Moving to Switzerland from Lesotho

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Lesotho to Switzerland? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Lesotho 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. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Bern averages 55°F vs 74°F in Maseru, making it significantly cooler.

Get free moving quotes to Switzerland

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Lesotho to Switzerland.

Moved in 2023
3 ↓ 40% vs 2022

people moved from Lesotho 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

The numbers behind daily life in Switzerland compared to Lesotho.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

LS
37.7
CH
0.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

LS
21.6
CH
2.4

Switzerland performs significantly better than Lesotho across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

LS
$386
CH
$10,602
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

LS
1.5
CH
44.4

Switzerland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Lesotho leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

LS
100.0
CH
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

LS
0.4t
CH
3.7t

Lesotho 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

LS
0.4
CH
47.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

LS
2.6%
CH
6.5%

Lesotho generally does better on infrastructure, though Switzerland leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

LS
16.5%
CH
4.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

LS
$2,500
CH
$82,900

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

LS
59.6 yrs
CH
83.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

LS
48.4
CH
3.6

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

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

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Maseru Rain: 25.3 in/yr (642 mm)
74° / 47°F

Avg. annual high / low

Bern Rain: 42.8 in/yr (1086 mm)
55° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Maseru Bern
Jan–Mar 81°/57°F (27°/14°C) 41°/30°F (5°/-1°C)
Apr–Jun 67°/39°F (20°/4°C) 62°/45°F (17°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 68°/37°F (20°/3°C) 70°/53°F (21°/12°C)
Oct–Dec 79°/53°F (26°/12°C) 46°/36°F (8°/2°C)
View all months
Month Maseru Bern
Jan 84°/59°F (28.7°/14.8°C) 36°/27°F (2.0°/-2.8°C)
Feb 82°/58°F (27.6°/14.6°C) 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.9°C)
Mar 78°/54°F (25.7°/12.5°C) 47°/33°F (8.3°/0.6°C)
Apr 73°/47°F (22.9°/8.6°C) 55°/39°F (12.6°/3.7°C)
May 67°/39°F (19.7°/3.7°C) 63°/46°F (17.3°/7.7°C)
Jun 62°/32°F (16.7°/0.2°C) 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.8°C)
Jul 62°/31°F (16.9°/-0.5°C) 73°/55°F (23.0°/12.8°C)
Aug 67°/36°F (19.7°/2.4°C) 72°/54°F (22.0°/12.4°C)
Sep 74°/44°F (23.3°/6.9°C) 66°/50°F (18.8°/10.0°C)
Oct 77°/50°F (24.8°/10.1°C) 56°/43°F (13.3°/6.2°C)
Nov 79°/53°F (26.3°/11.9°C) 44°/35°F (6.9°/1.4°C)
Dec 82°/56°F (27.9°/13.4°C) 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.7°C)

Data: Lesotho Meteorological Services Lesotho Meteorological Services, MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Lesotho 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.

Lesotho passport

Lesotho passport holder visiting Switzerland

Visa Required
Lesotho passport holders need a visa to enter Switzerland.
Switzerland passport

Switzerland passport holder visiting Lesotho

Visa Free
Switzerland passport holders can enter Lesotho 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?

Connectivity is usually fine (Switzerland: 47.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Switzerland offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Switzerland safe for expats?

Switzerland performs significantly better than Lesotho across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Switzerland is 0.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 37.7 in Lesotho.

How is healthcare in Switzerland compared to Lesotho?

Switzerland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Lesotho leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 44.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Switzerland, compared to 1.5 in Lesotho. Switzerland scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Lesotho: 53).

What's the weather like in Switzerland compared to Lesotho?

The average high temperature in Bern is 55°F, compared to 74°F in Maseru. Bern receives around 42.8 in of rainfall per year, while Maseru gets 25.3 in.

What language do they speak in Switzerland?

The official languages in Switzerland are French, Italian, Romansh and Swiss German. In Lesotho, the official languages are English and Sotho.

Share this

At a Glance

LS CH
Population 2,193,970 8,508,698
Currency Lesotho Loti (LSL) Swiss Franc (CHF)
Languages English, Sotho French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +266 +41
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112