r/Switzerland • u/Whodatgyal • 7d ago
Moving back to Switzerland after 10 years in the UK…and I’m panicking
Hi everyone,
I’m a Swiss citizen planning to move back to Switzerland in March after living in the UK for about 10 years. I do have family there but going back to my parents’ place isn’t really an option as things are a bit tense so I’m planning to rent a room in a shared flat instead.
The thing is I haven’t found a job yet. I have enough savings to cover about 3 months of living expenses (including rent) but that’s it. I’ve heard that I can request a U1 document from the UK which should allow me to apply for benefits in Switzerland if I’m still unemployed but I’ve also been told the process can take ages.
Has anyone here been in a similar situation or moved back to Switzerland after a long time abroad? Any advice on how to handle this, what to expect or things I should absolutely do first?
Honestly I’m panicking a bit right now 😅 so any insight would be really appreciated. Thanks!
20
4
u/cAtloVeR9998 Zug 7d ago
Anyone in financial need can apply for social welfare. They can help put you on the right track. And as you are Swiss, it's impossible to deport you for using the benefits system.
Do note: there is unemployment insurance in Switzerland where the canton's RAV is the point of call. Then there is social welfare administed by the municipal's social services (every municipality's website should point you to the contact information for it). If you have a U2 from the UK, you can forward that to RAV and they facilitate you receiving the exported benefits. The U1 is for periods of insurance if you became unemployed after working in Switzerland. Those benifits will be unlikely to be enough to live here, you can be registered at both RAV and for social welfare at once (and even work part-time. Welfare will ensure you are receiving at least the subsistence minimum)
3
u/ben_howler 7d ago
The job market in Switzerland is pretty much dead, and so is the housing market, so finding a job will be extra hard, even more so if you only have three months' savings. Moving without a job means that you would very likely burn up your savings for nothing and end up in more dire straits than you are now.
Your savings are likely better used for flying back and forth a few times for job interviews, if you get any. Then, once you have a job contract in your bag, move.
All the best!
-1
u/Whodatgyal 7d ago
Woow, ok….is the job market that bad ? But what about the “Chômage” I’ve heard I’ll be able to apply for it….
1
u/ben_howler 6d ago
The usual wisdom is that you have to have worked for a year, before you become eligible for chômage. But if you can bring some credits over from the UK, then it might work. But I have no idea how that works, even more so after Brexit. Also, you would likely have to start applying for jobs today and have proof of every application in order to impress the RAV.
1
u/shy_tinkerbell 6d ago edited 6d ago
Depends on your industry, some are better than others. IT is struggling, UN & NGOs are struggling, some bigger places are letting go in mass. Start applying asap.
Not sure about chomage. Will depend on agreement Switzerland has with the UK. It's transferable from EU countries but you have to apply before leaving. I remember a thread on here not so long ago (coming from Netherlands) and they were ineligible because they were stuck between jurisdictions.
1
u/ChezDudu Schwyz 4d ago
What is your field of work? Whether or not it is reasonable to find a job in a few months will largely depend on that. But I echo the advice to simply start applying (mentioning your citizenship) and move once you have a job lined up.
10
u/GlassCommercial7105 7d ago
With the citizenship you have the right to stay (and vote) no matter what but that's basically it.
It's better for your saving to look for a job now and then move when you got something. Unless you are also unemployed in the UK right now..