10 mistakes we made in our first year in Switzerland

Moving to Switzerland sounds like a dream to many people. And honestly? A lot of the time it is. Mountains nearby, a good salary, beautiful nature, clean public transport and weekends that feel like holidays.

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But the first year isn't only easy. You have to get used to a new country, a different language, different rules, different costs and a completely new social life. And although you can research a lot in advance, there are always things you only really learn once you live here. Looking back on our first year in Switzerland, there's quite a bit we would have done differently. Not because everything went wrong, but mostly because some things you simply don't know yet.

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So here they are: 10 mistakes we made in our first year in Switzerland. Hopefully you won't have to make all of them yourself.

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1. Comparing everything to the Netherlands

In the beginning we compared almost everything to the Netherlands. The rent, the groceries, the health insurance, work and even the way people interact. And honestly: it mostly just wears you out. I remember looking at almost every supermarket receipt in those first weeks thinking: "wow, this is really expensive." And yes, some things simply are more expensive here. But if you work here and earn a Swiss salary, you also have to learn to think within that system.

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What we'd do differently now: compare less and accept sooner that Switzerland works in its own way.

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2. Starting German too late

You really don't need to speak perfect German before moving to Switzerland. Almost nobody does. But I've noticed you make life a lot easier for yourself if you start with the language as early as possible. Language affects so much of your daily life. At work, with patients, at the local council, in the supermarket or when you meet new people. The more you dare to speak, the faster you feel at home. In the beginning I sometimes felt awkward speaking German when I knew it wasn't perfect. But in the end, doing it is exactly how you learn.

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What we'd do differently now: start earlier, worry less about mistakes and just talk. Even when it's not perfect.

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3. Underestimating the first months financially

Switzerland can be very attractive financially, but the first months can also be expensive. That's often underestimated. You're usually dealing with a deposit, the first month's rent, health insurance, furniture, a travel pass, groceries and maybe extra moving costs. Especially before your first full salary comes in, that can be quite a stretch. Looking back, we could have prepared a bit better for this. Not because it's impossible, but because it gives you so much peace of mind when you know in advance what life in Switzerland really costs and your first months are simply well covered.

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What we'd do differently now: move with a clear buffer and estimate more realistically what the first month really costs.

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4. Thinking making friends happens by itself

If you have a social life at home, it may feel logical that it will come naturally in Switzerland too. But in practice, you really have to be active about it at first. You're starting over. New colleagues, new surroundings and often a new language. Getting to know people takes time. And if you go straight home after work and spend every weekend waiting for someone to invite you, it can get pretty lonely. What helped me was saying yes more often. To a walk, a drink, a workout or a weekend trip. Not everything instantly becomes a deep friendship, but that's how you slowly build a network. And you don't have to do it alone: through the takeoff community you'll already know other physios before your first day at work.

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What we'd do differently now: actively seek people out from the start instead of waiting for it to happen by itself.

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5. Only going to the famous spots

In the beginning you naturally want to see all the famous places. Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Oeschinensee, Zermatt, Rigi, Stoos, and the list goes on. And honestly: those places are stunning. But Switzerland is so much more than the spots you keep seeing on Instagram. It's exactly the lesser-known valleys, small mountain villages and local hikes that make living here so special. Looking back, I sometimes enjoyed a quiet place with almost only locals more than a spot where everyone was taking the same photo.

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What we'd do differently now: definitely visit the famous places, but also deliberately look for local spots.

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6. Underestimating what elevation does

A 10-kilometre hike might not sound like much. Especially if you're from the Netherlands and used to walking or cycling a lot. But in Switzerland, distance doesn't tell the whole story. Elevation gain, terrain, altitude, weather and technical sections make a huge difference. A 10-kilometre route with 1,000 metres of climbing is simply something completely different from 10 flat kilometres. In the beginning I sometimes thought: "oh, it's only 12 kilometres." And hours later I'd be standing somewhere on a mountain trail with heavy legs.

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What we'd do differently now: look not just at kilometres, but also at elevation, time, weather and the quality of the route.

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7. Trying to do too much in a short time

In your first year you want to see everything. Every weekend there's something on your list. A new hike, a lake, a city, a ski weekend, a mountain hut or a new region. That makes sense, because everything feels new. But you don't have to tick off all of Switzerland in one year. You live here. You have time. Planning too much can actually make you enjoy it less. You end up busy with next weekend or the next spot, instead of really landing.

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What we'd do differently now: less "have to", more enjoying. Not every weekend needs to be a bucket-list weekend.

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8. Not looking into travel passes enough

Public transport in Switzerland is fantastic, but not cheap. So in the beginning it's smart to look carefully at which passes suit you. Think of the Half Fare Travelcard, regional passes, Supersaver tickets or sometimes even a GA travelcard, depending on how much you travel. If you often take the train to work, cities or the mountains, this can make a real difference. We could have figured out earlier what was cheapest for us. Especially since in Switzerland you often spontaneously hop on a train towards a lake, a mountain or another canton.

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What we'd do differently now: work out right at the start which travel pass really suits you.

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9. Thinking you have to live in the city centre

Many people initially focus on cities like Zurich, Bern, Lucerne or Basel. Which makes sense, because there's a lot going on and being central feels safe. But living just outside the city can actually be much nicer. You often pay less rent, have more space and still get to the centre quickly by public transport. For some people, a smaller village or a place closer to the mountains ends up being a much better fit than living right in the city. The differences in rental prices per region are bigger than many people think.

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What we'd do differently now: search more broadly instead of focusing only on the best-known cities and central locations.

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10. Sometimes forgetting how special it actually is

This might sound strange, but after a while you get used to everything. The mountains in the background, the lake after work, the weekend trips, the hiking trails and the fact that on a Friday afternoon you can suddenly be in a completely different world. I sometimes catch myself finding things normal that really aren't normal at all. A quick swim in a lake after work. Taking the train to the mountains on the weekend. Or waking up to a view of snow-capped peaks.

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What we'd do differently now: stop more often to realise how special this life actually is.

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Our most important advice

Your first year in Switzerland doesn't have to be perfect. In fact, it probably won't be. You'll misjudge things, get used to new rules, make language mistakes and sometimes think: what have I gotten myself into?

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But that's all part of it.

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I think everyone who has lived here for several years looks back on their first year as a great, but also pretty intense period. Everything is new, a lot of things are exciting and sometimes you just have to find your place. But that's exactly why that first year tends to stick with you.

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So if you're moving to Switzerland soon: prepare well, but don't expect to get everything right straight away. Give yourself time to land.

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Thinking about moving to Switzerland as a physiotherapist yourself and want to talk through your first year? Feel free to get in touch. Who knows, this might be the start of your own takeoff.

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