Working in Basel

Basel is ideally situated for doing business internationally – right on the border of Switzerland, France, and Germany. As a result, many major multinationals have a significant presence in Basel. Although the job market is competitive, opportunities abound for those with the right qualifications and experience.

Job market in Basel

Basel is a hub of innovation, particularly in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing, life sciences and biotech. Other major industries in the city include trade and logistics, financial services, and ICT.

As a university city, Basel is home to a highly educated and skilled population, so standing out can be tough. The city’s border location means that it’s beneficial to be able to speak more than one of the main local languages. In addition to English, other useful languages are Swiss German, standard German, and French.

Finding a job in Basel

The process of finding a job in Basel and moving there for work differs according to your nationality.

EU citizens are allowed to enter Switzerland to look for work for up to 90 days. They don’t need any special permissions or paperwork to do so. After 90 days, a residence permit is necessary.

On the other hand, non-EU nationals (also known as third-country nationals) will need to find and secure a job before moving to Switzerland. Work and residence permits are required if you want to move to the country.

The best way to look for work in Basel is by making use of online job portals, joining social networking websites such as LinkedIn, and getting in touch with local recruiters in your niche. Bear in mind that the Swiss CV format differs from that of other countries, so you should be sure you understand the requirements and the correct format before submitting any applications.

For more details on the required documentation, read Visas for Switzerland.

Useful links

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Jobs.ch

Work culture in Basel

Basel’s work culture, and that of Switzerland in general, tends towards the formal. You’re expected to be punctual, respectful and polite at all times. The Swiss are hard workers, and expats who take up a job here will be expected to follow suit.

Rank, education, and achievements are important, and the company hierarchy is developed based on these factors. Although the hierarchy is respected and company leaders have the final say, they do tend to discuss significant decisions with their team and overall use a consensus-based approach.

Read more on Doing Business in Switzerland.