Switzerland regularly tops global rankings for the quality of its higher education (EPFL, ETHZ, Cantonal Universities). However, it is also one of the countries with the highest cost of living. For an international student or their parents, anticipating expenses is the first step to a successful expatriation.
This article details the real monthly budget of a student in Switzerland in 2026, the differences between cities, and financial tips to avoid international bank fees.
📌 The student budget in Switzerland at a glanceHere are the key figures to remember for 2026:
👉 Average monthly budget: Between 1,800 CHF and 2,500 CHF depending on the city and lifestyle.
👉 Most expensive cities: Zurich and Geneva (expect at least 2,200 CHF/month).
👉 More affordable cities: Fribourg, Neuchatel (around 1,600 CHF/month).
👉 Main expense: Housing (between 600 CHF in a residence and 1,200 CHF in the private sector).
👉 The trap to avoid: Funding this budget from abroad via traditional bank transfers (SWIFT), which cuts the budget by several hundred francs a year in hidden fees.
1. Summary table of monthly expenses (2026 Average)
These estimates are based on the recommendations of the social services of Swiss universities and take into account recent real estate inflation.
| Expense category | Low range | High range | Remarks |
|---|
| Housing (rent + utilities) | 600 CHF | 1,200 CHF | Student residence vs Private flatshare |
| Food & Groceries | 400 CHF | 600 CHF | Supermarket shopping (Aldi, Lidl, Migros) |
| Health Insurance (KVG/LAMal) | 0 CHF | 100 CHF | 0 CHF if exempted (EHIC), otherwise student insurance |
| Transport (Public / SBB) | 60 CHF | 100 CHF | Monthly city pass or Half-Fare travelcard |
| Study Materials & Books | 50 CHF | 100 CHF | Highly dependent on the field of study |
| Serafe & Phone | 40 CHF | 60 CHF | Serafe (radio/TV tax) divided by the number of roommates |
| Leisure & Unforeseen | 200 CHF | 400 CHF | Outings, restaurants, university sports |
| ESTIMATED MONTHLY TOTAL | 1,350 CHF | 2,560 CHF | Tuition fees not included |
2. Zoom on the 3 major expense categories
Tuition fees (The Swiss paradox)
Unlike the United States or the United Kingdom, enrollment fees in Swiss public universities remain relatively low, even for foreigners.
- EPFL / French-speaking Universities: Expect about 700 to 800 CHF per semester.
- ETHZ (Zurich): Attention, following recent reforms, fees for newly enrolled international students have increased. You must now budget around 2,000 CHF to 2,500 CHF per semester.
Housing: The real challenge
Finding affordable housing in Zurich, Geneva, or Lausanne is a major challenge.
- University residences (FMEL in Lausanne, WOKO in Zurich): This is the Holy Grail. A room costs between 500 CHF and 750 CHF. As the waiting list is long, it is imperative to register as soon as the admission letter is received.
- Private flatshare: On the free market, a room is negotiated between 800 CHF and 1,200 CHF per month, with a deposit often equivalent to three months' rent required.
Health insurance (KVG/LAMal): How to be exempted?
Anyone residing in Switzerland must be insured. However, international students have special statuses:
- European Union Students: If you have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can request a formal exemption from the cantonal authorities (Cost: 0 CHF).
- Non-EU Students: You will need to subscribe to specific student insurance (like Swisscare or Scorestudies). Premiums have been negotiated and generally amount to between 60 CHF and 80 CHF per month.
3. The Student Hack: Fund this budget from abroad
The majority of international students are funded by their parents from the Eurozone or by a foreign scholarship.
The problem: Sending €2,000 a month to a Swiss bank account via a traditional bank incurs international wire transfer fees (SWIFT) and hidden exchange margins. Over the duration of a Bachelor's degree (3 years), this represents thousands of francs lost.
💡 The ibani solution: Optimize every euro receivedStudents and their parents use the ibani app to bypass traditional banking system fees. Here is how to automate your finances optimally:
- Fee-free receipt: ibani provides you with a dedicated IBAN. Your parents make a simple free SEPA transfer in Euros to this IBAN.
- Direct rent payment: Thanks to the "Add a bill" feature, ibani converts the funds at the best rate (without hidden fees) and pays directly your Swiss real estate agency (FMEL, Woko) or your university in CHF.
- Pocket money: The rest of the converted funds is sent to your local Swiss bank account (or your Neon / Yuh card) for your expenses with TWINT.
(Note: The savings made on a year of transfers with ibani often finance the purchase of a new laptop or your annual SBB train pass).
Simplify your arrival in Switzerland
Do not let bank fees cut into your student budget. Download the ibani app and set up your first payment route.
Discover the ibani app
6 minutes read | Published on February 19, 2026