Switzerland
Europe
Key facts
- Capital
- Bern
- Population
- 9,092,436
- 2025
- Area
- 41,291 km²
- Official languages
- German, French, Italian, Romansh (official in dealings with Romansh speakers)
- Currency
- Swiss Franc
- CHF
- GDP per capita
- US$114,769
- 2025
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship without restriction in both directions since 1 January 1992.
Switzerland (Europe) has data on 11/14 Prosperous Intelligence indices. Strongest relative position: Wealth Protection Index — #2/205 (92.7/100). Lowest relative position: Cost of Living Index — #190/200 (30.0/100). The passport ranks #6/198 and reaches 199 destinations without a consular visa in advance. Global Citizenship Score 84.8/100 (#7/199). On the entry side, 92/197 passports can enter Switzerland without a consular visa in advance. The dataset records 2 active citizenship and residence programmes in Switzerland.
Scores on 11 indices
- Health & Longevity89.5
- Safety & Stability96.9
- Economy & Income85.9
- Education81.3
- Environment & Clean Water79.5
- Infrastructure100.0
- Digital Connectivity84.8
- Equality71.7
- Learning Quality90.3
- Educational Attainment84.1
- Expected Years of Schooling79.3
- Education Spending75.0
- Basic Access70.1
- Violent Crime99.2
- Stability & Absence of Terrorism89.2
- Law Enforcement & Order100.0
- Road Safety98.3
- Absence of Armed Conflict100.0
- Health Outcomes99.0
- Coverage & Access98.2
- Health Workforce & Facilities76.1
- Spending & Investment93.8
- Financial Protection72.3
- Personal Income Tax27.3
- Capital Gains & Dividends70.0
- System & Incentives57.0
- Net Wealth Tax70.0
- Inheritance & Gift Tax100.0
- Corporate & Social Security64.7
- Rule of Law & Property Rights100.0
- Political Stability89.2
- Institutions & Regulation100.0
- Financial Soundness65.3
- Monetary Stability100.0
- Freedom of Capital Movement100.0
- Education81.3
- Healthcare89.5
- Safety96.9
- Quality of Life85.8
- Cost of living30.0
- Passport94.7
- Passport94.7
- Quality of Life85.8
- Safety96.9
- Healthcare89.5
- Purchasing power & price stability61.7
- Education81.3
- Wealth Protection92.7
- Tax61.2
- Cost of living30.0
- Healthcare89.5
- Safety96.9
- Quality of Life85.8
- Tax61.2
- Wealth Protection92.7
- Affordable Prices0.0
- Price Stability100.0
- Purchasing power52.1
Monthly living costs
- Total incl. rentUS$3,663Rank 24 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Total excl. rentUS$803Rank 24 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Housing & utilitiesUS$2,938Rank 23 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Core food basketUS$139Rank 22 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- A fixed basket of 15 everyday items at online retail prices; not a household’s full food spending.
- Eating outUS$352Rank 24 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- TransportUS$106Rank 18 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Internet & mobileUS$129Rank 23 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- 2 adults, 2 primary-school children
- Total incl. rentUS$5,876Rank 23 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Total excl. rentUS$1,873Rank 24 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Housing & utilitiesUS$4,178Rank 22 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Core food basketUS$443Rank 22 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- A fixed basket of 15 everyday items at online retail prices; not a household’s full food spending.
- Eating outUS$703Rank 24 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- TransportUS$365Rank 20 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Internet & mobileUS$187Rank 23 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- International school (reference)US$3,004Rank 21 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- 4 schools, US$2,637–US$3,329 a month; not included in the totals
At a glance
Entering Switzerland
- Visa-free: 92 passports
- Visa on arrival: 0 passports
- eTA: 0 passports
- e-Visa: 0 passports
- Consular visa required: 105 passports
Regional position and data sources
- First in Europe on 1/11 indices: Wealth Protection Index
- Above the regional median on 9/11 indices
- Each index lists its source and data date on the Data sources page
Citizenship and residence programmes in the dataset
- Self-employment residence permit (economic interest, Art. 19 FNIA)
- Residence via Lump-Sum Taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung)
Frequently asked questions about Switzerland
What is the capital of Switzerland?
The capital of Switzerland is Bern.
What is the population of Switzerland?
According to the World Bank, Switzerland had a population of 9,092,436 in 2025.
What are the official languages of Switzerland?
The official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh (official in dealings with Romansh speakers).
What currency does Switzerland use?
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF).
Does Switzerland allow dual citizenship?
Switzerland has allowed dual citizenship without restriction in both directions since 1 January 1992.
How strong is the Switzerland passport?
The Switzerland passport ranks #6 of 198 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Passport Index and reaches 199 destinations without applying for a consular visa in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA).
How many destinations require a visa for Switzerland passport holders?
Holders of the Switzerland passport must apply for a consular visa before travelling to 15 destinations and need an e-Visa for 33. Full list: Switzerland passport page.
How many passports can enter Switzerland without applying for a visa in advance?
92 of 197 passports can enter Switzerland without applying for a consular visa in advance: 92 visa-free. 105 must apply for a consular visa.
What citizenship and residency programmes does Switzerland offer?
The Prosperous Intelligence dataset records 2 active citizenship and residency programmes in Switzerland: Self-employment residence permit (economic interest, Art. 19 FNIA) and Residence via Lump-Sum Taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung). Details: Opportunity Map.
How long does an application take in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, an application under Self-employment residence permit (economic interest, Art. 19 FNIA) takes about 2–6 months and Residence via Lump-Sum Taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung) about 2–6 months (reference processing time).
How long does it take to become a citizen of Switzerland through these programmes?
Through Self-employment residence permit (economic interest, Art. 19 FNIA), citizenship of Switzerland is possible after about 10 years, after a period of permanent residence; through Residence via Lump-Sum Taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung), citizenship of Switzerland is possible after about 10 years, after a period of permanent residence (reference time).
How many days a year do you need to spend in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, Residence via Lump-Sum Taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung) requires 183 days of physical presence a year (reference figure).
Can family members join programmes in Switzerland?
All 2 programmes can include spouse and children under 18.
Where is Switzerland strongest and weakest in Prosperous Intelligence’s indices?
Relative to other countries, Switzerland is strongest on the Wealth Protection Index (#2 of 205) and weakest on the Cost of Living Index (#190 of 200).
How does Switzerland rank for quality of life?
Switzerland scores 85.8/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Quality of Life Index, ranking #9 of 211.
Is Switzerland expensive to live in?
Switzerland scores 30.0/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Cost of Living Index, ranking #190 of 200. This is the affordability-of-living-costs score: a higher score means lower prices.
How safe is Switzerland?
Switzerland scores 96.9/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Global Safety Index, ranking #3 of 203.
How does Switzerland rank for healthcare?
Switzerland scores 89.5/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Healthcare Index, ranking #3 of 192.
How does Switzerland rank for education?
Switzerland scores 81.3/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Education Index, ranking #25 of 191.
How does Switzerland rank on taxes?
Switzerland scores 61.2/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Tax Freedom Index, ranking #107 of 145. Detailed tax rates: Tax Freedom Index.
What the profile contains
- Key facts from government and international sources
- Scores and global ranks on 11 Prosperous Intelligence indices
- Entry rules, passport strength and residency programmes
Why the profile matters
- Compare one country across many criteria on a single page
- Not a substitute for legal, tax or investment advice
Method
- How each index is scored and weighted
- The limits of the data and how to check official sources
