Moving to Switzerland from Barbados

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Barbados to Switzerland — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Barbados to Switzerland, and you’d need to navigate life in French, Italian, Romansh and Swiss German. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Barbados to Switzerland, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
3 ↑ 50% vs 2022

people moved from Barbados to Switzerland · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Switzerland?

Top countries of origin for Switzerland's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Barbados to Switzerland.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BB
15.3
CH
0.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BB
10.0
CH
2.4

Switzerland performs significantly better than Barbados across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BB
$1,153
CH
$10,602
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BB
29.7
CH
44.4

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BB
19.0
CH
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BB
2.5t
CH
3.7t

Barbados generally does better on environment, though Switzerland leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BB
37.6
CH
47.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BB
87.5%
CH
6.5%

Switzerland performs significantly better than Barbados across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BB
8.0%
CH
4.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BB
$17,400
CH
$82,900

Switzerland generally does better on employment & economy, though Barbados leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BB
78.5 yrs
CH
83.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BB
9.6
CH
3.6

Switzerland generally does better on family life, though Barbados leads in education spending.

Data: Ministry of Finance, Barbados, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Barbados and Switzerland. To live, work, or study long-term in Switzerland, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Switzerland's immigration authority.

Barbados passport

Barbados passport holder visiting Switzerland

Visa Free
Barbados passport holders can enter Switzerland without a visa.
Switzerland passport

Switzerland passport holder visiting Barbados

Visa Free
Switzerland passport holders can enter Barbados without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Switzerland?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Switzerland has 47.1 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Switzerland safe for expats?

Switzerland performs significantly better than Barbados across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Switzerland is 0.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 15.3 in Barbados.

How is healthcare in Switzerland compared to Barbados?

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 44.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Switzerland, compared to 29.7 in Barbados. Switzerland scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Barbados: 77).

What language do they speak in Switzerland?

The official languages in Switzerland are French, Italian, Romansh and Swiss German. In Barbados, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

BB CH
Population 302,674 8,508,698
Currency Barbadian Dollar (BBD) Swiss Franc (CHF)
Languages English French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1246 +41
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112