Discover your future in Switzerland
Between the Alps and lakes; work in Switzerland in the country’s largest healthcare network.
Your path to a career in Switzerland
Switzerland is home to 26 cantons, four official languages, 8.7 million inhabitants… and soon to be one more with you? Thinking about working abroad and want to make a difference? Would you like to dedicate yourself to other people’s health and well-being? At Galenica, your talent is in safe hands.
Attractive prospects in the world of Swiss pharmacy
- In the Galenica network, you quickly establish contacts with colleagues, which makes getting settled in Switzerland a breeze.
- Benefit from further training opportunities and internal (promotion) opportunities, e.g. as a (deputy) manager, with the internal Talent Management Programme or a transfer within the Galenica network.
Galenica boost for pharmacy staff
As a pharmacist or pharmacy assistant (technical pharmacy assistant in Germany), you also benefit from the Galenica boost:
You can expect to gain lots of new skills and a great deal of decision-making power:
- In addition to sales, the focus is on advice and services (e.g. allergy check, heart check, vaccinations, etc.)
- In an emergency, patients are treated for wounds directly at the pharmacy
- As a pharmacist, your duties include supporting the pharmacy assistants and managing the laboratory
Galenica’s Switzerland-wide pharmacy network gives you the option to switch within and between the different formats (Amavita, Sun Store and Coop Vitality) and headquarters with ease
- In consultation with the recruitment team, we will contribute to the costs of moving to Switzerland (up to CHF 5,000.00) if you are joining the Galenica Group as a new employee.
Hear directly from Inna, a pharmacist from Germany, about what it’s like to transition to working in Switzerland.
Prerequisites for entering Switzerland
One prerequisite for being able to work in Switzerland is that your qualification is recognised. Your qualification must have been awarded in the EU or comply with European directives. You can find information on the recognition of qualifications by profession and country here. Proof of proficiency at level B2 in one of our national languages is also required.
To hit the ground running as a pharmacist in Switzerland and quickly get to grips with the Swiss pharmacy system, you will need further training to become a Specialist Pharmacist in Retail Pharmacy (FPH). Galenica will pay the costs of the training, which amount to around CHF 20,000.00, on your behalf.
“I think I’ve found my place here.”
Attractive working conditions, development prospects and greater appreciation for the pharmacist profession were the main reasons why Patricia moved from Portugal to Switzerland. Now several months into her journey, she reflects positively on her experience:
“Nine months after moving, I feel comfortable and have been able to adapt well to life in Switzerland – I really like it here.”
Her objective? To become completely independent. Patricia overcame challenges, got used to a new language and grew from this experience. Objective achieved! Even though she misses her country and her surroundings, there is one thing she is particularly proud of: her courage.
Ready? Start your future in three steps.
Moving house
A valid rental agreement must be presented to obtain a residence permit. A few weeks before you officially start work, we recommend that you visit properties and complete the relevant administrative tasks with the authorities.
Entry/work and residence permit
You must organise your residence and work permit for a work assignment in Switzerland lasting more than three months yourself. Once you have arrived, you must register with the cantonal migration and labour market authority in your municipality of residence within 14 days, but no later than before your employment begins.
Open salary account
As soon as the competent authority in your municipality has issued you with the permit entitling you to work and reside in Switzerland, you can open a salary account in Switzerland.
Is pharmacy not the right fit for you?
Find your calling in one of our other teams.
We want to get to know you
Galenica enables dedicated talented individuals to advance in the fascinating world of health and well-being.