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Social Life & Integration

Integration occurs on various levels. In addition to work, there are other ways to help you familiarize yourself with your new surroundings and gradually become more involved and feel integrated.

Basel-Stadt and Baselland

Both cantons have developed strategies and organize activities to facilitate integration. The underlying idea of integration here is based on a principle of give-and-take. This means on support and advancement by the municipal, cantonal and state offices but also on new residents taking the initiative themselves to become integrated and involved in their communities.

Recommendation: Integration Basel-Stadt offers in cooperation with the GGG Migration an inspiring and humorous 1,5 hrs introduction "Typically Swiss?!" to newcomers. This offer is part of a whole set of welcome- and integration-offers, including the official Welcome-event in the Kaserne (twice a year), a guided tour for newcomers offered by Basel Tourismus, an introduction to the neighborhood associations as well as free German courses. All newly registered citizens in the canton Basel-Stadt will get invited automatically.

University of Basel

The university offers a variety of organizations, groups and clubs that provide - depending from purpose and profile - students, staff, alumni and and often also non-university affiliates great opportunities to meet other people in a straightforward way and to foster hereby also integration in the Basel area. These include university sports, the university choir and orchestra, theater groups, religious groups as well as policy development initiatives, special interest groups such as the Osteuropa Forum Basel, the Queers Students Basel or the Science Slam Club – the range of options is large.

For member of the University lecturer's associations such as Faculty Net and Dozuba, the Assistants' Association Avuba, the student organisation Skuba as well as the University of Basel alumni association (already at the beginning, not only upon your stay) provide excellent opportunities for networking and socializing informally.

Througout the year the University offers diverse, to a large extent public and free of charge lectures/events/meetings etc., providing intellectual stimulation and exchange with like-minded people > more information can be found via event calendar. Public offer on behalf of the Botanical Garden and the University Library are part of the broad spectrum. The website University & Society presents further options, partly in collaboration with the Volkshochschule Basel (incl. programs for English speakers) with the SeniorenUni as a specific offer (from the age of 58).

Last but not least the new event format Café international offers a platform for exchange on intercultural topics since 2018. More information in terms of these events and other offers related to intercultural aspects can be found in the respective webchapter.

Neighborhood clubs and organizations

Each neighborhood has a neighborhood gathering spot or neighborhood association where you can find information about the neighborhood, meet new neighbors, attend events and get involved in what is happening in your neighborhood.

Some neighborhood associations also publish local newspapers, newsletters, fylers etc. offering an excellent way to connect to the local residents and find out about local issues (albeit mostly in German). Some offer also a lunch table, event, rooms for private gatherings etc.

Organizations & clubs for cross-cultural encounters

Organizations for immigrants have always been important for people who are new to Switzerland. It is still highly recommended to seek out contact with groups who can provide first-hand information on various issues, open doors in many areas and offer a high level of intercultural competence.

As a major center of research and industry in the life sciences as well as in the area of art and culture, Basel has traditionally attracted people from all over the world. Today, there are numerous pan-nationality organizations for immigrants and expatriate associations that offer a wide range of activities, information and meeting opportunities to greatly simplify the process of getting settled. The following are examples:

School and childcare

Experience has shown that it is relatively easy for families to meet people through their children's participation in play groups, kindergarten and school. Moreover, good cooperation between parents and kindergartens/schools is greatly valued in Switzerland – so what could be more natural than seeking out contact with other families on the next school field trip, at the next party in the play group or at a child's birthday party?

Volounteering activities

Volunteering is very common in Switzerland and a charitable public spirit is greatly appreciated. Many institutions are also structured around a militia-style system (politics, military). The following links can help you find a suitable volunteering activity, not only giving you a way to contribute to a good cause and your fellow citizens, but also a great way to become integrated and meet people:

Associations, Clubs, Networks

Clubs and associations are very popular in Switzerland; hence the range is tremendous. One of the best ways for sozializing in Switzerland is to join a club. Find more information here.

Particularly in Basel associations with an academic profile such as the Freie Akademische Gesellschaft FAG, the Naturforschende Gesellschaft , the Basel Botanical Society or the Historische und Antiquarische Gesellschaft zu Basel could be of great value.

Last but not least there is a number of groups and networks dealing with all type of topics. An overview provides e.g. Meetups in Basel.

Language skills

One of the most important steps towards integration is learning the language spoken where you live. In Northwestern Switzerland, this language is German. While locals speak the Basel dialect of German with each other on almost all occasions, High German is the language of choice in formal contexts (lectures, public events, etc.) or when communicating with people who are native speakers of other languages.

Those who are willing to learn German will make the greatest progress becoming integrated. The official languages of administration are also French and Italian (Romansh, the fourth national language, is not actually an administrative language), which is why all product descriptions and official forms are generally in multiple languages. For this reason, it is quite useful if you can speak one of these languages or have one of them as a foundation to build upon.

English is not an official language, which is why it cannot be expected that all information will also be available in English. However, because public service is a top priority in Switzerland and because Basel, just like the rest of Switzerland, has become more international over the last two decades, all companies and organizations often provide essential information in English for practical or marketing reasons.

Numerous institutes offer opportunities for learning German, such as:

Tip: Canton Basel-Stadt offers its newcomers vouchers for free German courses for facilitating integration. The GGG Migration as well as the Foreign Nationals Office Baselland provide information about all options and offer free advice on German courses.

Recommended reading

The issue of integration has been on the minds of locals as well as newcomers to Switzerland since well before the passing of the recent initiatives and adopting of political decisions. Switzerland has become a country of immigration. There is therefore a wealth of stimulating and helpful literature on the topic of integration, cultural differences and issues of coexistence. If nothing else, the differences and various cultural facets of Switzerland are fascinating and deserve due attention.

Even those who claim to know Switzerland do not always know everything about Basel's natives, who themselves like to claim that they “tick differently than others.” For this reason, contextual knowledge and helpful information for newcomers acquired through reading is likely to be useful in getting settled. In recent years, many books have been published that are not only highly entertaining but may also provide an eye-opening experience! Here is a brief selection of just some of the books on preparing for as well as wrapping up your stay in the Basel region:

  • Lukas Schmutz: Basel, unterwegs - 26 Spaziergänge. Basel 2022.
  • Yaël Debelle, Stephan Petersen: Glücksorte in Basel. Fahr hin und werd glücklich. Basel 2020.
  • Jonathan Büttner, Gudrun Piller, Daniel Suter: A Brief History of Basel. Leaps in time. Historisches Museum Basel, Basel 2020.
  • Karena Stoner: Bâlehoo. An Expat's Guide to Surviving - and Thriving! - in Basel. Muttenz 2020.
  • Diccon Bewes (Ed.): The Expert Guide to your Life in Switzerland. Bergli Books, Basel 2020.
  • Beat Jans, Guy Krneta, Matthias Zehnder (Hg.): Unsere Schweiz. Ein Heimatbuch für Weltoffene. Zytglogge Verlag, Basel 2020.
  • Margaret Oertig-Davidson: The New Beyond Chocolate – understanding Swiss culture. Bergli Books, Basel 2019.
  • Adriana Quarck, Rylla Resler, Francesca Incocciati: The Trailing Spouse Reimagined. Bergli Books, Basel 2018.
  • Matthias Buschle, Daniel Hagmann: How Basel changed the world. Christoph Merian Verlag. Basel 2018.
  • Alain Claude Sulzer: Basel, Basel 2018.
  • Christian Eisert: Viele Ziegen und kein Peter. Eine Ferienfahrt zu den Schweizern. Berlin 2016.
  • Gianni Haver, Mix & Remix: Swissness in a nutshell. Bergli Books, Basel 2014.
  • Margaret Oertig: Going Local. Your guide to Swiss schooling. Bergli Books, Basel 2012.
  • Sergio J. Lievano, Nicole Egger: Hoi! Et après… - manuel de survie en Suisse allemande. Bergli Books, Basel 2012.
  • Peter Habicht: Basel - A Center at the Fringe. A concise history. Basel 2008.
  • Franziska Schläpfer (Hg.): Reise in die Schweiz. Kulturkompass fürs Handgepäck. Zürich 2008.
  • David Hampshire: Living and Working in Switzerland. A Survival Handbook. London 2007.
  • Dianne Dicks, Katalin Fekete: Ticking Along with Swiss Kids. Bergli Books, Basel 2007.
  • Susann Sitzler: Grüezi und Willkommen. Die Schweiz für Deutsche. Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin 2004.
  • Jürg Altwegg et al. (Hg.): Kuhschweizer und Sauschwaben. Schweizer, Deutsche und ihre Hassliebe. Nagel & Kimche, München 2003. (Amüsante und lehrreiche Essay-Sammlung, die vielfältige Einblicke in ein bisweilen ambivalentes Verhältnis geben.)
  • Thomas Küng, unter Mitarbeit von Peter Schneider: Gebrauchsanweisung für die Schweiz. Piper, München 1996
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