Setting up a Business in Switzerland

“Switzerland has more to offer than Chocolate and Watches”

Overview  The Economy  The Government  Laws, Regulations and Standards  Facts and Figures  The People

About Switzerland - The People

Key Concepts Switzerland is a small country with approximately 41 284 sq km of land and 7,48 million inhabitants. There are 4 national languages: German (65% of the population), French (20%), Italian (7.5%) and Romansch, a Rhaeto-Roman dialect spoken in parts of the Grisons (0.5%). English language is very widespread and it is often used as a link between Switzerland's various linguistic communities. Switzerland is extremely open culturally and economically, and thus should have all the services a foreign language speaker could possibly want. Swiss quality enjoys worldwide recognition. It is the result of a good educational system, a strong work ethic and co-operative industrial relations. The country ranks among the top five globally in terms of educational structures and enjoys high standards of education at all levels. Public universities, which are mainly located in Lausanne, Geneva, Bern, Basel, Zürich, St. Gall, Neuchâtel, and Fribourg, offer well regarded advanced degrees and polytechnic universities are world known for their research. In addition to the excellent Swiss public school system, international curricula are available in most large towns. Zurich, Geneva and Basel have international airports. They are efficient, accessible and offer direct daily flights to all major European cities. A reliable rail network links cities and towns throughout the country. Business Practice and Etiquette In Swiss business culture, clothing is formal and conservative. Clothing styles for both men and women are more subdued in the German north than in the French and Italian speaking regions. Standard attire for men includes finely tailored suits, starched shirts, and ties. Standard attire for women includes suits with skirts of a conservative length. Pantsuits, in classic styles, can also be acceptable. The Swiss may initially seem reserved. But once you develop a rapport with them, you'll generally find them honest, responsible people and loyal. The Swiss are very punctual. Usually, meeting are set up several weeks in advance; The Swiss are very polite and good listeners. They are extremely attentive, rarely interrupt, and remember practically everything you say to them. The Swiss tend to be conservative in their opinions and do not change their minds easily but it would be wrong to think of them as unnecessarily stubborn.