Department of Economic Affairs

Service of the Economy

NEUCHÂTEL
Office for Economic Promotion ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Avenue de la Gare 2
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
+41 32 889 68 20
+41 32 889 68 23
neco@ne.ch
neuchatelinvest.com
Department of Economic Affairs
Service of the Economy
Office for Economic Promotion

Avenue de la Gare 2
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
+41 32 889 68 20
+41 32 889 68 23
neco@ne.ch
neuchatelinvest.com
03

Welcome to Neuchâtel! A canton located

at the crossroads of major Swiss cities
and European capitals. We are sure you
will be charmed by this safe and well-pre-
served environment; a tranquil place that
is ideal for fostering contacts among its
open, cosmopolitan population.
Neuchâtel, a region with an exceptional
quality of life
You may be surprised to discover to what
extent life here is simple, convivial and easy.
Commuting times are short, allowing for lei-
sure time, even during the working week. Local
cultural and community events are particularly
diverse, and the proximity to the lake and
mountains, just 30 minutes away by car, allow
for a range of relaxing or sports activities, with
family or friends, in a beautiful setting. Busi-
ness travel or holidays are facilitated by access
to no less than four interntational airports just
one or two hours away by train or car.
History lovers are well catered for as the can-
ton boasts two UNESCO world heritage
sites and numerous museums, whilst food-
ies will appreciate the local cuisine and wines.
Relocate your family to the region and you can
rely on a world-class education and health
system, in an environment that ranks among
the safest in the world.
A canton on a human scale, free from stress
and pollution. Here you can expect an excep-
tional quality of life and look to the future with
confidence.
 05

Located in the heart of Europe, Switzer- Useful links Discover Switzerland
→ www.myswitzerland.com Switzerland boasts a quality of life that is
land is a multicultural country and one → www.ch.ch among the highest in the world, thanks to its
→ www.admin.ch dynamic economy, coupled with political, social
of the oldest democracies in the world. and financial stability. For many years it has
ranked among the top most innovative coun-
The country is very attached to its neu- tries. Its higher education institutions and
health system enjoy international repute and
tral status, nurtures a long humanitarian the crime rate is very low. Switzerland is a
byword for security in all forms. Health, food,
tradition and is home to numerous NGO IT, building or infrastructure security, Swiss
norms are very strict and are often higher than
organisations. those in force in the European Union.
Modern, and open to the world, the country en-
Brief history of Switzerland joys many international relations. Switzerland is
not a member of the European Union, yet still
– Founded: 1291 benefits from all the advantages of free trade
with Europe, thanks to bilateral agreements
on the free movement of goods and people.
Nestling between lakes and mountains,
Switzerland doesn’t just offer sumptuous
countryside and a protected natural environ-
ment, but also large urban centres that are
hubs for international business: a perfect place
to combine work and leisure.
To choose Switzerland is to benefit from all
the advantages of a country that is resolutely
anchored in time: a rare quality of life, a fabulous
setting for families, attractive tax rates both
for individuals and companies, modern, high-
performance infrastructures, several convenient
international airports and one of the densest rail
networks in the world.

– Political system: FEDERAL STATE SINCE 1848, BASED ON PRINCIPLE

OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY

– Capital: Bern

– Currency: Swiss franc

– Official national languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch

– Population: approx. 8 million inhabitants, of which 20%

are foreign nationals
(mostly from the European Union)

– Cantons: 26 cantons and demi-cantons

– Surface area: 41 293 km²

06 07

Neuchâtel canton: a land of culture and

history enriched by a full community life
The region of Neuchâtel offers incredible witness to Neuchâtel’s rich history. The city The second UNESCO site requires a watery underwater exploration of the Lake of Neuchâtel
diversity of breath-taking scenery, dotted has many notable buildings, often built from and is home to prehistoric pile dwellings typical of the Alps region. These wooden stakes are the
within vineyards and forests that cry out to the local creamy yellow “Hauterive’ limestone. archaeological remains of lakeside villages that date back 5,000 to 500 years BC and reflect the
be walked in and explored. Nestling against A few kilometres away, other architectural evolution of man from the Neolithic to the Bronze Ages.
the Chaumont mountain, Neuchâtel is the treasures can be found, including Valangin
capital city of the canton and celebrated its Castle, Vaumarcus Castle and the medieval Cultural activities and festivities
1000 years in 2011. The 12th century collegiate village of Môtiers. Neuchâtel canton’s cultural calendar is particularly rich. Numerous exhibitions, concerts, shows
church, the castle and old town below all bear and festivals are organised throughout the year. Local life is punctuated by key events such as
the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF), the Festi’neuch music festival and
the hugely popular Grape Harvest festival, which attracts nearly 200,000 people during the last
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites weekend in September.
Rich in culture and history, the canton of Neuchâtel has no less than two sites registered on the
UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The first, in the towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds - the most History lovers will appreciate the wide range of museums across the canton: the Laténium
populated city in the canton - and Le Locle, has been recognized for its unique urban planning archaeological Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the La Chaux-de-
heritage. Both towns bear testament to the rapid industrial development of the 19th century and Fonds or Le Locle Horology Museums, the Museum of Art and History or the university library,
were shaped by and for the watchmaking industry, which was born here. The streets are laid out which houses the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a key part of the UNESCO international
in a checkerboard pattern to an orthogonal town plan and both of these hives of industry were “Memory” of the World’ register.
designed to serve the manufacturing and social requirements of the time.

From horology to micro-technology – the origins of a success story

In the 18th century, the mountain farmers found that their skills in watchmaking provided a way
of surviving the winter, whilst others in plains began producing lace and printed calico textiles
known as “indiennes”. Watches were quickly exported around the world and watchmaking soon
became the primary source of income in the canton. Over the years, the people of Neuchâtel
transferred their skills in horology to other domains of precision work, becoming known interna-
tionally as a hub for skills in the domain of micro-technology.
 08
An idyllic setting for sporting activities
Useful links The canton of Neuchâtel is a lush, green county
→ www.neuchatel.ch with endless possibilities for sports fans.
→ www.neuchateltourisme.ch Hikers and mountain bikers will love trek-
king along the wild Areuse Gorge, the Jura
Crest, the Saut-du-Doubs, the “Revolutionary
Way’ or the “Bog Trail’. Not to mention the
Creux-du-Van, a natural rocky canyon with
sublime panoramas situated in the heart of
a nature reserve that is home to wildlife and
rare alpine flora. Back on the lakeshores,
you can swim in the clear water or enjoy a
range of water sports. Golf enthusiasts are
well catered for, thanks to the rolling greens
of the Neuchâtel Golf and Country Club.
The canton offers a wide spectrum of sport
and leisure facilities. Theme parks, tree top
adventure climbing (accrobranche), hot air
ballooning, paragliding, winter and summer
toboggan runs, riding schools, the via ferrata,
swing golf, skating rinks and giant slides com-
plement the many swimming pools, gyms,
fitness clubs, tennis clubs or the aerodrome.
Winter in Neuchâtel is synonymous with
cross-country skiing, especially around the
flatter areas of Mont-Racine and La Brévine.
Ski enthusiasts can enjoy their favourite sport
at Bugnenets-Savagnières, Robella or
Vue-des-Alpes, which also have toboggan
runs. When the region is cloaked in white,
it is worth heading out to the many high
plateaus in the area that are perfect for
snowshoeing. And when winters are partic-
ularly hard, Lake Taillières (near La Brévine)
freezes over and everyone goes ice-skating.
09
Savour local specialities When autumn comes, you may be invited to a
The many wine trails invite you to explore rich “torrée”: an essential local tradition. Cosy up
local traditions. Succumb to the charm of the around a log fire and tuck into Neuchâtel sau-
wine cellars and enjoy a glass of the famous sages wrapped in a cabbage leaf and newspa-
“Œil-de-Perdrix” rosé wine, a Neuchâtel spe- per, which are cooked in the embers. A time for
cialty. This refined nectar is typically served fun, food and new friendships.
with local cheeses such as Britchon, Tomme
with cumin or Bleuchâtel.
In the Val-de-Travers, you can seek out the
famous “green fairy” – absinthe - an alco-
hol that has been distilled by hand since the
18th century, and which carries an irresistible
forbidden taste, as production was prohibited
for many years.
 10
Move to an enchanted setting where
life is good
Useful link For accommodation, you can choose between houses and apartments of medieval or contem-
→ www.ne.ch porary design that harmoniously blends into well-preserved surroundings. Many properties are
located in leafy green areas whilst still being close to urban centres; many more have unrestricted
view of the lake, mountains or vineyards. Whether renting or owning, finding a home in the canton
of Neuchâtel will prove both easier and much more affordable than in other regions of Switzerland
that enjoy a similar Riviera setting, such as Lake Geneva area or Zurich.
Tax and cost of living
The attractiveness of life in Neuchâtel is enhanced by a relatively low cost of living compared
to the rest of Switzerland. You will benefit from a cantonal tax reform that is currently underway,
designed to reduce the burden on individuals, even though the current tax rates are still very
attractive compared to most European countries. Switzerland remains extremely appealing in
terms of taxation.
Personal tax is dependent on several factors, including canton and municipality of residence, a
sliding scale factoring in taxable income, marital status, personal wealth, etc. Tax is calculated
based on net taxable income, after authorised deductions such as professional expenses, childcare
fees, transport, meals, loan interest, debt, optional third-pillar pension scheme, etc. Foreign
nationals employed in Switzerland are taxed at source. This means that your income tax is
deducted directly from your monthly salary, according to three different scales based on your
marital status.
A safe, sound environment for the whole family
In setting up home in Switzerland, you will have access to one of the most modern and efficient
healthcare systems in the world. Healthcare professionals here are particularly well trained, and
you’ll find equipment and facilities at the forefront of technology, and very short waiting times.
In the canton of Neuchâtel, you can choose first-rate Hospitals, amongst seven sites and an
extensive network of general practitioners, private clinics and specialists that often speak
several languages, including English.
Useful links
→ www.h-ne.ch
→ www.hopital-providence.ch
→ www.clinique-tour.ch
→ www.clinique-montbrillant.ch
→ www.migesplus.ch
11
Medical care resulting from an accident is covered by your employer’s insurance. However, you
must take out health insurance for you and your family, as well as accident insurance for your
spouse and children. You can select your own healthcare insurance provider: prices vary according
to different criteria such as age, sex, canton of residence or the amount of the annual initial
deductible fee, known as the “franchise”.
The benefits of mandatory basic coverage, known as “LaMal”, are governed by Swiss law, and
are exactly the same from one healthcare provider to another in order to ensure non-discrimina-
tory access to care, including access to specialists.
If you wish to benefit from special health-related services, you can opt for additional optional
insurance, depending on the nature of healthcare that you are looking for: alternative medicine,
dental treatment, treatment in private clinic, etc. If you choose this type of additional insurance,
you may need to complete a health questionnaire, which is not required for the basic LaMal
coverage.
A safe place to live
Considered to be one of the safest countries in the world, Switzerland has particularly low crime
rates. This trend is even more marked in Neuchâtel compared to other Swiss cities. For example,
it is common to see high-ranking politicians unescorted in the city.
Newcomers to Neuchâtel are particularly appreciative of this climate of trust and security, an
environment especially appealing to families.
 12
Tailor-made solutions for families
Useful link Meet people and participate in local life
→ www.neuchateltourisme.ch Culture, sports, local festivities: community life in Neuchâtel is very rich. Moreover, it is probably
through local events that you will start to forge friendships and make contact with the people
of Neuchâtel.
You can also choose from a large selection of courses of all kinds - dancing, cooking, drawing,
painting, learning a language, music, theatre, sports, etc. – all represent a chance to have fun
and make new acquaintances. If you want to invest more heavily in local life, the possibilities are
endless: why not become a member of an association, volunteer or help organize events? To
learn more about the activities and events in your area, simply get in touch with your local
commune.
Professional opportunities for spouses
Thanks to the presence of multinationals in the canton and a dynamic economic landscape, there
are many professional opportunities available to spouses if they wish to work. If they are seeking
to further their career, they can choose from one of the many courses available in a range of
areas. He or she can also call upon the many types of career support available in the canton. If
your husband or wife wishes to work as a freelancer or set up their own company, they will be
pleasantly surprised to find that the formalities for doing so are very straightforward.
13
Useful links Those seeking childcare can choose from several options.
→ www.ne.ch Nurseries cater for children aged 3 months to 4 years. They are open continuously during the day
→ www.mamansdejour.ch and provide lunch. Depending on the institution, opening hours vary from 06:00 to 19:30. The
framework for childcare is very rigorous as nurseries are legally required to ensure that at least
two thirds of their staff are professionally trained employees, such as early childhood educators
or nursery nurses. Many nurseries also boast multi-lingual staff.
In addition to nurseries, there are a number of childcare centres in and around Neuchâtel,
although these often have shorter opening hours. The “jardins d’enfants’ take children for a
half-day, whereas drop in day-care centres (haltes garderies) welcome children for a few hours
on an ad-hoc basis, without prior reservation.
You can also look into other options. Registered child-minders (“maman du jour” or “papa
du jour”) are authorized to look after one or more children in their own homes, with restricted
numbers of children in their care. Their hours are often flexible and this type of day care is
subsidized. You can also call upon private nannies – not subsidized – to take care of your children
in your home.
 14 15

Educating your child in Neuchâtel

Useful links In Neuchâtel canton, compulsory education
→ www.rpn.ch begins at age 4 and lasts 11 years, known as
→ w ww.ecole-catholique.ch “degrees”, divided into three cycles: nursery
→ www.ecole-moderne.ch school, primary school and secondary school.
→ www.ecole-steiner.ch Nursery schools (degrees 1 and 2 HarmoS)
→ www.isneuchatel.com accept children as young as 4, and they typi-
cally attend for two years. Kindergarten bridges
the gap between the home environment and
school.
Primary schools (degrees 3 to 8 HarmoS)
welcome all children regardless of their
educational level. Subjects taught are: French,
mathematics, geography, history, science,
creative manual activities such as drawing,
physical education (sport), and music.
German is introduced in the 7th degree, and
English in the 8th degree. Year eight is known
as the “transition year’ as students are as-
sessed and tested before going on to the can-
tonal secondary schools, where they will be
divided into three sections: Pre-professional,
“Modern’ and “Matura”.
Outside of school hours, and up until the end of
the primary school cycle (e.g. up until age 10 or
12), they can be looked after by extracurricular
organisations, with longer or shorter opening
hours depending on the institution. In princi-
ple the “parascolaire” institutions are open to
all children before classes start, as well as at
lunchtime and once school has ended.
Your child can also follow the
standard curriculum in a pri-
vate institution, for example
at the Neuchâtel Catholic
School (open to all faiths), the
Ecole Moderne or the Rudolf
Steiner school of la Chaux-
de-Fonds
Secondary school (degrees 9 to 11 HarmoS)
represents the last cycle of compulsory
education, i.e. until age 15 or 16. Students are
divided into three sections: pre-professional,
“Moderne” and “Matura”. Among other possi-
bilities, the pre-professional (vocational) sec-
tion leads to an apprenticeship; students aim
to achieve a federal certificate (CFC) within 3
or 4 years, depending on the sector chosen.
The “Moderne” section has a focus on foreign
languages and gives access to courses that
lead to a CFC or a certificat de culture géné-
rale. This latter option also enables students
to directly enter into a specialised institute of
higher learning - école supérieure spécialisée
(ES) – or via their specialised Matura. Final-
ly, the Matura section paves the way for en-
try into further education, and the “Matura”
qualification. Students study for three years
at a high school college or “lycée” (also known
in Switzerland as a “Gymnasium”) before en-
tering university, a federal polytechnic school
(EPF) or university of applied sciences (HES).

International schools
You can also opt to send your child to an international school. At the International School of
Neuchâtel, children aged from 3 – 12 follow a bilingual French-English syllabus via the “immersion”
method, i.e. with one teacher in French and another in English. Practical teaching is inspired by
the Montessori method and is aimed both at children wishing to follow the Swiss curriculum and
those who, later on, wish to follow a curriculum in English. The International School of Neuchâ-
tel has approximately 140 children from 25 nationalities. There is a school for children aged 3 to
6, and a primary school for pupils aged 7 to 12. A bilingual structure (French/English) for children
aged from 12 to 16 (international secondary school level), is to be put in place soon.
 16 17

Studying in Neuchâtel canton:

first-class universities and colleges
Useful links If your child wishes to go into higher education and attend a university, or one of the federal insti-
→ www.unine.ch tutes of technology, or teacher training colleges (HEP), he/she must provide proof of a Matura
→ www.epfl.ch or high-school diploma (equivalent to A-Level certification, in the UK). This certificate is usually
→ www.he-arc.ch acquired after three years of study in high school or college, once compulsory secondary
→ www.hep-bejune.ch education has been completed.
→ www.ihtti.ch
→ www.fsrm.ch Once obtained the Matura diploma, he/she can choose from a number of academic institutions
on offer at the major colleges (Hautes Ecoles) in the region, all of which hold a prestigious inter- including one in metallurgy, and some 600 Computing and Communications Sciences
national reputation. researchers specialised in industrial and eco- (I&C), Life Sciences (SV) and the College of
logical development. Humanities (CDH).

Neuchâtel University (L’Université de Neu-
châtel) is home to five Faculties: humanities,
science, law, economics and theology – and
offers various Bachelor, Masters and PhD
or doctorate level programmes. In addition,
a Master’s degree, unique to Switzerland, is
available in international tax law: the “Exec-
utive Master in International Taxation’, with
classes given in English by Swiss and interna-
tional experts. Located on two sites – in Neu-
châtel and Lausanne – the Institut de Micro-
technique de l’École Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne (IMT – EPFL) trains engineers
and researchers in the domains of micro-and
nanotechnology, optics and robotics. It boasts
17 laboratories with seven in Neuchâtel, in-
cluding: photovoltaics and thin film electronics;
sensors, actuators and microsystems; inte-
grated actuators; micro-systems for space
technology; applied optics; and electron-
ics and signal processing. At the end of 2013,
the opening of the new “Microcity’ campus
will allow the Institute to expand within Ne-
uchâtel, welcoming 10 to 12 Chairs of EPFL,
Just one hour from Neuchâtel city, l’École Spread across three sites in the canton of
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Neuchâtel, the Haute Ecole Arc offers train-
is one of the most renowned technical univer- ing in four disciplines: engineering, manage-
sities in the world. It is home to some 8,000 ment, conservation-restoration and health.
students, professors and partners from 120 The Haute Ecole Pédagogique trains future
nationalities within seven Faculties: Science teachers across all educational cycles and
and Technology Engineering (STI), College the International School of Hotel Manage-
of Management of Technology (CDM), Ar- ment Neuchâtel IHTTI offers different Bach-
chitecture, Civil and Environmental Engineer- elor and MBA qualifications in Hotel manage-
ing (ENAC), Engineering Basic Sciences (SB), ment, hospitality, management and tourism.
Professional development
More than 1,000 programmes of continuous learning and professional development are available
in the canton. Neuchâtel University alone offers many courses linked to its various faculties,
whereas engineers and researchers can become specialized at the Swiss Foundation for
Research in Microtechnology (FSRM). The industrial sector is also catered for, with numerous
options offered by the Centre for Professional Training of the canton of Neuchâtel (CEFNA), by
the “Ecole Supèrieure” (ESNE) and by the specialized institutes of higher learning, known as
Hautes Écoles Spécialisées (HES).
 18

Useful link Swiss Higher Learning diplomas recognised in 45 European countries A land of inspiration and pioneers
→ www.sbfi.admin.ch/ Your child’s diploma obtained at a Swiss university of institute of higher learning is recognised in the canton of Neuchâtel has borne witness to talents that changed their era and beyond, in fields
diploma no less than 45 countries, thanks to the Bologna Accord. This agreement seeks to harmonise as diverse as the arts, industry, philosophy, architecture or science.
higher education in Europe and facilitate mobility of students and researchers.
A small, non-exhaustive anthology of these key figures includes:
About the Bologna Accords
The aim of the Accord is to incorporate the curriculum of individual countries into a common Philippe Suchard (1797 - 1884)
framework that is based upon five key points: → Chocolatier - confectioner
– Education undertaken in two study cycles, including the Bachelor and Master
– Recognition of diplomas by the signatory countries Blaise Cendrars (1887 – 1961)
– Introduction of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) → Writer and poet
– The Diploma Supplement
– Collaboration and compatibility between higher education institutions to promote student mobility Jean William Fritz Piaget (1896 – 1980)
→ Psychologist, biologist, logician and epistemologist
The Bachelor diploma is the diploma awarded upon completion of undergraduate studies, or the
first cycle of studies. To achieve this, the student must earn at least 180 ECTS credits (dissertation Denis de Rougemont (1906 – 1985)
or thesis Bachelor included), equivalent to an average of 3 years’ full-time education, corre- → Writer and philosophy
sponding to the volume of work performed (1 credit = 25 to 30 hours).
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris dit Le Corbusier (1887 – 1965)
The Master’s diploma corresponds to the second cycle, which lasts about 1 ½ to 2 years, and → Architect and urban planner, known as the inventor of “dwelling unit”
requires 90 to 120 ECTS credits.
Louis Chevrolet (1878 – 1941)
The Diploma Supplement is linked to the Bachelor or Master’s degree. It is a dossier that → Founder of the automobile brand “Chevrolet”
describes the degree qualification and explains the nature, level, context, content and status of
the studies completed. Daniel JeanRichard (1665-1741)
→ Watchmaker, precursor of small volume horology
Recognition of foreign qualifications
If your child holds a qualification that does not fall within the framework of the Bologna Process, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747 - 1823)
he or she can learn more about whether their diploma is recognized in Switzerland – or not - by → Watchmaker and physician, inventor of the bracelet strap
contacting the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET/OFFT). If it is
not, they may be able to have their diploma recognised by the relevant body. Charles Édouard Guillaume (1861 - 1938)
→ Physician, winner of the Nobel Prize for physics in 1920
Department of Economic Affairs
Service of the Economy
NEUCHÂTEL
Office for Economic Promotion ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Avenue de la Gare 2
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
+41 32 889 68 20
+41 32 889 68 23
neco@ne.ch
neuchatelinvest.com