Moving to Switzerland from Uganda

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Uganda 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 — Zurich averages 55°F vs 82°F in Kampala, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Moved in 2023
48 ↑ 60% vs 2022

people moved from Uganda 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 Uganda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

UG
9.0
CH
0.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

UG
16.0
CH
2.4

Switzerland performs significantly better than Uganda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

UG
$139
CH
$10,602
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

UG
1.9
CH
44.8

Uganda 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

UG
60.0
CH
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

UG
0.2t
CH
3.8t

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

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

UG
0.2
CH
47.0
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

UG
5.8%
CH
6.5%

Switzerland generally does better on infrastructure, though Uganda leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

UG
2.8%
CH
4.9%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

UG
$1,206
CH
$114,769

Uganda generally does better on employment & economy, though Switzerland leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

UG
68.5 yrs
CH
84.4 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

UG
35.9
CH
3.4

Switzerland performs significantly better than Uganda across all family life metrics.

Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), Uganda Revenue Authority (2016), Swiss Federal Tax Administration (2016). How we calculate this

Weather in Switzerland vs Uganda

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kampala Rain: 49.8 in/yr (1264 mm)
82° / 64°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kampala Zurich
Jan–Mar 84°/64°F (29°/18°C) 41°/30°F (5°/-1°C)
Apr–Jun 81°/64°F (27°/18°C) 62°/45°F (17°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 81°/63°F (27°/17°C) 70°/53°F (21°/12°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/64°F (28°/17°C) 46°/36°F (8°/2°C)
View all months
Month Kampala Zurich
Jan 83°/64°F (28.6°/17.7°C) 36°/27°F (2.0°/-2.8°C)
Feb 85°/64°F (29.3°/18.0°C) 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.9°C)
Mar 84°/65°F (28.7°/18.1°C) 47°/33°F (8.3°/0.6°C)
Apr 82°/64°F (27.7°/18.0°C) 55°/39°F (12.6°/3.7°C)
May 81°/64°F (27.3°/17.9°C) 63°/46°F (17.3°/7.7°C)
Jun 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.6°C) 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.8°C)
Jul 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.1°C) 73°/55°F (23.0°/12.8°C)
Aug 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.1°C) 72°/54°F (22.0°/12.4°C)
Sep 82°/63°F (27.9°/17.2°C) 66°/50°F (18.8°/10.0°C)
Oct 82°/63°F (27.7°/17.4°C) 56°/43°F (13.3°/6.2°C)
Nov 81°/64°F (27.4°/17.5°C) 44°/35°F (6.9°/1.4°C)
Dec 82°/64°F (27.9°/17.5°C) 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.7°C)

Data: MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology

Can you move from Uganda to Switzerland?

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Uganda 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.

Uganda passport

Uganda passport holder visiting Switzerland

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

Switzerland passport holder visiting Uganda

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Switzerland passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Uganda.

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: 47.0 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 Uganda across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Switzerland is 0.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 9.0 in Uganda.

How is healthcare in Switzerland compared to Uganda?

Uganda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 44.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Switzerland, compared to 1.9 in Uganda. Switzerland scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Uganda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Zurich is 55°F, compared to 82°F in Kampala. Zurich receives around 42.8 in of rainfall per year, while Kampala gets 49.8 in.

What language do they speak in Switzerland?

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

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At a Glance

UG CH
Population 51,384,894 9,092,436
Currency Ugandan Shilling (UGX) Swiss Franc (CHF)
Languages English, Swahili French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +256 +41
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 112