The Swiss in the United Arab Emirates

The Swiss community in the United Arab Emirates emerged in the 1970s, when the first Swiss engineers, bankers and skilled workers arrived in the region during the oil boom. With the rapid growth of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, more and more entrepreneurs, skilled workers and families were drawn to the area. The main reasons were low taxes, warm weather, a safe environment and a wide range of leisure activities.

The highlight of the year for the Swiss is undoubtedly 1 August, Swiss National Day. Hundreds of Swiss nationals come together to celebrate with traditional Swiss food such as raclette, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes and fine cheeses. At the end of the year, things get a little more festive: at the Swiss Business Council's gala dinner, members, entrepreneurs and friends of Switzerland gather for an elegant evening of music, culinary highlights and authentic Swiss hospitality – a fitting end to the year for the Swiss community in the Emirates.

Today, the Swiss community in the UAE has over 3,200 members – a diverse, dynamic and well-connected group. Most Swiss nationals live in Dubai and the capital Abu Dhabi, where they work in a wide range of industries, from financial services and hospitality to technology and education.

Community life is supported by the Swiss Embassy, the Swiss Business Council and various cultural and social initiatives that strengthen the Swiss network in the Middle East. The Swiss Business Council is particularly active and organises several events each month. A regular feature is the popular After Work Drinks on every second Tuesday of the month – an informal get-together where members and guests can exchange ideas, make contacts and form new friendships.

You can even find snow in Dubai – there is actually a large indoor ski hall where you can practise skiing even when the outside temperature is 40 degrees. But to be honest, for us Swiss, the 30-second descent is a little too short.

The Swiss Tower in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) was designed as a centre for Swiss companies in Dubai. Its name and red and white design symbolise Swiss values such as precision, stability and trust. Today, the tower houses companies from all over the world, but remains a visible sign of the Swiss presence in the UAE.

We often encounter typical stereotypes about life in the Emirates. Many believe that ‘life here is only for the super-rich’ – the cost of living can be high, but with clever planning, it is possible to live well and affordably here. Others think that ‘everything is tax-free’ – this is true for income tax, but there is VAT, as well as fees and high ancillary costs for housing, schools and electricity. It is also often said that ‘it is very strict and conservative’ – in reality, the UAE, and Dubai in particular, are cosmopolitan, modern and tolerant, and people from over 200 nations live together peacefully in the city. And anyone who thinks ‘there is no nature, everything is artificial’ will be surprised: the Emirates offer beautiful beaches, desert landscapes and mountain regions such as Hatta and Ras Al Khaimah, which invite you to explore and unwind.