Knowledge Hub

What we wish someone had told us.

Practical knowledge for living and working in Switzerland: how things work here, who to call, what to read. Seven topics, and a directory of businesses and organisations we have worked with.

Topics

Seven topics to start from.

01

Life in Switzerland

Permits, registration, health insurance and renting: the rules for your first months.

PermitsRegistrationHealth insuranceRenting
02

Work and career

Contracts, notice periods, recognition of qualifications, unemployment and starting your own business.

ContractsDismissal protectionRecognitionSelf-employment
03

Finance

AHV, pension fund and pillar 3a, contribution gaps, taxes, sending money home and debt collection.

AHV and pension fundPillar 3aTaxesDebt collection
04

Motherhood

Protection at work, maternity leave and pay, health insurance, family allowances and school.

Protection at workMaternity leaveFamily allowancesSchool
05

Work and faith

Freedom of religion, religious holidays and breaks, church tax, and interfaith organisations.

Freedom of religionReligious holidaysChurch taxCommunities
06

Support

Emergency numbers, helplines, psychotherapy, victim support and legal aid.

Emergency numbersHelplinesPsychotherapyLegal aid
07

Resources

The official portals, tools and data we point people to most often.

Official portalsToolsDataFrom AfroSwissters
 Sources Every page cites its sources Federal law and the responsible authorities, checked in October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
In this section
Ecosystem directoryBusinesses and organisations AfroSwissters has worked with: networks and coaches, brands and wellbeing, venues and hospitality.Network map123 organisations in Switzerland that work with Africa and the African diaspora, on one map, each with a link.Africa, layer by layerA history lesson in eight parts, from the first humans to the 54 countries of today, with kingdoms, trade cities and turning points on one map, and a ninth layer on Switzerland’s ties to Africa.Switzerland, layer by layerA history lesson in nine parts, from the Neanderthals to the nine million people of today: peoples, places, the 26 cantons and turning points on one map.Money and enterpriseFive Swiss-specific tools: the Money Map, the Swiss Enterprise Starter Path, the Funding Ladder, the 90-Day Side Project Sprint and the Fair Price Formula.Enterprise Starter PathAn interactive seven-step path from idea to registered business in Switzerland: legal form, registration, AHV, VAT, insurance and funding.Resource shelfA living shelf of Afro-Swiss, cultural, wellbeing and practical support links, and the academic platforms worth knowing.

Know something others should know?

Send us a tip, a contact, a correction or a business for the directory. Members can also write a Spectrum piece on any of the topics.

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