International companies in Switzerland

Why is Switzerland home to so many international companies? Why is the workforce in Switzerland so international? What are some famous international companies that are based in Switzerland? And what are these international companies looking for when hiring for new positions? This page has all the answers. 

International companies hiring in Switzerland

Want to get straight to job-hunting? Take a look at our list of international companies and recruitment agencies in Switzerland to see what kind of job opportunities are available for expats.

Why does Switzerland have such an international workforce?

Switzerland has a world-class education system, providing a constant stream of well-educated people. However, over a quarter of all people who live and work in Switzerland are non-Swiss citizens. Why is that?

The answer lies in the education system itself. The school system in Switzerland results in only around a third of students attending university, with many choosing apprenticeships over higher education. While this is good for many areas of the job market, it does leave some gaps. 

Many highly-skilled jobs therefore have to be filled by foreign workers. This is particularly true of industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.

International companies based in Switzerland

From newly-founded startups to established multinationals, Switzerland is home to a broad range of international companies, many of which operate in English and are regularly seeking to hire international professionals. 

Below is a list of some of the most famous international companies that are based in Switzerland, sorted according to industry. 

Finance & insurance

Unsurprisingly for a country famed for astute handling of financial affairs, Switzerland is home to plenty of companies offering insurance, financial advice and banking services. Here are some of the biggest names on the Swiss block: 

• Ernst & Young
• KPMG
• Swiss Life Holding 
• Swiss Re
• UBS
• Zurich Insurance Group

Electronics

Switzerland is also at the cutting-edge when it comes to innovation and technology. Some Switzerland-based companies leading the charge include:

• ABB
• Endress+Hauser Group
• Intuitive Surgical
• Logitech
• Sensirion
• STMicroelectronics

Fashion and beauty

Watchmakers understandably dominate the fashion brands that operate in Switzerland, but they’re not the only ones to call the alpine nation home:

• Intersport
• Fenix Outdoor International
• IWC
• Patek Philippe
• Piaget
• Rolex
• Swatch
• TAG Heuer

Consumer goods 

Some major consumer goods companies also develop and even manufacture their products in Switzerland. Some major companies you’ve probably heard of include:

• Coop
• Lindt & Sprüngli
• Nestle 
• Ricola
• Tetra Pak

Healthcare & pharmaceuticals 

Some Swiss companies are also major players in the world of pharmaceuticals. Indeed, the healthcare export industry is one of Switzerland’s most important. Some big companies in this industry include:

• Alliance Boots
• Debiopharm International
• Lonza
• Novartis
• Roche

Why does Switzerland have so many international companies?

International companies choose Switzerland due to the stability of the Swiss franc and the country's comparatively low business taxes. 

However, contrary to popular belief, Switzerland is not a tax haven for international companies. In fact, Switzerland has been proven to adhere to most international financial standards in the past 10 years, according to OECD. The banking system in Switzerland also adheres to international standards.

What do international companies look for?

International companies in Switzerland seek workers who have extensive experience and high qualifications in their field of work. The companies on offer to expats tend to be higher management positions, but lower grades are also available. 

When you are working in Switzerland, the main language is typically one of the national languages of Switzerland: either German, French, Italian or Romansh. That being said, most international companies use English in the workplace, particularly in the largest Swiss cities such as Zurich, Bern, Basel and Geneva.

However, roles that only require English tend to be rare. Even if your work is in English, being able to speak one of Switzerland's four national languages will help you socialise with your colleagues better. Learning a national language is highly valuable as it opens up more job opportunities and will help you integrate better.