 |
|
|
So what is the down side? Well, the Swiss enjoy their way of life and are eager to protect it. As a result, they do not make it easy to immigrate and settle in Switzerland. While this presents a challenge, it is a challenge that can be overcome. There are two types of work/residence permits. A B permit, permis de séjour, allows you to live in Switzerland for more than 180 days per year, work, and bring your family with you. To receive this, you must have a job contract with a company in Switzerland. A C permit is a permanent residence permit that allows you more rights than a B permit and is given after you have lived in Switzerland for 5- 10 years. United Nations employees receive a carte de légitimation that allows them to live and work in Switzerland. Citizens of the EU have yet another type of residence permit. Obtaining a B residence/work permit is difficult unless you are independently wealthy and famous, married to a Swiss, a retiree with independent means, or a professional with a job contract in a specialized market (consulting, finance, pharmaceuticals, high tech firms, international development). Let us assume you fall into one of the two latter categories and want to immigrate to Geneva. Begin by scouring international job websites for positions in your field. Look into requirements for vacancies at the United Nations or other international organizations. Get certified to teach English at a world-renowned language school, like Berlitz or Wall Street English, and then see if they have openings in Geneva. Use one of the many online job search engines, like monster.com or devnetjobs.org. A quick search will reveal plenty of jobs in high tech and IT. Apply, apply, and reapply for as many jobs as possible. If you want to retire to Switzerland and are over 55, contact the DEEE (département de l'économie, de l'emploi et des affaires extérieures) to see if you qualify. Once you get a solid job offer, or meet the criteria for a retired foreign resident, you can start thinking about your dream house or apartment. Speaking and/or reading French, Italian, German or Spanish will boost your chances of being hired. Start those French courses now! To buy residential property in Geneva you must have a Residence Permit B, C, or carte de légitimation. The scarcity of properties and higher population make Geneva a hotspot, even for the Swiss, so they do not make it easy for foreigners. Within the city of Geneva, prices for a single-family house range from about $700,000 to several million. Keep in mind that real estate prices are extremely high and most banks are only willing to finance up to 80% of the property’s value. However, the mortgage, or hypothèque, rates are low (usually under 5% for a 10-year mortgage). For many, the tax benefits for ownership also provide an attractive incentive. You will not need a special cantonal review of your case if you purchase a property less than 3,000m2; this is not usually a problem as you are unlikely to find a place this big in Geneva anyway. Like in the
United States, most likely you will secure financing from a bank before
you begin looking for your dream home. The buying process usually takes
about two months. Once you have found a property you like, and secured
your residence permit, you will need to agree on a price with the seller
or seller’s agent. You will probably find it useful to have a real
estate agent for the negotiation, if for nothing else. After a price is
secure, the seller hires a Notary Public, notaire, to complete the legalities
of the sale. Unlike in the United States notary publics in Switzerland
have more responsibilities and rights and usually act in place of a lawyer.
You will also pay a droits de mutation, a transfer tax, usually below 4%
of the property’s value.
If you do not have a residence permit, you can buy a vacation home in a designated tourist area (not Geneva) or buy an investment property. This is allowed with no restrictions, other than how much money you must invest. However, this is not a good option for those wishing to make Switzerland their primary home because there are restrictions as to how long you can stay in the country. The most likely investment option for non-resident foreigners is to buy a low-rent building, but this is a long-term investment, usually lasting for 20 years or more. These low-rent buildings do not carry the stigma that they do in the U.S., nor are they considered slums. Residents of these buildings usually receive substantial rent subsidies and are carefully screened. While returns on such investments are usually good, the laws and regulations governing investment ownership in Switzerland are complicated. Those wanting to pursue investment properties in Geneva would do well to hire a real estate company that specializes in foreign investors. For a fee of about 1% of purchase price, real estate companies will take care of everything for you- from investing your money to closing on a house. Renting is the perfect option for those wanting to try out a new place before committing their life savings to a house, or for those on temporary assignment. In fact, over 85% of Genevans rent. While the rental market in Geneva is tight, it is not impossible to find that quaint apartment with high ceilings and French windows, or the ultra modern city loft with Jacuzzi bath. If you are lucky, your company may make housing arrangements for you. Most likely, however, you will be left on your own to find a place. The first thing to do is get a good idea of what is available through a basic internet search. In Geneva, the number of rooms listed includes the kitchen. Always look at the number of chambres, or bedrooms, to be sure you will have enough room. Upon arriving, explore local newspapers and free real estate papers like Tribune de Genève, Le Temps, GHI, Tout L'Immobilier or go directly to one of the 40 real estate companies in Geneva. Inquire at the Geneva Welcome Centre for more information and assistance. When you find a place you like, you will need to fill out a demande de location, or rental application, with the listing agency. Most agencies permit application on only one property at a time. Check to see if there is a fee assessed if you decide not to take a place. Be patient and polite, but call every couple of days to check on the status of your application. In the meantime, keep looking in case your application is rejected. Decisions are made on a first come first served basis, but your financial situation, the impression you make on the agency, and your family status may influence the decision. So dress up when you visit the agency and bring along the kids, providing they are clean and well-behaved. Families are given priority on bigger apartments. When your application
is accepted, most property owners will require a garantie, or deposit,
usually equal to three months rent. This money is held in a special account,
nom du compte, by your own bank and is linked to your checking account.
When you sit down to sign the rental contract do not let yourself be carried
away by your desire for the apartment or your impatience to move out of
a hotel room. These contracts contain details about what you are allowed
to display on your balcony, when you are allowed to do laundry, and rules
about noise. Be sure to read all the fine print and, if necessary, hire
a lawyer or bring along a French-speaking friend to help you understand
the terms.
Relax, breath- you did it. Celebrate your new dwelling with a fondue or raclette and a bottle of local wine. Begin your moving day with a renversé, coffee with milk, as you watch the movers balance your furniture on their backs as they ascend three flights of impossibly narrow stairs. If you are willing to do some research and have persistence, then living in an enriching, multilingual, and multicultural environment can be a reality for you and your family. The high standard of living, cultured society, and panoramic lake views will soon convince you that you have escaped to somewhere very special indeed. Resources Geneva Welcome Centre Laws And Regulations For Foreigners Direction des
affaires juridiques du département de l'économie, de
l'emploi et des affaires extérieures (DEEE)
Real Estate Professionals Listing One-stop real estate service: Micheloud &
Co.
email to: info@micheloud.com Popular Property Listing Websites: The following is Aimée's first article for the magazine:
To contact
Aimée Click Here
|
Carless
in Geneva ~ 