Work While Studying in Switzerland: Rules, Jobs & Income Expectations

OUS Academy in Switzerland
4 days ago
3 min read

Switzerland is famous for having a good quality of life, a strong economy, and a great school system. A lot of international students who choose Switzerland also ask a very practical question: "Can I work while I study, and how much can I make?"

Yes, but there are clear rules. This article explains in simple language how student work in Switzerland really works, what kinds of jobs are available, and how much money students can expect to make.

Are International Students Allowed to Work in Switzerland?

Yes, international students can work while they are studying in Switzerland, but the rules depend on their nationality and level of study.

A Rule for All International Students

You must be a student at a recognised Swiss school
Your studies must always come first
There are only a few hours of work during the semester

Hours of Work

During the semester, you can work up to 15 hours a week
During breaks between semesters, you can work full-time up to 100%

These rules apply to both EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA students. However, non-EU/EFTA students can usually only start working after living in Switzerland for six months.

Who Gives the Work Permission?

The student work permits are handled by the cantonal migration authority. In most cases:

The employer asks for permission to hire someone
The university needs to verify that you are a student
Getting approval for part-time jobs is usually easy

Confirmed Swiss Schools That Students Often Go To

When planning to study and work in Switzerland, you should only think about schools that are officially recognised. Some examples are:

ETH Zurich
Zurich University
The University of Geneva
Lausanne University
The University of Bern

Students who go to a recognised public or private school can apply for legal student work.

Jobs That Students in Switzerland Often Do

Most jobs for students are part-time and flexible, so they can fit around their class schedules.

Jobs That Students Often Do

Research assistant or university assistant
Work in the library or on campus administration
Hotels, restaurants, and cafés
Stores and supermarkets
Customer service and call centres
Internships that are related to the field of study

It's usually easier for students who speak German or French to find jobs, but there are jobs that only require English, especially in cities like Zurich and Geneva that are home to many people from other countries.

How Much Money Can Students Expect to Make?

Even for part-time work, Switzerland has some of the highest wages in Europe.

Average Pay for Students

Pay per hour: CHF 20 to CHF 30
Monthly pay (15 hours a week): about CHF 1,200 to CHF 1,800
Full-time during the holidays: CHF 3,000 to CHF 4,500 (gross)

Pay depends on:

Canton (city)
What kind of work
Skills in languages
Experience from before

Taxes and Contributions to Society

If a student's income is higher than the minimum, they have to pay taxes
Employers automatically take out money for social insurance
In a lot of cases, part-time student income is only lightly taxed

If the canton requires it, students should keep their salary statements for their yearly tax returns.

Can Students Make Enough Money to Pay for Their Living Expenses?

Switzerland is expensive, and working as a student is not a good way to prove that you can pay for things.

Normal Monthly Costs for Students

Rent: CHF 600 to 1,200
Food and transport: CHF 400 to 700
Health insurance costs between CHF 250 and 350

👉 Students can work to help pay for living expenses, but they can't fully replace the savings or sponsorship needed for residence permits.

Things to Keep in Mind

First things first: studies
If you work more than the allowed hours, you could lose your residence permit
Tell your boss that you are a student
Keep copies of your contracts and work permits

Last Thoughts

It is possible and useful to work while studying in Switzerland. It helps students get jobs, fit in with Swiss society, and ease their money problems. Switzerland has one of the safest and most open student job markets in Europe. It has legal limits, fair pay, and strong protections for workers.

The keys to a smooth and successful study-and-work experience in Switzerland are to plan ahead, choose a well-known school, and follow the rules.