Basel is a highly international city with a large expat community that offers a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. The local language is Swiss German, and while many locals speak English, you’ll find that trying to learn some basic phrases goes a long way toward breaking the ice.

Swiss culture values punctuality, privacy, and straightforward communication. These cultural differences may initially feel alienating, but overcoming them is key to integrating into the community. Join local clubs, attend networking events, and take Swiss German classes to help you establish a social network and settle into your new life in Basel.

Working in Basel

Basel is an attractive destination for expats in STEM and finance. Major global companies, including pharmaceutical giants Novartis and Roche, call Basel home, making it a hotspot for professionals in the life sciences sector. The financial services industry also provides ample opportunities for expats, while the city’s growing tech scene demands specialists in IT and data science.

Keep in mind that if you’re not from the EU/EFTA, you’ll need to secure a work permit before taking up employment. EU citizens have an easier time but still need a residence permit if staying longer than 90 days.

Working in Basel 
Business Culture in Switzerland

Finding accommodation in Basel

Finding accommodation in Basel can be competitive, especially in popular neighbourhoods. Be prepared for steep rents, especially in high-demand areas, and act quickly when you find something you like. Many rentals are filled through word of mouth, so personal contacts are essential.

Expats often settle in areas like Altstadt Grossbasel, which offers historic charm, or Gundeldingen, known for its local shops and quieter atmosphere. Bruderholz and Riehen are top choices for families, with their spacious homes, green spaces, and more relaxed suburban feel.

Renting Accommodation in Basel 
Accommodation in Switzerland

Getting around Basel

Thanks to its efficient public transport system, getting around Basel is easy. The city is well-served by trams and buses, making it simple to get from one neighbourhood to another. Cycling is also prevalent, with plenty of dedicated bike lanes, making it a safe and eco-friendly option. Walking is ideal for short distances, and the pedestrian-friendly layout of most areas makes it a practical choice.

If you plan to drive, be aware that parking can be a challenge in busier parts of the city, and you’ll need to familiarise yourself with Swiss traffic laws.

Cost of living in Basel

The cost of living in Basel is one of the highest in the world. Housing, healthcare, and groceries are the biggest expenses, so be prepared to allocate a significant portion of your budget towards these essentials.

Accommodation costs vary depending on the neighbourhood, with city-centre rents being especially high. Groceries are also pricier, and dining out can quickly add up. Still, there are ways to cut expenses by living slightly outside the city centre, using public transport, and shopping at discount supermarkets.

Cost of Living in Basel 
Cost of Living in Switzerland

Lifestyle in Basel

Basel offers an energetic lifestyle that appeals to expats from all walks of life. The city is packed with cultural attractions, world-class museums and famous historical landmarks. Basel’s famous Fasnacht carnival is not to be missed, with its colourful parades and exciting atmosphere drawing crowds from near and far.

Basel is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it’s cycling along the city’s many bike lanes, hiking nearby trails, or even swimming in the Rhine during the summer months, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you active.

The city’s social scene is also buzzing, with various clubs, restaurants, and events where you can meet new people and make lasting connections. If you enjoy the arts, you’ll love the regular exhibitions, concerts, and performances across the city.

Shopping, Activities, Attractions and Annual Events in Basel

Healthcare

Basel’s healthcare is among the best in Europe. It offers expat families access to modern facilities, such as the University Hospital Basel, and a wide range of family doctors and paediatric specialists. Most healthcare providers speak English, making it easier for expats to understand the system.

Health insurance is mandatory for all residents and covers essential services such as doctor visits and hospital stays. Many expat families also opt for supplementary insurance to cover additional benefits like dental care or private hospital rooms.

Healthcare in Switzerland

Finding a school

Families living in Basel have several schooling options, ranging from Swiss public schools to private and international institutions. Public schools are free and offer strong academic foundations, but classes are taught in Swiss German. Many schools provide language support programmes for non-native speakers to ease the transition.

International schools such as the International School of Basel and the Swiss International School are popular choices for those seeking an English-speaking curriculum. These schools follow internationally recognised curricula, which can make relocation smoother, particularly for families planning to move again in the future.

Education and Schools in Basel

Climate in Basel

Basel’s climate features four distinct seasons, making it ideal for those who enjoy variation in weather.

Winters, from December to February, are cold and often damp, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Snow does fall but isn’t always consistent, so you’ll likely experience more grey, chilly days than winter wonderland scenes. Spring brings milder temperatures, with March starting at around 43°F (6°C) and reaching up to 70°F (21°C) by May. It’s a perfect time for outdoor activities as the city blooms. Summer in Basel is warm, with temperatures averaging 77°F (25°C) and occasionally exceeding 86°F (30°C). July tends to see the most rain, so keep an umbrella handy. Autumn offers a lovely transition, with crisp air and temperatures dropping from 70°F (21°C) in September to 43°F (6°C) by November.

Climate and Weather in Switzerland

Basel is ideally situated for doing business internationally – right on the border of Switzerland, France, and Germany. As a result, many major multinationals have a significant presence in Basel. Although the job market is competitive, opportunities abound for those with the right qualifications and experience.

Job market in Basel

Basel is a hub of innovation, particularly in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing, life sciences and biotech. Other major industries in the city include trade and logistics, financial services, and ICT.

As a university city, Basel is home to a highly educated and skilled population, so standing out can be tough. The city’s border location means that it’s beneficial to be able to speak more than one of the main local languages. In addition to English, other useful languages are Swiss German, standard German, and French.

Finding a job in Basel

The process of finding a job in Basel and moving there for work differs according to your nationality.

EU citizens are allowed to enter Switzerland to look for work for up to 90 days. They don’t need any special permissions or paperwork to do so. After 90 days, a residence permit is necessary.

On the other hand, non-EU nationals (also known as third-country nationals) will need to find and secure a job before moving to Switzerland. Work and residence permits are required if you want to move to the country.

The best way to look for work in Basel is by making use of online job portals, joining social networking websites such as LinkedIn, and getting in touch with local recruiters in your niche. Bear in mind that the Swiss CV format differs from that of other countries, so you should be sure you understand the requirements and the correct format before submitting any applications.

For more details on the required documentation, read Visas for Switzerland.

Useful links

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Jobs.ch

Work culture in Basel

Basel’s work culture, and that of Switzerland in general, tends towards the formal. You’re expected to be punctual, respectful and polite at all times. The Swiss are hard workers, and expats who take up a job here will be expected to follow suit.

Rank, education, and achievements are important, and the company hierarchy is developed based on these factors. Although the hierarchy is respected and company leaders have the final say, they do tend to discuss significant decisions with their team and overall use a consensus-based approach.

Read more on Doing Business in Switzerland.

Beautiful Basel is a lovely city to live in, although living in Switzerland comes at a price. Finding suitable accommodation in Basel can be time-consuming due to the competitive market, so it’s best to start thinking about how to find a home early on in the planning stages.

Areas and suburbs in Basel

With 19 districts, Basel has plenty of options for those considering where to live.

The city can broadly be divided into two parts. Grossbasel (Great Basel), situated on the south and west banks of the River Rhine, and Kleinbasel (Lesser Basel) on the southern side of the river, known for its multicultural atmosphere and more affordable living. Alstadt is the historical town centre with its narrow streets, medieval architecture, cafés, and theatres.

Upmarket Bachletten is a central, family-friendly neighbourhood with wonderful parks and access to good Swiss and international schools. Nearby Gundeldingen (known as Gundeldi) offers more affordable living and is popular with young professionals and families.

On the southern bank of the Rhine, the Wettstein neighbourhood has seen a transformation over the last decade or so and has become a popular suburb for both locals and expats. The cosmopolitan riverside quarter in Kleinbasel’s Altstadt area is particularly desirable for those who seek lively and multicultural inner-city living.

North of Basel near the German border, Riehen is a leafy, affluent suburb that is a good option for families and nature lovers, with a peaceful, village-like atmosphere and good schools, while still offering easy access to the city.

Many expats working in Basel choose to live in France, particularly in the region of Alsace, which has lower housing costs and a more relaxed, rural lifestyle, while still being close to Basel for work.

Types of accommodation in Basel

Accommodation in Basel can generally be divided into apartments and freestanding houses. The vast majority of housing in Basel is in the form of apartments. There is a shortage of freestanding houses, so they’re in high demand and are usually snapped up as soon as they go on the market. They also tend to be pricey.

Another option is renting a row house (terraced house). They’re a good compromise, being more spacious than apartments and less expensive than freestanding houses. Still, they’re immensely popular, and you’ll need luck and good timing on your side if you want to nab one.

To learn more about common types of housing, see Accommodation in Switzerland.

Finding accommodation in Basel

If you’re moving to Basel for work, you might be lucky enough to have your accommodation arranged for by a relocation agent and paid for by your employer. Those going it alone need not worry too much, though, as renting is common among both locals and expats in Basel, meaning that there are plenty of resources available.

One possible route is engaging the services of a real estate agency. While this costs extra, it means someone else can do the legwork for you. You’ll also be able to tap into any local knowledge they may have, and possibly gain access to incoming property listings before they go on the market.

Most people start their search on online property portals. The most popular websites for searching for property rentals are homegate.ch and home.ch. Basel expat groups on Facebook can also be helpful as a source of advice and possibly information on upcoming rental vacancies.

Renting accommodation in Basel

The process of renting accommodation in Basel is fairly straightforward once you’ve found your new home. You’ll have to make an application and include proof of identity, employment, and income. In some cases, you may need a Swiss guarantor to sign on. Employers will often take on this role for new arrivals.

Leases are generally signed for a period of 12 months. Before moving in, a deposit is required. The amount is usually the equivalent of up to three months of rent. Utilities are typically not included in the cost of rent and should be budgeted as an extra expense.

To learn more about the ins and outs of the rental process, see Renting Accommodation in Switzerland.

The quality of education and schools in Basel is high, as is the case in Switzerland as a whole. Options include public schools, which are free but teach in Swiss German, and private schools, some of which teach in English or other foreign languages.

The best option for your family will depend on your children's ages and your intended length of stay in Switzerland.

Generally speaking, the younger a child is, the more easily they can adapt to speaking a new language. And if you’re planning to stay in the country for the long haul, local schooling is a great way to integrate with the local community.

On the other hand, if you’ll only be in Switzerland for a year or two, it makes more sense to opt for an international school where children can be taught in their home language and learn a familiar curriculum.

Public schools in Basel

Schools are managed at the canton level (Basel-Stadt). Schooling is compulsory for 11 years, from age 4 or 5 to 16, although most students continue until age 18.

Compulsory schooling consists of the following levels:

• Kindergarten, age 4 to 6
• Primary school (Primarschule), ages 6 to 12
• Upper-level school (Sekundarstufe I), ages 12 to 15

Following Sekundarstufe I, students are split into three streams depending on academic proficiency. The options are:

• Vocational studies or apprenticeship (Berufslehre)
• Professional high school (Fachmaturitätsschule)
• Academic high school (Gymnasium)

Gymnasium attendees graduate with the Swiss Matura, which allows them to attend university in Switzerland.

It’s worth mentioning that although teaching is in Swiss German, there is a good amount of support for non-native speakers in the form of extra classes to improve proficiency.

For more on the Swiss school system, including info about special-needs education and tutors, see Education and Schools in Switzerland.

Useful links

• The Education System in Basel (PDF)

Private and international schools in Basel

Parents opting for private and international schools in Basel usually do so because of language concerns. Many of these schools teach in languages other than Swiss German, such as English or French. Quite a few are bilingual, teaching in two languages.

International schools teach a global curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or that of a foreign country. The IB is particularly popular because of easy transferability between schools all over the world, making changing schools less disruptive overall when moving. Some schools also teach the Swiss curriculum, allowing students to graduate with the Swiss Matura.

Useful links

• International School of Basel (IB in English and German)
• Swiss International School, Basel (Swiss Matura and IB in English and German)
• Academia International School (Cambridge Primary, Secondary, IGCSE and A-Levels in English)

Welcome to Basel, where a captivating lifestyle, exciting events, and fascinating attractions await you at every corner. Nestled on the banks of the Rhine River, Basel blends Swiss charm with a cosmopolitan flair, making it an ideal destination for globally mobile professionals.

As Switzerland’s cultural capital, Basel offers a kaleidoscope of art, history, and entertainment. With its tri-national location bordering France and Germany, the city boasts a distinct mélange of cultures, languages, and traditions.

Whether you’re exploring world-class museums, indulging in gourmet dining, or participating in local festivals, Basel provides an array of experiences that cater to those seeking both leisure and luxury. Take a dive into the city’s offerings and discover what makes life in Basel truly exceptional.

Shopping in Basel

Shopping in Basel is an experience that combines luxury, tradition, and innovation. There are some shopping centres in Basel, such as St. Jakob-Park and Stücki Park, which offer a convenient and extensive retail experience. At these modern complexes, you can browse international brands, enjoy a variety of dining options, and even catch a movie – all under one roof.

Shopping districts

Basel’s shopping districts and streets are a treasure trove for those seeking a unique retail experience. Freie Strasse, the city’s main shopping avenue, is lined with international brands and luxury boutiques, making it a haven for fashion enthusiasts. For a more eclectic mix, head to the historic Spalenberg area in the Old Town. Here, quaint boutiques and speciality shops offer everything from handcrafted jewellery to exclusive Swiss chocolates.

Markets

The markets in Basel provide a glimpse into the city’s local culture and traditions. The Stadtmarkt is the perfect place to find fresh produce, regional cheeses, and artisanal breads directly from local farmers. Don’t miss the Matthäusmarkt on Saturdays, where you can discover handmade crafts and seasonal specialities. These markets are a must if you value quality goods and a chance to mingle with locals and immerse yourself in Basel’s community spirit.

Nightlife in Basel

With its distinctive blend of Swiss charm and international flair, Basel’s nightlife delivers a satisfying experience for every mood. Weekends see some venues open as late as 4am, so there’s no need to cut the night short!

For a mix of sophisticated venues, the city centre offers a range of rooftop bars and cocktail lounges where you can sip drinks while gazing over the illuminated cityscape. Steinenvorstadt is one of Basel’s liveliest nightlife districts, known for its bustling bars and clubs. 

If you’re after a more laid-back atmosphere, Kleinbasel along the Oberer Rheinweg is ideal. Here, you can enjoy late-night drinks on outdoor terraces while taking in stunning views of the Rhine.

Eating out in Basel

Eating out in Basel is a delight for food lovers. The city’s multicultural population means you can find anything from Swiss specialities to international cuisine.

Basel’s dining scene never disappoints, whether you want Mediterranean or Asian dishes, or a traditional dish like Rösti. When in Basel, don’t miss the chance to try the city’s traditional delicacies like Basler Läckerli, a delicious gingerbread cookie, or Brunsli, chocolate-based biscuits typically enjoyed during the festive season.

Basel is also home to several Michelin-starred restaurants offering high-end dining experiences. If you prefer something more casual, there are plenty of cosy bistros and family-run eateries serving up hearty Swiss dishes and international flavours.

Sports and outdoor activities in Basel

If you enjoy an active lifestyle, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy in Basel. The city’s scenic outdoor spaces and recreational facilities offer a wealth of activities for all fitness levels.

Cycling and running are particularly popular along the Rhine River, where well-maintained paths allow you to take in stunning views of the water and the cityscape. For those looking to escape into nature, the nearby Basel-Country region offers numerous hiking trails, from gentle routes to more challenging hikes through beautiful landscapes.

In the warmer months, the Rhine itself becomes a playground for water sports. You can join the locals in swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Basel’s parks, such as Kannenfeld Park and Park im Grünen, also offer green spaces and facilities for outdoor fitness, picnics, or simply relaxing in the fresh air.

See and do in Basel

Basel Minster (Münster)

One of Basel’s most iconic landmarks, the Basel Minster is a stunning Gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline. Climb up to the Pfalz terrace behind the Minster for a panoramic view of the city and the Rhine River. The cathedral’s intricate details and historical significance make it a must-visit for anyone exploring Basel.

Town Hall (Rathaus)

The striking red façade of Basel’s Town Hall is hard to miss. Located in the bustling Marktplatz, this architectural gem is adorned with detailed frescoes. It boasts a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Be sure to step inside the courtyard for a closer look at its stunning design.

Kunstmuseum Basel

As home to the world’s oldest public art collection, the Kunstmuseum Basel is a must for art lovers. It showcases an impressive array of works, from 14th-century masterpieces to contemporary art. You’ll find pieces by artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh, making it one of the most significant cultural institutions in the city.

Tinguely Fountain

Located near the Basel Theatre, the playful Tinguely Fountain is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. Created by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, the fountain features moving sculptures that whimsically spray water.

Fondation Beyeler

Just outside Basel, the Fondation Beyeler is a modern art museum set in a tranquil park. Housing a vast collection of 20th-century art, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Rothko, it’s a beautiful space to experience both nature and world-class art. It’s a short trip from the city and well worth the visit.

What’s On in Basel

Basler Fasnacht (February)

Basler Fasnacht, or Carnival, is Basel’s most iconic annual event, held in February. It begins with the Morgenstreich at 4am, when the city plunges into darkness and thousands of lanterns light up the streets. Parades of elaborately costumed participants, accompanied by drummers and pipers, make Fasnacht an unforgettable experience.

Fantasy Basel (May)

If you’re a sci-fi, fantasy, or gaming fan, Fantasy Basel is the event for you. This three-day pop culture convention in May draws enthusiasts from across the world. From cosplay competitions to panels with creators, it’s a space where fans come together to celebrate their passions. It’s particularly popular with Basel’s expat community.

Art Basel (June)

Every June, Art Basel brings together the world’s top contemporary art galleries for one of the most prestigious art fairs. The city becomes a hub for collectors, artists, and art lovers, with exhibitions and installations spread across various venues. If you appreciate modern art, this is an unmissable event that showcases Basel’s role as a cultural leader.

Basel Tattoo (July)

The Basel Tattoo is the second-largest of its kind in the world. Military bands from all over the globe perform, creating a spectacular mix of music and choreography. The open-air performances near the city’s historic barracks make for an unforgettable summer evening, attracting thousands of visitors.

Basel Autumn Fair (October/November)

The Basel Autumn Fair, or Herbstmesse, is the city’s oldest and largest fair, held in late October through early November. With its mix of thrilling rides, games, and local food stalls, this family-friendly event brings both locals and visitors out to enjoy the cheery atmosphere.

Basel Christmas Market (November/December)

The Basel Christmas Market is one of Switzerland’s largest and most beloved holiday markets. Running from late November to December, the market spreads festive cheer with stalls selling handcrafted goods, ornaments, and seasonal treats. The glowing lights and scent of mulled wine make this a magical experience for families and anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.