Moving to Switzerland offers an incredible life experience, but adjusting can be challenging—especially socially. Building friendships and finding like-minded people is essential for emotional well-being and successful integration. Expat communities make this easier by offering support, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Whether you’re in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, or Lugano, there are countless communities to join, each offering different kinds of support. This guide will help you discover the right groups for your lifestyle, interests, and goals—plus how to engage meaningfully with them.
Why Join an Expat Group?
Expat communities offer more than just meetups. They provide:
- Practical help with Swiss systems (like health insurance, taxes, schooling)
- Social engagement through events, hikes, dinners, or cultural nights
- Emotional support from people going through similar experiences
- Professional networking to find jobs, gigs, or partnerships
- Language practice in friendly, low-pressure settings
Especially in a country like Switzerland, where social integration may take time, expat groups create a bridge into local life.
The Types of Communities You Can Join
Country-Based Groups
Many cities have expat groups formed around nationality—like Americans in Zurich, Brazilians in Geneva, or British expats in Lausanne. These groups often organize holiday events, family outings, or dinners with national cuisine. They’re a great way to feel at home and celebrate your culture while abroad.
You’ll often find these groups via embassies, consulates, or platforms like Facebook and Meetup. While they can be comforting, be mindful of staying too inward-facing. For full integration, balance them with more diverse communities.
Language Exchange and Cultural Groups
These are some of the most active communities in Switzerland. Groups dedicated to improving language skills—like English-French, English-German, or even Italian-Spanish exchanges—are welcoming and relaxed.
Many Swiss locals also join these groups to practice their English or another foreign language. These meetups provide social, linguistic, and cultural benefits all in one. You’ll find them in public libraries, community centers, or cafés—often hosted weekly.
For example, Lausanne, Zurich, and Bern have popular “language tandem” nights where people pair off and take turns speaking their target languages. They’re ideal for making friends and learning organically.
Interest-Based Groups
These communities form around shared passions. Hiking groups, for example, are extremely popular due to Switzerland’s stunning trails. There are also dance clubs, cooking workshops, photography groups, fitness circles, and even board game nights. You’ll meet people regularly with whom you already share something in common.
In Zurich, hiking groups are particularly active and attract both expats and locals. Geneva has sailing and rowing clubs on Lake Geneva, while Lugano offers mountain trekking groups in the southern Alps.
Joining these groups not only helps you connect but gives you regular outings to look forward to—an anchor in your weekly routine.
Professional and Career Networks
If you’re in Switzerland to work or grow professionally, joining a career-focused expat group is essential. Most major cities host frequent meetups for professionals, often with speakers, workshops, or networking mixers.
In Zurich, tech professionals gather through SwissICT and Startup Grind events. Geneva is a hotspot for finance and diplomacy-focused groups, while Lausanne and Basel also offer meetups for scientists and healthcare professionals.
Women’s leadership networks, entrepreneur forums, and digital marketing groups are active across Switzerland. Most of these can be found via LinkedIn or local coworking spaces.
Community Volunteering
Want to contribute while making friends? Volunteering with local NGOs, charities, or community centers is a great way to connect with people who care about similar causes.
Opportunities include helping refugees, organizing events, gardening projects, or supporting city festivals. Volunteering also shows commitment to your new home and deepens cultural understanding.
In Bern, the intercultural community garden hosts frequent activities. Geneva and Zurich have strong NGO scenes with roles for native English speakers. Even small towns welcome volunteers for local traditions and fairs.
Where to Find These Communities
Meetup.com
This platform is full of active expat events—just search your city and interests. Whether it’s yoga in Basel or coding nights in Zurich, you’ll find something suitable.
Search for “[Your City] + Expats” or “[Your Country] + in Switzerland.” Groups like “Expats in Lausanne” or “English Speakers in Zurich” are lively with posts about events, tips, and local questions.
For professionals, join Swiss business networks and follow pages of relevant associations. Commenting and connecting with other members often leads to event invites or smaller group chats.
Local Language Schools and Libraries
Check bulletin boards and websites of community centers or libraries. Many offer language tandem nights, cultural evenings, or open coffee events.
Embassies and Consulates
Sign up for newsletters or follow social media of your home country’s Swiss embassy. They frequently host celebrations, career events, or briefings.
How to Choose the Right Groups
Start by asking yourself what you’re looking for:
- Do you want to make new friends quickly?
- Are you trying to practice German or French?
- Do you want to network for your industry?
- Are you hoping to find family-friendly events?
Once you’re clear on your goals, search for groups that fit. Attend one or two events without pressure. You’ll quickly see which feel natural and which don’t. Keep attending those where you feel welcomed and energized.
Some groups meet casually at cafés. Others are highly organized with a sign-up list and fixed agenda. Choose the style that matches your personality.
Making the Most of Your Membership
Show Up Regularly
One-time visitors are forgettable. Show up weekly or monthly, and people will begin to remember you, greet you, and invite you into smaller friend circles.
Introduce Yourself
Say your name, where you’re from, and what brought you to Switzerland. Ask questions like, “How long have you lived here?” or “What’s your favorite thing about Zurich?” These get conversations flowing naturally.
Follow Up
Send a short message after an event to someone you connected with. Suggest a coffee or thank them for the conversation. This builds real friendships outside group settings.
Offer to Help or Host
Consider organizing your own small event—a picnic, museum visit, or fondue night. This helps you become more visible and shows you’re invested in the community.
Be Open, Not Desperate
Don’t expect instant friendships. Build them slowly, steadily, and respectfully. Avoid overwhelming people. Consistency, kindness, and patience always win.
Tips for Multilingual Areas
In cities like Biel/Bienne or Fribourg, you’ll encounter both French and German speakers. Embrace the opportunity to learn or switch between languages. Even speaking basic phrases in someone’s native language shows effort and opens doors.
Final Thoughts
Expat communities are one of the best ways to feel connected and confident in your new life in Switzerland. They give you resources, friendship, professional connections, and a cultural bridge.
The key is to start small, pick what suits your personality, and stay engaged. Over time, you’ll find you’ve not just joined a group—you’ve found a tribe.