Complete Expat Guide to Rotkreuz

Canton Zug's pharma hub, home to Roche Diagnostics, Amgen ELMAC and Novartis Pharma Schweiz. Low tax, high English, small-village scale.

Quick facts

  • Population: 12,700 (municipality of Risch)
  • Cantons: Zug
  • Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport (ZUR)
  • Airport Distance: 45 minutes by train
  • Average Rent1 Bedroom: CHF 1,600-2,300/month
  • Average Rent3 Bedroom: CHF 3,000-4,600/month
  • Tax Rate: 10-14% (canton Zug)
  • Safety Rating: 9.7/10 (Extremely Safe)
  • Public Transport Rating: 8.8/10 (Very Good)
  • Language Spoken: Swiss German, High German, English
  • Average Salary: CHF 95,000-140,000
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.6%

Complete Expat Guide to Rotkreuz

Rotkreuz is the anchor village of the municipality of Risch, on the western edge of canton Zug. It has quietly become one of Switzerland's most important pharma and diagnostics campuses:

  • Roche Diagnostics: Global HQ for the diagnostics division, several thousand jobs on site
  • Amgen ELMAC: European finished-product manufacturing centre
  • Novartis Pharma Schweiz: Swiss country HQ
  • Low taxes: Zug cantonal regime, effective rates 10 to 14 percent
  • Lake Zug on the doorstep: Public swim spots, sailing, lakeside cycling

Living & Housing

Rotkreuz has grown fast, with new-build apartment developments around the station and single-family homes in the surrounding neighbourhoods of Risch, Buonas and Holzhäusern. Corporate relocation packages dominate the top end of the rental market, so start looking two to three months before your move-in date.

Getting Around

Rotkreuz is an S-Bahn junction on the Zurich to Lucerne line, with direct trains to Zurich HB (35 min), Zug (7 min) and Lucerne (20 min). The A14 motorway runs past the village. Roche and Amgen shuttles cover the last mile from the station.