Moving to Barbados from Switzerland

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What to Expect

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

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

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

per 100,000 people per year

CH
2.4
BB
10.0

Switzerland performs better than Barbados across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

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

affects wait times and access to care

CH
44.4
BB
29.7

Switzerland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Barbados 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

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

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CH
3.7t
BB
2.5t

Switzerland generally does better on environment, though Barbados leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

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

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CH
6.5%
BB
87.5%

Switzerland performs 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

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

CH
$82,900
BB
$17,400

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

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

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CH
3.6
BB
9.6

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

Data: Swiss Federal Tax Administration, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Switzerland passport

Switzerland passport holder visiting Barbados

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

Barbados passport holder visiting Switzerland

Visa Free
Barbados passport holders can enter Switzerland 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 Barbados?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Barbados has 37.6 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 Barbados safe for expats?

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

How is healthcare in Barbados compared to Switzerland?

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

What language do they speak in Barbados?

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

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At a Glance

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