The Story of Bram and Laura as Physiotherapists in Lucerne
Everyone who decides to work as a physiotherapist in Switzerland embarks on a special adventure. Every year, dozens of healthcare professionals take the leap through PhysioMatch, in search of more job satisfaction, a beautiful environment, and personal growth. This week, we speak with Bram and Laura, who have been living and working in Emmen, Lucerne, since February 2024. They share their experiences, from initial doubts to daily life in Switzerland.
From the Netherlands to the Swiss Alps
Bram (25) and Laura (25) moved from the Netherlands to Switzerland over a year ago. Originally from Oosterhout, near Breda, they now live together in Emmen, in the canton of Lucerne. They both work for a large organization with no fewer than 17 branches in and around Lucerne.
Bram and Laura both work from Monday to Thursday, including two evening shifts. They are based at the same location. Laura combines her work at the regular clinic with two days a week at a care facility for people with disabilities.
They really appreciate the work environment. “The practice is very well organized,” Laura says. “Since many colleagues come from abroad, you feel welcome as a newcomer.” Every year, the company organizes a team weekend. A previous trip was to the Amsterdam Marathon; this year, a sporty weekend in Zermatt is planned. Additionally, there are quarterly team drinks.
Bram and Laura working as physiotherapists in Lucerne: “We feel completely at home here.”
Bram had been working for a year and a half after graduation, and Laura spent eight months working in the Netherlands before making the move. About the transition, they say: “Physiotherapy in the Netherlands is a bit more modern, and expectations are a bit higher. That made the transition to Switzerland quite smooth; the work pace here is slightly more relaxed.”
From Dream to Reality: Bram and Laura on Their Move to Switzerland
The idea to move to Switzerland didn’t come out of nowhere. During his studies at Avans University, Bram already considered doing a minor or internship abroad. “But the university didn’t really encourage that,” he recalls. Still, the idea of going abroad lingered. Through LinkedIn, the couple got in touch with PhysioMatch, and things quickly fell into place.
“Switzerland immediately appealed to us,” says Laura. “The nature, the mountains, the active outdoor lifestyle, it just suits us.” Other faraway destinations like Australia also came up, but Switzerland offered the perfect mix of adventure and accessibility. “You can drive there in eight hours. That’s a bit different from a 24-hour flight.” Nowadays, they spend their free time hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, and climbing, just as they had imagined.
A New Beginning in a New Country
The first few weeks in Switzerland took some adjustment. “There’s a lot to arrange,” Laura explains. “Insurance, registration, banking… and everything moves a bit slower here than in the Netherlands.” Their tip for future adventurers? Take the first two weeks off to get settled and organize everything. “That really gave us the space to adjust.”
What struck them immediately was the breathtaking landscape. “In winter, you suddenly find yourself among snow-covered mountains, it truly felt like a dream come true,” Bram says.
Small Cultural Differences and Surprises
Of course, Bram and Laura encountered a few surprises. “We couldn’t make coffee on the first day because Swiss power outlets are different from Dutch ones,” Bram laughs. Administrative processes were also a bit of a shock. “We had to send documents back and forth several times just to open a bank account. A lot is still done on paper.” Fortunately, their workplace is becoming more digital!
Daily life took some getting used to as well. “Everything is closed on Sundays except restaurants. That took some adjustment for grocery shopping. But the nice thing is: people are out and about en masse. You see entire families walking and enjoying nature. We love that.”
Financial Advantage: “You end up with more than you expect in Switzerland.”
Bram and Laura quickly noticed a clear difference in salary between the Netherlands and Switzerland. “In the Netherlands, you start around €3,000. Here, it’s easily 5,500 CHF per month,” Bram explains. “Salaries in Zurich are often even higher due to the higher cost of living there.” Still, their expenses were lower than expected. “We made a budget beforehand, but things turned out more positively than anticipated.”
Health insurance is more expensive, and eating out or leisure activities can cost more. “That’s because staff are also better paid here,” Laura notes. “But on the other hand, you do a lot of outdoor activities, hiking and cycling usually cost nothing or very little. And parking is often free.”
Their tip: “If you share a home and watch your grocery spending, you can save a lot. Plus, we really enjoy life here without needing to spend much.”
Bram and Laura feel truly at home in Switzerland, both at work and in daily life. “We love the balance between work, relaxation, and nature. Life here suits us perfectly.”
Healthcare Quality
One major difference is access to physiotherapy. In the Netherlands, patients can visit a physiotherapist directly, but in Switzerland, a doctor’s referral is required. “The doctor makes the diagnosis here,” Bram explains. “You can do your own assessment as a physiotherapist, but it’s not always necessary.” “Contact with doctors is less direct than in the Netherlands. Diagnostic imaging is used more often here.”
Interactions with colleagues and patients also differ slightly. Laura worked in a large, friendly practice in the Netherlands and finds the atmosphere in Switzerland similar. “The team spirit is just as strong here.” Bram previously worked with just two colleagues in the Netherlands and now appreciates the larger, international team. “We work with people from Germany, Italy, Spain… Since many of them are also new to Switzerland, it’s easy to connect and do fun things together outside of work.”
As for patients, expectations can be similar to those in the Netherlands. “Some expect mostly passive treatments,” Bram says. “But that’s exactly our chance to guide them towards a more active approach.”
Living and Working in Switzerland: “It feels like a vacation every weekend.”
Room for Growth and Development
Staying up to date in their profession is important to Bram and Laura, and Switzerland offers great opportunities. “I recently attended a two-day course on the cervical spine,” Laura says. “Great quality, and the credits were recognized in the Netherlands through the quality register.” In September, both are scheduled to attend a three-day course on jaw problems.
Longer programs like a master’s degree are less common in Switzerland. “Here, they tend to do shorter programs or so-called ‘mini-masters’ that last about six months,” Bram explains. “They’re not recognized as full master’s degrees in the Netherlands, but here, they’re often sufficient.” Another advantage: the practice usually covers up to 80% of training costs over two years. For more expensive programs, personal arrangements are made. “There’s definitely room to grow professionally, and it’s actively encouraged.”
The Work-Life Balance You Want
In the Netherlands, the couple worked full-time, but in Switzerland, they opted for an 80% workweek. “That gives us a three-day weekend every week, and that’s definitely not a luxury here,” Laura laughs. “There’s so much to do in the area that we almost run out of time.” They feel lucky to have the same days off, and that it’s financially viable.
Traveling back to the Netherlands takes a bit more time but is very doable. “People often take the night train, fly, or drive.” They also get regular visits from friends and family, usually for a weekend.
Living at the Foot of the Mountains
Bram and Laura found their apartment via a video call, and it turned out to be perfect. “We live in Emmen, less than ten minutes from Lucerne. Everything you need is nearby: shops, sports stores, nature.” Within minutes, you can be at Lake Lucerne or in the mountains. “We hike a lot, cycle, ski… It’s the ideal place for sports enthusiasts.”
The beautiful surroundings certainly add to their job satisfaction. “We consciously keep work and private life separate,” says Laura. “But it absolutely helps to come home to such a stunning place.”
A Final Tip for Fellow Physiotherapists
Would they recommend making the move to Switzerland to other physiotherapists? Their answer is crystal clear. “Go for it!” Laura says confidently. Bram adds: “If it’s not for you, you can always return. But it’s a unique experience, for your personal growth, your career, and to meet new people and explore a different culture.”
Their most important advice: have some savings before you go. “We saved money beforehand, which allowed us to buy furniture, a car, and cover the initial expenses.” And one golden tip from Laura: “Take the first two weeks off. You’ll really need that time to get everything sorted and to settle in.”
In Conclusion
Thank you, Bram and Laura, for your inspiring story!
Would you like to discover what it’s like to work as a physiotherapist in Switzerland, just like Bram and Laura? Feel free to reach out. We’ll guide you every step of the way, from the first introduction to getting fully settled.