Belarmino’s story as a physiotherapist in Switzerland
Belarmino worked for years as a physiotherapist at a renowned sports clinic in Lisbon. After years of preparation, he decided at the age of forty to take a new step. Since early 2026, he has been working as a physiotherapist in Rothrist and living near Olten. The move meant not only starting a new job, but also starting over in another country, while his two children live in Portugal.
From Cape Verdean roots to a life in Portugal
Belarmino’s parents originally come from Cape Verde, but he himself is Portuguese and grew up in Portugal. His family still plays an important role in his life. His father is now 95 years old and one of his sisters has been living in Switzerland for 22 years.
Cape Verdean culture is also still part of who he is. Food in particular has a special place in his heart. Lots of fish, plenty of vegetarian dishes and a great deal of flavour. The food in Cape Verde and Portugal is really delicious.
Before Switzerland came into the picture, Belarmino built a career as a physiotherapist in Portugal. He has now been working in the profession for around ten years.
Working with top athletes in Lisbon
In Portugal, Belarmino worked at a renowned clinic in Lisbon. There, he treated professional footballers, basketball players, padel players and other athletes, among others.
According to him, the quality of physiotherapy there was very high. The practice had good equipment and he had plenty of time for his patients. He usually treated no more than nine patients a day, with around one hour available for each patient.
That is why the professional transition to Switzerland was less significant than expected. The quality of his work in Portugal was excellent. But here in Switzerland, the quality is also very good.
Many of his current patients have back problems. He also treats many older patients with mobility problems and people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
More patients, but also different opportunities
One of the biggest differences between his work in Portugal and Switzerland is the amount of treatment time available.
In Switzerland, Belarmino sees around seventeen patients on a busy day. A treatment usually lasts half an hour. In Portugal, he treated no more than nine patients a day and had around one hour for each treatment.
At the same time, the financial circumstances are difficult to compare.
In Portugal, Belarmino earned around 1,400 euros gross per month, of which approximately 1,100 euros remained after deductions. At the same time, rent for a home in Lisbon could easily be around 1,000 euros.
In Switzerland, he earns around CHF 6,000 per month. After taxes, pension contributions and insurance, he says he has approximately CHF 4,500 left.
Above all, that difference gives him more opportunities to look ahead and take care of his children.
Seizing the opportunity after a major change in his life
Belarmino has a 15 year old daughter and a 7 year old son. After his divorce, he eventually had the space to seriously consider working abroad. Since his sister had already been living in Switzerland for years, he knew it could be a good option.
The children live in Portugal and this was by far the most difficult part of his move. Leaving my children behind was tough.
During the most recent holiday, his children came to Switzerland. His sister lives in Valais with her four children, which means the children can also spend time with their family there. Together with his sister, Belarmino has already discovered a lot of Switzerland. They have visited places including Zurich, Locarno and, of course, Valais.
Four years of learning German, and then comes Swiss German
The move to Switzerland did not happen overnight. Belarmino spent around four and a half years preparing and learning German.
When he eventually arrived in Switzerland, another surprise was waiting for him.
He has now been living in Switzerland for around seven months and things are going much better. He is increasingly able to understand what people mean, although Standard German remains easier for him. Fortunately, everyone in Switzerland can also speak it if you ask them to.
At work, he says he experiences little stress related to the language. His colleagues and patients help him whenever necessary.
His language development is not finished yet. Alongside his full time job, he continues to study for his B2 exam, which he wants to take at the end of the year. According to him, writing in particular still requires attention.
From Valais to a new job within a month
Belarmino had already been staying with his sister in Valais since November 2025. In December, he came into contact with Dorien from PhysioMatch.
From that moment on, things moved quickly. About a month later, he was able to start working for his current employer in Rothrist.
For Belarmino, the practical guidance was particularly important. He was largely on his own and realised just how much is involved in moving to Switzerland.
A colleague also helped him with various practical matters.
According to Belarmino, Switzerland is quite bureaucratic. Especially when everything is new, arranging insurance, housing, transport and administration takes a lot of energy.
Because he had been preparing for the move for years, he was mentally ready for the change.
Working in Rothrist and living by the Aare
Belarmino lives in the area around Olten and Aarburg. His workplace in Rothrist is around six kilometres from his home.
At first, he travelled to work by bus, but he now has a car.
His home also has a particularly special view. The River Aare runs directly in front of his house. People regularly swim in the river, although he has not tried it himself yet.
He also thinks public transport in Switzerland is excellently organised. Its organisation and reliability are things that have made a positive impression on him.
Enjoying his work and having a good relationship with colleagues
Belarmino is very positive about his current workplace.
He works at a practice with a Dutch practice owner and feels well supported. Working together with his colleagues and interacting with patients gives him a lot of enjoyment. The work is enjoyable. His relationship with colleagues and patients is very good.
During his career, Belarmino has not only worked in Portugal and Switzerland. He also spent three months working as a physiotherapist in Angola. He describes that as a special and wonderful experience.
Building a new daily life
Now that Belarmino has been living in Switzerland for longer, his life is becoming increasingly routine. In his free time, he enjoys cycling through the surrounding area and doing strength training. He also likes going to the cinema in Olten and spending time in Olten and Oftringen.
He has also discovered a Portuguese meeting place in the centre of Aarburg, where he occasionally visits a Portuguese restaurant.
He has also had good experiences with the local hospitality industry in Rothrist. One of his patients, who owns a restaurant, invited him for a meal.
Belarmino likes vegetarian food and enjoys eating fish. Nevertheless, he usually cooks for himself.
Becoming more and more part of Swiss life
Belarmino consciously tries to learn more about the country he now lives in.
He has learned more about Swiss history, politics and the financial sector. He also finds the different languages and cultures within Switzerland interesting.
Of course, Swiss traditions are also part of that. He has now tried raclette and fondue.
His social life outside work is also continuing to develop. He regularly does things with colleagues and, during a Swiss public holiday, he was invited to a small celebration at the home of a colleague’s neighbours. There, he met several new people. As a result, the feeling that everything is slowly falling into place is becoming stronger and stronger.
After months of arranging everything, life becomes calmer
In August 2026, Belarmino notices that he feels much more at ease than during his first months in Switzerland.
The most important practical matters have been arranged and his daily life has gained structure.
That does not mean everything is straightforward. He still finds health insurance complicated, for example, and his studies take up a lot of time alongside his job. But compared with the moment he arrived, he has now built a stable foundation.
Accept that you have to start again
For physiotherapists who are considering taking the same step, Belarmino has clear advice.
Above all, start learning the language early. According to him, it is important not only to study German, but also to use and practise it as much as possible.
You also have to accept that you are entering a different culture. You need patience and you need to get to know the culture. Everything is new at first and that takes energy.
His most important practical tip is simple.
For Belarmino, moving to Switzerland meant starting again in a new country while continuing to build his career and future at the same time. His children remain the most important part of his life from a distance, but the opportunities he now has are precisely what make him feel that the move was worthwhile.
After years of preparation, months of arranging everything and a great deal of learning German, something else has now emerged above all: peace of mind.
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