Applying from abroad

Around 1,769 employees already commute across a national border to Switzerland to work here at the USB. They appreciate the working environment at the USB, their colleagues and the diverse career prospects. Would you like to join them?

You can find more information about cross-border commuters on the following pages:

Cross-border commuters from Germany

Cross-border commuters from France

Anyone who lives in an EU/EFTA member state, works in Switzerland and returns to their place of residence every week is considered a cross-border commuter. The required cross-border commuter permit is issued directly by the employer USB.

Nationals from an EU or EFTA country who take up employment in Switzerland may enter the country without a special permit. It is sufficient to register with the residents' registration office at the place of residence before starting the new job. The employment contract for a residence permit is submitted there.

Persons from outside the EU/EFTA area, so-called third-country nationals, must apply for a work permit from their employer at an early stage. This will only be issued if it can be proven that no suitable person within Switzerland or the EU could be found for the vacant position. This process can take several months and the chances of success are generally rather low.

Further questions about work and residence permits? You can obtain detailed information on the subject of "Working in Switzerland" from the State Secretariat for Migration.

Medical diplomas obtained in EU member states are equivalent to the Swiss diploma. The Federal Office of Public Health FOPH is responsible for recognition.

Do you hold a medical diploma from a country outside the EU? The cantonal medical and health departments are responsible for the recognition procedure and further information on obtaining a federal medical diploma.

The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) will take care of the recognition of your foreign diploma in MTT.

All persons who have a permanent residence in Switzerland and work here are liable to pay tax. Tax is levied at federal, cantonal and communal level. The tax rates depend on the level of income and assets and (usually) increase progressively. They vary from canton to canton and from municipality to municipality.

People with a Swiss passport or a C permit fill in a tax return once a year and pay their taxes after the assessment either as a one-off payment or in monthly installments.

For foreign nationals without a C permit, a withholding tax is generally levied. It is deducted directly from the salary each month - "at source". The employer, in this case the University Hospital Basel, transfers the tax directly to the relevant tax authority.

Any questions? You can obtain further information from your cantonal tax administration - for example that of Basel-Stadt.

Switzerland's insurance system is complex - it consists of various compulsory and supplementary voluntary insurances. The aim is to ensure that people living here are financially protected against a wide range of risks.

• Health insurance (KVG), or health insurance for short, is compulsory for all persons who take up permanent residence in Switzerland. It covers treatment and care costs in the event of illness. Health insurance can be chosen freely - it is paid monthly and is the responsibility of the employee. At the USB, we offer you premium reductions with various providers thanks to collective agreements - you will receive all the information you need in your welcome documents.

• Accident insurance (BUV) is covered directly by the University Hospital Basel and deducted from your salary each month. It covers the costs of treatment for accidents during working hours and for illness directly related to your job. Non-occupational accident insurance (NBUV) for the financial consequences of accidents that do not occur during working hours is also deducted from your monthly salary.

• There is also daily sickness benefits insurance, which is a voluntary employer benefit: it covers the financial consequences of illness at work. Some of the premiums are paid by the University Hospital, the other part is paid by you as an employee with a direct deduction from your salary.

You can find more information on health and accident insurance at the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) .

• Maternity compensation is covered by the Income Compensation Ordinance (EO), which guarantees employees 16 weeks of paid pregnancy and maternity leave. The EO contributions are deducted directly from the gross salary of all employees. Paternity leave is also financed by the EO - this amounts to two weeks or 10 working days.

• Family and maintenance allowances: Employees in Switzerland are entitled to a fixed family allowance for each child. The USB also pays a voluntary maintenance allowance. The amount depends on the number of children and is based on the contractual level of employment. Family and maintenance allowances are paid monthly with the salary.

• Unemployment insurance (ALV) pays out if insured persons lose their job. The payment is a percentage (70-80 %) of the previous average salary over the last two years. All salaried employees in Switzerland are insured with ALV - a certain percentage is deducted directly from their salary each month.

You can find all the important information on these topics at the Basel-Stadt compensation office.

The Swiss pension system is based on a three-pillar principle with state, occupational and private pension provision. This pension system ensures that insured persons are financially secure in old age or in the event of individuality. In the event of death, the three-pillar system protects surviving dependants from financial hardship.

The AHV guarantees an income that covers basic needs for the period after retirement. The amount paid out depends on the number of years in which AHV contributions have been paid. IV comes into play in the event of incapacity to work due to health impairment or in the event of death. The pension contributions are deducted from the gross salary and transferred by the USB directly to the Basel-Stadt compensation fund.

You can obtain more information directly from the AHV/IV information office.

Occupational pension provision (BVG) is often referred to as a "pension fund". It supplements the benefits from the AHV in old age, in the event of incapacity to work due to health impairment and in the event of death. All employees whose income exceeds the annual salary subject to AHV contributions are affiliated to the Basel State Staff Pension Fund by the University Hospital Basel and benefit from excellent insurance benefits. The contributions are deducted directly from the salary each month and vary according to age. The employer pays at least half of the contributions.

The 3rd pillar is a voluntary supplement and is not covered by the employer. You can decide for yourself whether and where you want to save for your 3rd pillar. Many banks and insurance companies offer special offers for saving in a 3rd pillar.

Would you like to know more? You can find a detailed explanation of the three-pillar model here .

The University Hospital Basel will help you find accommodation - from a furnished room, e.g. in one of our staff houses, to finding a family apartment. We will be happy to help you find a tailor-made solution so that you can quickly settle into your new place of residence and work.

We also work with relocation companies who can provide you with help and advice on moving, finding accommodation, choosing a school, childcare, etc. Get in touch - we look forward to welcoming you to Basel!

University Hospital Basel
Housing agency
Phone +41 61 265 22 87
wohnvermittlung@usb.ch

Flyer Housing placement