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Feeling overwhelmed in Basel? – Guest post

Life can be tough, even in a beautiful city like Basel. The last couple of years have certainly taken their toll on all of us…sometimes we need a little help and need to learn to ask for it. Where to ask? Gareth Maxwell, founder of www.revolutionise.ch might be able to help you. He’s written a guest post to help those struggling with feelings of depression and being overwhelmed…when Gareth offered to write a post for the site, I was truly grateful!

Gareth was born in the UK and is the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters.  After serving 12 years in the UK Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Technician, he moved to Huningue, Alsace in 2011 to work at the airport, and then settled in Basel in 2014.  He enjoys riding his motorbike, hiking and has adopted his first dog.

He was inspired to change his career to become a certified life coach during his recovery from depression when he learned how widespread the issue is.  He works with men and women from different backgrounds. To learn more about Gareth’s story, you can find his website at www.revolutionise.ch You can also read testimonials from previous clients.

How are you? (I’ll ask you again at the end)

I’m Gareth Maxwell; my friends call me Gaz.  I moved from Wales in the UK to Alsace in 2011 and then to Basel in 2014.  Basel is a great place to live, I love it here, and I’d recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.  Like many, I moved here for work, and I didn’t find it too difficult to meet new people, find friends and get along with colleagues as I’m a fairly outgoing person.

That said, I encountered a couple significant life changing events since I moved here.  Some were very positive, and others negative enough to put me in a bad place.  Over an 8-year period, I found a permanent job, I was promoted, had further training & development with my employer for leadership and technical progression, and I even got married.  As time went on, I realised I was struggling;  I wasn’t managing too well at all.

I felt like I should have all the answers to the questions in my head and that’s where the worrying started.  I began to feel less and less positive in my mind and that affected my confidence to speak up and address the problems I was having.  My thought process went something like this; “I’m a man.  I’m a veteran.  I work in a male-dominated environment.  I’m a professional leader at work.  I can do this!”  Self-doubt sabotaged it all…

In truth, I had no idea how to improve my situation or even how to make myself just feel better and so I just kept on going. I felt like I was going through the motions of my job, my relationships and my life without any meaning or interest, let alone real joy.  My marriage suffered and even though we tried to salvage it through counselling, we separated and eventually divorced.

After that, I got into a couple of relationships when I wasn’t ready, even though I told myself I was.  What followed felt like a catastrophe of self-doubt, guilt, shame and darkness.  I fell into a depression where I questioned my very existence. I seriously considered ending my life.  Quite the rollercoaster, let me tell you. 

So why am I sharing this? Why do I feel it’s important to tell my story here?  It’s because I want you to know that if you’re feeling these things, you’re not alone…No matter where we live in the world, life happens.  It has a way of challenging you when you least expect it, and these events can really challenge you in a way that you’d be forgiven for feeling lost. That was how I felt…lost and weak!

There are many reasons why I didn’t seek help sooner; as a man I was scared of being perceived as weak or incapable, of being judged by my friends and co-workers. I felt embarrassed and overwhelmed with shame and guilt. I had these feelings and I didn’t want to burden anyone else with these as the darkness grew inside me. I would tell myself “I’ve got this”, or “It’s just a phase and it’ll pass”.  Some days I almost believed it…

Many people don’t know when it’s time to seek help to deal with these emotional issues. They paint a smile on their face and fake their way through the day, all the while feeling like impostors in their own lives. This is where a support network is needed, to help people to work through these issues in an honest and healthy way.

What is a support network you ask? A support network is a group of people or services that provide emotional and practical help to someone in serious difficulty:

  • Family
  • Friends you can trust
  • Colleagues
  • Community – Being around people with similar interests
  • Neighbours
  • Social Media
  • Seek sources of support and advice
  • Healthcare Professional- Your doctor, self-referral to a therapist, counsellor, or psychiatrist.

A survey conducted in 2018 by Aetna found that a support network was something which Expats considered most important. 

It’s not enough to have a support network in place.  We need to feel comfortable to reach out to the members of that network and ask for help!  Even in our home country settings, we’re often reluctant to ask for help.  But what about when you’re isolated from key parts of your support network?  What does your support network look like for you, as an expat?  Are your expat friends people who you could trust to be open with if you had an issue?  What about your spouse, or children who are accompanying you?  How is the situation affecting them? As expats, another layer can be added to life’s challenges and the stresses associated with them. It can be difficult to find support from people who don’t speak our language when things go wrong or we’re experiencing some challenges. If these issues are left unchecked, they could develop into something much more significant like  depression or burnout. 

Even before the CoVid-19 pandemic, it was reported in an article by the Mental Health Foundation, that 1 in 6.8 employees were suffering with stress, anxiety, or depression in the UK alone.  That’s almost 15% of employees!  It was also reported that full-time employed women are almost twice as likely to have a common mental health condition as full-time employed men (19.8% vs 10.9%). Considering that these statistics are based on reported cases…this probably  just the ‘tip of the iceberg’. In 2019, I became one of those statistics myself.

Now take people away from their established support networks in their home countries, add the effects of the pandemic. The additional distance from loved ones, which I know is difficult, the pressure to jump into a new life and make things work can be overwhelming. While these huge life transitions are full of opportunity and can be a positive experience for ourselves, our families and friends at home might well assume that everything is going to be just perfect.  They don’t understand the enormous upheaval that can come with expat life. It’s no wonder that people can, and have struggled in recent months, even more than ever before.  

Living in a foreign country presented obstacles relating to my support network, which I had never considered.  For example, getting to know my neighbours was difficult as I did not know enough German to get by.  I didn’t need to learn it for my work, as it was all done using English, so I  never felt a strong drive to take language classes.

Expat communities are, by their very nature, transient.  People come and go.  When that happens, we might be reluctant to form deep, meaningful, and trusting friendships or relationships.  I learned the importance of a solid support network during these dark times.  I was fortunate that my employer offered an Employee Assistance Programme as a source of support.  In case you’re not aware, Employee Assistance Programmes are offered by many companies to support their employees resolve personal issues which can affect productivity and effectiveness.

Stressful challenges come up in life and when they do, our support network is something which plays a significant role in getting us through to a positive outcome…if you’re willing to use it. So what happens when you don’t have close friends to talk to?

That’s where I come in.  Once I recovered from my depression (yes, that’s possible for a lot of people), I was inspired to help people avoid it.  I became a certified life coach in hopes of having the same positive impact on others that my life coach had on me (in parallel to therapy). My life coach helped me adjust the way I viewed myself, my life, and the way I make choices and decisions. Together, my life coach and I worked on my mental fitness, which greatly helped me through my depression. 

The bottom line is that our mental fitness defines how we think, feel and act in life and like going to the gym to get physically fitter, we can do the same with our mental fitness.  In fact, we must change the way we see mental health and become more proactive about it.  In doing so, we can give ourselves a buffer, a margin of flex to help us deal with what life’ challenges like stress, anxiety and overwhelm.

I help people with challenges around stress, anxiety and overwhelm to feel healthy, energised, and confident again.  We all know that prevention is better than cure, but how many of us really do what they know and are proactive about fostering, maintaining, or improving our mental fitness?  Knowledge is nothing without action.  Is it time you took action and regained control?

I’m native English speaker and I’m here to support you.  No judgement, no stigma, no shame, just a safe space for you to be honest about where you are in it all, and for us to work together to find your way again and whatever that looks like for you.

My clients trust me because I’ve ‘been through the mill’ myself.  I appreciate what it means to feel like you have no-one to turn to because of those fears I mentioned above.  It’s ok not to be ok, but you don’t have to stay there.

So what do people’s issues look like when they approach me?

  • Trouble sleeping (falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up rested).
  • Having trouble focussing, brain fog.
  • Overwhelmed.
  • Anxious.
  • Lack of energy or willingness to see friends or to be around colleagues.
  • Strained relationships at home or at work.
  • They’re irritable and experiencing mood swings.
  • Finding it difficult to get through the day without nicotine, caffeine, sugar, alcohol or other quick fixes to help distract themselves.
  • Feeling lost.
  • Feeling like the weight of the world is on their shoulders.
  • They’re not doing things which they used to enjoy anymore.
  • Concerned about returning to work and reintegrating as CoVid pandemic restrictions lift.
  • Difficulty in home office and can’t switch on/off to their workday or homelife.

Is any of this familiar in you, or someone you know?

Look, the first step is always the most difficult but remember, every journey starts with a first step and like it did for me, it could save your life.  So, how are you?  How are you really?

Get in touch today and book your free consultation with me using this link.

Stay well, stay mindful. Gareth.

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Halloween in Basel – 2019

What is Halloween?

Halloween OriginsHalloween is a celebration with roots based in the Celtic pagan festival, Samhain. Ancient Celts rang in the new year on November 1 and believed  fairy-folk could emerge from their world could cause mischief, the night before, October 31st. The old Celtic belief was that if you dressed up as what you wanted to be in the new year, your wish would be granted.

As Christianity spread, the church put All Saints Day, otherwise known All Hallow’s Day, on November 1st, to ease the transition of the Celts accepting the new religion. The evening before, October 31, (All Hallows Eve), was, at the time, associated with the souls of the Christian dead returning to the mortal world. The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallow’s Eve (Hallowe’en).

The merging of the the Christian and Celtic beliefs resulted in transformation of the old fairy beliefs into that of angels demons, spirits and monsters.  People would use hollowed-out, turnips and pumpkin’s carved with scary faces to frighten away spirits. Costumes became scary, rather than wishful for the same reasons.

The custom of trick-or-treating also comes from the Celts. The poor would go door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for treats. They would promise good luck to those who gave them good, and made threats to those who refused to give.

halloween dogsAs people from the Celtic lands moved to the USA, the celebration grew and changed further, becoming very popular. In Europe, Halloween is not celebrated as widely as it is in the Americas, but has been growing due to expat migration, easier exchange of information via the internet and other mediums. In Basel and the rest of Switzerland, there are Halloween activities, but it’s not so common that you don’t get surprised looks if you get dressed up. If you take your children trick or treating, many houses will not have treats.

Halloween Parties in Basel

020If you’re in the mood to get dressed up in Basel, and you want to find like minded people who are also into Halloween, you either need to go to someone’s private Halloween party or to a bar. There are lots of private parties, but generally you’ll need to be invited to one of these, or host one yourself, so I’ll focus on public Halloween fun.

There are several bars that have Halloween events every year.  For years when Halloween (Oct 31) falls on a Friday or a Saturday, this will generally be when the party is. If Oct 31st falls from Sunday-Thursday, the bars will usually have their Halloween events the weekend before. Most of the bar managers within an area know each other and discuss if the party will be on Friday or Saturday night, so that once you’re out and dressed up, you can go to a few different places on the same night. In 2019, most of the bars will have their parties on the Saturday night, October 26th.

In a lot of bars, if you dress up you get one free drink (sometimes your choice, sometimes a special Halloween cocktail), but they’ll usually let you know that when you come in.

Much of the Halloween fun for grown-ups goes on around the Barfusserplatz-theater area (Steinenvorstadt).

Mr. Pickwicks Pub has a Halloween party every year I’ve been here. Lots of costumes and English speakers. You can also go without a costume, but no free drink for those who aren’t dressed up and you’ll be in the minority if you are without a costume.

Paddy Reilly’s also has a Halloween party. It’s big and fun and you can dance downstairs (though there is not much room to move, its often so crowded!). The only problem is that there is often a line-up you have to wait in. But it’s usually worth it, if its a short line…

There are several other bars in the area that welcome those dressed up for Halloween, but those are the only two in town that I know have dedicated Halloween parties.237

If you’re willing to go outside of town, Zic Zac has a great Halloween party, in Allschwil. Loads of people, great costumes, and good fun…Zic Zac usually has two halloween parties on the weekend closest to Halloween, one on the Friday and one on the Saturday.

What to wear

For Halloween in Basel, there really are no rules. Anyone can dress up, young or old, no cliques, no limits. Your choice of costume is  your own, and only limited by your imagination, and how much time/money you’re willing to put into it.

Scary Costumes:

These are my personal favorite for myself. If you need ideas, go online and surf around or watch some pre-computer generated special effects horror movies (try American Werewolf in London, from the early 1980’s).

There are some easy ways to make a really cool costume.  One of the simplest things to get is colored contact lenses. I don’t just mean the ones 079that turn your blue eyes green, but demon-red, zombie-white or all black… you don’t need to wear contacts normally or have corrective lenses to get a pair of contacts. You can get ones that change the color of your eyes, but not affect your vision at all.  Mr. Lens is a Swiss company, but their site is in English. Look at ‘Fun lenses on their menu, and choose if you want corrective or non-corrective. They have a wide selection of contacts that you can order, including relatively low cost one time use lenses.

For costumes, you can shop around at Manor or Pfauen, or some of the other big department stores in town. If you’d rather order online, many of the vendors on amazon.co.uk or amazon.de deliver to Switzerland. Or just dig up some old ripped up clothes and splash on some fake blood.

Put on a little face-paint, get some fake teeth, muss up your hair, and voilà, you’re a zombie, vampire or other assorted monster ready to take on the town!

Sexy Costumes:

These are my personal favorite on pretty girls. The easiest is to combine some sort of lingerie, or a sexy outfit, with matching animal ears and a tail. Draw on some cute whiskers and an animal nose and you’re done! Of course you’re not limited to sexy beasts…sexy anything goes over very well! Some ideas: nurses, cheerleaders, fairy-tale characters, cartoon characters, movie characters, etc. Basically, take almost anything and put ‘sexy’ in front of it and you’re onto something.

Mixed Sexy and Scary Costumes:

Not too difficult. Take any scary costume, and add the word sexy in front of it. For example, sexy zombie cheerleader or sexy evil alice from wonderland. You get the point!!

Sci-fi, Cartoon, Comic Book Costumes

016It seems that every other film that comes out these days is based on a science fiction book or movie, an old comic book or is remade from a video game or cartoon. Superhero outfits are especially easy to find, but use your memories and your imagination to take things a bit further. How about you and a few friends go as the Scooby-doo gang?

Like Star wars? How about a Jedi, Sith or good old Darth Vader costume? Maybe your more of a Star Trek fan…I’m sure you’d rock a Captain Kirk or a pretty ensign outfit. Interested in something else? You’ll find a costume, I’m sure of it. If not, you can make one!!

Halloween Pumpkins

Pumpkin for Halloween in Basel carved like a star wars character
Pumpkin carving can be fun, but don’t let the kids have sharp knives!

If you’re interested in carving a good Halloween pumpkin, you can get some smaller pumpkins at your local coop or migros or at the farmers markets in town. If you’re looking for a lot of selection and some really nice pumpkins, go to the pumpkin farm in Bottmingen. It’s easy to drive there, or you can take the number 47 tram stop, get of at Fiechthag and follow the signs. There is also an awesome corn field labyrinth. Good fun if you want to take the kids! But remember, be careful carving your pumpkins if you want to make a jack o’ lantern, and if you let your kids do it, be sure to supervise!

Have a great Halloween in Basel!

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Herbstmesse 2019 – The Autumn Fair in Basel

Basel Herbstmesse starts on the saturday before Oct 30th
Herbstmesse in Basel always starts on the Saturday before October 30th at noon.

The Basel Autumn Fair (Basler Herbstmesse) starts at 12 o’clock on the Saturday before October 30th, every year, and is on for about two weeks. This will be the 549th Herbstmesse in Basel; no that’s not a typo –  the first Basel Herbstmesse took place way back in 1471! Lots has changed since then, and this year there is even a mobile phone app (search your app store for Basler Herbstmesse). The app contains maps and information about each of the different exhibition grounds (see below). Download it and use it to find your way to your favorite food, ride or game!

In 2019, the start date of the Herbstmesse is Saturday, October 26th and it goes until November 10 (except at Petersplatz, where its open till Nov 12). There are several different exhibition grounds with a variety of rides, games, eateries and drinks available. Barfüsserplatz, Petersplatz, Münsterplatz, Messeplatz, Rosental, Claraplatz and Kaserne all have exhibitions during the Herbstmesse. This post will provide information around the Basel Herbstmesse and the different areas it takes place.

Barfüsserplatz

Flammküchen is tasty at the Herbstmesse
Delicious flammkuchen at Herbstmesse in Basel.

Barfüsserplatz is a great place to get some delicious Herbstmesse food. Think about trying flammküchen (dough rolled out very thinly coated in crème fraîche, with thinly sliced onions and bacon), a filled crepe or some sweets from the different stands. Still hungry? Raclette or a bratwurst might fill the void.

Do you or the kids need a little adrenaline rush?  Ride the X-factory, the Octopus or experience free-fall in the Spring Tower. If the children need something a little less stimulating, you can get them a balloon or a toy at one of the stands.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 10.11.2019

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday, 12:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday, 12:00 to 23:00

Jeffery's has a steak sandwich stall at Basel Herbstmesse
Jeffery’s steak sandwiches are one of my favorite things about Herbstmesse in Basel.

Petersplatz

This area is great for doing a little shopping as there are loads of stalls to buy ceramics, candles and other knick-knacks. Do a little early Christmas shopping, or get yourself a gift. You deserve it! Once you are done, consider going to Jeffery’s for one of their steak sandwiches, prepared in a Malaysian marinade. They are fantastic! Or just grab a bag of fresh roasted chestnuts to munch along the way. There are lots and lots of other great places to eat at Petersplatz so bring your appetite. In addition to the artisan craft stores and food stands, there is an antique merry-go-round carousel at the center of Petersplatz. In fact, most of the rides in the area are geared to the younger children, making it a great place to bring the little ones.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 12.11.2019

Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11:00 to 20:00

Ferris wheel at Munsterplatz in Basel during Herbstmesse
There is an enormous Ferris wheel at the Munster during Basel Herbstmesse.

Münsterplatz

The centerpiece of the Münsterplatz Herbstmesse is an enormous Ferris wheel that provides spectacular views of the Basel. Grab a tasty piadina, a steaming hot Cornish pasty or some fish and chips, while you decide if you want to go into the Disco Labyrinth, to ride the bumper cars (crazy cars or dodgems in some countries) or, if you feel the need for speed and height, the Swing-up ride. There is also the Rutschbahn Niagara, a set of long, long slides for the children. There is not too much in the way of shopping at Münsterplatz, but there are a few places where you can get a treat for the kids.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 10.11.2019

Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday, 12:00 to 23:00

Messeplatz

/ Bumper cars at the Herbstmesse
Enjoy the Bumper cars at the Herbstmesse in Basel.

The Messeplatz exhibition takes place both outside the congress center, as well as inside, in Hall 3 of the Messe. There isn’t too much in the way of shopping either outside or inside, but the fun level is off the charts!

The outside part of the Messe is one of my favorite places to eat, drink and go on rides. Rides like the Calypso, the Crazy Run or the 80m tall Spin Tower, will add some adventure to your day, and if you need something to settle your stomach, there are rows upon rows of food stalls to choose from. Whether your tastes run to sweetie, meaty or other, you’ll find what you want at the Messe! This is also a great place to come to play games and win a prize for that special person in your life.

Magenbrot at the Herbstmesse in Basel
There are lots of different food stalls; try as many as you can!!

Once you go inside Messehalle 3, you’ll find more rides and games, but with an 80’s theme. Check out Break Dance No1, the fun house, or the bumper cars (crazy cars or dodgems in some countries). The kids can try a round of Waterball, where they get inside a giant transparent bubble that rolls around in a pool of water. Grab a gelato or hit the food trucks if you’re in the mood for a currywurst or a gourmet burger.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 10.11.2019

Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday, 11:00 to 23:00

photo of a phone using the Herbstmesse App
Be sure to download the Basler Herbstmesse mobile phone app. Search Basler Herbstmesse in your App store.

Rosental

The Rosental site doesn’t have to much in the way of shopping or food, but if you like rides this is a great place to be. This site sports a mini roller coaster, the Drifter, as well as the 26m tall, Burner. Want more? Check out the Bungy Trampolines and the other rides. You’ll also find a bunch of games of skill at Rosental.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 10.11.2019

Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday, 11:00 to 23:00

Claraplatz

There isn’t too much on at Claraplatz, a couple of food stands and some kiddy rides. Have a look on your way to Kaserne or the Messe and see if anything at Claraplatz tickles your fancy.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 10.11.2019

Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday, 11:00 to 23:00

Kaserne

Two children throw balls at cans at the Basler Herbstmesse
There are games of skill with prizes for players of all ages at the Basel Herbstmesse.

In my opinion, I’ve saved the best for last. I love the Herbstmesse at Kaserne! This space has it all. Awesome food, crazy rides, and loads of games. Try the Condor, an 80m high spinning swing or the 52m high, looping Maxximum 2. Not terrified enough yet? Grab ride on the Ghost train to freak yourself out. There is also great food options here, pizza, raclette and meat from the grill. Test your skills at a vast array of games, or measure your punch strength on one of the boxing machines.

Dates: 26.10.2019 – 10.11.2019

Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday, 12:00 to 23:00

The Herbstmesse in Basel has been going for over 500 years now, and you know with that kind of staying power it has to be great! Its pretty crowded though, so keep an eye on your purse or wallet at all times and if you plan to go on rides, make sure you are comfortable to leave your belongings on the ground. Also, be sure that phones, keys and loose change won’t fall out of your pockets and that you wear shoes that won’t fall off while you’re being spun, flipped and whirled around! Hmmm… its probably not a bad idea to save dinner till after the rides!

Enjoy the Herbstmesse and the rest of the fall. Pretty soon it will be time to start preparing for Halloween!

 

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Christmas and New Years Eve in Basel – 2019

The Basel Christmas MarketChristmas in Basel

If this is your first Christmas in Basel, you’re in for a treat. This part of Europe goes all out for Christmas preparations and celebration, and Basel is no exception. There are lots of fun things to do, great shopping and the air in town smells like pine boughs and roasting chestnuts. The weather is generally crisp enough that it feels like Christmas, but not cold enough to make going out unpleasant. I wanted to write this post to provide information about the winter holiday season in Basel and how to make the most of it.

Samichlaus and Schmutzli4662

In November, the shops already begin setting up their Christmas displays, but the excitement of Christmas really starts to gain momentum at the beginning of December. On St. Niklaus day, December 6th, school children can expect a visit from Samichlaus (the Swiss Santa). While the official date is December 6th, the actual date of Samichlaus’ visit is variable, just before or after that date. He brings treats for children who have been good all year. Generally, these are not toys, but sweet mandarin oranges, peanuts in the shell, chocolates and other tasty treats.

Interestingly, Samichlaus doesn’t come alone.  He brings along a man in black called ‘Schmutzli’. If Samichlaus is a carrot for children to behave well, Schmutzli is the whip for the naughty ones. His sack would be empty, and his job was to take away the bad children for …(gulp)… punishment. These days, he’s relegated to wearing black robes and looking surly in the background, but if you’re kids respond better to fear than bribery, I’m sure you can stoke the fires of their imagination here!

Now I’m sure you’re wondering, if Samichlaus comes on Dec 6th, who puts the toys under the tree? Swiss children learn that the presents are brought by the ‘Christkind’ (baby Jesus) on Christmas eve.  If this doesn’t fit with your religious beliefs, or what you’ve already told your children be sure to have a good answer ready for when your kids come home asking about this!

One thing to keep an eye out for in Basel is the Harley Niggi Näggi event, when a local motorcycle club, HOG Northwest Chapter CH, decorates their Harleys, dress up as Samichlaus or other Christmas characters and cruise around the city. They look fantastic and also hand out treats to the kids. If you want to see them, try Messeplatz around 16:30 or Marktplatz around 17.00 on Saturday, December 7, 2019!

021 (2)Christmas Trees in Basel

Around the first week of December is also the time that many people buy and set up their christmas trees. Generally these are not sold too early, as they tend to dry out so much that they pose a fire hazard.  Some traditionalists use real flame candles in their trees, resulting in uncontrolled fire risks. I strongly recommend not bringing open flames near your tree. You can find Christmas trees at various places in Basel. There are lots of temporary outdoor street vendors who sell them (usually starting the first week of December) near Claraplatz, Aeschenplatz, Messeplatz and all over the city. You can also go to OBI at the Mparc, or to a Jumbo.

Once you’re done with your yuletide celebrations, you need to dispose of christmas trees the correct way. Old christmas trees are organic waste. You’ll need to take off the decorations and cut the tree into 2 meter sections (most trees are not bigger than this anyways), and tie it up with recycling string. Put your tree outside before 07:00 at the day of organic waste disposal and it will be picked up for free.

If you’re feeling a little less traditional and want an artificial tree, you can try the local department stores, Manor or Pfauen. They sell artificial trees (and tree stands), you can also order an artificial tree online. Tree decorations are widely available all over the city, but its a good idea to get your early as the good stuff can sell out quickly!

Christmas Shopping in Basel

DSC00262There  are shopping streets in Basel, as well as malls you can shop at. The main shopping street for gift is Freiestrasse, which starts at Bankverein and runs parallel to Barfusserplatz and Marktplatz. You should be able to find most of your christmas gift list there. Lots of fashion retail stores, jewelry and sporting goods stores. If you’ve got a big budget, you’ll find lots of high end stores; if you’ve got less to spend you’ll also find great bargains (but keep in mind it’s Switzerland, so great bargains is a relative term)! In addition to the numerous shops and cafes, there are often street performers, street vendors and beautiful decorations, especially if you go after dark. There are also loads of shops located on Steinenvorstadt.

There are also malls in Basel. The major malls are located on the outskirts of the city, and are usually open till 8pm on weekdays. Stores close earlier on Saturdays, and are generally closed on Sundays. Most of the larger chain stores accept credit and debit cards, and cash. Personal checks are generally not accepted. St. Jakob-Park and Stücki are the main large shopping centers in Basel. If you’re looking for the Toys R Us in Basel, you’ll find it at the Stücki!!

Looking for electronics? Try MediaMarkt either online or at the Basel SBB, or Interdiscount at Marktplatz. There are also lots of other locations for these stores.

At Christmas time, there are some specific days for late night and sunday shopping. Late-night Christmas shopping can be done on Thursday, Nov 26, 2019 until 10 pm in some stores and some stores are open on Sunday December 15 and 22, 2019 from 1 to 6 pm.

Christmas Market in BaselChristmas Markets

If you still don’t have all the gifts you need, you’ll want to try the Basel christmas markets. Even if you do have everything, you really should check out the Christmas markets in Basel. They really are fantastic! In 2019, the christmas market opens on November 28nd and runs till December 23.

There are two Christmas markets in Basel, one at Barfüsserplatz (open 11am-8pm), one at Münsterplatz (open 11am-6pm). The Christmas markets are beautifully decorated, and have stalls that sell delicious food and great gift ideas.  There are almost 200 stalls selling a diverse variety of products from wooden cabins. If you’re hungry, stop for a slice of flammkuchen (traditional Alsace pizza), some roasted chestnuts or a flame-grilled sausage. Thirsty? How about a gluhwein (spiced hot wine) or a hot chocolate. You’ll also find beautiful christmas decorations and you can make your own candles if you are so inclined. Check the city website for the details, or just head into town and join the fun!

New Year’s Eve in Basel

New year’s eve is known as Silvester (named after the death of Pope Silvester) in Switzerland. Other than that small difference, it’s celebrated much the way it is in the rest of the world. Bars are open late, everyone is in a festive mood and there are people and dancing everywhere, so wear comfortable shoes. Also, I would suggest that you try not to drive a bicycle or car that evening, if at all possible! Also, be extra careful crossing streets as far too many people still drink and drive.

Silvester Fireworks BaselThere are lots of open parties at bars throughout the city, that you can go to to join in the revelries. Other bars and restaurants sell tickets and have a set menu dinner, and a buffet with a party. Depending on where you want to go, you should check what their New Year’s Eve plan is well before hand, especially if you need to book tickets in advance.

There is a large fireworks display launched from barges on the Rhine in Basel, which starts around 23:30, half an hour or so before the year ticks over. If you don’ t mind the cold, its a great way to ring in the new year!

Wherever you go, I hope you have a great holiday season and a very happy new year.

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Basler Fasnacht – 2019

Fasnacht cyclops - Photo by Simon Hoggett
Just one of the many colorful Fasnacht masks for the Basel Carnival. Photo by Simon Hoggett

Many cities across the world have carnival celebrations, usually before the start of the Lent, where many Christians fast or abstain from some luxuries as a form of penance. Typically carnival celebrations involve excessive eating, drinking and elaborate costumes and masks. The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is world-famous, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is not to be missed and Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean are simply amazing. Another fantastic carnival party takes place in our own Basel, Switzerland.

Known locally as ‘Basler Fasnacht‘ it is the biggest carnival in Switzerland. Generally, Fasnacht in Basel takes place in February or March; interestingly, Basler Fasnacht starts a week later than the other carnivals in Switzerland and Germany. This works well as if you’re in the region, you can participate in more that once local carnival celebration.

Basler Fasnacht starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday (in 2019: March 11) at precisely 4:00 am (that’s right, 4 o’clock in the morning!). The carnival is exactly three days long and ends on Thursday morning (March 14, 2019) at 4:00 am. Many restaurants and bars in Basel for these three days straight, both day and night.

Drums, masks and piccolos at Basler Fasnacht
The music of drums and piccolo sounds throughout the Fasnacht celebrations in Basel. Photo by Simon Hoggett

Fasnacht music is performed by ‘Cliques’, groups generally consisting of locals who march around Basel playing piccolos, drums and other musical instruments. When performing one Clique will stop and let the other go by, if their paths are crossing; if you’re a spectator, you should stay out of the path of the marching Cliques. If you don’t, you’ll be moved by the vanguard, a person carrying a stick with a large, heavy metal ball on the end. It’s better if you move on your own!

Fasnacht Events

The Morgenstreich: This is possibly the strangest, most surreal parade you’ll ever attend. At exactly 4am on the Monday morning after Ash Wednesday, the lights in the city are turned off and all the cliques, begin to play together in total darkness. Each clique travels with an illuminated lantern, decorated around the subject of political satire. There are hundreds of masked clique members all over town, and thousands of spectators. It’s hard to get up before 4am for the parade, so many people party through the night until the 4am start time. Even if you don’t go to the Morgenstreich, you’ll likely hear snippets of the music, if you live around town.

A clique plays music in the Basel streets.
Parades take place Monday and Wednesday starting at 1:30pm.

Other Parades: The official carnival parades take place on both Monday and Wednesday and start at 1.30pm on both days. Thousands of Clique members parade through the city playing drums, piccolos and Gugge music displaying elaborate costumes and beautifully painted lanterns.

Children’s Fasnacht:  The Children’s Fasnacht is on Tuesday afternoon; there are parades of families with their children, mostly the children of the Clique members. Often the children will wear home-made costumes and masks while they distribute candy and throw confetti. The younger children will not wear masks and are often pulled along with the groups in wagons or strollers.

Gugge Music Concert: The main Gugge music concert is from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday of Fasnacht. Stay around the area of Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz and Claraplatz to see the most bands.

Lantern Exhibition: On Monday evening, the lanterns are taken to Münsterplatz and are displayed there until Wednesday morning. This is the biggest temporary open-air art exhibition in the world, and are a highlight of Tuesday evening.

Unwritten rules of Fasnacht

  1. fasnacht plaketten badges
    Copper and silver badges (Plaketten) are available all over Basel in the weeks before Fasnacht.

    Buy a Fasnacht Badge (Plaketten or Blaggedde) and wear it where it’s easily visible.  The badges come in copper, silver, gold and ‘Bijou’, with increasing prices with each step. You can generally get these from street vendors (easy to find at the Basel SBB), collegues who are part of a Clique or at some kiosks.  If you are not wearing a Fasnacht Badge, you may recieve a faceful of confetti (whether you want it or not). If you have a badge from a different Kanton or a prior year, this is not good enough. You need a current badge from Basel-Stadt. Money from the badge sales goes to help to support the financial costs of Fasnacht.

  2. Watch, enjoy, but don’t participate – no make-up or costumes allowed (unless you’re part of a Clique!) I know it sounds kind of strange, but the Basler Fasnacht is different than many of the other carnival festivals in the world, as your participation is not expected or appreciated. Don’t grab a costume and march along; don’t paint your face and put on a crazy hat; don’t suit up in your onesie and dance along in the streets. Dress normally and leave the costumes and masks to the Cliques.
  3. As a spectator, watch where you’re going and give way to the participants. The masks (Larve), restrict visibility of the wearer and mobility is restricted by the outfits and the musical instruments, so its your job to move out of the way. The masked cliques always have the right-of-way, so let them pass.
  4. Cliques get drink/food priority. Don’t be surprised if members of the Cliques are served at the bars and restaurants before you. Even if you’ve been waiting for a while. In fact, you’ll be best recieved if you offer them your spot at the bar…
  5. Don’t throw ground confetti. The streets of Basel are generally very clean. Fasnacht is the exception, where it’s very, very dirty. Do not pick up confetti off the ground (make sure your kids understand this too); its unhygenic. If you want to throw confetti, buy a bag of it. The proceeds go to support Fasnacht!
  6. Do not throw confetti at people in costumes/masks. They have to play/walk/live in those outfits for days. Doesn’t matter if you see the Clique members throwing confetti with each other; you should not do this.
  7. Don’t go to the Morgenstreich if you don’t like crowds. There will be lots and lots and lots of people. Crammed close together. You will be very restricted in your movement. It will likely take you half an hour to get to the nearest WC.  If you are mobility compromised, are claustrophobic or just don’t like crowds, then just don’t go. Watch it on television from the comfort of your own home.
  8. No flash photographs at the Morgenstreich. Its supposed to be as dark as possible. They shut down the lights of the old town to get that level of darkness. Please don’t ruin it with your phone flash or your camera. You’ll get plenty of photo opportunities later. Your flash will disrupt and confuse the players and wreck the ambiance for everyone.
  9. Don’t be an idiot. Don’t steal musical instruments, masks, hats or costume pieces. Don’t get too drunk so you’re unruly, sick or pass out. Don’t throw oranges or other treats at people. Find a garbage for your cans, bottles and cups. Don’t smash glass. Don’t get into fights. You get the idea…
  10. Accept the litter and disruption. You should be aware that your tram and bus schedules will be totally disrupted, the city will be littered with garbage, confetti, cups and bottles for a few days and you might be woken at all hours by the sounds of piccolos and drums. Accept it for those three special days, (or take a few days off and go skiing or on a mini-break).

Liestal Fire Parade (Chienbäse)

Liestal Fire Parade
Metal carts are stacked with fire wood…

On the evening before the Morgenstreich begins (Sunday Night) many people go to Liestal, a neighboring town in Basel-Landt for the Fire Parade (Chienbäse).  The event is aptly named as men, women and even children carry huge, open-flame torches on their shoulders down the main street of the town. In addition, participants pull large metal wagons full of blazing wood.

High flames in Liestal fire parade
Wear clothes that cannot catch fire or melt.

The Fire Parade is not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most incredible spectacles in the region. If you decide to go, be sure to wear clothing that will not melt, is fire retardent and bring something to cover your face when the wagons go by. They put out a lot of heat. Consider carefully before bringing small children (we suggest you don’t), as in addition to the fire dangers, it’s not possible to have a stroller in the crowd. If you have any sort of respiratory issues, you might also reconsider attending, as the air is full of soot, smoke and glowing embers. It’s not unusual to have a cough or sooty mucus after the fire parade due to all the inhaled smoke!

I don’t like Fasnacht!!

If you don’t like Fasnacht, or it just doesn’t sound like your cup of tea if you’ve never experienced it, you might choose to get out of the city for those three special days. Many people book a little vacation somewhere to avoid the noise and disruption of Basler Fasnacht. Think about getting out to the mountains for some skiing or snowboarding or hopping on an Easyjet flight to a nearby city.

I want more information on Fasnacht:

For more information on Fasnacht, there is an English leaflet produced by the Fasnacht Committee.

Enjoy the Fasnacht (or your holiday)!!

 

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Income tax in Basel

Moving to Basel eBookI’m not an accountant, financial adviser or any other kind of tax expert, but I’ll try to tell you a bit about income tax in Basel-Stadt. Any information you find here should be confirmed either by a tax accountant or by the tax department of Basel-Stadt.

 

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Cantonal Income Tax

Income tax (Einkommenssteuer) in Basel-Stadt is paid by everyone. It’s calculated based on the sum of all earnings, minus deductions. Depending on your earnings and your permit status, your income tax will be charged in one of two ways. If you make under CHF 120 000 and do not have a C-permit, you will pay ‘tax at the source’ (Quellensteuer). This will be deducted for your monthly paycheck, and organized between your employer and the government.

 

Tax in Basel
If you have a C-permit, you have to file a tax return, and pay your taxes once yearly.

As soon as your gross income exceeds CHF 120 000 In Basel-Stadt, you are still taxed at the source, but you need to fill in the standard tax forms. You might be charged additionally to what has already been deducted from your pay, or if you’re lucky, you might get some money back. Once you have a C-permit, income tax is charged on a yearly basis, and you’ll have to save the money to pay your tax bill when it arrives.

 

Your employer will provide you with your tax information in the form of a salary certificate (Lohnausweis). Keep this safe as you’ll need to submit it with your tax return. In addition, you’ll receive a yearly report from all bank accounts you have (that are clearly marked for tax purposes), including security deposit accounts for apartments, savings accounts, investment accounts, etc. Ask your tax adviser with regards to what deductions you can make, as these are highly specific for each person.

 

Worldwide income declaration
You are obligated to declare worldwide income and wealth on your taxes.

Tangible assets outside of Switzerland are used to help determine your tax rate. Intangible assets such as bank accounts, stock, investments outside of Switzerland are fully are subject to Swiss taxes. Depending on the taxation treaty with Switzerland, and the part of the world the assets are located in, foreign tax which was deducted on dividends or interest can sometimes be claimed for.

 

Tax forms are sent out to all taxpayers at the beginning of the year (for the previous year). These are generally in German, in both paper format and as software. It’s possible to do your own taxes, if you have good German skills and a lot of patience, but it’s a task that can also be taken care of by a local accounting firm (Treuhand), for a couple of hundred francs (this of course depends on the complexity of the return, and how long it takes them). For me, this is money I’m happy to pay, to avoid hours of frustration and stress!

 

Colfina Logo
Colfina has been doing my taxes for years.

I use a company called Colfina Finanz for my tax return every year. They were recommended to me by a friend several years ago, and I’ve been using them ever since. They speak English perfectly, their prices are good and transparent and they are always happy to answer my questions.

 

If it’s your first time paying tax, I would suggest try to save at least 20% of your salary/month, every month to have sufficient funds to pay your tax bill. If you are owed a refund, generally this takes a long time to be processed (1-2 years), and will usually be credited (with accrued interest) to your next tax bill.

 

If you want to calculate your approximate income tax in Basel-Stadt, you can use an online tax calculator. 

 

Direct federal tax

Federal tax Switzerland
In addition to Cantonal tax, you’ll pay federal tax too!

Along with the cantonal (and municipal) taxes, people living in Basel-Stadt are also subject to direct federal tax. It is declared and assessed along with the cantonal tax. The federal tax is due on 31st of March, of the year following the tax year.

 

Wealth / Asset tax

The canton also charges wealth tax, based on the taxable assets of the taxpayer (even if you’ve already paid income tax or capital gains tax on them). This is charged on the value of all assets over the allowable limit that the taxpayer has, taking various deductions (liabilities, allowances) into account. In Basel, this tax is under 1% of your total assets, and varies depending on how much you hold in assets. 

 

Generally, tax forms need to be submitted by the end of March, and you’ll promptly receive a bill (or be audited). The federal tax is due on 31st March of the year following the tax year. The cantonal tax bill generally needs to be paid by the end of May. If you are paying income tax on an annual basis (and not at the source), be sure to put aside enough money during the year to cover your tax bill.

 

I hope this post helps you with your doing your taxes in Basel! Good luck!

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Getting Healthy and Fit in Basel

Basel weight loss
Still carrying extra weight from your holiday? Read on!!

Let me guess. You’re still carrying a little extra weight from your holidays and you want to trim down a bit?  Or maybe you’ve been gunning for that promotion, putting in the extra hours at work, sacrificing some of your recreational activities and exercise, and grabbing some fast food at lunch or on the way home from work?

Maybe you’ve noticed in the last few years, you’ve been putting on a little bit of padding in the mid-section and it doesn’t seem to come off as easily as it used to, or you get tired more easily than you did in your 20’s.

The bad news is, as you get older, you have to do more work to stay in shape and watch what you eat and drink a little more carefully. You also may have to reconsider or even stop some of the things you used to do, like drinking too much, smoking or playing heavy contact sports. The good news is that Basel is an awesome place to get fit and stay healthy.

This post will give you information on ways you can stay healthy, fit and trim in Basel, but remember, it will take hard work, self-control and it won’t happen overnight! You should definitely talk to your physician about before trying to lose weight, starting an exercise program or quitting smoking. They can also provide advice on quitting smoking or other aspects of improving your health.

Eating Right in Basel

Eating right in Basel
Eating healthy in Basel is easy.

Eating right is the single most important thing you can do to stay healthy and fit in Basel. Healthy eating should not be about staying depriving yourself of the foods you enjoy, but about making small changes to your eating behaviors to improve your health. Eating more fresh vegetables, cooking your meals at home, and reducing your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates are important aspects of eating healthy in Basel.

  • Cook your own meals as often as possible – Cooking at home allows you to control what you put into your meals. Having difficulty finding time to shop? Try the Migros LeShop program. They usually have a free voucher for your first purchase as an incentive to check things out, and they deliver right to your door. You can request delivery during the day, in the evening (from 4.30 pm – 8 pm) or on Saturday morning (from 9am – noon).  Still too much effort? Go to HelloFresh, where they show up at your door with all the ingredients pre-selected and a recipe for you to follow. Maybe you don’t know any healthy recipies? You can order easy, paperless cookbooks that focus on preparing quick, healthy and delicious meals regardless of whether you want to lose weight or increase your muscle mass. 
  • Make healthy substitutions – Replace unhealthy foods in your diet with healthy alternatives. Have grilled chicken, instead of fried. Order a side salad or seasonal vegatables with your meal instead of french fries. Have whole wheat bread or pasta instead of their refined flour equivalents. Try spreading mashed avocado on your sandwich instead of butter or mayonnaise.
  • Get fresh – Wherever possible opt for fresh, varied foods over their packaged and processed counterparts.
  • Learn to read the labels – You’d be surprise about how much sugar, fat and other junk is in packaged food claiming to be healthy.
  • Make sure you get enough protein – Not only is protein important to build muscle and maintain your body, but its also very satisfying to your appetite. If you increase the amount of protein you eat, you’re less likely to reach for the potato chips or scarf down that pastry. One great way to increase your protein intake is by drinking protein shakes. You can get protein powder for shakes in assorted flavours from most sports stores, gyms or just order it online.

  • Drink water in Basel
    Drink water and lay off sugary sodas and alcohol to get fit in Basel.

    Drink plenty of water – Water helps your body to function efficiently and just drinking it uses up energy burning calories (it heats the water to body temperature before you excrete it). Don’t spend your life dehydrated. Drink water. Lots of it. This will also reduce your hunger, making it easier for you to make healthy food choices.

  • Supplements – If you plan your meals well, your diet should contain sufficient vitamins and minerals to support your health. If you’re not eating well, or have a substantially reduced the amount of food you’re eating in order to lose weight, you might need to supplement your diet with vitamins. You can buy these at most grocery stores or pharmacies, but there are lots of online shops where you can also get supplements you might want.
  • Eating out – You need to be careful when you go out to eat, as its really easy to go overboard on both the food and the drinks.  Opt for grilled fish or chicken, with a starter or side salad. You can have dessert, but consider healthy options like a fruit salad. As you can’t control the ingredients or portion size at a restaurant, try to only eat out on special occasions.

Exercising in Basel

If you’re comfortable with your weight, but you want to tone up or build some muscle, then you need to start exercising. Depending on what you like doing, you’ve got a world of options in Basel…are you an outdoor person who loves getting back to nature? Do you prefer competitive athletics like playing sports against other people as a team or one on one? Maybe you want to have your workouts in the same environment regardless of the season or the weather outside, or need special equipment to help your training program. Or maybe you want to train at home? 

  • Hiking boots in Basel
    Go hiking and get moving outdoors to get fit in Basel.

    Outdoor Workouts – Want to get out of the house and do something outside? Hiking is a great workout and there are loads of trails in the region. Want something a little more vigorous? Think about a Vitaparcours, where you run or walk along a fitness trail equipped with obstacles or exercise stations distributed along its length like stepping posts, chin-up bars and climbing bars. Try the local Vitaparcours Basel near the Tierpark Lange Erlen. Like to swim? Think about going swimming in the Rhine during the summer for a great outdoor workout. Keeping it simple and spartan? Buy a good set of trainers and start running. You can do it anywhere, it gets you to places and its good for you too!

  • Competitive Sports – Whether you want to play on a team or you’re interested in more one on one athletics, you can probably find it in Basel. In fact, the city has a database where you can find information about whatever sport you might want to play.

  • Basel man on a treadmill
    There are lots of local gyms in Basel, think about joining one to get fit!

    Joining a Gym – There are multiple gyms across Basel, but before you sign up, be sure you check that your employer doesn’t already have an onsite gym. Company gyms are generally cheaper than private facilities, and often more convenient. For a one year membership, you can expect to pay somewhere between 600 CHF – 1800 CHF.  Most gyms will offer a contract for a year, often payable by the month. If you’re around for less than a year, be sure to ask if they have shorter term memberships. There are many small neighborhood gyms located all over the city, so if proximity is important to you, use a gymfinder. You should talk to the staff when you join so they can show you how to use the equipment and split your time between resistance training (weights) and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Training at home – If you don’t have a dedicated space for weights and other training equipment in your home that doesn’t mean you can’t still train at home. There are great materials to guide you in doing workouts using your own bodyweight for resistance. This is also a very inexpensive option to get fit.

Things to Stop Doing

Burning cigarette in Basel to quit smoking
To get healthy and fit in Basel you need to give up some of your bad habits!

Smoking – It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much you smoke, this is something you need to stop as soon as possible. Smoking will wreck your heart and lungs, in addition to making you smell awful. Stopping smoking is really difficult, but you don’t need to do it alone. There are helpful guides to help you quit and support programs available locally.

Drinking too much or too often – Heavy or binge drinking wrecks havoc on your body, (including reducing your ability to metabolize fat if you’re trying to lose weight). It also lowers your sleep quality, impairs your jugdement and causes long term damage to multiple organ systems.

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Shopping in Basel, Switzerland

Grocery Shopping in Basel

The cost of living in Basel Switzerland overall is relatively high, compared to other countries, so take a deep breath when you go into a grocery store, and be sure to look at the prices before buying something, especially if there is a service component involved (i.e. the butcher or cheese counters). Meat is especially expensive, but often goes on sale. I remember one time I went to the meat counter, before a barbecue to buy two smallish shish kebabs (meat and vegetables on a wooden skewer) from the deli counter and it came to 34 CHF. Ouch! Luckily, Basel is not the most expensive of the Swiss Cantons, so it could be worse.  Be sure to take advantage of sales, often indicated by the word ‘ACTION or AKTION’. Other than the standard sales, you can often find even better prices on weekends. Check the websites and the flyers to find the best deals.

grocery shopping in Basel
The coop has lots of fresh groceries for you to shop for in Basel

There are two major chain grocery stores in Basel, Switzerland: Co-op and Migros. You might find that the supermarkets in Basel are smaller than the supermarkets you’re used to, especially if you’re from North America. They don’t keep as many brands or flavors, but everything is there for the most part. There still might be some things from home that are not sold here, but you’ll be able to find almost everything you need.

If you find you have a preference for one chain or the other, you might want to get a loyalty card at one or both of them (Supercard at the Coop, Cumulus card at the Migros). Denner is a chain of discount grocery shops. It’s a good place to get the basics, and generally has a broad selection of reasonably priced wines, beers and spirits. It’s a great place to go shopping before you have a party!! There are other supermarket chains in the city (Aldi, Lidl), but you’ll come across these less frequently than those listed.

Opening Hours

The chain grocery stores are generally open from 8am-6pm on weekdays (but some of these stores close over the lunch hour). There are some that stores that are open earlier as well as later (till 7 or 8pm). On Saturdays, these chain supermarkets normally have later opening hours and earlier closing hours.  On Sundays, these shops are usually closed. If you go to the SBB train station, or to Barfusserplatz, you’ll find stores open as late as 10pm, seven days a week.

Grocery Delivery

If you don’t have time to go shopping or simply don’t want to, the LeShop program by Migros will allow you to order groceries online and have them delivered to your door, or have them ready for you to pick up. This is very convenient, and I suggest you try it at least once to see if you like the service.

Family Run Shops

There are also lots of smaller family run shops all over the city, which are often open till 10pm. These generally have the basics available, and are more for convenience than for a full shopping trip. I have not encountered any grocery shops open later than 10pm.

Shopping for everything else in Basel

Going shopping in Basel isn’t too different than anywhere else. If you want to shop at a mall, the major malls are located on the outskirts of the city, and are usually open till 8pm on weekdays. Stores close earlier on Saturdays, and are generally closed on Sundays. Around Christmas, many stores have extended hours and stay open on Sundays, but not all, so be sure you check before you decide to do your holiday shopping!

There are also smaller shopping complexes located across the city, as well as individual shops. Most of the larger chain stores accept credit and debit cards, and cash. Personal checks are generally not accepted.

Large shopping centers

St. Jakob-Park and Stücki are the main large shopping centers in Basel.

photo of St Jakob mall in Basel, Switzerland
St Jakob-Park Shopping Center has lots of different shop!

St. Jakob-Park – is a three-level mall with over 50 shops and restaurants. It’s located across from the St. Jakob Gartenbad, and is accessible by the number 14 tram as well as bus number 36 or 40.

 

StückiStücki – Is a two-level mall with over 100 shops and restaurants. There is a food court, as well as a children’s play area.  You can reach Stücki by tram 8 or 17, as well as with bus 36; get off at Kleinhüningen.

Other shopping areas

You definitely don’t need to go to the two malls to find everything you need. There are less concentrated shopping areas across the city. One of the major shopping areas is located on Freiestrasse, in the heart of the old town of Basel. In addition to the numerous shops and cafes, there are often street performers and decorations depending on the season.

There is also another large aggregation of stores near the Claraplatz area. The department store Manor is a Basel staple where you can find almost anything, in addition to having a full size grocery store.

There are also shops, restaurants and bars located on Steinenvorstadt, as well as movie theaters, cosmeticians, and other businesses.

Late night shopping

Shopping outside of regular business hours is difficult to find.  Many shops at the Basel SBB train station are open till 9pm. There are also late night grocery stores around the station.

Cross – border shopping

If you want to take advantage of your proximity to Germany and France, you can do some shopping across the border. The easiest access to cross-border shopping, in my opinion is the Rhein Center in Germany. Located just across the border in Weil am Rhein, the Rhein Center has a wide variety of shops including a massive grocery/department store (Marktkauf), and numerous, smaller specialty shops. There are also movie theaters and a gym. If you shop across the border, make sure you are aware of what and how much you can bring back. The number 8 tram goes directly to the Rhien Center making it very easy to get to.

Flow chart summarizing the regulations for crossing the border with your shopping purchases
Rules for importing goods in to Basel, Switzerland after you go shopping in Germany or France

Remember to always take your passport when crossing the border; your residence permit is not enough. In addition to the cheaper cost of goods in France and Germany, you might be eligible for a refund on foreign VAT. Generally, you can get a form at the customer service department of the shops across the border, where you’ll have to fill in some information and attach the receipt. You take this to the French or German border, with proof you’re not from the country, and they will stamp your VAT form. Then, when you are next at the same shop, you bring the stamped form to the customer service desk, sign and date it, and hand it to them. They’ll give you cash back for the VAT. These stamped forms usually expire between 3-6 months, so don’t wait too long to claim back your VAT.

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Spanish Food / Tapas

Don Pincho’s, St. Johanns-Vorstadt 58, 4056, Basel

Stars: 4.5/5    ⊗⊗⊗⊗⊕

Don Pincho’s is my favorite restaurant in Basel, so naturally I approached them to do my first restaurant review! They serve fantastic Spanish cuisine in a great setting, for a reasonable price.

don pinchos outsideVenue: Don Pincho’s is located at the Johanniterbrücke tram stop (tram 11, bus 30). The  restaurant overlooks the Rhine, with large, panoramic windows giving a great view of the river. They have party room you can book, as well as a spacious downstairs for private parties. There is an outdoor patio if the weather is good, and lots of space inside.

Restaurant-Don-PinchoService: This is my second favorite thing about Don Pincho (the first is the food).  The team there are amazingly polite and friendly, all the time. Switzerland is not renowned for its food service industry but Don Pincho is a sparkling exception to this. In addition to being helpful and friendly, the service is fast and efficient.  They come quickly when you arrive, can discuss the menu and specials in a variety of languages (everyone I’ve been served by there speaks excellent English). They make good recommendations, depending on what season it is, and what is fresh, but won’t try to push you into trying anything.  When you order, they bring you what you ordered and they do it quickly and as you request. Its easy to get all your food at once, or have your cold tapas before your hot tapas or vice versa. They are generally attentive during the meal so its quick to get drink refills or add to the order, and when you’re done they bring your check but don’t make you feel like you’re being rushed out. It’s the best service experience I’ve had at a restaurant in Basel.

Entertainment: Sometimes they have live music on, mostly jazz and funk which gives the place and authentic Spanish feeling. The bands are good (but not really exceptional). If you really want to have live music while you’re dining (or are planning a quiet romantic dinner), you’d best call ahead to see if there is a band on.

Vinos_2013Wine/Drinks:  Don Pincho has an extensive wine menu and the staff are very knowledgeable on what is good and what isn’t. They have good wines across a range of prices, and don’t make you feel any pressure to order something outside of your price range. They serve San Miguel beer on tap, and they have a decent selection of liquor/liqueurs, whiskies, port, etc.  They also mix quite nice long drinks and have a good cider (Sidra).

paella in basel at don pincho
Mmmm, paella….

Food: The food at Don Pincho is excellent. They have options for both vegetarians and carnivores, selections for lovers of sweet and savory, as well as hot and cold.  Some of my favorite hot tapas include the shrimp in garlic oil, the chorizo sausage,  the potatoes in garlic sauce and their incredible spinach balls. They also do great cold tapas with a selection of cheeses (cow and sheep), fantastic fresh bread and excellent cured meats. They do an excellent paella, but it takes some time, and they need to know ahead of time to make sure to source the ingredients and prepare it. If you plan to order paella, it’s best to call ahead a day before to let the restaurant know!

These are the spinach balls with an almond sauce. My absolute favorite
These are the spinach balls with an almond sauce. My absolute favorite.

Prices: The prices are not exceptionally low for Basel, nor are they too high. I would say you pay standard Basel prices for an exceptional food and service experience. One of the nice thing about tapas is that if you have someone who does not eat very much, they don’t have to order/eat too much. Similarly, its easy for those of us with a larger than average appetite to order some extra treats to make sure we’re satisfied with the meal.

 Groups: Don Pincho does a great job for groups and special occasions. I’ve been there with groups of 10-12 people, with no drop in service or food quality and if you have an event (birthday, anniversary party, etc), the staff will keep the food coming and glasses full. For these kind of parties, we often get a contribution from the guests beforehand, give that to the staff and they keep the tab and let us know when the money runs out. While I’ve never used it, I understand they also do catering for private parties.

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Liability, Household, Life, and Car/motorcycle Insurance in Basel

In addition to the compulsory health insurance you’ll need when you move to Basel, you’ll need some other kinds of insurance to protect yourself, and your loved ones. In this post, I’ll outline a few of the different types of insurance and provide you with some information so you can begin to make an informed decision. Be sure to do your due diligence, as much of what is discussed below can change depending on the company, and the policy.  There are many other types of insurance not discussed here, but I tried to cover the main ones. Please note, I’m not an insurance expert, so please talk to an insurance agent, before buying your insurance!

Georges Kreiss +41-76-323-7753 Georges.Kriess@goldblumcie.ch
Georges Kreiss
                     +41-76-323-7753
      Georges.Kreiss@goldblumcie.ch

If your German is not yet up to par, it’s important to find an insurance broker who speaks English well, so they can explain what coverage you have and how to make a claim if you need to. My insurance agent is Georges Kreiss; he’s an insurance broker for a company called Goldblum and Cie. As a broker, he represents multiple insurance companies, so he can tell you who provides the best coverage for your particular insurance needs. He’s always happy to discuss my insurance needs in person or, on the phone or by email. I particularly like Georges, as he’s flexible. He’ll adjust his schedule to suit mine if I have questions and works hard to move things forward quickly. He’ll also proactively drop me a mail or call me occasionally to make sure that I’m happy with my current coverage and to see if I have any other questions or need adjustments to my policies.

Personal liability insurance

basel insurance liability
Personal liability insurance covers damage done to others

Personal liability insurance coverage protects you financially against damage caused by you or a member of your family living in the same dwelling to a third party. For example:

  • You’re on holiday, and the pipes in your flat burst;  the water damages leaks down to your downstairs neighbors and floods his place, wrecking lots of his stuff
  • You’re riding your bicycle and someone jumps directly in your path and you hit them, causing injury (and hospital bills)
  • Your children are playing ball an accidentally break someone’s window

Damaging third-party property or injuring another person means you’ll be held responsible to pay compensation to that person. These types of claims can be incredibly expensive, and this type of insurance protects the policy holder against such financial risks.

Personal liability insurance is also really important if you’re trying to rent an apartment. Most landlords/rental companies will refuse to rent to you unless you can provide proof of coverage.

Content insurance

basel content insurance
Content insurance protects your personal belongings

Content insurance covers your household contents against damages caused by fire, water & (usually) theft in your home.  This includes furniture and personal items that are stolen or accidentally damaged. If you accidentally break something in the apartment, this can usually be claimed through your household insurance. Stolen bicycles are also covered by this insurance, for the most part. If you have an expensive bike you might need additional protection (a supplement), as the costs are generally only covered up to a specified amount.

Household insurance

Personal liability and content insurance will most often be sold as a package by your insurance company, under the blanket term ‘household insurance’. Buying the two together as a package is often slightly less expensive, than getting each individually.

Be sure that you know exactly what you are being covered for when you buy your insurance. I would very strongly recommend that everyone has a household insurance package or individual content and personal liability insurance at minimum. The costs per year are very reasonable, and if you don’t have it, you’ll kick yourself when something happens.

Insurance supplements

Insurance supplements are specific, additional insurance modules that provide extra coverage depending on your individual needs. Supplementary modules can be the inclusion of high-cost valuables (jewellery, antiques, etc.), simple theft outside the home or insurance for damage due to unusual forces of nature. Depending on what you own and your lifestyle, so should discuss appropriate supplements with your insurance agent to add to your basic household coverage.

Life Insurance

life insurance in Basel
Life insurance is important if you have dependents.

If you are employed by a company, you likely have some level of coverage by the state pension (AHV) and occupational pension (BVG) contributions that you pay each month (look at your pay slip and you’ll see these are deducted from your salary every month. Your employer should be able to provide you with details of the level of coverage and what benefits your dependants would receive upon your death.

If you feel you need additional coverage, you can take out a private life insurance policy. There is too broad a range of life insurance products and packages available, to go into this post. To find out what life insurance best suits your needs, talk to your insurance agent. The number, sex and age of your dependents, your financial status, lifestyle (e.g. smoking) and health status will all be factors in deciding what health insurance you need, and the premiums you’ll pay.

Car and motorcycle insurance

If you own and operate a motor vehicle in Switzerland, you’re going to need insurance for it. Premiums depend a lot on what vehicle you own, as well as your age, experience and driving history. Less expensive vehicles, with less powerful engines will be charged lower premiums than fast, expensive ones. There are also premium saving models that you might be able to take advantage of, if they are compatible with your vehicle and your lifestyle. For example, some insurance policies have reduced premiums for environmentally friendly vehicles, like hybrids. Others, will reduce premiums based on compliance with specific conditions, like exclusive use of a partner garage for regular maintenance and repairs. Talk to your insurance agent to make yourself aware of these money saving options.

 

Motor vehicle liability insurance

motor vehicle liability insurance in Basel
Motor vehicle liability insurance is a must if you drive in Basel

Motor vehicle liability insurance is mandatory if you drive a car or motorcycle (or any other motor vehicle). It protects you, the driver, financially for the damage that you might cause to a third party (the other people involved in the accident such as drivers, cyclists or pedestrians) if you’re involved in a traffic accident. Liability insurance also offers protection against unjustified third-party claims. This insurance covers both personal injury and property damage, but only for third parties.

 

Voluntary motor vehicle insurance – accident insurance, partial accidental damage coverage, collision insurance

While the mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance that covers damages you cause to others, you can also get other types of insurance that are voluntary: accident insurance, partial accidental damage coverage and collision insurance.

Accident insurance

If individuals are injured or killed in a traffic accident, this insurance protects the driver and passengers of the vehicle against any financial consequences, regardless of who was at fault. It may cover additional medical expenses (in a private room if inpatient care is required), daily benefits, and/or a disability or death lump sum.

car insurance in BaselPartial accidental damage insurance covers a breadth of different factors depending on what policy you choose. Possible coverage includes, some weather damage (like hailstones, flood), colliding with a large animal and theft. Be sure to discuss what protection you need with your agent, to get the ideal policy for you.

Collision insurance provides coverage for damages your own vehicle suffers as a result of a collision, often regardless of whose fault it is. It covers the repair costs, or the replacement of the vehicle should it be totally destroyed in the accident.

You need to consider how old your vehicle is, and whether you feel accidental damage and collision insurance is worth it to you, and if so, to what level you need it. Again, a discussion with your insurance agent is the quickest way to determine what level of motor vehicle insurance you need.

Often partial accidental damage insurance and collision insurance are sold together as a package known as comprehensive insurance.

 

Motor legal

Motor legal protection can provide support to implement compensation claims against the person responsible for the accident, if you have is subsequent legal difficulty with your insurance company and can help to offset lawyer fees, costs of appraisals or court fees.

motor legal insurance in BaselThis type of insurance can also be useful, if you are involved in criminal proceedings because of a violation of traffic laws. Motor legal coverage can provide legal support when you become involve in legal proceedings with the traffic authorities. Yearly premiums for motor legal insurance are relatively low compared with fees for legal representation.

Motor legal protection insurance might also be worth considering for people who don’t drive. If you’re a pedestrian, struck by a vehicle motor legal protection insurance will support you to make a claim against the person responsible for the accident. Legal disputes often arise concerning the amount of a disability pension or the degree of work incapacitation. Motor legal protection might supplement contributions to the victims, as well as providing legal support.

If it’s possible, choose a motor legal protection insurance that allows you to choose your own lawyer. Lawyers employed by insurance companies might face internal pressure to make decisions that favor the company instead of you. Independent lawyers will not face this pressure concerning trial costs.

motorcycle insurance Basel
You might be able to get seasonal insurance for your motorcycle or scooter.

Sunshine insurance

If you only use your motor vehicle in the summer months (motorcycles, convertibles, etc.) the license plates can be left at the Strassenverkehrsamt to avoid paying premiums during the months you don’t drive that vehicle. Insurance premiums can be suspended during this period, saving you money. This option makes sense for drivers who only use their vehicle for a few months in the year, as you’ll pay some money for depositing and re-registering the vehicle every year. Some insurers also offer the option to waive suspension. In this case, you pay a relatively low premium for the entire year which takes into account vehicles not used during the winter. With this option, the vehicle does not need to be re-registered every year and you can still use it whenever you want if the weather co-operates.

Making an insurance claim:

You should report a damage case (property damage, an accident, etc.) to your insurance company immediately. Visual account of the damage – especially before and after photos and video – can be very helpful. For example, I take a video of our whole flat once a year (1-2 minutes of footage per room), so that if there is any damage, we have an up-to-date account of our possessions and the state they are recently in that I can share with the insurance company.

Never initiate repairs without reporting the problem and receiving the go ahead from your insurance. Sometimes insurance companies will need to bring in a damage assessment expert to help decide on the best course of action, before deciding on how to proceed with your claim. Sometimes, your coverage will stipulate that only specific, partner companies can take on repairs and you may not be reimbursed for using other providers.

Similarly, don’t start to replace damaged or stolen items until you’ve received the OK of your insurance company and are sure your claim is approved and your compensation has been received.

You should think carefully before making a claim on small costs.  Firstly, depending on your level of coverage, you’ll usually have to pay a deductible before your coverage kicks in.  Secondly, you might lose discounts and bonuses provided by your company based on a perfect (zero) claims record, which may cost you more in the long run. Finally, your insurance company is not obligated to continue insuring you.  If you abuse your insurance by claiming every little thing, your company might decide to terminate your policy. Once this happens, the insurance companies will share the information with other insurance providers, and you’ll have a terrible problem being covered by anyone.  This can make your life in Basel (or anywhere) very difficult.


To be covered by your insurance, you have to pay your insurance company, fully and on time. If you don’t pay your premiums on time, you risk reminder fees or termination of your policy.

Changing insurances

If you are already insured, unless you officially cancel your policy in writing, the contract is automatically renewed.In most cases, notification must be provided three months in advance. Terminations within a shorter period are sometimes possible such as in case of a premium increase by the company a change of vehicle, etc. Most insurance agents can provide you with a template for the termination letter or you can often find them on the insurance company website.

I hope this post has provided you with a basis to start looking at insurance for your life in Basel.  Be sure to do your due diligence and discuss your particular insurance needs with a qualified agent!

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Owning a Dog in Basel – Guest Post

People with pets consider them a part of the family. Dogs are certainly my favorite in the pet category, and I’m looking forward to getting one soon. In the Moving to Basel e-book (only 11.99 USD), I’ve included 3 chapters on pets, including what you need to do for your pets to get them to Switzerland, how to actually arrange transportation for them, and some of the intricacies of owning a dog in Basel (or the rest of Switzerland). The e-book briefly describes the mandatory dog training needed in Switzerland, but when Gabriela Wehrli, a noted animal psychologist and dog trainer in Basel, offered to write a post for me detailing it I jumped at the opportunity!

 

Dog training in Basel
Gabriela Wehrli provides dog training courses in English

Gabriela Wehrli was born in Basel and lives in Pratteln with her husband, two daughters and two dogs. She studied English, history and German at the University of Basel and works for a local international organisation. She is a dog trainer and animal-shiatsu therapist.
If you struggle to understand your village’s dog regulations or the cantonal laws, please do not hesitate to contact her. She offers translation of such texts.
To contact Gabriela Wehrli for dog training or translation of pet related regulations, visit her website Kenkou – dog training and dog psychology in Basel.

Guest post for Life in Basel

 

Dog-laws in Switzerland

Owning a dog in Switzerland is great – you can take them for long romps on hundreds of beautiful hiking trails, bring them on public transport (there’s even special seat adapters for dogs on chair-lifts) and dogs are welcome in many restaurants and hotels. Even if you are living in the city, the nearest green oasis is usually not too far away. Many of my expat friends have told me that they are surprised at how well-trained and well-behaved most dogs in Switzerland are.

dog switzerland
Switzerland is a great place to have a dog!

However, after a tragic dog-attack in December 2005 involving a child, discussions around dog control and regulation started all over Switzerland. Under pressure from the public and the media, some cantons and villages created their own new regulations. Additionally, in September 2008, Switzerland enacted a new country-wide federal law for dog-owners. However, this legislation has been changed as of January 1st, 2017.

The dog-law-situation that is complicated for Swiss dog-owners, and almost impossible to understand for expats. The rules you must abide to differ not only from canton to canton, but literally from village to village.

This guest post gives an overview of the mandatory things you need to do when you get a dog. It also tells you what to look out for and where to get information as well as providing information about dog parks in the Basel region.

 

Federal mandatory courses for dog-owners

The federal law which forced dog-owners to attend a theoretical course before getting a dog (for first-time dog-owners only) and a practical course within a year of getting the dog has been discontinued as of January 1st, 2017. However, first time dog owners should inform themselves of the proper care and training for their dog, before getting one.

Registration and rules

Every dog must be registered with the village and dog tax needs to be paid. All dogs must carry a microchip (or tattoo) and must be registered with the AMICUS registry. The village and your vet will take care of this registration. Every dog-owner should have insurance coverage for dog incidents. Your insurance company can send you confirmation that you are covered. Coverage is usually included in your indemnity insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung). As a dog-owner you are held responsible if your dog harms humans or animals.

Every canton and village has an additional set of laws. There are, for example, many additional rules regarding breeds that are regarded as dangerous. Make sure you understand the laws in your canton, as well as neighbouring cantons, cantons you travel through or visit for holidays. Know the laws of your village and neighbouring villages.

There are separate rules for some breeds depeding on your canton. To see what breeds special rules apply  to in the canton where you live, please visit this webpage and then talk to your local vet or Gemeinde regarding the details. 

At the tierimrecht website you can find all the cantonal laws for both Basel-Stadt or Basel-Landt. For the village laws, it is best to ask for their specific dog regulations (Hundereglement) when registering your dog.

Forbidden training techniques and tools

Switzerland forbids hitting your dog, the use of prong collars, choke collars without a stop, or any device that uses electricity, chemicals or very unpleasant high-pitched noises to train dogs.

Vaccinations and de-worming

Dogs must be vaccinated and de-wormed regularly. If you travel abroad with your dog, it needs more vaccinations than for Switzerland only. Find a vet and talk to him/her about what you need. If your dog goes to a shelter while you are on holidays, ask the owners what vaccinations they require and then talk to your vet. Plan well in advance, to have enough time to get everything done.

Dogs have laws for the leash
Leash laws for dogs in Basel

Leash law, dog-free zones and more

In most areas it is mandatory to keep your dog on a leash in forests and close to forests from 1 April to 31 July. However, there are regions where you have to keep your dog on the leash in those areas all year long. And in the canton “Schwyz”, for example, dogs always have to be on the leash outside private properties. Check the cantonal law texts for the respective information. In the less strict areas, please only let your dog walk freely if it comes back promptly on command. Dogs that are seen hunting wild animals can be shot, and the owner will be fined.

In Basel, dogs must be walked on a short leash from 10pm to 6am, in restaurants, in public transport, near busy roads and on markets. Additionally, there are many areas that are marked specifically as dog-free zones (ie near kindergartens, schools, public swimming pools, some areas along the river Rhine, and more).

You might also not have known that in Basel, dogs are not allowed to take a bath in public fountains, or that you need a special approval if you want to keep two dogs that are more than 12 weeks old.

Dog in the mountains
Dogs are beautiful animals! They love Switzerland as much as the rest of us.

 

Dog parks

In Switzerland, the concept of dog parks is still very young. Basel has opened its first and so far only dog park in the Horburgpark in 2012. Given Switzerland’s space constraints and the fact that this dog park is in a city, please do not expect too much. There’s another nice dog park approximately a 30 minute car drive from Basel; Hundespielplatz Eiken. It is organised as a club, where you have to become a member and pay an annual fee in order to use the facility.

Coming back to my initial statement

Despite all these laws and regulations I still feel that owning a dog in Switzerland is wonderful. Keep in mind that all these laws were created after an accident, and not because the dog situation in Switzerland generally was getting out of hand. The average dog-owner will not have encounters with the police or law enforcement. Having to take the mandatory courses might seem a pain, but I am convinced that you will receive useful information and hopefully take something positive away from it.

I hope that Gabriela’s post has helped you clarify what needs to be done for dog owners in Basel, Switzerland! If you get a dog, make sure you know what you’re getting into, and take the steps above to ensure the animal is properly trained. Enjoy having a dog in Basel, Switzerland!

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Swimming in the Rhine in Basel

Summer at the Rhine
The Rhine in summer

Even if you’re new to Basel, I’m sure you noticed that the city is divided by a river. This river is the Rhein (English spelling: Rhine). In the summer months, you’ll also notice that lots of people like to swim in the Rhine (including myself). Others refuse to swim in the river, for various reasons. Even for people choosing not to take a dip, there are still lots of places to relax on the banks of the Rhine, and just enjoy the view.

I want to use this post to give you some information about the Rhine, make you aware of the dangers of Rhine swimming, and give you some tips, if you do decide to take the plunge. As with anything else in the world, know your limitations and be aware of what you’re getting yourself into before going for your first Rhine swim.

There is little I enjoy more than heading off on a sunny, summer day for a bbq by the Rhine. There are always lots of people of all nationalities, young and old, enjoying the summer by grilling, having a few cold drinks, and soaking up the sun. The atmosphere is generally very good, peaceful and relaxed. Most of the people coming to the river are tolerant if not friendly, and work on the ‘treat others as you’d have them treat you’ principle. Maintain a moderate level of respect for your neighbors. Don’t play your music too loud, don’t be obnoxiously drunk, clean up after yourself/children/pets and try not to drench any strangers if you jump in the water. The same way you’d hope them to be.

basel rhine summer

Swimming in the Rhine

I’m not going to lie to you, up until the 1990’s the Rhine river was a nightmare. It was used as the dumping ground for various industries, and was incredibly polluted with toxic, industrial chemicals. Since then, billions of Euros have been spent trying to clean up the Rhine. Fish populations are starting to recover, and the river is coming back to life. There are still higher levels of bacteria than you’d probably like (so don’t drink the water), and even though the river is much cleaner than it used to be, it’s still not as pristine as it could be. Also, a lot of people urinate in the river while swimming.  One more reason not to open your mouth in the Rhine!

Think before you decide to swim in the Rhine. If you are not a strong swimmer, don’t go! Its a river with a strong current, and there are no lifeguards to help you out of you start to struggle. The current changes drastically, depending on the water level and the time of year. Even if you are a good swimmer, be sure you go with some other people so if something unexpected happens (leg cramp, etc.) they can give you a hand. Don’t swim if you’re intoxicated, too tired, dehydrated, or have any other injuries or conditions that might affect your swim. It is not enough to be able to just float downstream, you really have to be a strong and confident swimmer.

Don’t jump or dive into the water. In addition to the irritating splash you’ll make, you may hit the bottom, depending on the level of the water, cutting your feet on rocks or glass. Certainly don’t dive in head first! Jumping off the bridges or hydroelectric damn will also get you hurt, killed or in trouble. I know one girl who was confined to a body cast for months, after foolishly jumping from one of the bridges.

The water can be cold. Really cold. Be sure to check the water temperature before start swimming. If you start feeling too cold, get to the side and get out of the water!! Stay close to the banks for the river when swimming and keep your eyes open for both big and small boats. When passing under the bridges keep away from the supports/pillars. There are strong eddies and currents that can be unpredictable. Don’t swim at dusk or after dark.

Know where you’re getting in and getting out of the river. Take a long walk or two along side the river, right to the end and know where you plan to get in and out. A great place to get into the water is just behind the Tinguely Museum. You can wade in, check the water temperature, assess the current and decide if you want to abort the swim.  If you miss the place you planned to exit, don’t panic; swim to the nearest bank. Don’t wait till the last exit point to leave the river. If you miss the last exit, you are screwed! There are lots of ladders and ramps to get out of the Rhine. Sometimes the ramps get very, slippery with algae, so be careful. I prefer the ladders.

There are waterproof bags that you can buy in various shops online, in the city or along the Rhine. They are great for putting your clothes, wallet, watch, phone, etc. to keep them safe when you swim. They do leak from time to time so for your electronics and valuables, I’d suggest you bring along an extra ziplock bag to put these items in, in case you do spring a leak. Most of the waterproof bags are dual purpose; they double as a flotation device if you put some air in them before you close them. If you’re not a good swimmer, don’t rely on them too much. They’re no substitute for strong swimming skills. The most common water proof bag is the fish bag (Wickelfisch). These clever devices come in assorted sizes and colors, so hopefully you’ll find something to match your taste!

waterproof bag
Waterproof Fish Bags (Wickelfisch) come in lots of sizes and colors

The use of  inflatable swimming aids such as rubber tire tubes, air mattresses and inflatable rafts/boats is not allowed. There are police boats that drive up and down the Rhine and if they catch you in one of these, they may decide to fine you. If you follow the rules, take the proper precautions, use good judgement and think about what you’re doing, you’ll have a great Rhine swim.

Here is an interesting Youtube link, if you want to see what swim in the Rhine is like.

Rhine swim day

Every year there is a annual Rhine swim day, where thousands of people go to the river. You should decide whether it’s fun for you or if its the day you want to stay out of the Rhine.  In 2019, this is planned to take place on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 around 18:00. If the weather is bad it will be re-scheduled (backup date of August 20, 2019).

Rhine basel swim
On the official Rhine Swim day, THOUSANDS of people take to the river.

Barbecuing / grilling by the Rhine is permitted, but please use common sense. You can buy small grills all over the place in Basel. Most chain grocery stores (Migros and Coop) carry disposable BBQs in the summer months, but they often don’t work very well. You can get small, reusable, portable charcoal grills that work much better for under 50 CHF. We got ours for 20 CHF at Interdiscount (an electronics shop) of all places, and its lasted a few years so far. Think about bringing a cooler to keep meat and drinks cold. Ice is hard to find in Basel and expensive when you do find it. If you have a decent amount of freezer space, fill a couple of ziplock sandwich bags with water and make your own ice a couple of days before. Or if you’re feeling posh, buy some reusable freezer packs with non-toxic blue gel.

I hope that this post has made you aware of both the pleasures and dangers of a day at the Rhine.  Be careful, have fun and enjoy your life in Basel!!

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Paying your bills in Basel

Moving to Basel eBookIn addition to paying at Basel shops with credit cards, direct debit or cash, you’ll need to pay bills that come to you, either by mail or electronically, for rent, water, power, TV, phone, etc. Depending on what you’re used to in your home country, you might find paying your bills in Basel a bit different than what you’re used to. Personal checks are not used in Switzerland in general, but there are several other options to pay things.

Payment slips (orange and red)

In Basel and the rest of Switzerland, slips of orange or red paper are come with most bills, often under the breakdown of the bill as a tear away sheet). On these slips there will be pre-printed information or blank spaces for or the payee (the company or person you owe money to), payor (you), the amount due and detailed bank account information. The German term for these slips is ‘Einzahlungschein’.

Most of the bills you receive from the larger companies (phone, tv, power, etc) will be of the orange type. Orange payment slips have a unique 27 digit reference number (called the ISR or ESR number) for that payment allowing companies to keep track of your payments easily. Red paying in slips do not generally have the reference number. These red slips are often provided by smaller businesses, individuals or for one off services. The ‘orange’ payment slip is a very light orange, and the ‘red’ paying in slips are closer to a light pink. If you bank online, be sure to look carefully to determine what color your bill is.

More and more companies are providing online bills, without payment slips, which just provide you with the information of the specific payment without a slip. If you’re just provided with bank account info (an account or IBAN number), you’ll probably select the tab to pay a red slip when paying online. If they give a unique 27 digit ISR reference number with the payment, then you’ll likely have the equivalent of the orange payments slip. My mobile phone company now does this, since I requested they go paperless. If you have any question on which type of payment to make, just call the person or company you plan to pay and they will be able to tell you.

The red payment slip:

  • This is a method to transfer money into the bank account of a person or company
  • The payment slip shows the IBAN of the person/company you’re paying as well as what bank they use
  • The amount due and the payer’s details may be pre-printed by the payee or you might have to fill in the amount and your name and address
  • You should put a short of the reason for payment in the specified field, so both you and the person you are paying know what this is for!

red einzahlungsschein
The red paying in slip generally comes from smaller companies or individuals.

The orange payment slip:

As above, but with an account number (generally 9 digits, in the following format 12-345678-9), and the 27 digit reference number. There is no message field for the recipient (the reference number makes this unnecessary).

Orange payment slips generally come from companies for rent, water, phone bills, cable, etc.
Orange payment slips generally come from companies for rent, water, phone bills, cable, etc.

 

There are numerous ways to pay these bills:

  • Pay from your online bank account
  • Step up a standing order for direct debit from your account
  • Pay at your bank (live with the teller)
  • Pay at the post office
  • Pay at a bank machine

1. Paying bills in Basel from your online bank account

Regardless of which bank you signed up with, or if you have a post office account, you should have an option to pay your bill from your computer. I won’t go into specifics on how to do this, as each bank’s online banking platform is unique. Generally, you need to look for a tab or button, marked ‘payments’ or ‘pay bills’, and then you’ll be able to choose between orange payments slips, red payment slips and often also be able to select foreign and domestic bank transfers.

Many online interfaces for banks allow you to save a company you made payments too, so that you don’t have to enter the information from scratch every time. If you use this function, be sure to check the reference number or other specific information is correct every time!If you have difficulties figuring out your interface, most banks have a helpline, or online chat, where you can seek assistance. When you pay your bills online, payment is usually executed the following day, so if you need to cancel or correct the payment for any reason, you might be able to do this for several hours after you complete the payment online (look under pending payments). You should always check a couple of days after paying to make sure that the payment went through. It’s also a good idea to write the date you paid on the payment slip, and keep this for several years (at least!). Most banks also have a mobile phone app which you can use to pay your bills if you prefer.

2. Setting up a standing order/direct debit for regular bill payments from your bank account

You can authorize your bank to make payments to specific companies for regular costs. I do this for rent, health insurance and other regular, fixed cost bills. Bills that are not the same month to month, can also be authorized (phone, etc) as a standing order/direct debit but I would think twice before paying this type of bill as a standing order, in case you have need to dispute your bill. It’s easier to do this if you have not yet paid them!

3. Payment at any branch of your bank.

If you prefer to pay in person, and have a paper record of the transaction, you can go to your local bank branch (generally you have to have an account there). You can give the teller your account information and your payment slips, and they can pay these out of your account. You’ll either receive the stub of the payment slip stamped by the bank as proof of payment, or, if you pay multiple bills at once, they’ll pool them and generally give you one stamped slip reflection the total of all the payments. You should keep these stamped stubs as these are your only record of payment. If you have a cash heavy business, you could also pay these bills at a branch of your bank in cash, but you still have to have an account there.

4. Paying at the post office:

In Switzerland, the post office is also very much like a bank. If you have a PostAccount you’ll be able to pay online, or if you go to a branch to pay out of your PostAccount. If you prefer to pay your bills in cash, you can take cash and your payment slips to any post office. You do not need an account with them. Just walk in, take a number or wait in line, and give the teller you slips and the cash (you don’t need exact change). In return, they will do the payment and give you back stamped payment stubs from your slips, that you should keep as proof of payment.

5. Paying bills at the bank machine

Some banks have bank machines where you can make your payments. Make sure your bank has this function before you open an account if you want use this function. You’ll only be able to do this at machines where you have an account (and if that machine has the ability to accept this type of transaction). After you’ve inserted your bank card and given your PIN, you can select pay bills, and feed in your payment slips. Then you just need to authorize payment at the machine.

If You Don’t Pay Your Bills on Time

Most bills have a pay before date; and if they don’t you can contact whoever is billing you for a due date. For most bills the payment period is 30 days. If you don’t pay by the specific date, you generally get a warning, followed by a service charge, which can range from 20-100CHF (I could also imagine this being higher, depending on the company and the size of the bill). You’ll also likely incur some sort of interest on the payment in addition to this.

Moving to Basel eBookIf you still don’t pay, the billing party will report you to the ‘collection authorities’ that will summon you to their office, or hire a bill collection agency that will try to find you to get the payment. This will incur all sorts of additional charges on top of the original bill, and can lead to issues on a larger scale (court cases, evictions, getting a flat in the future).

If you have a problem with a bill you received, mail a written letter to the supplier, by registered mail. Then, follow-up with a call to try and resolve the issue. If this fails, you can seek arbitration from a third party (if both parties agree). Failing this, you should seek legal help to resolve the issue in the court system. Do yourself a favor. Do your best not to let it get this far!

Bill Paying Scams

There are some scams running in Switzerland where companies send you a payment slip and a bill for services that you did not receive. Just because you receive a bill from someone it doesn’t mean you have to pay it. Those running the scam hope you’ll not look at what the charge is for and pay it regardless. Don’t fall into this trap. If you get a bill that you don’t think you owe money for, be sure to contact the biller to resolve it. If you are certain it’s a scam, scan the bill and file a report with the Basel police.

 

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What if I Get Sick While Living in Basel?

Moving to Basel eBookIf you’ve just moved to Basel, it’s possible that at some point you’ll become sick or need medical assistance. I remember after I had been in the city for a month or so; I got food poisoning, and was out incapacitated for a week! Later that same year, I had to have a root canal. I’m pretty sure the cost was more painful than the procedure! Over the last years I’ve lived through colds, flus, eye infections, hangovers, broken bones, and other assorted boo-boo’s. I think it was Indiana Jones who said “it’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage”…

This post should help you find medical and dental services in the case you get sick or hurt, while in Basel, Switzerland. I’m not a doctor or emergency service expert, so you should think about what you would do in case of illness or accident, and have a plan of your own in place, in case something does happen! The first thing you need to make sure you have is the compulsory health insurance in Basel, and that your employer (or someone) is covering you for accident insurance.

 

Emergency!!

Emergency Services in Basel
The general emergency number is 112. You can also contact emergency police, fire and ambulance services at their own emergency numbers.

The general emergency number in Switzerland (and many other European countries) is 112. You should memorize this. This would be the equivalent of 911 in North America, getting you to general emergency services (fire dept, police dept, emergency medical service), and should be taken as seriously.  You should be able to dial this from any working phone. Even mobile phones with a non-functional SIM-card have an SOS mode that should allow you to dial this.

In case of a health emergency that requires an ambulance specifically, you can dial 144, in Switzerland. Ambulances in Switzerland are probably not covered by your health insurance plan, at least not entirely. I’ve never had to use the ambulances here, but from people I know who have,  this is between 300-1800 CHF for a single ambulance trip, depending on how far away you had to be taken and what services are necessary! Check this with your Basel health insurance company, if you have questions about how much you are covered for, if you need to get an ambulance to the hospital.

Some other numbers that might be handy in other emergencies are: Police (Dial: 117) or Fire (Dial: 118) or Poison control (Dial: 145).

You can also go on your own to the emergency room of hospitals or clinics:

  1. University Hospital Basel (Universitätsspital Basel)
  2. University Children’s Hospital (Children’s emergencies)

Follow the signs that say ‘Notfall’ (emergency)!!

This is the emergency room sign (notunfall) in Basel.
If you have an injury or illness that requires immediate attention, go to the emergency (Notfall) room of the hospital.

 

You’ll have to show proof of health insurance so be sure to have it with you. In fact, you should have your proof of insurance with you at all times, just in case anything ever happens to you and you require emergency medical treatment.

 

Is there a doctor in the house?

If your situation is not life threatening (or painful) enough to warrant an ambulance, or a trip to the emergency room you might still need a doctor.

The doctors that you are eligible to see, and how to approach them, depends on your health insurance plan. Be sure to check with your insurer to see how to proceed. If you don’t seek medical attention as described by your policy, you might not be eligible for coverage. For some policies, you need to see a GP before a specialist, others require a telephone call to a medical adviser before seeking out a physician. Once you figure out what medical plan you have, and how you need to proceed, choosing a physician can be another hurdle. You can talk to friend or work colleagues to let you know who they like or who they don’t. Alternatively, you can go online to look for physician reviews on sites like http://www.endconsumer.org or look on the English Forum in Basel.

If you work for one of the big companies in Basel and you need to see a doctor, ask if there is a on-site medical center.  You’ll generally be able to see the doctors and nurses there, free of charge.

Perhaps you want to go see a physician outside of work hours, or it’s Christmas morning or New Years Day and you’ve fallen ill. If you are not willing to brave the emergency room, there are some medical practices that are open outside of the standard working days. Medix Toujours is open 365 days/ year from 7am – 10pm. It’s a walk-in clinic for illnesses and injuries, where no appointment is necessary. Again, you should check with your insurance to see if they will cover you, but it’s nice to know that places like that exist!

 

Colds, scrapes and bruises, hangovers, etc.

The contact information for the Notfall Apoteke (emergency pharmacy) in Basel, Switzerland
If you need something from the pharmacy outside of normal opening hours, try the Notfall Apotheke on Petersgraben.

If you don’t think whatever is wrong with you requires professional medical attention, you might be able to find something to treat you at the local pharmacy. These are all over the place, and are generally indicated by a green cross on the shop, and the words Apotheke. They are located across the city and are open during the standard shopping hours. If you can’t make it during standard opening hours, there is an emergency pharmacy at opposite the University Hospital which is open outside of normal working hours and on weekends and holidays, and another one by the SBB which is open from 7-22 365 days a year. Over the counter drugs are more expensive in Switzerland, than in most other places in the world, so you might want to stock up on headache pills and cough medicine while you’re in another country!

 

Dental care

Taking care of your teeth in Basel.
Dentistry in Basel can be costly!! It might be better to schedule regular check-ups when you’re at home!

Like many things in Switzerland, dental care in Basel is great quality, but really expensive. If you’re an Expat, and you need the standard check-up/cleaning, etc. you might think of taking care of this in your home country when you go and visit. You can get supplementary insurance that covers dental, but it’s also costly. There are dental practices just across the border in Germany or France, when you can likely find dental work for less. If you decide to go to the dentist in Basel, or you need emergency dental work, I don’t have a recommendation for you, but talk to some of your friends or work colleagues, for recommendations or look on this recent thread on the English Forum. I’m not 100% certain if dental is covered in the case you damage your teeth by accident, so be sure to talk to your accident insurance provider regarding this (accident insurance is probably provided by your employer).

There is an excellent general health guide provided by the government which you should definitely download and have a look at.

I hope this post helps you find medical or dental assistance in Basel, Switzerland! Get well soon!!!

 

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Getting Out of Basel for a Weekend

Moving to Basel eBook

 

While Basel is a beautiful place to live and work, you’ll probably want to go somewhere else on occasion! It’s likely that you’ll do this in one of three ways, by car, by train or by plane.

By Car

Basel Cars
Basel is a wonderful base to see the rest of Switzerland, as well as the rest of central Europe!

If you don’t have a car in Basel, but have a valid driver’s license, you might want to rent a car to get out of the city for a few day. The process for this is the same as it is most places in the world. You’ll need to bring reserve online, or by telephone, be sure to bring your license when you pick up the vehicle.

Also, if you work for one of the larger companies in the city, bring your work ID, as it might get you a discount at some of the rental agencies. You can ask at work if such a discount exists, to help you chose a car rental agency. Once you are done with the vehicle, be sure to bring it back in the same shape as you took it out, and refill the fuel tank before you return it.

There are several international car rental agencies available in the city:

Budget

Hertz

Europcar

If you have a car its easy to plan a roadtrip. Again, its wise to consider membership to the autoclub TCS if you have a car of your own and are travelling within Switzerland. You might also consider investing in a GPS unit!

 

By Rail

Trains from Basel
The trains in Switzerland are generally fast and efficient. Get a 1/2 tax card to make them affordable too!

The Swiss also have an extensive and extremely reliable train system that reaches most Swiss cities, towns and villages as well as providing access to many other major European city centers. High-speed trains go direct from Basel to Frankfurt, Paris and Milan in under 4 hours. Basel has two major train stations, the Basel SBB (Swiss Rail) and the Basel Badischer Bahnhof, which is operated by the German Rail (Deutsch Bahnhof-DB). Train connections from other countries are often less reliable than Swiss trains, a factor that should be taken into account when travelling. Furthermore, inclement weather, fallen trees or occasional accidents on the train lines can disrupt service. This is much more common in the winter months.

 

By Air

Air travel from Basel
Basel has its own airport, with both standard and low cost carriers!

Basel’s airport is close to the city center and remarkably easy to reach by either public transportation or driving. Due to the size of the airport, going through security is generally quite fast, and the airport restaurant/ business lounge facilities are excellent. Low-cost carriers fly out of Basel airport, providing economical connections to much of Europe, but be sure to book early to get the best prices! Flights out of Basel are somewhat limited, as the airport is small, but Zurich Airport, which is much larger, is about 1.5 hours away by train.

There are numerous airlines you can travel, some are listed below:

Air Berlin

Air France

Lufthansa

Easyjet

Swiss

There are also online booking services, like ebooker.com that can help you find the best prices. You can use these sites to book flights, car rental and hotel (or any combination of these) in English.

 

Exploring Switzerland

Swiss vacation
You’ve seen Basel, now check out the rest of Switzerland!

If you don’t already have a destination or activity in mind for your trip, you have your work cut out for you deciding. Why not check out the rest of Switzerland? There is a company, MyDays, that has great ideas for trips in Switzerland, and other locations in Europe.

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Sending your Children to School in Basel

I’ve had a couple of requests for this post, so I thought I’d give writing it a try. Seeing as I don’t have children, and didn’t grow up here, I’m a bit out of my element!

I’ve sent this post out to a few friends who have kids that grew up in Basel, who have looked in over (thanks guys!!), so hopefully most of the content is accurate! Remember, you should make sure you confirm this information with the schools or government! You should also talk to your employer, as some of the companies in Basel might sponsor your child’s tuition at a specified, private school.

From what I understand, the school system in Switzerland is Canton dependent  and not standardized across the country. If you move to Basel, you’ll probably live in Canton Basel-Stadt. I’ll try to keep my information confined to Basel-Stadt. If there is need for it later, I may write another post about the differences between the school systems in Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landt.

The school system in Basel has changed quite a bit over the last two decades. Prior to school reforms, the educational prospects of the children would be decided in their 10th year, and the children would be grouped into educational streams based on ability and preferences. Today, the children are still streamed, but this is done later in their education.

School in Basel
The schooling system in Basel might be different than what you’re used to. Be sure to make the right choices for your children!

Your child’s education is one of the key decisions you’ll make for them, so you want to be sure you are informed about the school system before you’ve moved to Basel, or as soon as you arrive. Where your children attend school, in part, will be determined by where your residence is located. All children in primary school, should be in attendance of a school within walking distance of their home, and they are often expected to come home for the lunch break.

 

Pre-School/Daycare in Basel:

There are numerous daycares in Basel, that will take children before they go into the regular, government school system. They take infants as young as 3 months old, toddlers from 2-4 years old and have kindergarten for children from 4-6 years old. These are privately run, and can be quite costly, depending on the facility and how many days per week you send your child for. There are German only daycare centers, English only daycares, and bi-lingual facilities which teach the children in two languages. I would imagine that you could also find daycare centers focusing in other languages.

 

The Compulsory Swiss School System in Basel-Stadt

There is a mandatory education period in Basel, which lasts about 11 years, including kindergarten. After this mandatory education period, your children will be assessed, and then continue education at various secondary schools or in vocational traing, based on the assessment of their skills and aptitudes.

The primary language spoken in the Swiss public school system is German, but support classes are available for children who have just arrived from non-German speaking countries. This is to get the children up to speed as quickly as possible, and allow them to integrate into school in Basel.

 

Kindergarten in Basel
Kindergarten in Basel, is for children from 4-6 years old, and is part of the mandatory school period. The Kindergarten curriculum is geared to learning through play and different sensory experiences. For expat parents, who don’t have exposure to German in the home, a kindergarten environment is ideal for their children to learn a new language. There are over 150 licensed kindergartens in Basel-Stadt, so hopefully you can find something for your children close by your residence.Moving to Basel eBook

 

Primary School:

From the age of 7-11, kids attend primary school. This is where they begin to learn reading, writing and the other academic skills they’ll need for the rest of their lives. Starting school at 7 years old is a bit later than what I’ve seen in other countries; however, you are free to teach the children at home or in private classes before this. The size of the primary school classes is limited to 25 children. The primary school system in Basel-Stadt is geared to expats, with intensive immersion courses in German offered, to teach children from other countries the German language as quickly as possible and then allow them to move into regular classes.

Allocation of grade level is very fluid in the Swiss system and takes into account a child’s abilities more than many other systems. As a result, children can move up or down a level and repeat years to allow them to develop optimally. It’s not unheard of for children enter classes a year below their age appropriate grade, to allow them more time to develop their language abilities. Children from other countries often have a few trial days and assessments when they start school, and will generally be given additional lessons, several times a week, to develop their German skills. Parents are provided with input into their child’s development through meeting and school reports. Traditional grades are not used at the primary school level.

 

Basel Orientation School
In orientation school, children are assessed for aptitude and performance, for later streaming

Orientation school 
Orientation school in Basel goes from the ages of 11-14. In these years, the strengths, weaknesses and preferences of the students are assessed. After they have been assessed, the children are streamed into different educational paths, based on their performance in Orientation School. They learn languages (German and French), Math, Sciences, History, Music. There are also large numbers of optional courses they can take.

 

After the Compulsory Education Period:

This is where it starts to get a bit confusing! Following the compulsory education period, students are divided into streams for further education, based on their aptitude in orientation school:  an A-Stream, an E-Stream and a Grammar School stream. Students are directed to the E-stream or the A-stream for two years, and to Grammar School for five years.

 

The A-stream        

The A-stream is a general level education, for students who are not academically inclined and who are assessed to be likely to succeed in apprenticeships and vocational certificate training.

 

The E-stream

The E-stream is for students who are at a higher level academically than their A-Stream peers, and provides a curriculum geared to more academically demanding apprenticeships and further education. Often, students in the E-Stream can study applied sciences at university after a vocational or specialist baccalaureate.

Students in the A-stream or E-stream can move to the grammar school stream, by passing in a qualifying examination.

 

Math in Basel
The stream your child is placed in will decide the subject of their future studies

Grammar school:

Grammar school (Gymnasium), is the education stream for strong academic students, leading towards the expectation of a university level education. Grammar school is for students from 14-19 years old (the 8th to the 12th school year). In addition to the broad range of academic subjects, students are encouraged, and expected to learn independently. Once they have graduated from a grammar school (around 18 or 19 years old), they receive a Swiss baccalaureate certificate (also known as a Matura / Maturität), which qualifies them to attend university.

 

Vocational Training:

In an apprenticeship, students learn their vocation through a combination of courses and on the job experience. Usually, vocational apprenticeships start after the 9th year of school, when the child is about 16 years old, and last between 2-4 years depending on the complexity of the vocation.

Upon completing their apprenticeship, the students receive a Swiss Certificate of Competence. If the student aspires to further education, after completion of their apprenticeship, they can improve their qualifications through further training and coursework, or take a vocational baccalaureate exam, allowing them study in the university system.

 

Private Schools in Basel:

If you choose to, and you can afford it, you can send your children to one of the many private schools in Basel and the surrounding area. There are international schools, that have children from numerous different countries, that are run in English or other languages. The schools meet federal standards and offer a wide range of courses, but are costly, and often have long waiting lists.

Be sure to talk to your employer about support that they might offer and discuss the ramifications of support for your family (i.e. if they provide support for two years, your children may need to change schools after this point, if you are unwilling to continue payment personally).

Good luck sending your children to school in Basel! If you have any further input that might be useful, send us a note, or leave a comment below!

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Single in Basel? Easy Ways to Meet Someone Special

There are lots of ways to meet new people when you move to Basel, Switzerland
There are plenty of great ways to meet people in Basel!

Moving to Basel, Switzerland is going to be an exciting adventure for you, but it will also pose some challenges. If you are single in Basel, one of those challenges is meeting someone special. If you want to start a relationship, either casual or serious, you’re going to have to put yourself out there.

You can do this the traditional way, by going out and talking to people, taking part in social or sports clubs and activities, or hanging out at places where you might meet interesting potential partners.  Alternatively, you might go the internet route, where there are different websites available (some options discussed below) that can put you in contact with a person with similar attitudes, tastes and ideas. To maximize your chances of meeting the right person in Basel, you should try both the face-to-face approach and internet dating.

Basel is an excellent place for singles for several reasons:

  1. The city is large enough that there is always something interesting going on. You don’t always have to see the same people time and time again. Go to different places and you’ll meet different people
  2. The city is small enough, that if you meet someone interesting, and want to run into them again, you probably will. Many people are territorial, frequenting their same favorite places repeatedly. Spend enough time at the place you met someone, you’ll be likely to run into them again.
  3. As an expat, you’ll probably have the advantage of the ‘foreigner effect’. You’ll likely have a different background, traditions, and customs than many of the people you meet when dating. This gives you something to talk about when you meet someone, and gives you an appealing, exotic quality.
  4. There are always lots of new and interesting people moving to Basel, Switzerland on a regular basis, so you have a steady stream of potential new dating options.

Meeting Someone in Basel, Switzerland: The traditional way

You can go the traditional route, or online
Finding a love interest in Basel, Switzerland can be simple.

Depending on what your interests are, there are a wealth of bars, restaurants and clubs in Basel, where you can meet someone. I’m not going to give you a list of places to go, as I don’t know what you like to do, but there are a few things you can do to optimize your chances of meeting someone:

  • Whatever you look like, make sure you’ve made the most of what you have, and look your best.
  • Be sure your personal hygiene is up to snuff. Make sure to shower and if you’re using perfume or cologne, don’t use too much!
  • Be outgoing, friendly, and above all confident.
  • Go to events that encourage personal interaction, especially with strangers. Going to the movies is an unlikely place to find someone new to talk to!
  • It’s a good idea to showcase your special skills if you have any. If you’re a great actor, join a theater group. If you’re a fantastic singer, go to a karaoke night or join a choir. 

There is also your workplace to meet potential partners, but be careful here! Dating someone you work with, especially if you see them on a day-to-day basis, can be a strain on the relationship as well as being a very uncomfortable situation, if things go sour!

Meeting Someone in Basel, Switzerland: Online Dating

Online dating in Basel, Switzerland
Online dating in Basel is easy, and generally free to sign up for.

As people’s lifestyles become increasingly hectic, online dating makes more and more sense, and has lost any stigma associated with it over the last decade. I’m sure most of us know at least one couple who have met online. Whether or not you think dating online is for you, it’s like online shopping. It doesn’t cost you anything to sign up and ‘shop’ for a partner.

If you plan to go the online route, there are several options available in Basel, depending mainly upon what languages you speak, and what you want out of your relationship. There is no charge to do the initial registration and see if you can make a connection, so its best to apply to register with as many as you want to for free and then pick one or two that you might want to get a full membership to, depending on the interfaces, the people and connections you find, and the overall feeling you get from the sites…

Parship is the best online dating site for English-speaking expats living in Basel, in my opinion. The site has a large number of members and sign-up is free; that way you get to look around before you decide to go any further. You need to complete a personality test, which really helps to find compatible partners and to weed out the duds. Parship uses algorithms to help you, as a unique person, find meaningful relationships with others from all walks of life, based on key compatibility factors.
PARSHIP.ch - Die Online-Partneragentur

ElitePartner: Are you an educated, professional looking for a long-term relationship, that would like to meet others in the same situation?  Then you really need ElitePartner. The majority of ElitePartners members are university-educated, with an open and passionate approach to life.  The ElitePartner algorithms are designed to find long-term compatibility, and according to user surveys, over 40% of ElitePartner members with a premium membership will find a life partner through the site! The initial registration is free, and then you can decide later if you want to upgrade to a premium membership.

Looking for a same-sex relationship? If you’re part the gay and lesbian community and are interested in finding a same-sex relationship, there are specialized websites that focus on finding you the perfect partner. One of these is gayParship, an online dating website that sports a whopping 38% success rate of premium members finding the right partner for them!

I don’t want a relationship, just a fling!: The sites listed above are for people who are looking for a relationship that will (hopefully) be long-term.  What if you’re not ready for that kind of commitment? Perhaps the idea of one sexual partner bores you, or you’re in a difficult part of your life and don’t want anything too serious. Or maybe you just don’t have the time for a committed relationship. There are also online dating websites for both women and men looking for something more casual. Try the Secret.ch website if you want find a partner a casual encounter. With 850,000 members looking for uncomplicated dates and erotic encounters, you stand a pretty good chance of finding someone that suits your needs. The site prides itself on being safe and anonymous; its not available in English, but translates well in most web-browsers. 

There are other dating sites that operate in Basel, Switzerland or across Europe (remember France and Germany are just a short way off), so be sure to look around to find something that works for your particular tastes.

Regarding online dating, it’s important to be truthful in your profile, otherwise any connections you make are very likely to fail. Here are some things to keep in mind when dating online:

  • Post an accurate (but flattering), recent photograph. You don’t want anyone to be disappointed when seeing you in person
  • Leave some mystery. The most successful online daters are those who keep their profiles small, but impactful
  • Don’t make yourself out to be something you’re not. If you’re not funny, don’t say you are. If you don’t like the outdoors, don’t say you do. You get the point!

Once you do find someone who tickles your fancy, there are lots of great places to go to in Basel and things to do. But that’s a post for another day! Good luck finding someone in special to share your life in Basel!

If you have a good story or advice on meeting someone in Basel, tell us in the comment box below!

Are you in Zurich? Then try the Single in Zurich website!

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Going to the Movies in Basel

Basel movies
There are lots of cinema options in Basel, both mainstream and independent.

Moving to Basel eBook

Basel has numerous cinemas, with both theaters that show the most recent mainstream movies, as well as more specialist movie houses that show independent and foreign films. You can find the Basel movie listings at the Cineman website or you can check the local free newspapers. In the summer, there are also open air cinemas, that allow you to enjoy the good weather outside while watching a movie.

Can I see a movie in English?

In Basel, you can find most movies dubbed either in German or in the original language (most often English). As Switzerland is multilingual, if you see a film in English, there will usually be French and German subtitles displayed on the bottom of the screen. This can be distracting initially, but you get used to it quite quickly, and after a while, don’t even notice it anymore! And, as an added bonus, it might also help you learn a little German or French.

Movie language and subtitles basel
The spoken language of the movie will be capitalized, subtitles listed in lowercase.

To make sure the movie you are going to is in English, look for the letters ‘Egf’. This means dialogue in (E)nglish, subtitles in (G)erman and (F)rench. Similarly, ‘G’ would be for a film dubbed in German with no subtitles, ‘Fg’ would be for a film with French dialogue with German subtitles, etc. Often, the Other papers and websites use ‘Original Version’ (Ov), ‘German Version’ (GV) or ‘French Version’ (FV). English and German dubbed films will be shown in the same multiplex theaters, so make sure when you buy your ticket, you’re going to the correct movie. The dialogue/subtitle designation is generally displayed by the movie showing times or next to the movie title.

How much is going to the movies in Basel going to cost me?

3D movies in Basel
3D glasses cost extra, but once you buy them you can use them for future 3D films in Basel.

Going to see a film in Basel is quite costly. A single, adult ticket generally costs 17-19 CHF, depending on where you go. If the movie you are going to is in 3D, you can add another few francs to the ticket price, as well as additional costs for 3D glasses (which you get to keep and can reuse) .

You are not allowed to bring food or drinks into most cinemas, and the snacks available are also quite costly. If you really feel like splashing out, some cinema’s have a VIP theater, where at an additional cost you sit in a separate theater, get a glass of champagne, some snacks and a more comfortable seat.

Some (but not all) movie theaters in Basel have an intermission halfway through the film, for about 10 minutes. This is an ideal time for a bathroom break or to get something to eat. If you plan to leave the cinema during this time, be sure to keep your ticket stub!

Where to see mainstream movies in Basel

Most of the ‘mainstream’ movie theaters are located in the same area, near Steinenvorstadt (between the Barfüsserplatz and Heuwagge tram stops). Below is a list of many of the mainstream cinemas in Basel.

Capitol – Steinenvorstadt 36, 4051 Basel

Pathé Eldorado – Steinenvorstadt 67, 4051 Basel

Pathé Küchlin – Steinenvorstadt 55, 4051 Basel

Pathé Plaza – Steinentorstrasse 8, 4051 Basel

Rex – Steinenvorstadt 16, 4051 Basel

Studio Central, Gerbergasse 16, 4001 Basel

 

Where to see independent and foreign movies in Basel

The Kult Kino theaters (http://www.kultkino.ch) are the local arthouse cinema in Basel. They show the movies in the original language with subtitles in different languages. They have English language independent and ‘brainstream’ films from around the world. There are also other independent cinemas also listed below.
kult.kino atelier – Theaterstrasse 7, 4051 Basel

kult.kino camera – Rebgasse 1, 4058 Basel

Neues Kino – Klybeckstrasse 247, 4007 Basel

Stadtkino Basel – Klostergasse 5, 4051 Basel

Outdoor movies in Basel
Open air kino (cinema) in Basel is popular in the summer.

 

Open-Air Cinema

During the Basel summer, there are open air screens in numerous outdoor locations. The Open Air Cinema showings take place in July and August, showing movies at Münsterplatz. The Neues Kino shows movies on a grain silo in the Rhine harbor. Some of the local outdoor swimming pools/garden parks also have outdoor film nights. Showings are weather permitting, so hope for good weather!

We hope you enjoy going to the movies in Basel!

 

 

 

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Keeping in Touch with Home as a Basel Expat

Moving to Basel eBookWhen I first came to Basel (for what I thought was just a year), in 1998, it was my first time really away from my friends and family back home. Sure, I’d gone to University in a different city, but moving to a foreign country, with a different language was disorienting to say the least! Not knowing anyone outside of work left me lonely and missing home. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been through something similar, or are maybe experiencing it now, but keeping in touch with people from home can be very comforting to the homesick expat!

Whether you know people in Basel or not, it seems likely that you’ll keep in touch with people from home. However, no matter how good your intentions are, it’s important to realize that you won’t be able to give the same amount of attention to some of your relationships as you did before (and to not beat yourself up about it!). You’ll be meeting new friends, the time difference might hinder your efforts to communicate, and keeping in touch can be expensive, not to mention time consuming. This post discusses different ways of communicating with the gang back home.

Telephone

When you move to Basel, you’ll no doubt arrange for a mobile phone and perhaps a land line. Phone is the most obvious way to keep in touch, but it’s certainly not the most economical! For both a land line and mobile, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee for your phone contract, and while you’ll likely get some free minutes and text messages, it’s a good idea to check your plan carefully, as free minutes often don’t apply to calls and texts outside the country. One way to keep calling costs to a minimum is by using international phone cards. Some phone companies also offer International Direct Dialing (IDD) packages where you pay for a set number of international call minutes. In Basel, these are available at numerous stores throughout the city and are often clearly displayed in shop windows.

Telephone Basel
Keeping in touch from Basel

Instead of a contract, you can also get pay-as-you-go phone where you re-load the card with credit by purchasing reloads available at most local shops or by having the pre-pay SIM card, linked to your credit card. Don’t forget to think about the time difference when you’re calling internationally…if you accidentally call someone at 3am, you’ll scare them to death!

 

Voice over internet calls

One of the more recent, least expensive and most personal means you can use to keep in touch are voice over internet service providers (VOIP).  These services allow you to speak with people via the internet, with the option of seeing them on video, often free of charge. There are free services available such as Skype, that can be upgraded for a fee. There are also providers who charge for additional features and support services. You’ll need a broadband internet connection, a microphone and speakers (most laptops have these built in) or a headset and a webcam.

While video calling over the internet is very personal, it still feels kind of like a phone call. You have to keep in mind, that the person you are talking to can see you, forcing you to curtail some of your ‘telephone habits’ (like rolling your eyes when someone says something irritating), walking around and multitasking while you talk. Taking a video call in the WC is also a bad idea.  Video calling also provides interesting venues for long distance romantic relationships; be careful though, it’s remarkably easy to record a video of onscreen happenings.

Emails

Almost everyone (including my 70+ year old parents) have access and can use modern email programs, making it easy to keep in touch. Depending on how fast you type and your ability to express yourself in writing, emails can be an excellent way to keep in touch with almost all your friends and family. You can also send blast emails or a newsletter attachment to long lists of friends family and acquaintances, though this is usually perceived to be less personal, than even a short email to someone in particular. Email is perfect for transcending the timezone issue that makes it tough to  keep in touch. If you don’t already have an account, you can sign up for one for free at Hotmail or Gmail.

 

Social networks

Social networking sites like Facebook, are great for keeping in touch with family and friends, in an informal manner, as well as to keep in with less important acquaintances that you have lost touch with. Social networks can be used to update people on your location and what you’re doing, to share photos, organize events for when you come home and to send private or group messages. Be sure to adjust the privacy settings on your social network to control who can see you profile, and how much information you want to share with the world.

Platforms like LinkedIn can serve the same function for current and former business colleagues, back home. Many people check social media networks on a daily basis, making them perfect for keeping people abreast of your activities without necessarily contacting them directly, and vice versa!

A blog is short for a ‘web-log’, which is a simple online way for you to keep and share a record of your experiences in a more detailed, thoughtful manner than on a social network. A blog is easy to set up, low cost and the perfect platform for you to share your thoughts, feelings and impressions of your time in Basel. You can share your blog publicly, with a select group of viewers, or you could keep it private, for yourself only. Blogs allow maximum freedom online to share photos and video.

There are lots of blog hosts available. The two that I’ve had the best experiences with are Bluehost and iPage. These have relatively similar functions, and offer really simple blog building tools.  I’m using Bluehost for this page at the cost of about 5-6 dollars a month. They offer free installation of WordPress, which is a really user-friendly blogging platform for free, as well as options for other site building tools. I like both these providers so much that I decided to become an affiliate, which means if you click on the links for Bluehost or iPage, and decide to set up an account, I’ll receive a small commission, at no cost to you.

 

Instant Messenger Services

These programs allow you to text chat in real-time with your friends and family back home. You can have a conversation typing messages back and forth. Instant messenger services are already integrated into social medial platforms like Facebook, as well as into free email services like Gmail and Hotmail.

 

Sharing photos

With most mobile phones being cameras, and all the new things for you to see in Basel, pretty soon you’ll have gigabytes of photos. High resolution photos are large files, and it can be hard to send all of these in an email due to size restrictions. One way to overcome this is to make an online photo album to share with your loved ones. Then you can email out a link to anyone you think may be interested, and give your photos a password, so that they are not visible to the public. Smilebox is one of these providers, but there are also many other such services.  Some of these also allow you to add music and captions to you photos, turning them into a digital scrapbook.

 

Sending gifts home

If you can’t make it home for that special someone’s birthday or for the holidays, you can send back gifts instead!  However, mailing packages from Basel is very expensive; as often as not, posting even a small gift costs more than the price of the gift! While less personal, shopping sites like amazon will let you send your gift directly to the house of the people you care about. For additional costs you can also have them gift wrap it and include a note! Amazon has sites based in many countries, so you can have your gift shipped directly from a distributor located in your country of choice.  This will save you international postage and handling costs, as well as customs fees.


Posting letters and cards

While phones and computers are the most efficient way to keep in touch, I think that everyone in the world loves to receive a letter or a card by traditional post. You should always do these by hand (not typed then printed) to give it that personal touch. It’s harder, because you can’t edit, delete or change things, but sometimes the nicest way to communicate is to see someone’s raw feelings being expressed, without too much revision. While everyone loves to receive a letter, they are time consuming to write, so you may want to save these for only the most special people in your life, or for special occasions. Letters are also a great way to keep in touch with people without a computer. Getting a return letter back from your loved one in the post will also make your day!

There are numerous post offices across the city, and letters are not too expensive to post. You can send two kinds of letters, Priority or Economy internationally. As the names suggest, Priority mail will cost more and get there faster, while Economy mail will be less expensive, but slower. Many of the clerks at the post offices speak English, and will be able to tell you the cost and approximately how long a letter will take to reach you particular country for each type of mailing option.

I’m sure you have other ways to keep in touch with friends and family; please feel free to share them in the comments section!

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Moving to Basel – Part IV: Setting up Internet, TV and telephone services

So, you’ve finally got your furniture, appliances and electronics all set up in your shiny, new flat . Now, you’re almost done, you just need to set up the cable, internet and a phone line!

I’ve summarized what I know about some of the different options out there, and included links to the sites for each, but  don’t listen to me, make sure your check them and other options out for yourself.

Setting up internet, TV and land line telephone

Once you’ve moved into your new place, you can organize an internet connection, cable/digital television and a telephone land line.  The costs for each of these depend on what your personal needs are. You can find separate providers for each service, but most of the time, it’s more convenient and less expensive to get a package deal for some or all of these services, if you’re planning to get more than one.

All in one providers

UPC Cablecom

UPC Cablecom in Basel provides digital broadband Internet, digital telephone and digital TV services. I’ve been with UPC Cablecom for years now, for all three of these services, with very few problems. I use the internet extensively, and need reliable, fast broadband. My girlfriend likes to call home (the UK) a lot, and we both like to watch UK TV stations (Swiss TV is an acquired taste).  All of these services have been very reliable with UPC Cablecom, and when there are issues with technical stuff, their customer service department is fast, efficient and best of all friendly, pleasant and polite.  Most of the customer service reps speak English quite well, or will put you on with someone that does.

A really big plus is that UPC Cablecom’s website is in four languages, one of which includes English. This lets you make an informed decision about what you want to order.  The prices are pretty reasonable. For high speed internet (but not the highest speed), a land line and digital cable with about 25 decent English-language channels and digital video recording, I pay around 100 CHF for all three (not including costs for phone calls). I think when you sign up it might even be a little cheaper for the first few months. UPC Cablecom also has mobile phone offerings.

Sunrise

Sunrise provides fixed lines, mobile phones, and more recently, internet and television. My mobile phone provider is Sunrise, and has been for at least 7 or 8 years now. I signed up first as a pay as you go customer, then moved over to a contract with a data package, when I got a smartphone. Like UPC Cablecom, most Sunrise customer service reps speak English and their website is also available in English. The service I’ve gotten from them has been quite good; nothing really exceptional, but strong enough not to lose me as a customer for almost a decade!

Swisscom

Swisscom also has package services. I only used Swisscom for my land line in 1998, and again a few years ago for my work mobile phone, so I can’t say I have that much experience regarding their more recent products. From a look at their website (which has English as one of the languages), they seem to be similar in price to UPC Cablecom, or Sunrise.

For UPC Cablecom, Sunrise and Swisscom, you can pick different combinations of any of these services, as well as single services, so have a look at both and see what’s best for you! Want to compare all the services without exploring each website individually, before you make a choice? Try going to Bonus.ch, a price comparison website that will allow you to see which provider will give you the best deal. Unfortunately, its only in German, French and Italian, but it translates pretty well using your brower translate function (try right clicking and then selecting translate to English from the menu, while on the site).  You enter your email address and they send you the comparison info.

Prepaid  and budget phones

Prepaid offers are available from all main mobile providers (Sunrise and Swisscom). Generally, for these you need your own mobile telephone. Be careful, as some phones you buy are SIM-locked, and you won’t be able to use them with all providers; make sure you ask the salesperson about this when you get your phone. You can get a prepay SIM-card from the provider of your choice (which is associated with a phone number). In most cases, you can link the account to a credit card, and/or purchase refills for the prepay card in different shops and kiosks. The nice thing is that you know when you’ve reached your set spending limit, as you won’t be able to use the phone for paid services after this point. Of course, the negative is that having your phone stop working when it runs out of credit is terribly inconvenient, when it happens in the middle of a call, in an emergency, or when system issues prevent a prepay reload. On a budget? Try a Yallo Prepay phone.

Phone contracts

Contracts or subscriptions for your mobile are available from each provider with different service options, for different durations (usually 12 or 24 months), for various prices. It’s good to have a realistic idea of how much you talk on the phone, how much you text, and how much data usage you go through using the internet on your phone, in order to choose a plan that works for you. Often the a discount or even free phone will come with the subscription. Many plans allow subscribers to turn in their old phone after a certain time (usually 1-3 years), for a newer model.

TV and Radio reception feesMoving to Basel eBook

Before you invest in these services (especially a television and cable) there are a few things you should be aware of.  If you are able in any way to receive TV (or radio) in Switzerland, you are obliged to pay a television reception fee (around 25 CHF/month) and a radio reception fee (about 15 CHF/month). There is a webpage answering FAQs on this subject, which should cover most questions you have. Keep in mind, it does NOT matter if you actually listen to the radio, or watch the TV. The fact that you have the ability to receive these, means you have to pay these fees. In fact, even if you don’t have a radio or TV at all, but have a computer or even a mobile phone that is capable of receiving radio stations, or playing video, you have to pay these fees.

The company Billag AG, is the collection agency for these fees (the site is in English) and their website also has infomation on fees. You definitely need to pay these fees, as they send inspectors around, unannounced, to all homes and apartments. The Billag AG representatives will knock on your door, and check if you have access to radio and TV. If you haven’t already registered these services, they will bill you retroactively, based on when you should have been paying, and possibly fine you.  Registration can be made online or by telephone (+41 844 834 834). If you can’t navigate the online registration form because of the language issues, use the translate function available in most browsers, get someone to help you or call Billag AG see if you can find someone to answer your questions in English.

Good luck getting your services set up! If you know beforehand where you’re going to be living, you can contact these companies to get things rolling well before hand, so you have everything ready for the day you move in.

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Moving to Basel – Part III: Furniture and appliances for your flat

Furniture and Electronics Shops

So, now you’ve taken possession of your flat (I hope it’s a nice one) and moved in your personal effects! Congratulations!! Chances are, especially if you’re moving abroad, that you didn’t bring all your furniture and electronics. This post will let you know where you can get these things in and around Basel. I’m not sure what your sense of style is, what you want, or what your price limits are, so I’ll point you at a few places, and let you do the rest!  Please note, that the list of stores I’ll talk to you about is definitely not exhaustive, and that you should confirm what I’m telling you here, with the shops themselves! Its been a few years since I shopped for this kind of stuff, so things may have changed!

Electronics:

There are two main chain stores in Basel: MediaMarkt and Interdiscount. They both have online shops and numerous big-box shops all over town. MediaMarkt has a superstore at the Basel SBB, and Interdiscount has one at Marktplatz. I prefer MediaMarkt, as the set-up of the stores seems more logical to me, but they both sell similar products (electronics, appliances, DVDs/video games, cables, etc.).

If you have a Migros loyalty card, you might want to try melectronics, the Migros electronics chain.

 

Furniture:

Ikea

The first place I’d recommend for inexpensive furniture is Ikea.  If you’ve never been to Ikea, it carries lots of housewares, furniture, kitchen and Moving to Basel eBookbathroom stuff, light fixtures, but no electronics, bicycles, etc. The website is not in English, but it’s possible to visit an Ikea site in the UK (or wherever your home country is) to identify exactly what you need, and then order it from the Ikea Switzerland site. Ikea will deliver and assemble your furniture, if you’re willing to pay extra.

 

 Ikea has a shop in Pratteln

If you’re not comfortable ordering online from Ikea, or they you can’t order what you want online, they have a physical store in in Pratteln! How’s that for easy? You can get to Pratteln either on the train, or via the number 14 tram. After that it’s still quite a walk (or you can call a cab)! The number 80 bus from Aeschenplatz also goes there, and lets you off closer than the train or the tram.  Be sure to check the store hours before you head up there, and factor in the time it takes to go and come back. If you have a car or get a ride, parking is free… I always seem to come back from those two shops carrying way more things than I planned to buy and stuffed full of those Ikea hot dogs!

 

Postshop

If you still haven’t found what you need for your flat by this point, I do have some more suggestions. If you’re still missing something, you can try the Postshop. In fact, even if you do have everything you need, you might still want to go to the Postshop site. It’s very user friendly, in English and the prices are surprisingly good ! They sell a really eclectic mix of products, including paperback books, mobile phones, sporting equipment, jewelry and household goods. I’ve bought a few things from the Postshop and was quite pleased. Imagine the Postshop as Switzerland’s answer to Amazon!

 

Interio and Pfister

If you are willing to pay higher prices, you can look at the furniture and household shops like Interio and Pfister. To be honest, I’ve never been into either of these shops, so what I can tell you is extremely limited!  The websites both look very nice, but they are only in German, French and Italian. Go ahead and have a look for yourselves!

 

Second-hand stores

If you’re looking to spend less, there are small second-hand shops all over Basel, that are willing to provide you with second hand items at an excellent rate! Make sure you whatever you buy is in good condition both inside and out, and from what I understand, you can try to haggle a bit with these shops to get a good deal! Another idea is to try and find someone leaving the city, perhaps via the English Forum. People come and go from Basel reasonably often, so ask around. Usually, people are happy to sell everything together for a very reasonable price, even though it could be sold off piece by piece for much more. This gives you an opportunity to get great bang for your buck (I mean Franc!).

 

Office World

Finally, if you need to get things for your home office, Office World is your best bet. The site is not in English, but translates well in enough using your browser’s translate function. They sell the standard office supplies, furniture, pointers, binders and the like.

I hope this helps you in getting the things you need for your flat. There are many, many other shops in and around Basel that can also provide you with what you need. Good luck getting your flat set up!

 

 

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Garbage Disposal and Recycling in Basel

Moving to Basel eBookOne of the first things I noticed when moving to Switzerland, was that garbage and recycling were on a whole new level of complexity compared to what I was used to in Canada! Hopefully, this post will be able to answer some of your questions on the topic. I’m not an expert in this area, I’m just passing on what I’ve learned over the years, so if you have additional questions, you can call the Basel Cleanliness Hotline (+41 061 385 15 15), or look on the city website (this is currently only in German, but it translates well in Google Chrome). Feel free to make comments with any additional information at the bottom of this article; I’m sure future readers will appreciate it!

 

Standard Garbage

When I first came to Switzerland in 1998, I tried to put out my garbage in a standard black garbage bag. On garbage pick-up day (which generally occurs twice a week), my garbage was left on the curb, with a sticker on it, explaining that it needed to be in a special blue garbage bag called a ‘Bebbi Sagg’. I asked one of my neighbors and they told me that I could pick these up at my local grocery stores (Migros or Coop), at the cigarette and alcohol counter. What my neighbor didn’t tell me, is that the cost of these bags incorporates the taxes for garbage pick-up, and they cost an insane amount of money (10 x 17 Liter bags for CHF 12.00, 10 x 35 Liter bags for CHF 23.00, 10 x 60 Liter bags for CHF 33.00).

Basel Bebbi Sagg
The Bebbi Sagg is the official garbage bag for Basel-Stadt. They are available in 17L, 35L or 60L sizes.

After getting over the initial heart-attack of paying for them, I realized the idea was brilliant! This high cost acts as a deterrent to creating waste, and proportionally taxes those that produce more garbage. As the money for the garbage bags is so high, you generally try to minimize waste production and recycle materials where possible, instead of throwing them in the trash.

Your official blue Bebbi Saggs should be put out the night before garbage pick-up, after dark. If you put your garbage out too early (or in the wrong bag) you might be fined. These fines run into the hundreds of Swiss Francs range, which explains why Switzerland is so clean! The pick-up days are defined by which zone of the city you live in. You can accurately find your zone by inputting your address into the zone calculator.

 

Recycling Cardboard and Paper

It doesn’t cost anything to recycle paper and cardboard, but this must be done in a very specific way. It needs to be tied up with twine, in strings packages that have a maximum volume of about 0.5 m3. I’ve tried taping the paper and cardboard with packing tape, or putting it all into a paper bag to have it collected, but have had this rejected. The string is the only way to go here, or your recycling will be left on the street with a sticker letting you know how to do it right! Paper/cardboard pickup day comes every 5 or 6 weeks. You can find the schedule of waste removal on the city website.

 

Glass Bottle and Aluminum Recycling

The system for recycling bottles and cans is much less convenient than the garbage pick-up! Basically, you have to take your bottles and cans to a local recycling area (there will probably be one within a 10 minute walk of your flat), sort it yourself into aluminum and by different types of colored glass (clear, brown and green). You can also dispose of old alkaline batteries for recycling in the small yellow boxes.

A standard Basel recycling station
Recycling stations have bins for aluminum, glass (clear, brown and green), as well as for batteries. They are open Monday-Saturday from 7am-7pm.

The real challenge is that this can only be done at specific times, from Monday to Saturday from 7am -7pm, and definitely not on Sundays! If you recycle outside of these times, you are very likely to have someone on the streets shouting at you, and if there are police nearby, there will definitely be a fine!

 

PET Plastic Recycling and White Plastic Milk Bottles

PET plastic bottles do not have a deposit in Switzerland. These are not to be thrown out in the blue bags, nor can they be recycled at the standard recycling stations (I don’t know why not!). PET plastic must be taken to the local grocery stores to be disposed of there. Plastic bottles should be crushed, to squeeze the air out of them, with their caps on top to keep them from expanding again. Usually you’ll see a box to put the bottles in, or some sort of a machine to take the bottles. The same holds true for white plastic milk bottles.

 

Electronics disposal

Your old TVs, VCRs and any other electronics you want to throw out can’t be disposed of by standard methods, but can be taken to any electronics shop, like Interdiscount or MediaMarkt for disposal. Just ask the staff in these stores, and they will tell you where you can put your old electronics.

 

Metal, Ceramics, Organic matter, Large and Small Miscellaneous Items

All of these have pickup dates that are defined by the city, depending on which zone you live in (check the zone calculator here). For large or small miscellaneous items, (ie a chair or a sofa), you need to go to a kiosk and buy a stickers that you can glue on the materials. Some people will put out articles that need to be disposed of outside, without stickers, some days before the pickup, in hopes the articles will be picked up off the street. If you are caught doing this, you’ll be fined or worse! The details for how to get rid of these materials can be found on the city website. If you have materials in these categories to be picked up you need to sign up online so that the city knows they are there.

I hope this helps to answer your questions regarding the complexities of getting rid of your trash in Basel! If you have further questions, be sure to call the Basel Cleanliness Hotline (+41 61 385 15 15) for clarification.

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Moving to Basel – Part II: Getting an apartment in Basel

Moving to Basel eBookI Want to Find an Apartment in Basel!

Once you have a job in Basel, have organized your work contract and have been guaranteed a permit, you’ll need a place to stay once you arrive. In most cases, your employer will have organized accommodation for you. Many companies have furnished apartments across the city in order to save hotel costs when bringing in new hires and their families. Be sure to discuss this with Human Resources or Relocation Services with your company, or directly with your employer to confirm this will be organized for you. If your company does not plan to organize accommodation for your arrival, you can find a furnished apartment or house, by contacting the UMS Temporary Housing service. If you are looking to live in a furnished house or apartment with other people (this can be an excellent way to save costs and meet people in a new city). Flatrooms.com shows available rooms in apartments.

Whether your company has provided you with a furnished apartment, or you find one for yourself, you might want to rent an unfurnished apartment after you know the city better and have an idea of where you’d like to like. Furnished apartments are generally substantially more expensive than unfurnished flats.

 

How do I go about finding an apartment in Basel?

It’s much easier to find apartments in Basel and the surrounding area, than it is in Zurich or some of the other Swiss cities. The simplest way to find a flat is online. You can look for apartments (in English) on websites like www.homegate.ch or www.immoscout24.ch. You can find apartments of various size, styles and prices on these sites that will match your needs and sense of style. On these sites, you can search the apartments using different factors: specific areas of the city by name or postal code, the range of money you are willing to spend per month, the size (in m2) and how many rooms you want. They also tell you when the apartment was constructed, last renovated, as well as when it’s available. Most apartments have a base rent, plus a utility cost (nebenkosten). The utility costs are not the same from flat to flat, but generally pay for heating and lighting of common areas, water usage, as well as maintenance of the grounds and common areas. Sometimes it also includes basic cable. Generally, these costs are an estimation (akonto). Sometime in the year you will receive a detailed list and the definitive amount of these bills. If you paid more then what is due you get money back, but if it is more, you get an extra bill for the difference.  You’ll get your own electricity bill from a company called IWB. In addition, if you need a parking space, this is also charged extra. Make sure that you agree with what is included in your rent and what needs to be paid separately before you sign a contract.

To find a flat you really like, the best idea is to select 10-12 places online, and visit them. Visitations are on often done on an announced date or by personal appointment with the real estate company who owns the building. While many of the companies, landlords and owners speak English, there are others who will only speak German, so you might want to bring someone German speaking along to help you.

 

Apartment Rules in Basel

There are apartment rules in Basel and the rest of Switzerland, in order to maintain peace and quiet, especially in the evening and on Sundays. These are taken more seriously in some apartment buildings than others.

  1. No vacuuming floors or washing or machine drying clothes on a Sunday or after 10pm
  2. No running the water (including showers, baths and toilet flushing!) after 10pm
  3. No noise or parties after 10 pm
  4. Laundry can only be done on assigned days or via a sign-up system (which system depends on the flat you move into). No leaving clothes hanging in the drying room for longer than a day!
  5. No barbecuing on balconies with wood or charcoal (gas or electric grills only), and even then it’s polite to inform all your upstairs neighbors of the smoke, so they can close their windows

You’ll want to ask some specific questions when you look at flats in Basel, in addition to the standard questions you ask when looking at apartments.

  • What is the laundry system in the building? –  In Switzerland, the laundry facilities generally consist of one or two washers and dryers. However this is not always the case. Sometimes the building shares a single washing machine, with no dryer at all (clothes are hung to air dry). In many Swiss buildings, tenants are arbitrarily assigned a laundry day once every two weeks, or something similarly inconvenient! You should be sure the system and the schedule in place in the building suits you, or can be adjusted to suit your needs.
  • What are the neighbors like? – This is important wherever you live, but in Switzerland this is doubly true. You know how noisy or social you tend to be so try to find a place with neighbors who are in step with you. While you’re viewing the flat, you might just try to go ring the doorbell and introduce yourself to get a feel for them. As a rule of thumb, younger neighbors are more tolerant to noise and bending the rules, but will expect the same level of tolerance from you.
  • Parking– If you have a car, you’ll probably want a parking space. This might cost extra on a monthly basis, or be unavailable. Some buildings don’t have a parking garage at all. If you have overnight guests with cars, you might also want to inquire about the availability of additional temporary parking for them, and if it’s possible to organize this.
  •  Bike storage- Basel is an exceptionally bike friendly city. Most buildings have indoor bike storage, but you should inquire if this is the case in the apartment you are applying for, and if there is space for the number of bicycles you have.
  • Pets- Generally, Basel is a very pet friendly place. There are many pet friendly buildings, but tenants with pets are still bound by the same rules for noise.  Even if the place is listed as pet friendly online, you should confirm this in person. Interestingly, many flats that say no pets, refer only to dogs, so if you have a cat, or are interested in getting a cat in the future, you should ask the landlord specifically. If you can’t be around animals for allergies or health reasons and want a completely pet free building, you should also ask the landlord to make sure this is the case. Be sure to get any agreement you make regarding pets (or anything else) in writing!
  • Storage space – Most apartments in Basel will come with a storage space, either in the basement or the attic. You should make sure that this is the case, and that there is adequate storage space for your needs.

 

Applying for a Flat in Basel

If you think you have found a flat you like, most of the time you will have to fill in an application form for the apartment. Sometimes you might be invited for an interview with the owner of the house. If the landlord/owner goes to the lengths of interviewing you in person, this might be a place you do not want to live! This type of owner/landlord can often be very watchful and somewhat overbearing regarding your occupancy and activities.

Your application will be detailed and ask for proof of your earnings, references, pets, children and the like. Give true references, as it’s likely these will be checked. You’ll also be asked to provide proof that you are debt free and don’t have legal proceedings running against you (Betreibungsregister-Auszug), if you’ve been in Switzerland for more than six months. You can obtain this at the Betreibungsamt for about 20 CHF. In the application, you’ll also need to show a valid work permit (permanent or temporary), a copy of your passport, pay slips or a letter from your employer stating your salary.

 

Signing the Contract and Getting the Keys

You’ll generally receive a positive or negative response to your application within a week or so. If you receive an invitation to move in, the landlord or rental company will prepare a lease in your name. This will very likely be in German. If you are not fluent, you should have someone to help you go through it point by point before signing. If necessary, hire someone to do so. You don’t want to sign anything without understanding it.  In order to get the keys to your flat, you will need to sign the lease contract, pay the damage deposit (usually between one and three months of rent), pay the first month’s rent plus any administrative fees. You might also have to provide documentation of your liability insurance. You can use a comparison website to find a provider for liability insurance. Liability insurance is a MUST, MUST, MUST in Switzerland and is not expensive.

Usually, in the same appointment as receiving the keys, you’ll meet the landlord at your new place, and together walk through each room. You’ll need to point out any damage to the apartment before taking possession, which will be recorded. Be extra thorough and detail oriented. Try the windows, awnings, toilets, taps and appliances. Whatever you don’t note down will likely be charged to you when you eventually move out!

Moving into your Apartment in Basel

If your company is relocating you, you might want to make your life as easy as possible by hiring a professional moving company. They will use a truck with a platform lift to load things into your flat via the window (most Basel flats are not higher than 6 floors). If this is not possible for whatever reason, they will bring your things up manually. These companies are quite expensive, so make sure that your company will fund this.

If you choose to move in yourself or with the help of friends, be sure to introduce yourself to your new neighbors if you see them, and explain that you’ll be using the elevator for a few hours. Be careful in the common areas as you will be held responsible for any damage caused by you, or a non-insured movers! It’s also easy to irritate your new neighbors with the moving noise and the slow-downs on the elevators and stairs, so be sure to invite them for a drink in the first few days to try and smooth things over!

 

Good luck moving into your new flat in Basel! In a later post I’ll talk about getting the flat set up, where you can get furniture and electronics, and some of the other things that need to taken care of in your first weeks in the new place…

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The Moving to Basel eBook – A New Resource for People Moving to or Living in Basel

Hi Everyone!

ebook cover

I hope you’re enjoying the site so far and have found some of the information handy! I’ve been getting a lot of emails and questions asking more specific questions. I was talking to a friend and he mentioned that people aren’t necessarily online all the time, and that I should create something that people can use both when they’re connected or offline.

After some thought and research, I decided that I could do this best using an e-book format. So I wrote a book all about moving to Basel! I researched for ages, wrote a lot of new material, reorganized the articles already on the site and created an information packed document to be a comprehensive, stand-alone resource that you can own and use both online and offline.

The Moving to Basel eBook has brand new chapters not available on the Life in Basel website:

Getting Around Basel

  • Riding Your Bicycle in Basel – Not as simple as it sounds and you can get  fined and your car license revoked if you do it wrong!!
  • Driving in Basel – What you need to do to drive in Basel and where you can find drivers training..
  • Being a Pedestrian in Basel – It sounds simple but in Basel there are rules!

Day-to-Day Living in Basel

  • Grocery Shopping in Basel – Shops, loyalty cards and for those to busy to shop, grocery delivery services in Basel!
  • Shopping in Basel and Across the Border – Shopping centers and how to get your taxes back if you shop in Germany or France!
  • Practicing your Religion in Basel – Places of worship and religious organizations in the city for all faiths.

Culture in Basel

  • Museums in Basel – Basel has more museums than you can imagine; this is a guide to most of the local ones…
  • Live Music in Basel – There are so many different live music venues in Basel, you need help to find what you like!
  • Theater and Dance Performances in Basel – Where can you see plays, musicals and other performances? Loads of places…

Fun in Basel

  • Dining out in Basel – An extensive guide to over 45 Basel restaurants for anything you’re in the mood for, whether its a casual meal or something really special…
  • Drinks in Basel – Feeling thirsty? The places in Basel with the best cocktails, wines and beers!
  • Cool Things to do in Basel – In the spring, summer, fall and winter…

Sports in Basel

  • Playing Sports in Basel – Gyms, sports clubs and equipment for the athletic types
  • Watching Sports in Basel – Where to see live or televised sporting events in the city

Pets in Basel

  • Bringing your Pets to Basel – What you need to know about vaccinations, microchips and registration if you plan to bring a pet…
  • Flying your Animals to Basel – Transport regulations for cages and shipping your animals.
  • Owning a Dog in Basel – Owning a dog in Basel might be more complicated than in your home country! This is what you need to know!

Bad things in Basel

  • Crime in Basel – Basel isn’t a perfect place. You need to be careful of crimes and might want to avoid some places…
  • Drugs in Basel – Basel has it’s share of junkies, and drug users; this will tell you about how to navigate the city safely.
  • Other Negative Aspects of  Basel – Discrimination, prostitution, incessant construction are all discussed in this section.

Work and School

  • Companies in Basel and the surrounding area – Links to company websites in the banking, pharma, medical, fashion and other industries.
  • Paycheck Deductions – Think you know your monthly salary? See where your money goes to, and what this is for…
  • Going to University in Basel – Basel has an excellent university. This section gives an overview of the different programs available.
  • Masters and Doctoral Degrees at UniBasel – Looking for an advanced degree? This is what Basel has to offer!

Each new topic is covered in as much detail as on the website. I’ve also included a short English to Swiss German phrase book to help get you started on you Swiss-German!

I really want you to try the book, so to encourage you, I’m offering a 60-day money back guarantee!  Buy it, try it, and if you’re not entirely satisfied, I’ll refund your money. Just like that. The book is only 11.99 USD to start with so your risk is minimal.

It’s also got all the content from the website, so you can refer to it, even when you don’t have access to the internet. Keep a copy on your tablet or smartphone so you have it at your fingertips whenever you need it.ebook cover 2

  • Getting a Job in Basel
  • Registering with the Canton
  • Health Insurance
  • Getting Sick in Basel
  • Finding an Apartment in Basel
  • Furnishing your Basel Apartment
  • Setting up internet, TV and telephone
  • Sending your Children to School in Basel
  • Using the Trams in Basel
  • Setting up a Bank Account
  • Taxes in Basel
  • Garbage and Recycling in Basel
  • Keeping in Touch with Home
  • Being Single in Basel
  • Going to the Movies in Basel

For those of you who have been enjoying the Life in Basel site, I hope the website has been helpful for you! Please try the eBook; your purchase will also help to support further new posts on the site, in the future.  I’ll also put you on my list for when I update the book and it’s links in future editions, so you’re always up to date! And if you don’t think it’s worth it, you can return it for a full refund.

For those of you who have just stumbled across this page while trying to get their questions on Moving to Basel answered, surf around the site and see if you like the information provided on the website, and the format its in. If you think its useful and informative, then try the book. I think you’ll be pleased! If you buy it and don’t like it, I’ll refund your money. The alternative is to spend hours and hours searching for the info across the web, and try to sort out what is correct! Is 11.99 USD worth saving many, many hours of frustration?

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Thank you for all your support! If you have questions, or ideas for future posts, contact me at admin(at)lifeinbasel.com!

Enjoy your life in Basel!

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The Basel Club Scene

Basel has excellent dance clubs. As my clubbing years are long since past, I invited the person who commented to write a guest post to let us know how things really stand regarding Basel dance clubs.

While he prefers his identity to be kept anonymous, he’s a 20-year veteran of Basel’s nightlife, who has also seen his share of clubs across the world, in London, Berlin, Ibiza & Miami, as well as less exotic destinations.

Guest post for Life in Basel

 

 

 

The Basel Club Scene

As Switzerland’s second biggest urban center after Zurich, Basel is in a somewhat awkward geographical position; immediately to the north lies Germany, and to the west France, both borders pretty much marking the limit of the city’s “draw area”.

However, this comparatively smaller audience, hasn’t kept Basel’s nightlife from executing a remarkable shift over the last few years. Entrepreneurship has flourished in clubland, and a creative and innovative young art-scene has taken over abandoned, or previously beaten-down areas, such as the region around Feldbergstrasse.

 

 

Friends BarKlybeck/Feldbergstrasse

Crossing the Dreirosenbrücke, over the Rhine, to Kleinbasel, the Klybeck-/Feldbergstrasse area is just a 15 minute walk away and a completely different world. Numerous Bars like Friends Bar and Alpenblick/Valentino’s Place are centered around the crossing of Klybeck- and Felbergstrasse.

Not too far off from this hub, you can find other gems like the popular Fass Bar at Sperrstrasse. Whether it’s a night out talking and drinking, stumbling from one place to another in a haze or getting dragged into some unexpectedly excessive disco-party, a lot of things can happen in this area.

Most bars play some (usually decent & charts-free) background-music and ask no entry-charge. However, there may be exceptions on special events.

 

Hinterhof

Hinterhof

Taking a big jump to the south, beyond the SBB railway station, Hinterhof sits right on the border of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Land. The old battered fruit warehouse has been lovingly turned into a massive bar- and club-complex, by a group of friends over the last few years. The main room welcomes international artists every week, from the latest club-DJ’s to the odd huge act like Cut Copy or Efterklang. Attached is Offspace, an open room for all sorts of art-projects, plus an adjacent miniature-club (aptly called MiniClub), which will be open on busy nights, fully equipped with DJ’s and an intense sound system.

On top of the building is a spectacular wooden roof-terrace, with a wonderful view over the industrial landscape of the area. It opens in the afternoon and runs until about 2 AM. Perfect for an after work-sunset drink or a warm-up for a night of partying. Its meticulously organised and passionately run cocktail bar is the stuff of legends, all while maintaining moderate prices. This feature also allows Hinterhof to remain open throughout the notoriously difficult summer season, when crowds prefer to remain outside. There is no age-restriction on the terrace until 10 PM, in fact, quite a few can be seen with their children until early in the evening. Hinterhof club nights are strictly 20+ age limited. For some live concerts this rule may be softened though.

 

Heuwaage

Bang in the middle of the city, just off Steinenvorstadt at the Heuwaage-end, sits the new Balz Club. The owners also run Jägerhalle, all the way in Kleinhüningen, and have now received permission to open a new venue in the same building. Make sure to check it out, as this could turn into a decent alternative in an otherwise very commercialized center of Basel.

Küppel Basel
Kuppel

A mere 5-Minute walk across Heuwaage towards the Zoo, nestled in the mysteriously christened „Nachtigallenwäldeli“ (Nightingale-Forest) lies Kuppel and Acqua. Kuppel, the ’25-Year-temporary-club’, offers a wide range of entertainment: Comedy-Nights, Live-Bands, experimental Jam-Sessions, Latin-Dance and Club nights of all kinds. In the same complex lies Acqua, an elegant restaurant/bar with pricey but excellent food and an often upscale and glamorous crowd.

Door prices for Kuppel is usually no more than 20 CHF, with notable exceptions due to international guests.

 

And Many, Many More!

Fame basel clubs
Fame Club Lounge

If your thing is dancing to the latest chart-topping craze, there are numerous spots scattered all over town: Vice Club just off Heuwaage, Fame at Claraplatz, Obsession just up the road between Clara- and Messeplatz, the infamous Bar Rouge on top of the Messeturm or MusikPark A2 out by St.Jakob football stadium. Most of these locations have special nights with drink-discounts and sometimes international guest-artists. Club Obsession, is especially known for presenting the occasional US-superstar, even if they just hang around for a few hours.

hirscheneck-zuhause-essen
Hirscheneck

Whatever your tastes are, there is no shortage of possibilities to let your proverbial hair down in Basel. There are, of course, many places not mentioned in detail here, which also deserve a closer look, such as Kaserne, SUD, Parterre, Hirscheneck, Cargobar or Borderline. For a quick and simple list of what’s on every day, check www.denkmal.org, or in more detail (in german) www.fingerzeig.ch.

 

So there you have it, Basel has a bunch of great clubs!! Now get out there and enjoy them, and your Life in Basel. I’m going to have to change the first page of the site!

If you have any comments for our mystery guest poster, or want to add some recommendations for other clubs, make a comment below…

 

 

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Guest Post I – The View of a Swiss Local on the Expat Community in Basel

 

Moving to Basel eBookOne of the things I’ve been looking forward to is having some guest posts from people who can provide insights into things that I have no knowledge about.

 

I was going to put a request for people to write on some specific topics for Life in Basel, but then a funny thing happened…some people approached me with great ideas for posts for the site!  

 

One of these people was Caroline, who had a website called Expat in Basel. Caroline and I decided to trade posts, where I’d write on my experiences in Basel when I first arrived, and how I feel about the city now.

 

As Caroline grew up in Basel, I was interested in how the locals view us, the Expat community living in Basel…below you’ll find her thoughts on connecting and interacting with the Swiss community:

 

Guest post for Life in Basel

 

 

Hi! My name is Caroline and I run the website Expat in Basel. I was born in France (just at the border in St.Louis) but I did grow up in Basel and area and I do have a dual citizenship, so I’m almost a Basel native.

LifeinBasel.com, asked me to write about how the Swiss locals perceive expats, and what the expat community can do to integrate and be accepted.

 

Tell stories and be friendly

Your big plus as an Expat living in Basel is you’ll always be interesting for the locals. They are very keen to hear about your home, travels and all your adventures. Most locals, who don’t come around much, are seeking opportunities to speak English, learn more about the rest of the world and interact with foreigners.

 

Talk to the locals

All you need to do is get out of your comfort zone and try the unknown (I know, you already did that by moving here). What I mean is find places to go and meet new people that are from the Basel area.

 

Try out your German skills

And if by any chance you do feel comfortable testing out your German, do it, (even better if you want to try Basel Swiss of course!) and you’ll see how thrilled your counterpart will be in hearing that you actually try. We know German is a hard language to learn which is why you’ll always be received with a smile if you try. And if it makes you feel any better: I don’t know any Swiss person who actually speaks proper German. We’re just unable to do so and our accent is the worst you’ll ever hear when we try to speak German. So don’t worry about your pronunciation or accent!

Swiss German might come to you naturally, after a while, but nobody is expecting you to either understand, let alone speak it. I have a friend; she’s an Aussie and lived here for many years, married with children. She’s fluent in a mixture of German/Swiss German and that didn’t come over night. So take it easy and don’t be too harsh on yourself. Give it a try, even if it sounds wrong to you, it will sound more charming than you can possibly imagine to the person you’re speaking to. You would never laugh at anyone trying to speak your language, why should the Swiss do such thing to you?

 

Bars: Where locals and expats can connect

Photo of Paddy's in Basel, Switzerland
Paddy’s in Basel has a great mix of locals and expats, delicious food, and tasty drinks!

If you have children, go visit the Unternehmen Mitte they do have children’s afternoons on most Wednesdays (check their website or stop by to see the program on the posters) that’s a great spot to meet local Moms and maybe get a chance to not only meet new people but practice a bit of German. And if you want to really integrate into the local community, put your kid in a public instead of an international school. If you don’t have kids but would like to mingle with the locals, as silly as it sounds, I’d recommend Paddy Reilly’s . There are tons of locals who just love their Guinness. They are more than happy to speak English and maybe over a pint or two, you’ll find your way to hang with the local crowd and make new friends.

 

Learn to cook

And if you like to cook go visit Savoir Faire’s  website every once in a while. They organize cooking classes for Expats and locals. The past ones have been a great success and some nice friendships have been made there.

In general, as long as the Basel native can see you’re actually trying to reach out and that you are no alien they’ll be bombarding you with loads of questions. Don’t be offended about any prejudice they might have. They most probably assume you’re a millionaire and don’t do anything yourself but swim in your cash and enjoy life. And that opinion is only sticking around because of some huge Pharma firms that have CEOs making loads of money and claiming to only find good staff outside of Switzerland.

It’s like everywhere else in the world: you always need to get to know people before you can become friends. The Swiss are no different at all. They might just be a bit shy at first.

And if you do have any questions on Basel or the people, don’t ever hesitate to drop me a line  at info@expatinbasel.com

Enjoy Basel! Enjoy Switzerland and all it has to offer!
Caroline

 

Thanks, Caroline!!  Feel free to leave comments for Caroline below; we’ll make sure she gets them.  And if anyone has something  that they think would be of interest for the site (i.e. for people who are thinking of moving to Basel, Switzerland or for those who have newly arrived), please don’t hesitate to get in touch: admin@lifeinbasel.com! If we think your idea is a good one and you are a good writer, we can talk about you writing a post for Life in Basel!
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Expatriate Medical Insurance in Switzerland

Moving to Basel eBookSwitzerland as a whole has excellent healthcare facilities, emergency services and outstanding medical staff, and Basel is no exception. One reason for this is that basic insurance health insurance in Switzerland is mandated by law. Upon moving to Basel, it is compulsory to choose a provider and take out health insurance within three months of arriving in Basel.

I came from Canada, where healthcare is free and universal, so the Swiss medical insurance system was a confusing for me, due to the wealth of different providers and expatriate health insurance plans available from each. I thought I’d do my best to explain the system to you, so that you have an easier time than I did! I’m not an insurance expert (take this as my disclaimer), so be sure to do your own further research to get the coverage that best fits your lifestyle!

Everyone who lives in Basel (or anywhere else in Switzerland) must have a basic health insurance plan (Soziale Krankenversicherung). In addition to expats and their families getting health insurance within the first three months in Switzerland, newborn babies must also be insured within three months of birth. Furthermore, partners and children should be insured individually, as they are not necessarily covered by one person’s plan. You need a reliable provider and plan that comprehensively covers you and your family for any unforeseen health issues that come up.

Which health insurance provider is acceptable is highly regulated by the Swiss government. Swiss officials involved will often not accept global health insurance policies, even if they provide coverage in Switzerland. There are numerous state-run Swiss insurance companies from which you can obtain health insurance that will satisfy the law.

If you’re looking for Household insurance, third party liability, life insurance or motor vehicle insurance information, this link will take you to the post on that.

 

Accident insurance vs. Health Insurance

In Switzerland, there is an important distinction made between accident insurance and health insurance. Accident insurance covers emergency situations that occur unexpectedly. Health insurance covers illnesses, from colds to cancer.

By law, your employer is obliged to provide employees with accident insurance (UVG – Unfallversicherungsgesetz). You don’t get a say in the provider of this accident insurance. The costs are split between employee and employer, and are generally automatically deducted from your pay. Accident insurance covers accidents both during and outside of working hours. The coverage includes reimbursement for care services, other accident-related expenses, and provides a daily allowance, if you are temporarily unable to work. The same insurance provides a pension, in case you are permanently incapacitated. If you decide to become self-employed, you can get accident insurance from your health insurance provider.

The specific details of an accident insurance policy differs for each company policy, and covers most situations, but may not cover high risk activities (off-piste skiing, mountain helicopter airlifts, extreme sports, etc.), so be sure to check! It also may not be valid outside of Switzerland, so be sure to check your policy before you travel abroad, either for work or holidays.

 

Deductibles and Co-pay for Swiss Medical Insurance

Depending on the plan you take, the deductible for your insurance is variable, between full coverage and a 2500 CHF deductible. Basically, the lower the deductible, the higher your premium is. The insured person is also generally charged a 10% co-pay (the patient pays 10% of the total treatment costs, even after the deductible is payed ) up to a maximum predefined level per year (usually about 700 CHF, on top of the deductible).

While the system may seem overly complex and a litte unfair, it has the advantage of preventing abuse of the system, as the patient always has to bear some level of cost for treatment.

 

Choosing an Expatriate Medical Insurance Provider

Choosing your Swiss health insurance provider depends on what you want out of your coverage, and how often you generally go to the doctor. If you rarely see a physician, and are not prone to frequent illness, you might consider a low cost insurance, with a high deductible. If you have a chronic illness, you might consider a plan that has a lower deductible. There are convenient comparison calculators online where you can explore different plans. This will depend on your Swiss postal code (4 digit), your age, and what kind of plan you want, Standard, General Practitioner, HMO or Telmed. A brief description of each is below, with a more detailed description here.

 

  • Standard Basic Health Insurance

Standard basic health insurance is the compulsory health insurance provided by all Swiss health insurance companies. The benefits are identical irrespective of the health insurance company. It is possible to consult the doctor of your choice.

 

  • The GP Model

In the GP model, the patient must always contact his GP upon becoming ill, unless it’s an emergency (as defined by the insurance). The GP is selected from a list provided by the insurance. The GP will decide whether or not the patient is referred on to a specialist.

 

  • The HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

In the HMO model, the policyholder is obliged to consult a certain physician at an HMO centre, upon becoming ill, unless it’s an emergency. The HMO physician gets paid a flat monthly rate for all treatment his patients get. The flat rate makes it the best interest of the HMO physician to restrict treatment to only what his patient really needs.

 

  • TELMED

Telmed policyholders call an information line before going to the doctor. The telephone service will give information about what to do, or tell the policyholder to go to the doctor or the hospital. A telephone consultation is unnecessary for emergencies, and some other types of examinations.

 

Students, Researchers, Interns and Au pairs

There are also providers that cater specifically to students, researchers, interns and other trainees and au pairs. The insurance is generally lower cost, and meets the minimum legal requirements, but is only available with evidence of eligibility.

 

Supplementary Insurance / Top-ups

This type of insurance coverage is voluntary and provides a higher level of services (i.e, a private hospital room, instead of a shared room) or additional services (homeopathic treatment, dental care, contact lenses.). Premiums are often based on the risk to the health insurance fund, and they can refuse to insure depending on their health.

 

Ambulances

This is an area where you have to be careful! With basic insurance, the insurance company pays 50% up to 5000 CHF per year for emergency transport, meaning you have to cover 50% of the bill! From people I’ve talked to, this is between 300-1800 CHF for a single ambulance trip, depending on how far away you had to be taken and what services are necessary! If you have a way to get to the hospital without calling an ambulance, when you move to Basel, and it doesn’t pose a threat to your condition, you might consider having someone drive you to the emergency room! You can get supplementary policies that give full coverage for emergency transport, if you so desire.

 

Private Healthcare

While public basic healthcare is enough for many expatriates in Switzerland, there is also a broad selection of private healthcare facilities, if you can afford these. Generally, this kind of service will come out of your pocket, as it will not be covered by accident or health insurances.

 

Changing Insurers

If you want to change your provider or type of policy, for any reason other than a cost increase, there are specific dates when this must be done (usually December or June), and you have to provide at least 3 months notice in writing (by the end of September or March). If the company has increased costs of your policy, you can provide them one month’s notice and must cancel in writing by the end of November to change in December. If you have supplementary policies, be sure that you have been accepted for similar insurance by your new provider, before terminating your old insurance!

 

Terminating Your Policy Upon Leaving Switzerland for Good

If you leave Switzerland, you can provide proof of your deregistration (which you receive from your local Resident’s Office), then you may terminate a policy at any time of the year.

I hope this post has provided you with some relevant information on expatriate medical insurance. You should consider this a broad overview and be sure to do your own research to define your insurance needs.

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Riding the Tram in Basel

Moving to Basel eBookOnce you move to Basel, Switzerland, the tram is the most convenient way to get around the city. The trams come frequently between 5-30 minutes apart depending on the time of day, from the very early in the morning until late at night. The hours of operation also depend on what day of the week it is and whether it’s a holiday. You’ll see both green and yellow trams as the network is operated by two separate transport providers, but you don’t really have to worry about the color, the ticketing is the same.

In order to ride the tram, you need a valid ticket. While you are supposed to have a ticket for every ride you take, it’s an honor system, with random spot checks on trams and buses. If you are caught without a ticket, you’ll be fined a substantial amount. It’s also quite embarrassing to be fined, as the other tram riders give you dirty looks till the ticket agents finish (loudly) processing you. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for the ticket taker!

I wanted to use this post to inform you of the different ticket types available and how to use the ticket machines, so you can decide what kind of ticket or pass you need. Also, the prices change quite often, so what is listed here might not be the most current. I’ve tried to provide links to appropriate sites, so be sure to go to them for the most current costs!

 

Types of Tram Tickets

125x125 placeholder adThe GA Card – If you have a valid first or second class General Abonnement (GA) travel card, in addition to taking the train anywhere in Switzerland, you can also use all the trams and buses in Basel (and most other cities in Switzerland). You don’t have to worry about buying a ticket, just hop on and you’re good to go! Costs depend on your age, if you hold a first or second class card, or if you have a disability. Details and ordering is possible on the SBB website. You can also get card packages for you and your spouse, the whole family or even for your dog!

The Tram Pass (one year/ Jahresabo) – These can be purchased at the BVB counter in Barfusserplatz, or online (German only right now). Costs depend on age and where you want to travel. Details are available on the TNW website.

The Tram Pass (month by month /U-Abo) – U-Abo cards can also be bought at at the BVB kiosk in Barfusserplatz, or online. Costs depend on age and where you want to travel. Details are available on the TNW website. Once you have the card, it can be renewed on a month to month basis at any of the tram machines (see below). The U-Abo card in combination with a machine-printed monthly ticket is valid on all tram and buses, in the zones selected.

The Mobility Card (from hotels) – Hotel guest in Basel will be provided with a Mobility Ticket upon check-in to the hotel. This allows free travel on the public transport system within Basel during their stay.

The Tram/Bus 6-trip Card – The multi-trip card is good for six rides and gives a discount of about 10% over the standard tickets. These cards can be purchased at any Kiosk shop. The card must be punched prior to each ride, including the first.

The Tram/Bus Tickets – Both day tickets and single trip tickets are available from the tram machines located at every tram stop. The day ticket is an excellent option if you plan to take more than two tram rides in a single day.

Reduced ticket prices are possible to get with certain discount cards. If you purchase a half tax card (available and the Bahnhof SBB) for one, two or three years, you’ll be entitled to reduced costs for both trains within Switzerland, as well as buses and trams. Children who are six years old to 16 years old who hold a Junior Travelcard (approx. 30 CHF) can travel on trains, trams and buses, in the company of a parent holding a valid ticket, for free.

 

Using the Tram Machine

Below is photo of one of the tram machines from Basel. These are located at every tram stop, generally one machine for each direction. At some of the platforms that have multiple trams stopping, machines are shared for two or more trams, and you need to look around for them (but they are very easy to find for the most part). All the machines have a touch-screen interface.

Basel tram machine
These tram machines are located at every tram and bus stop. You need the correct, valid ticket on Basel trams or you might be fined 80-120 CHF.

There are language buttons in the bottom right corner of the screen so you can select English, or the language you are most comfortable with.

The language change button
This button will change the display into English (red circle).

Use the left hand side of the machine if you do not have a half tax card. Use buttons on the right hand side of the screen if you do have a half tax card. (Photo below).

If you have a very short trip, less than four stops, you can get the short distance ticket with the top-most button. However, for most trips in Basel, you will need the 1 zone ticket. If you are going to the airport or somewhere of similar distance, you need a 2 zone ticket. The zones are defined on the map of all tram and bus lines. You need  one zone to stay in the same zone and a 2 zone ticket if you are crossing zones.

ticket options
There are different ticket choices depending on whether or not you have a half tax card, and how far you want to go.

Once you have chosen a ticket type, press the corresponding button on the screen, and the machine will display how much you owe. If you want to purchase tickets for multiple people, you can at these with the + button at the bottom of the payment screen.

Payment screen
The machine displays the amount due in both CHF and Euros. You can pay in one currency or the other, but can’t mix both!

The validity of your ticket is also time dependent  A two zone ticket is valid for a longer duration than a one zone ticket or a short distance ticket. How long your ticket is valid until, is indicated in the upper right had corner of your ticket, next to the date.

Please also remember that you’re not allowed to eat or drink on the tram, play loud music or touch the emergency brakes!

I hope this makes your first encounter with a Basel tram machine simple! Just be thankful you don’t have to get tickets from the old machines from a few years ago, before they had the digital displays.  The old machines had about 70 different buttons, confusing symbols and indecipherable German abbreviations!

Enjoy life in Basel and the rest of the website!

 

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Moving to Basel: Part I – Registering with the Canton

My Arrival 15 years agoMoving to Basel eBook

When I first arrived in Basel in late December of 1997, I didn’t speak the language and didn’t know anyone. It was a few days before New Year’s Eve and it was a Sunday, so nothing was open in the city.  Just taking the taxi from the airport to the flat my company had arranged for me, cost me a good chunk of the money I brought with me to last me till my first payday. The tram machines were indecipherable at the time (they are much easier now) and I didn’t have a computer or internet access to find out where interesting places might be! I probably should have been better prepared before I arrived, but there weren’t any resources for people moving to Basel to consult in those days.

After starting my job at the beginning of 1998, getting established in Basel was an additional challenge.  I hope this, and the next few posts will give you a head start on what you need to do in your first couple of weeks of moving to Basel!

 

Registering with the Canton

Once you’ve got the job, and been promised a permit, you’ll be asked to send your passport to a Swiss embassy/consulate in your home country, which will issue your visa, if you need one (this visa is different than your residence permit). You’ll need to organize a temporary (or permanent) residence (usually done with the help of your employer), before you enter the country.  If you are bringing your spouse or family with you, you need to apply to the Population Services and Migration Office, well in advance of your arrival!

After arriving in Switzerland, you must register with the local authorities at the Einwohneramt (the Resident’s Office of the local city/town/village where you live), in person. This should be done within the first week of your arrival.  Most people will be residing in the Canton of Basel-Stadt (Basel City). The Einwohneramt office is in the middle of Basel (Spiegelgasse 6-12, right near the Schifflände tram stop).When you get in, be sure to take a number from the machine, and to keep an eye on the digital board where your number will come up when it’s your turn. If you have any questions regarding the system there is an information desk inside. Most clerks at the counters will speak English, and if they don’t, they’ll find someone who will. Most of the people are polite, but you do run into the occasional grump. Just remember, be nice, these are the people who will give you your permit! If you are living in another Canton (Basel-Land, Lucerne, Zurich, Solothurn, Aargau, etc), you should go to their specific Resident’s office, even if you are working in Basel.

You need to bring along:

  • The completed registration form (available in several languages)
    • This will have some relatively personal questions on it, including your religion and marital status
    • There is a religion tax in Switzerland, which you may have to pay, if you fill in your faith!
  • The completed security check /  background check form (Vorstrafenerklärung) (in multiple languages)
  • Your passport, and the passports of any family members
  • Birth certificates for all applicants
  • Marriage certificate, if applicable
  • Two passport photographs for each registrant
  • Your employment contract
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Entry permit/ Visa
  • If you are coming as a student valid registration and proof of parental (financial) support or scholarship certification
  • Money – The listed cost is 25 CHF (but bring extra coins for the photo machine as they are very picky and will sometimes make you retake them).

Exactly which of these documents you need to bring differs depending on where you are from. You can check the exact requirements here, but they are only available in German. In Switzerland, it’s a good idea to bring all documents you think may be relevant, to this kind of appointment. After all the paperwork is completed, they will provide you with a residence certificate, which you’ll need to open a bank account, as well as a welcome pack with maps, coupons, information and other treats.

 

What Happens Next?

Your paperwork will be sent to the Canton, who will issue you a residence permit – This is either a relatively large, passport size document, or a wallet card, depending on your country of origin. Non-EU/EFTA residents living in Switzerland get the credit card format for L, B and C permits. It usually takes a month or two before the actual residence/work permit is sent to you,and you can expect it to come with a bill of about 150-200 CHF/permit depending on the permit type. In the meantime, you will receive a document certifying that your permit is being issued. You should always keep the temporary document (and your permit once it arrives) on your person when you are not at home. Be sure to talk to the Einwohneramt, if you plan to leave the country with a temporary permit; re-entry into Switzerland may not be permitted!

In the next series of posts, I’ll discuss opening a bank account, getting your health and flat insurance set up, getting a tram pass and train travel discount card (if you want them), how to find an apartment and get internet/telephone/cable set up and the best places to get furniture and appliances.

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Residence and work permits in Basel

In order to legally work in Basel, you need a residence permit issued by the Basel Migration Office. Generally, to get a residence permit, you need to either be enrolled in a school in Switzerland, or have a work contract in place.Moving to Basel eBook

There are different types of residence permits, depending on what country you are from, and the duration of your work contract. Priority for residence permits is generally given to applicants from the EU/EFTA countries. Nationals from third countries (non-EU/EFTA countries) can only work in Switzerland if employers can prove that they have been unable to recruit a person from an EU/EFTA country.

For employees coming from the EU-8 countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary) EU-2 countries(Bulgaria and Romania) and third countries, there is a pre-specified quota of permits for qualified applicants allocated by the Canton every year.

 

Types of Permits: A quick overview

A short-term residence permit (Type L permit) can be awarded for employment of less than a year, while a residence permit (Type B permit) can be provided for employment of one year or more. After five or ten years of living continuously in Switzerland, a settlement permit (Type C permit) may be granted to foreign nationals.

 

Type L Permit: Short-term residence permit

Short-term residents are foreign nationals planning to live and work in Switzerland for a limited period of time, usually less than a year. Generally, people coming from the EU/EFTA countries or third countries can be granted a short-term residence L-permit for a stay of up to one year. For those coming from third countries, there are a fixed number of these permits available. The duration of the permit will match the length of the work contract. Rarely, this permit can be extended up to two years, provided the holder works for the same employer over this period of time.

Trainees and students are generally granted short-term residence permits. The period of validity of the permit is limited to one year but can be extended by another six months in exceptional cases.

 

Type B Permit: Residence permit

Foreign nationals who will live in Switzerland for a longer period of time than a year generally receive a B-permit. When the permit is granted for the first time, it is limited to one year, but after that can be valid for longer periods of time. There is a limited number of B-permits available for people from EU-8, EU-2 and third countries. B-permits are normally renewed without issue at the end of their validity, if the holder is still employed, but there are specific conditions that can prevent renewal, like criminal offences or abuse of social systems, so stay out of trouble!

 

Type C Permit: Settlement permit

Residents who have lived in Switzerland, for either 5 or 10 years, can be granted a C-type settlement permit. Generally, third-country nationals will only be given a settlement permit after ten years of uninterrupted residence in Switzerland, but they are not legally entitled to this. People working in Basel, who hold a C-permit can choose their employers, and are no longer taxed at source.

 

Permit G: Cross-border commuter permit

Many people choose to live across the border, in France or Germany, and commute to work in Basel. Cross-border commuter treaties exist between Switzerland, France and Germany. Cross-border commuters are obliged to return to their main place of residence at least once a week. Third-country nationals will only be given a cross-border commuter G-permit, if they have a permanent residence permit in a neighboring country. They also need to have had their residence in the neighboring country’s border zone for at least six months and fulfill the labor market requirements. G-permits are usually valid for one year, and are limited to the border zone of the issuing canton. Third-country border commuters require permission to change jobs or occupations.

 

Family permits

Family members such as spouses, children and grandchildren under 21 years old, and parents or grandparents who are dependent on the worker can be granted a family permit, even if they are non-EU/EFTA nationals, but live in an EU/EFTA country. These permits are only valid for a long as the duration of the employees’ contract. Family members can also work, but they need to notify the cantonal authorities before doing so.

There are other permit types for those seeking asylum or protection from prosecution.  Further details of all the permit types can be found on the Swiss Federal office for Migration site. Generally the process of getting a residence permit in Basel, will be facilitated by your employer or school, so obtaining one of these is not something you need to spend much time worrying about. Focus on finding a good job in Basel, and getting your residence permit is unlikely to be an issue.

Here is a good page that can give you answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding residence permits.

 

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Getting a Job in Basel

ebook advert 1Finding a position in Basel can be difficult, but don’t be discouraged! This post will point out some of the hurdles you might face, and give you some advice on how to overcome them.

The extent of ease or difficulty that you experience getting a position, will depend on your skill set, where you’re from, what field you’d like to work in, and what stage you are at in your career development.

 

Non-EU and with little work experience

125x125 placeholder adIt is often more difficult for non-EU (non European Union) residents to find a job, as well as for those just starting out in their careers (straight out of school). To come to Switzerland to work, one generally has to have a job lined up (complete with an employment contract guaranteed by the employer), in order to get a work permit. If you are not from an EU country, and just starting out in your career, the usual way to find a job in Basel is to apply as a trainee or for an internship (often called Praktikant positions).

 

Traineeships and Internships

Many companies in Basel run this type of program, but look carefully on the career search websites, as this type of training position can be listed under a different category than full time positions. I started out in Basel as an intern (15 years ago!), which allowed me to get some work experience, build a network and learn some of the local language and customs, paving the way for future jobs. Don’t be afraid to network; my first job in Basel came from meeting someone at a party in Canada, whose brother was living in Switzerland! There is a vast network of international trainees from different industries and companies in Basel, so you’re sure to meet interesting people with similar interests.

Be flexible with contact and interview methods

Most interested employers will begin the interview process by telephone. If you are not currently residing in Basel or the surrounding area, going from applicant to interviewee may be difficult. Interested employers may have difficulties contacting you due to time differences, and will definately have difficulties organizing a live interview. Internet-video based interviews are not unheard of, so make sure you have a wide variety of such platforms (Skype, MS Lync, etc.) at your disposal, and be sure to tell your potential employers, that you are flexible to contacted at their convenience. Be patient and be sure to follow-up with potential employers occasionally (once a month or so), if you have not heard back from potential offers.

Your interview might also take place at an office in your own country, at the local video conferencing facility of the company (if there is a branch near you). It’s rare for entry-level candidates to be flown into Basel for an interview, even for the larger companies, and nearly unheard of for smaller companies with less generous recruiting budgets. If you are accepted for a position, your employer will organize your work permit, but you’ll have to fill out the required paperwork they provide you with to ensure the process goes forward.

 

From the EU and with little work experience

Residents of EU or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), are usually allowed to come to Switzerland for three months while job hunting. This period can be increased to six months in some cases. If you are from the EU, or currently have a Swiss work permit, getting a job (or changing jobs) is still a relatively slow, and labor intensive process, often taking 3 -6 months or longer. If you are already in Basel, you might try to deliver your application to smaller companies, in person. Be sure to dress appropriately, learn about what the company does and do your best to make a good impression. I’ve worked with several small (20-30 person) companies in Basel and applications from this type of candidate were preferred, as candidates could make an impression to go with the application package they dropped off.  Don’t be afraid to look outside the city limits or to accept an offer that is not your ‘dream job’, as these positions can be excellent stepping stones, and provide you with more time to find a job that better suits you. Your first few jobs might not be exactly what you want, but it’s critical to build your skill set and gain experience, so that once the perfect job does come along, your profile fits it.

Again, internships and trainee positions are the easiest position for someone starting out on their career path. If you don’t need immediate funds, you might even consider volunteering at some of these places free of charge, in order to learn the business, make connections and show the team what you’re capable of.

 

Established professionals

If you are an established professional, from either EU or non-EU countries, getting a job will pose many of the same challenges for those who are just starting out. In order to give yourself the best chances to find a position, it’s critical to market yourself as a unique asset to the company you plan to work for.  You need to carefully tailor each application (both CV and cover letter), and be certain to focus on matching your skill set, with that required by the position. If possible, try to give specific examples of how your abilities apply to the position you are applying for. You want to be sure the recruiter or employer sees how your skills are transferable to the open position. If you are currently located outside of Basel and the surrounding area, you’ll likely need to come to the city in order to interview. For high level positions, this might be covered by the company, but be certain to clarify this with them in advance. As with any high level interview, preparation is critical, so be sure to prepare yourself for the interview well in advance, bring a list of intelligent, relevant questions you might have regarding the position, and bring along any additional materials you might need to show.

If you receive an offer which is not exactly what you want, you might consider accepting it, while you continue your job search for something more appropriate. In Switzerland, there is generally a three month probationary period, where you can leave a job with minimal notice. This will be listed in your contract/terms of employment. Alternatively, there are numerous multi-national companies in Basel; it might be best to try and get a position at a branch of one of these in your home country and then get transferred internally.

 

Some ideas to improve your chances of finding a position

To optimize your chances of gaining employment I’ve provided tips and resources to help your job search in Basel.

  • CV format –The Swiss CV format is different than that of many other countries as it includes a photograph (current and professional looking), and personal information such as your birthdate, marital status, and whether you have children. You should not omit any of these details.
  • Headhunters- There are numerous agencies both online or in Basel itself, that will try to find you a job (note: there are also some scam agencies, so don’t pay agencies to do this. Headhunters are generally paid by the companies they find new hires for).
  • Learn German – While the spoken language in Basel is the Swiss German Dialect, a strong background High German will certainly help you, especially if you can read and write fluently. There are online and retail courses that will teach you German, and private and public lessons should available where you live. You should take a course that provides you with an official certificate
  • Networking – Be sure you talk to people in the region who might be able to help you and join relevant groups on LinkedIn and Facebook.