What Can You Expect from Expat Life in Lausanne?

With two highly regarded universities, the International Olympic Committee, an acclaimed design school, and numerous art galleries and museums, the Swiss city of Lausanne certainly packs a lot of culture into a relatively small space. With beautiful lakeside views and a host of carefully tended parks and gardens, it's also a city that more than lives up to Switzerland's reputation as one of Europe's most picturesque locations. Unsurprisingly, tourism plays a major part in Lausanne's economy, although key industries such as financial services and communications also attract many business-minded expats, as does the close proximity to Geneva. The primary language of the region is French, and although English is widely understood it may be helpful to learn the local tongue, particularly if you're expecting a long-term stay in the city. The large student population inevitably influences the cultural life of the city, with a more active nightlife than you might expect for a mid-sized Swiss city, in addition to a thriving arts scene, making life in Lausanne a multifaceted expat experience that you can really make your own.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Hong Kong or Singapore, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Become a Part of Our Network of Expatriates in Lausanne

At InterNations we provide a safe, secure, and welcoming environment where expats in all corners of the world can share advice, recommendations, and insights about the many obstacles, challenges and opportunities of living abroad. Our members are dedicated to upholding our core principles of respect, open communication, and honesty in all of their interactions, both online and offline, meaning you can feel free to share your questions and concerns about life in Lausanne in a friendly and supportive environment. You might be looking for a tip on a rental opportunity in the area, legal advice from a trusted and qualified local professional, or recommendations for a language course, or you may simply wish to find like-minded fellow travelers to form a sports group, attend a wine tasting evening or sample the local nightlife. Whatever you're looking for, our members will be happy to help. You can also take advantage of the regular networking events hosted by InterNations in the city, allowing you to mix with fellow expats over friendly drinks, delicious food, and fabulous entertainment in one of Lausanne's top venues.