The Subsistence Allowance
Yes, you will need to open a Swiss bank account as you are paid in Swiss Francs. CERN has two banks in Meyrin site (UBS or La Poste), one in Prevessin site (Credit Agricole). You can also open a bank account in any other bank in Switzerland. Once you are at CERN, you can contact the bank in order to arrange an appointment.
Please check your contract.
Any financial benefits from external sources during your contract must be reported to the Coordinator and you are required to provide proof of the monthly net amount you receive. If this support is directly related to your placement at CERN, it will be deducted from your CERN subsistence.
As a Summer Student you will receive a subsistence allowance to cover the costs of your stay in the local area. This allowance amounts to 90 CHF net per day as of your first contract date until you last contract date (including weekends).
Please make sure that you have enough money for the first week at CERN.
Students receive, on the day of their arrival, a prepaid card on which an advance of 2600 CHF is paid. Students are provided with instructions on the use of their card as well as applicable fees. They have an obligation to read it.
Every four weeks (if applicable), an advance of 2600 CHF is paid on the prepaid card.
The balance of the subsistence allowance due (90 CHF multiplied by the number of remaining contract days) and the amount of the arrival and departure travel (if applicable) are credited on the card the last week of contract of the student.
The card is valid for six months after its issue. Money accumulated and unused beyond this will be lost.
3319 Swiss francs/month (the allowance is net of tax) for technical and administrative students
3719 Swiss francs/month (the allowance is net of tax) for doctoral students
This amount is intended to cover the living expenses of a single person.
If you are in the following situation:
- married or in an officially registered partnership
- have at least one dependent child
- your spouse and/or dependent child(s) join(s) you in the area for a period of at least 6 months.
As long as your contract duration is for at least 6 months, your subsistence allowance may increase.
You should fill in the declaration ‘Supplement to subsistence allowance due to family situation’ and should provide a copy of your marriage certificate and child(s) birth certificate(s). This latter document must be drawn up in or translated (official translation) into French, English, German, Spanish or Italian.
You will receive your first payment and all future payments around the 25th of each month. For more information check the Payment Dates.