Schools in Switzerland for expatriate families: the HR decision guide

Schools in Switzerland for expats are not a single national offer. Education is organised by the cantons (the Swiss regional states), so the rules your transferee meets depend on where the family lives. This guide sets out the decisions that fall to you as the employer, in the order they usually arise.

It does not recommend a school. A specialist examines each case through the request at the bottom of the page.

The three routes your transferee can take

Every family ends up on one of three routes. Your policy should say which ones it supports.

• Local public school. Free of charge in principle, taught in the local language, and tied to the municipality of residence.
• Bilingual or private local school. Taught in the local language plus a second language, usually with a fee.
• International school. Taught in English or another global curriculum, with fees and admission procedures of its own.

The Swiss system itself is explained in the Swiss school system. Public options are covered in public schools in Switzerland, and fee-based options in international and bilingual schools.

Decision 1: how long is the assignment?

Duration drives almost everything else. A short assignment points towards continuity of curriculum. A long or open-ended move makes local integration worth considering.

Ask three questions before you discuss schools with your employee:

1. Is the move fixed-term, or is a permanent transfer possible?
2. Will the family return to the home country, and to which curriculum?
3. Does any child face a national examination in the next phase of study?

A child close to an examination at home usually belongs in a school that teaches towards the same qualification. A younger child can often integrate locally with less disruption.

Decision 2: which language will the child learn in?

Switzerland has several official languages, and the language of the public school follows the canton or municipality. A family placed in a German-speaking area will find German-language classes. A family placed in a French-speaking area will find French. The Italian-speaking south works the same way.

For your transferee this has a practical meaning. A public school requires the child to learn in a language they may not speak on arrival. Support classes exist in many places, but their form varies by canton. Ask the local authority what is available rather than assuming.

Language preparation for the adults also matters, because parents deal with the school in the local language. See language courses for assignees.

Decision 3: how much will your policy fund?

International schools charge fees. Public schools generally do not, though families may pay for meals, trips and supervised care outside lessons. You need a written rule before the family starts searching.

Common policy models:

• Full funding of a named category of school for the duration of the assignment.
• A capped allowance per child, with the family paying any difference.
• Lump sum inside a wider package, leaving the choice to the family.
• No funding, with public school as the default route.

Whichever model you choose, state it in the assignment letter. Do not leave your transferee to discover the cap after a place has been accepted. A fuller view of costs sits in what an international school costs.

Decision 4: where will the family live?

For public schools, the address decides the school. The home search and the school search are therefore one task, not two. If the family wants a particular public school, the place of residence must fall within its catchment area, and this should be confirmed before a lease is signed.

International schools are less tied to the address, but travel time and school transport still shape the daily routine. Families also need to think about the commute of the working parent. See the home search service and the city comparator.

Decision 5: what must happen before arrival?

Places in popular schools can be limited, and some schools keep waiting lists. Start the school search as soon as the assignment is confirmed, not after the move.

Documents that families are commonly asked for:

• recent school reports and transcripts from the home country
• proof of identity for the child
• vaccination records
• evidence of the family's right to reside, once available
• a letter from the employer where the school requests one

Translations or certified copies may be requested. Ask each school for its own list.

The residence permit sets the timing of several of these steps. Your immigration team should align them with the permit process described in the Switzerland residence permit explained.

Decision 6: who handles registration on arrival?

Once the family arrives, the household must register with the municipality (Gemeinde) within 14 days (source: ch.ch, varies by municipality and canton). The municipality then knows a school-age child lives in the area, and the public school process can start. Enrolment steps are set out in enrolling a child in school after arrival.

Do not treat registration as a formality for the family alone. A delay can hold up the school place.

Younger children and childcare

Many assignees arrive with children below school age. Childcare and after-school care are separate from school and often involve their own waiting lists and fees. See childcare and after-school care.

The accompanying partner

School choice often decides whether the partner can work. School hours in many places include a long midday break, and supervised lunch arrangements differ by municipality. Raise this early in the discussion. Support options are covered in supporting the accompanying partner.

A short checklist for your mobility team

• Write the school policy and the funding rule into the assignment letter
• Collect each child's age, languages, curriculum and examination needs
• Decide whether the family should aim for local, bilingual or international schooling
• Confirm catchment rules before any lease is signed
• Start applications from the home country
• Gather reports, vaccination records and translations
• Plan municipality registration on the day of arrival
• Brief the transferee on language support for children and parents

Your transferee can also use the school choice guide to narrow options, and the school search service is available for families who want a specialist to examine their situation.

Frequently asked questions

Are schools in Switzerland free for expat children?

Public schools are free of charge in principle. Families may still pay for meals, excursions or supervised care. Private and international schools charge fees set by each school.

Who decides which public school a child attends?

The municipality normally assigns the school according to the home address. That is why the home search and the school search must be done together.

Do expat children have to attend school?

Yes. Schooling is compulsory for children living in Switzerland, and the rules are set by the canton. Ask the local authority for the exact obligations.

Can an employer require a particular school?

An employer can set a policy on what it funds. It cannot override the municipality's assignment of a public school, nor guarantee a place at a private one.

What language are public schools taught in?

The local language of the canton or municipality. German, French and Italian areas each teach in their own language.

Will my employee's child receive language support?

Many public schools offer support for children who do not speak the local language, but the form differs between cantons. Ask the local authority before the move.

Is an international school better for a short assignment?

It often suits a short stay, because the child keeps a familiar curriculum. The right answer depends on the child's age, language and examination plans.

Is a local school better for a long assignment?

It can be, because the child integrates into the local language and community. The decision still depends on the child and on the home-country plan.

How early should the school search start?

As soon as the assignment is confirmed. Some schools keep waiting lists, so waiting until arrival narrows the choice.

Can we apply to schools before the family has a permit?

Many schools accept applications from abroad, but conditions vary. Ask each school what proof of the right to reside it requires and when.

What documents will schools ask for?

Typically school reports, identification, vaccination records and sometimes an employer letter. Translations may be requested.

Does the residence permit affect school enrolment?

Yes, it can affect timing. Your immigration team should align the permit process with school applications.

When must the family register with the municipality?

Registration is due within 14 days of arrival, though it can vary by municipality and canton (source: ch.ch). Registration is the trigger for public school enrolment.

Can the family choose a public school outside its catchment area?

Usually not without the municipality's agreement. Check the local rules before the lease is signed.

Do children need to speak the local language before arrival?

No, but preparation helps. Language courses before departure ease the first months, as covered in the guide to language courses.

Are international schools easy to enter?

Entry depends on places available, the child's age and the school's own procedure. Plan the application early and avoid assuming a place.

Do schools in Switzerland follow the same calendar as other countries?

Not necessarily. Calendars differ by canton and school type. A child moving mid-year should check how the school handles a late start.

What about children with special educational needs?

Provision differs by canton and school. Ask the school and the local authority what support exists before choosing a location.

What does a lump sum for education need to cover?

It should state which costs are included, such as fees, transport and meals, and which are not. Ambiguity creates disputes later.

Does the employer have any duty towards children's schooling?

Only what your policy and the contract set. Switzerland does not impose a general employer duty to fund schooling.

How does the school day affect the working partner?

Midday arrangements differ by municipality. Check supervised lunch and after-school provision before choosing the home area.

Can the family change school after arrival?

It is sometimes possible, but public school changes depend on the municipality and private ones on available places. Treat the first choice as a considered one.

What about university-age children?

Higher education follows different admission rules. See the guide to universities and higher education institutions.

Who can help with a complex family situation?

A specialist can examine the case, including several children, different curricula or an uncertain length of assignment. Use the education search request at the bottom of the page.

Sources

• Swiss Confederation, ch.ch (residence registration)