in Switzerland all the time and you are good to go.
