AVE — A new life in Switzerland

AVE · interactive prototype

9:41 Wi-Fi
AVE
🇨🇭

Welcome to Switzerland

Adapting to a new country isn't so hard when you know the path to follow.

I already have an account

Welcome — what's your name?

So AVE feels like yours. And where are you from?

Your answers are private. They only help us tailor AVE to you — never shared.

Where in Switzerland do you live?

We tailor every step to your canton — and count your journey from day one.

Skip for now

What do you do?

Your profession helps with work and community matches.

What do you need first?

Pick any — we'll start your plan right there.

Housing Work Community Wellbeing Language Everything
Hi there
Day 147 in Switzerland
Your week
A dot a day — tap the calendar for the full month.
How are you today?
Emotionally?
And physically?
Voice journal
Say how today feels — in your own words, your own language. Listen back weeks later and hear how far you've come.
Day 10 · a hard day
0:48 · in Spanish
Day 60 · getting better
1:12 · in Spanish
Private to you — your space, encrypted. Never shared.
Your mood this week
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
More good days than hard ones this week — that's real progress. 💙
Your integration
Level 4 of 5 · Feeling at home2,350 XP
62%integrated in Vaud
Each step you take grows your path
90%
Permits
85%
Housing
100%
Health
45%
Language
30%
Employment
20%
Studies
60%
Community
70%
Wellbeing
Your next steps
Each step moves your integration forward — tap to complete.
    Milestones
    Your wins will appear here as you go. Every step counts — even the small ones. 💙
    Good moments · your reasons to stay
    On hard days, these remind you why you're here. Collecting them is proven to ease homesickness — and each one grows your Wellbeing.
    The mountains Coffee by the lake A new friend
    Turn what you love into your next outing →

    Practical guides

    Everything you need to live better here.

    AllHousingWorkCultureAdmin
    How to rent a home
    Steps, contracts, deposits, and red flags.
    8 min
    Rental costs & budget
    Rent, deposit, utilities — what to really expect.
    5 min
    What you need to apply
    The dossier that gets your application accepted.
    4 min
    Finding work
    The Swiss CV, the network, the interview.
    6 min
    Your Swiss CV
    Format, photo, languages — done the local way.
    5 min
    Where to find jobs
    The sites Swiss people actually use — jobup, Indeed…
    5 min
    The ORP — your employment ally
    Register, get coaching, and unlock job support.
    5 min
    Recognising your diploma
    Validate your studies to work in your field.
    6 min
    Qualified or skilled-by-experience?
    Two valid paths to work — find yours.
    5 min
    Local customs
    Quiet hours, Sundays, recycling, punctuality.
    7 min
    Learning French in Vaud
    Courses, cafés, and feeling like yourself again.
    5 min
    Getting around Vaud
    Trains, buses, zones, and the half-fare card.
    5 min
    With family, as a couple, or alone
    Your situation shapes the journey — here's how.
    6 min
    Essential paperwork
    Commune, insurance, permits — in order.
    9 min
    Health insurance (LAMal)
    Mandatory, backdated — how to choose a caisse.
    6 min
    Your Swiss phone number
    A +41 number builds trust — key for jobs & flats.
    4 min
    Taxes explained
    Source tax (impôt à la source) and what it means.
    5 min

    Community & stories

    You're not alone — real people, real stories, real help.

    Stories · Podcast

    Real journeys from people who rebuilt their lives in Vaud, Geneva and beyond.

    ▶ Featured
    "The day I stopped feeling like a guest — and started feeling at home."
    My first year in Lausanne
    Mariana · from Mexico → Vaud · 24 min
    Starting over in Geneva
    Diego · from Argentina → Geneva · 31 min
    From Madrid to Zurich
    Ana · from Spain → Zurich · 19 min
    Connect & ask

    Reach out, ask a question, and help others on the same journey.

    People like you
    Support circles
    Newcomers · Vaud 2026
    340 people · arriving this year
    Parents arriving with kids
    120 people · schools, crèches & tips
    Starting over, solo
    95 people · building a chosen family
    Near you
    Vaud Bienvenue · WhatsApp
    Official canton channel · real-time info
    Expats in Lausanne
    2.4k members · Vaud
    Internationals in Geneva
    1.8k members · Geneva
    Newcomers in Vaud
    950 members · Vaud
    This week
    04OCT
    Welcome coffee · Lausanne
    Sat · 10:30 · 18 attending
    05OCT
    French conversation café
    Sun · 15:00 · Lausanne
    07OCT
    Newcomers apéro
    Tue · 18:30 · Vevey
    09OCT
    Hike & meet
    Thu · 14:00 · Lavaux
    11OCT
    Expat brunch
    Sat · 11:00 · Montreux

    Resources

    People, associations and schools in Vaud — here to help you, chosen for newcomers.

    AllPsychologyLegalAssociationsSchools
    Official · Vaud
    Vaud Bienvenue
    The canton's official welcome portal
    Everything for your first steps
    Official · for every newcomer
    PG
    Psychology
    Paula García
    Psychologist · CBT
    Spanish, English · Online
    Experience with expats
    ★ 4.9 · 128 reviews
    CR
    Psychology
    Camila Rojas
    Psychologist · Transitions
    Spanish, English · Online
    Experience with expats
    ★ 4.9 · 76 reviews
    AM
    Legal
    Andrés Molina
    Lawyer · Immigration & permits
    Spanish, English · Online
    Migration experience
    ★ 4.9 · 64 reviews
    Legal
    CSP Vaud – La Fraternité
    Free social & legal help for migrants
    In person · Lausanne
    Free · validated by the canton
    Association
    BLI – Bureau lausannois pour les immigrés
    Welcome desk · free information
    In person · Lausanne
    Official · for newcomers
    Association
    Appartenances
    Psychosocial support & French courses
    In person · Lausanne & Vevey
    For migrants · low cost / free
    Association
    Découvrir
    Career reintegration for migrant women
    In person · Lausanne
    For qualified migrant women
    Association
    Caritas Vaud
    Social help, budget & integration
    In person · Vaud
    For people in difficulty
    Official · Vaud
    BCI
    Cantonal office for integration
    Policy, programmes & info
    Official · canton of Vaud
    Association
    EVAM
    Reception & support for asylum seekers
    In person · Vaud
    For asylum seekers in Vaud
    Association
    EPER / HEKS
    Protestant aid · migration programmes
    In person · Switzerland
    Integration & legal support
    Association
    Point d'Appui
    Support for migrants in precarious situations
    In person · Lausanne
    Including undocumented
    School · Free
    Français en Jeu
    French courses designed for migrants
    In person · Vaud
    Free / low cost
    School · Low cost
    Université Populaire de Lausanne
    Affordable evening courses · French & more
    In person · Lausanne
    Open to everyone
    School · University
    UNIL – French as a foreign language
    University French courses (EFLE)
    In person · Lausanne
    Paid · university level
    School · Paid
    École-club Migros
    French, German & many courses
    In person · Lausanne & online
    Paid · all levels
    Official & canton-validated
    Associations and schools recognised in Vaud. Each card opens their official site — always check current details there.