Diversity and Inclusion in Switzerland

Switzerland has become one of Europe's most progressive nations for diversity and inclusion in recent years. With its unique multicultural foundation built on four national languages and a highly international workforce, the country has developed robust frameworks to support various aspects of diversity – from accessibility and LGBTQ+ rights to gender equality and workplace inclusion.

As you consider relocating to or working in Switzerland, understanding these aspects of diversity and inclusion will help you get through daily life and professional environments. The following sections provide practical information about what you can expect across various dimensions of diversity in Switzerland, from legal protections to cultural attitudes and resources available to support your integration into Swiss society.

Accessibility in Switzerland

Switzerland’s accessibility infrastructure ranks among Europe’s finest if you live with disability or impairment. Almost three-quarters of the 1.8 million people registered disabled in the country are in employment, and their lifestyles and livelihoods are protected by the comprehensive Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

The Federal Bureau for the Equality of People with Disabilities advocates at the government level, while organisations such as Inclusion Handicap and Procap coordinate practical services across communities – from transport advice to talent sourcing and independent living support.

Airports

Zurich, Geneva and Basel airports follow strict accessibility protocols with barrier-free travel designs. If you use a wheelchair, you can pre-book assistance from baggage reclaim through designated customs control and onward travel connections. Most airports adhere to the Euro Key system for accessible toilets – a universal key that unlocks more than 12,000 accessible facilities across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and several other European countries.

Taxis

Most standard taxis can accommodate a folding wheelchair in the boot, while specialist services provide vehicles with ramps or space for fixed or powered mobility aids. In Zurich, Behinderten Transport Zurich and TIXI Zurich offer dedicated wheelchair transport services. Procap maintains connections with reputable private hire services throughout the country. App-based services like Uber and Vertt have improved accessibility options in major cities.

Buses

Swiss bus services lead in accessibility, with most fleets using low-floor models that provide independent access for wheelchair users. In smaller towns and rural areas, some local PostBus services may require the driver to install a ramp.

Rail

While Lausanne remains the only city with a full metro system, Switzerland’s major urban centres – Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern and Neuchâtel – offer highly efficient, clean and accessible commuter and light rail networks. The S-Bahn services provide regular cross-city connections with level boarding at many stations. SBB, the national rail provider, offers a specialised Contact Center Handicap where you can book assistance for boarding and alighting up to 48 hours before travel.

Car hire

All major international car hire franchises operate in Switzerland with accessibility options. Europcar specifically offers a modern fleet of VW Caddy Maxis converted to meet the needs of people who have mobility impairments and travel with companions. To hire a car, you must be 20 or older and have held a licence for over 12 months. It’s advisable to book specialised vehicles well in advance, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

Building standards

Switzerland regulates accessibility in construction through the SIA 500 standard, which has governed barrier-free building practices since 2009. This comprehensive standard applies to publicly accessible buildings, residential buildings, and workplaces. New residential developments must include accessible entrances, elevators, and suitable bathroom facilities, although exact requirements vary by canton.

Useful links

• Procap – Switzerland’s largest member association for people with disabilities
• Inclusion Handicap – Umbrella organization of Swiss disability associations

LGBTQ+ in Switzerland

LGBTQ+ rights in Switzerland have progressed notably over the past decade, making it one of Europe’s more inclusive countries. The Swiss Constitution guarantees equal treatment before the law, specifying ‘way of life’ as one of the many criteria protected against discrimination. A landmark 2020 referendum saw over 60 percent of voters approve legislation making discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal. Legislation providing for same-sex marriage and adoption came into force in 2022 after a referendum passed with about two-thirds approval.

Legal protections vary across different settings. While discrimination in public services is prohibited, protections in private sector contexts like housing and employment remain less thorough. Major Swiss cities have their own anti-discrimination policies and resources, and many multinational companies headquartered in Switzerland have adopted inclusive workplace policies. The Swiss LGBTI-Label recognises organisations with best practices in LGBTQ+ inclusion.

For transgender individuals, Switzerland has made important strides. Since January 2022, you can change your legal gender marker and first name through a simple declaration to civil registry officials without medical requirements or court proceedings.

The largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organisations in Switzerland include Lesbenorganisation Schweiz for lesbian rights, Pink Cross for LGBT rights, and Transgender Network Switzerland. Attitudes tend to be more conservative in rural and alpine regions compared to urban centres, but the country is largely open, welcoming, and tolerant.

Useful links

• Pink Cross – Switzerland’s national umbrella organisation for gay and bisexual men
• Lesbenorganisation Schweiz – Organization advocating for lesbian rights in Switzerland
• Transgender Network Switzerland – Support network for transgender people

Gender equality in Switzerland

Despite women only gaining the right to vote some 50 years ago, Switzerland has made substantial progress in gender equality. According to recent data from Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office, the gender wage gap is 16 percent as of 2022. This places Switzerland 10th in the World Economic Forum’s global ranking, although challenges persist, particularly in the private sector.

Parental leave policies have evolved in recent years. While generous maternity leave (14 months at 80 percent salary) has been established for decades, paternity leave was only introduced in 2021, granting fathers two weeks of paid leave. This represents progress but remains modest compared to neighbouring countries like France (28 days) and Germany (up to 14 months of shared parental leave).

Educational achievements reveal promising trends, with 54 percent of women between 25 and 34 having completed higher education as of 2018, compared to just 17 percent in 2000. Gender segregation exists in educational pathways. The proportion of women in STEM subjects remains lower than in most OECD countries, although it has increased gradually.

Legal protections against gender discrimination are enshrined in the Gender Equality Act, which prohibits workplace discrimination, mandates equal pay for equal work, and explicitly bans sexual harassment. Since 2020, companies with more than 100 employees must conduct gender pay gap analyses every four years and communicate results to employees and shareholders.

Useful links

• Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE)

Women in leadership in Switzerland

Switzerland’s political makeup has strong female representation, with women holding over 40 percent of seats in the country’s two houses of parliament. In the corporate world, progress is visible but uneven. Following a 2019 government mandate, at least 3 percent of board positions and 20 percent of executive board seats in large, publicly traded companies should be held by women within five and ten years, respectively. Current figures show just over a third of Swiss companies have reached the 30 percent threshold for women on boards.

Family-friendly policies are a huge factor in female leadership advancement. Companies with higher rates of women in leadership positions are ones that typically offer more flexible working arrangements, parental leave beyond the legal minimum, and on-site childcare facilities. However, research indicates workplace culture often trumps formal policy in German and Swiss financial services firms, and women in these companies may not always feel free to take advantage of these perks.

Traditional barriers for women in the top levels of leadership in Switzerland persist, including inflexible working conditions, cultural expectations around family care, and unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion processes. Studies have also identified a significant disparity between multinational corporations and traditional Swiss family-owned firms, with the latter showing particularly low rates of female leadership – none of the 16 largest Swiss family-owned companies has a female CEO.

Useful links

• Women Leadership Network Switzerland

Mental health in Switzerland

Mental health support in Switzerland is accessible and well-developed, particularly for those with basic health insurance. The country’s mandatory health insurance covers psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy sessions with a referral from a general practitioner. Once referred, patients are only liable for a 10 percent co-payment for outpatient services up to a specified annual maximum.

Cultural factors influence treatment approaches in Switzerland, with the country taking a predominantly medical model approach to mental healthcare. This can sometimes create challenges for expats from cultures with different perspectives on mental health.

Useful links

• Federation of Swiss Psychologists

Unconscious bias in Switzerland

Unconscious bias refers to the prejudices people absorb when living in an unequal society. In Switzerland’s diverse workplace environment, addressing these biases has become an important focus for many organisations.

Larger multinational companies operating in Switzerland have been early adopters of unconscious bias training. Common programmes focus on creating awareness of how biases affect recruitment, performance evaluations, and team dynamics. While Swiss-owned companies have been somewhat slower in adopting formal training, the gap is narrowing as diversity initiatives gain prominence across sectors.

Swiss organisations are recognising that addressing bias is not just an ethical consideration but also a business need in a country where nearly a quarter of the workforce consists of foreign nationals.

Useful links

• Competence Center for Diversity and Inclusion

Diversification of the workforce in Switzerland

Switzerland’s workforce is remarkably international, with foreign nationals constituting over 1 million workers – approximately 25 percent of the entire workforce. This percentage is among the highest in Europe. The healthcare sector employs the largest proportion of foreign workers, followed by IT, engineering, hospitality, and financial services.

Integration programmes vary by canton, with the Cantonal Integration Programmes (CIP) forming the backbone of Switzerland’s approach. These programmes include language courses, professional development training, and cultural orientation. Since 2019, most cantons have implemented language requirements for certain permit categories, with an A1/A2 level expected for long-term residents.

Language requirements impact workforce diversification across regions. German-speaking cantons generally expect proficiency in Swiss German for many positions, while French and Italian-speaking regions may be more accommodating to English in certain sectors.

In terms of age diversity, Switzerland maintains a higher participation rate of older workers compared to many European countries, with the statutory minimum working age set at 15 and many professionals remaining active well into their 60s. According to recent studies, Swiss companies rank ahead of many European counterparts in fostering diverse and inclusive workplace cultures.

Useful links

• Working in Switzerland as a foreign national – Official information portal

Safety in Switzerland

Switzerland ranks among the world’s safest countries, with low crime rates compared to neighbouring European nations.

In tourist-heavy areas, Switzerland deploys specialised police units with multilingual officers. Cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Lucerne maintain increased police presence in popular tourist zones and public transport hubs.

Useful links

• Emergency Services in Switzerland
• AlertSwiss official emergency alert application

Women’s safety in Switzerland

Switzerland offers a high level of safety for women, with a 2017 national survey indicating that 84 percent of women in the country report a very good perception of their personal safety. Female travellers and residents rate Switzerland as one of Europe’s safest destinations.

Public transport in Switzerland is generally secure. There are regular security personnel present on trains and at stations, especially during evening hours, and major Swiss cities have implemented safety measures that include well-lit waiting areas, emergency call buttons, and surveillance systems. Some urban areas have introduced designated women’s parking sections in public garages with enhanced lighting and security monitoring.

Calendar initiatives in Switzerland

4th February – World Cancer Day 
8th March – International Women’s Day 
7th April – World Health Day 
Third Thursday of May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day 
June – Pink Ribbon Walk, Zurich 
10th September – World Suicide Prevention Day 
10th October – World Mental Health Day 
25th November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 
1st December – World AIDS Day