Becoming an expat can be an experience full of new opportunities and adventures. However, becoming a mom simultaneously comes with its own set of unique challenges. Here are the top three difficulties that I faced in this country.
High costs of childcare and education
One of the most pressing concerns for expat moms in Switzerland is the high cost of childcare and afterschool programs. Kinder creche (kita), or daycare centers, are notoriously expensive, which can be a significant financial burden for families. Afterschool programs are the same, often adding to the strain on the family budget. This makes balancing a career and family life particularly challenging in Switzerland compared to many other countries.
Another complication that expat moms face in Switzerland arises from the cantonal system. Each of the 26 cantons in Switzerland has the autonomy to set its own school calendar. This means that school holidays can vary significantly from one canton to another. For families living in one canton and working in another, or for those with social ties across cantonal lines, this can create logistical nightmares and limit family activities during school breaks.
Loneliness and Isolation
Feeling isolated is common among expat moms, who may find it challenging to connect with local communities or find other expat families to relate to. Language barriers, cultural differences, and the transient nature of some expat communities can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. It can be particularly challenging during the cold, grey winter months when opportunities for socializing outdoors are fewer.
These challenges, significant as they are, highlight the complex reality of relocating to a country as unique as Switzerland. However, many expat moms also report that the benefits—such as high quality of life, excellent public services, and stunning landscapes—can outweigh these difficulties.
Cost of Living
The most overwhelming challenge is the general cost of living in Switzerland, which is among the highest in the world. Everything from groceries to housing, transport, and leisure activities can be expensive. This can be particularly jarring for expats from countries with a lower cost of living and can affect every aspect of daily life, often leading to the third major challenge: loneliness.
I have also prepared a video in which you can learn more about the pros and cons of living in Switzerland.
Watch it here:
We Want to Hear from You! Are you an expat mom in Switzerland or another country? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below to help others facing similar issues. Your insights are invaluable and could support and guide fellow expat moms navigating life abroad.
Check out my other Posts:
Discover the Top Benefits of being a MOM in Switzerland: Health, Safety, and Kinder Friendly place
Adventure with your little ones in Biezwil, SO
Are you ready to go camping in Switzerland with the whole family?
A Journey of an Expat Mom in Switzerland: What you will find here?
Nice blog Nadi! Being a mom is hard already! However, being a mom plus the cons are way harder!
As an expat mother myself I can confirm these three cons aspects are challenging.
Easy to read and on point article.
I would like to mention one more thing, a very important one… That the maternity leave is crazy short in Switzerland: only 14 weeks after giving birth. After that, you either go back to work OR live without your own income, totally dependent on your partner – if you have one and if that income can cover the life of three human beings!!! Both solutions are very bad: first: you have to leave that little human without your maternal care, which we know how important is is in the first years, leave the baby maybe with grandparents (if you can: if they are still alive, if they are not working anymore, if they are here in the same country, if they are willing to help with that) OR second: you pay crazy prices for a stranger to take care of the baby, if you can afford this in the first place… Romania, for example, has a better solution: 2 years of paid maternity leave, which I personally find very necessary. I am actually shocked that such a wealthy country like Switzerland does not take care of this aspect for the mothers. This, I think, is the main reason people have maximum 1 children in Switzerland…
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Your insights into the high costs and the challenges of the cantonal system are eye-opening. I’m sure this will help other expat moms feel less alone in facing these issues. I’d love to hear more about your tips for managing these challenges, and I’m looking forward to watching your video!
Thank you for giving the reality of living in Switzerland, Nadine! I’m not an expat mom, but I’m an expat student, and I can relate to almost the same challenges of living here!