A-Z for Newcomers

Contact the Welcome & Euraxess Center to receive the «Basel affordable» document, which contains tips and tricks for everyday life in Switzerland (groceries and shopping, mobility, culture, etc.). It is one of many information resources that the Welcome & Euraxess Center provides for newcomers at the University of Basel. It is best to register using the MoveOn registration tool so that the Welcome & Euraxess Center can tailor it’s advice to specifically address your concerns.

This is the official garbage bag for household waste in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. The term "Bebbi" is a traditional nickname for the residents of Basel-Stadt. The waste bags are available in various sizes and can be purchased in many supermarkets (Coop, Migros, Aldi, etc.). The collection of Bebbi bags takes place twice a week on specific days, which vary depending on which neighborhood (“Quartier”) you live in. You can find out which waste does not belong in the garbage bag and where you can dispose of it instead in the Waste ABC.

Tip: Download the Dräggwägg App, which also provides information and reminds you about placing your household waste out for collection!

Toddlers can attend a playgroup or daycare (sometimes different terms can be used) in their first few years of life. When it comes to childcare, a distinction is made between state-provided options, which are usually centrally coordinated, and private options, which are arranged through direct inquiry with a private institution. The University of Basel (a state childcare provider) offers a nursery for university members from Monday to Friday, as well as hourly childcare. Under the linked category, you can learn more about childcare and be directed to the appropriate service points.

Tip: Take advantage of the university's internal family service and get information in a consultation appointment about general questions relating to parenthood.

The International Office supports accompanying partners of newly appointed professors with career orientation and the search for professional opportunities. This can be done in the form of Dual Career (DC) counseling after contacting the Head of the International Office.

The Welcome & Euraxess Center regularly conducts evaluations to gather feedback on its services and continuously improve its offerings. We therefore greatly appreciate you taking time to give us feedback whether it being through one of our evaluations or direct feedback.

Mail an: Welcome@unibas.ch

We know that the initial formalities after arriving in Switzerland can feel stressful at first. Therefore, we recommend handling the following formalities in this specific order of priority:

• Finding accommodation
• Registering with the cantonal authorities (can only be done after finding accommodation)
• Opening a bank account and taking out Swiss health insurance, or applying for an exemption depending on your nationality (can only be done after registration)

The Welcome & Euraxess Center will gladly send you further information and tips on the topics mentioned above as soon as you sign up via our contact form (MoveOn registration).

Under "Good to know" on the Welcome & Euraxess Center website, you will find helpful information to make your arrival and life in Basel easier. This includes details on public holidays, important emergency numbers and contact points in Basel-Stadt, as well as useful facts about scholarships, Swiss customs, and everyday peculiarities.

Anyone living in Switzerland must generally take out Swiss health insurance (“Krankenkasse”). Insurance must usually be arranged within three months of moving to Switzerland. The total monthly premium (basic insurance and any supplementary insurance) depends on your chosen insurance model, your canton of residence, and your chosen deductible (franchise). To better understand these topics, we recommend reading the cantonal brochure "Medical insurance the smart way". You can also contact the Welcome & Euraxess Center for an informational discussion (Master's students can contact social advice service directly for this). The state platform Priminfo and the private platform Comparis are also recommended for comparing different health insurers, insurance models, and premiums.

Tip: Also check out the "Insurances" section on our website to find information on the various types of insurance.

Alongside official university events like the Welcome Day for employees or the GRACE online event, the International Office (including the Welcome & Euraxess Center and Student Exchange) organizes various intercultural events during the semester, such as Café International or the International Run. Visit the "Welcome Events" section to learn more about internal events or to sign up.

Tip: Take advantage of the external GGG Migration welcome events that take place several times a year to learn a bit more about Switzerland.

International students who want to work alongside their studies must follow the relevant guidelines of the University of Basel. You can find these via the link under point 7. In addition to the official job market website of the University of Basel, the Welcome & Euraxess Center has created a career search directory to help students and researchers find suitable job openings.

Switzerland is a small country yet very diverse. It consists of 26 cantons, some of which have very different regulations. Six of these are traditionally called “half-cantons”, including Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. These differences show up, for example, in the registration processes with cantonal authorities, the financing of childcare, or waste disposal.

Tip: Download the Basel-Stadt cantonal brochure to learn more about Basel-Stadt.

Learn German or another language at the Language Center of the University of Basel and benefit from reduced prices as a university member. Under the Welcome & Euraxess Center section "Social Life and Integration" you will also find other language institutions under the title "Language Skills" in case the courses at the Language Center are already fully booked.

Tip: Use the voucher for 80 free German lessons that you receive when registering at the Basel-Stadt Residents' Registration Office! (Note: This voucher cannot be redeemed at the University of Basel Language Center.)

Basel places a huge emphasis on culture. Around 40 attractive museums featuring works by renowned artists characterize the city. Alongside a diverse museum landscape, well-known architecture and designers shape the cityscape of Basel. The Basel Tourism Office offers various free brochures for you to download to help you get acquainted with the different cultural areas.

Tip: With the Museum Pass, you can visit around 345 museums in Switzerland, Germany, and France.

The Nightline at the University of Basel is a service run by Skuba, by students for students at the University of Basel, but it is also open to members of other universities and non-students. Nightline is a confidential chat hotline that listens without judgment. Whether you are dealing with stress, everyday worries, or crises, this is the right place.

Opening hours: Monday and Thursday from 8:00 PM to midnight.

For professional psychological support during personal or psychological stress, the University of Basel also offers further comprehensive services. Your first point of contact for these is the student advice center.

The University of Basel is complex, and various processes are handled by different departments. The following contact points can help you have a successful start:

HR Services:
Contact point for employment contracts, workplace-related questions, and work permits.

Welcome & Euraxess Center:
Assists with non-academic topics such as finding accommodation, registration, and everyday integration. It is also an additional support point for questions and concerns related to Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS).

Student Services:
Responsible for questions regarding admission as well as academic questions about your studies.

Host Units / Departments:
The individual guest units are co-responsible for the onboarding of newcomers and, above all, for guests of the university. We advise guests in particular to contact their respective guest unit first, you can find more information on this under the linked section.

Basel and Switzerland have an outstanding public transport network. Here is a selection of various offers:

U-Abo (BVB): The U-Abo offers unlimited travel within the Northwest Switzerland Tariff Network (TNW) and is ideal for exploring Basel, the Basel region, and even across the border when walking distances are too far. It is available as a monthly or annual subscription and can be purchased online (also available as an app) or at the sales point at Barfüsserplatz. Discounted youth offers are available for people under 25.

Half-Fare travelcard (SBB): With this card, you travel at half price across the entire Swiss public transport network (including passenger boats). The card is available as an annual subscription and can also be bought online or at an SBB counter. You can combine this card with a U-Abo to maximize savings if using all public transport is your priority. Discounted youth offers are available for people under 25.

If you have further questions about your first steps in Basel, during your stay, or when leaving, we are happy to help! Please note, however, that the Welcome Center does not offer a drop-in counter service for spontaneous visits. An appointment must be made in advance.

Consultation appointment: Please book an appointment via our contact form or our email address: welcome@unibas.ch

Where we are located: Main building (Kollegienhaus), Petersplatz 1, Ground floor, Office 019

After arriving in Switzerland, there are some organizational steps to keep in mind. You must register with the cantonal authorities within 14 days of your arrival. A valid residential address in Switzerland is mandatory. Further formalities can only be completed after registration (opening a bank account, taking out health insurance, getting a U-Abo or Half-Fare card, etc.). Newcomers from abroad must appear in person at the cantonal authorities to register and bring the necessary printed documents.

Forms & Support: Standard forms and checklists are available directly from the Welcome & Euraxess Center or on the official cantonal website.

Tip: "New in Basel" is the section on the Basel-Stadt cantonal website that provides detailed information on registration and many other arrival topics.

Stay connected with us! On our social media channels, we regularly share useful information, events, and insights from the International Office (Student Exchange, International Relations, Welcome & Euraxess Center).

Information regarding connectivity and media specifications in Switzerland:

Internet & Mobile: Various providers offer bundle packages for TV, internet, and mobile communications. Compare offers on the well-known website Mobilezone or visit one of the many provider shops in the city (e.g., Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom).

Serafe: In Switzerland, all households must pay a mandatory radio and television fee ("Serafe"), which is invoiced once a year per household.

...Unimarkt: Public platform for classified ads, ideal for finding shared apartment rooms, second-hand items, furniture, or bicycles.

...Unisport: Free sports courses and a wide range of discounted sports offers for students and employees.

...University Library: Locations and study spaces throughout the city.

...Uni-Canteens: Affordable dining options at the various campus locations.

...Uni-Card Support: Assistance with questions regarding your Uni-card.

Basel is ideal to explore by bicycle (or as we call it here in Switzerland, "Velo"). The city is bicycle-friendly with very well-developed bike lanes. To get started, you can find affordable used bikes at various bike markets such as "Velomärkte," "Zweifach," "Skudi," or on online sales platforms like "Ricardo." Once a year, Basel's largest bike market, "Velomärt Basel," also hosts a bike market where you can get expert advice and test-ride bikes.

Tip: Members of the University of Basel can benefit from the affordable "Velospot" bike-sharing service across the entire city.

Your personal welcome bag contains valuable information about the university, life, and integration in Basel.

Collection: By appointment, you can pick up your welcome bag at the Welcome & Euraxess Center or directly at the Welcome Box. Collection can also be combined with a welcome briefing to discuss any open questions.

Moving to a new environment often raises questions. Alongside the Welcome & Euraxess Center, which serves as the primary contact point and guide, you can also receive professional advice on integration topics and life in Basel from the GGG Migration office. It takes time to get familiar with the customs and surroundings and to arrive in Basel.

Tip: Try river swimming in the Rhine, get to know locals, visit the annual Basel Autumn Fair (Herbstmesse), experience the UNESCO-recognized Basel Carnival (Fasnacht), and explore the various Christmas markets in winter.

Young adults and students benefit from countless discounts and reductions in Basel. Most offers are valid up to the age of 25.
Examples of discounts up to age 25:

• Public transport: Half-Fare Youth, GA Youth, GA Night, SBB Friends day pass, Mobility carsharing
• Museums: Fondation Beyeler (free), Kunstmuseum (student rate up to 25), annual Museum Night (free)
• Subscriptions: colourkey (depends on birth year)
• Kult Kino, Theater Basel, certain clubs, certain bookstores: Discounted offers

In some cases, certain offers such as at art house cinemas (Kult Kino), Theater Basel, and museums are also discounted for students up to the age of 30 upon presentation of their university ID. It is usually worth asking at the ticket counter.

For students of the University of Basel, a visit to the "Students Welcome" website is also recommended, where further attractive offers are listed.

Tip: For all age categories: Certain museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month or on weekends (e.g., Natural History Museum, Museum of Cultures, Antikenmuseum).

Basel consists of different zones (called "Quartiere" in Basel), each with their own charm. For orientation when looking for housing, you can use the neighborhood map of Basel as well as the International Office's Instagram post.

Most neighborhoods also feature community centers (so called "Quartiertreffpunkte"), which can be helpful for building social connections in the neighborhood. More information on the various offers and programs can be found on the linked page.