Neuchâtel, a dynamic ecosystem
Neuchâtel, an industrial and export-oriented canton, a source of wealth and innovation.
Ecosystem
Companies in Neuchâtel have the highest density of patents filed with the IPI per 100,000 residents (2021).
Expertise (industries)
Responsive and agile, Neuchâtel’s business community is able to apply its long-standing and innovative expertise across variousindustries.
Framework Conditions
A true incubator for high-value-added companies, Neuchâtel is one of the world’s most dynamic microtechnology clusters. Located at the crossroads of major international transportation routes, the entire value chain is represented there, and partnerships between science and industry are fostered.
The innovation hub serves as a central hub dedicated to the transfer of technology and expertise among stakeholders in research, education, and the business sector, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness of businesses.
In 2019, three new programs were designed specifically to support startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and large companies in meeting their innovation needs.
With this in mind, technical infrastructure and hosting capacity are made available to the R&D units of private companies.
In addition to the canton’s long-standing expertise in the fieldsof micro- and nanotechnologies, microfabrication, and industrialization processes, the cluster is also tasked with promoting new cross-functional skills, particularly those related to collaboration and digitalization.
In Neuchâtel, the tax regime for corporations is among the most attractive in all of Switzerland, which itself ranks among the top 10 most tax-competitive countries in the world.
In addition, Neuchâtel’s new tax system has the major advantage of being fully compatible with EU regulations, thereby ensuring stability for businesses. To learn more,visit the canton’s webpagededicated to corporate taxation.
Neuchâtel is internationally renowned for its expertise in high technology, particularly inthe fields of micro- and nanotechnology and microfabrication.
The canton’s main industries are watchmaking and luxury goods, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, machine tools and precision instruments, automation, electronics and microtechnology, as well as medical technology. These industries also benefit from the presence of numerous other local companies that provide strategic services (financial, IT, etc.).
With 45.4%of its GDP coming from the industrial sector, the canton of Neuchâtel is one of the most industrialized cantons in Switzerland.
Open to the world, the canton accounts for 17%of the trade surplus.
A true pioneer in innovation, the Canton of Neuchâtel hasthe highest density of patentapplications per 100,000 residents in Switzerland (IPI, 2021).
Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds are two cities that complement each other beautifully, situated between Switzerland's largest entirely Swiss lake and the mountains.
The cost of living is lower than in major Swiss cities, and the housing vacancy rate (1.53% in 2017) is higher than the shortage threshold of 1.50%.
A rich cultural life is guaranteed year-round thanks to the various museums (the Watchmaking Museum, Laténium, the Natural History Museum, the Dürrenmatt Center), numerous concert venues (Case à chocs, Bikini Test, L’Heure bleue, Théâtre du Passage), and festivals recognized throughout Europe (La Plage des Six Pompes, NIFFF, Festineuch, Auvernier Jazz Festival).
In 2018, the Canton of Neuchâtel ranked first on the index of public policies for intercultural integration. In particular, it received the highest score for welcoming newcomers, mediation, and conflict resolution.
Neuchâtel enjoys a central geographic location.
The airports in Geneva, Basel, and Zurich are easily accessible by train or car, thanks to smooth-flowing road networks.
The canton of Neuchâtel is home to internationally renowned universities, universities of applied sciences, and research centers (EPFL, HE-arc, University of Neuchâtel, CSEM, etc.).
The canton also has a vocational training center (CPNE). Several hundred future employees and skilled workers in a wide variety of sectors are trained there each year and are ready to contribute to their companies.
Startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large companies have access to a large pool of skilled local workers, both in Switzerland and in neighboring France.
Recruitment in Europe is also facilitated by agreements with the European Union.
The Swiss education system is considered one of the best in the world. The World Economic Forum (WEF) regularly ranks Switzerland among the top three countries in the world, alongside Finland and Norway, in terms of the education of its population (the ability to maximize human capital).
Neuchâtel Inside
Neuchâtel—a canton specializing in small, precise, complex, reliable, and high-value-added products.
With watchmaking as its starting point, the canton has naturally diversified and specialized. It has become a canton where small, precise, reliable, and high-value-added products are manufactured rapidly. This is thanks to a fruitful collaboration between a rich and diverse industrial base and leading academic and research centers.
Every year, many innovations and technologies from Neuchâtel are incorporated into flagship products sold worldwide or play a key role in major international research programs.
Thus, for more than three centuries, the canton’s industries have been innovating to offer products and components that contribute to the progress of humanity.
Neuchâtel Open
Based in Neuchâtel, connected to the world.
Neuchâtel is an industrial canton, a pioneer, and an exporter with a strong international presence.
Thanks to its industrial history, it is a canton that generates wealth, is a major exporter, is open to the world, and, above all, is a pioneer in innovation.
Furthermore, thanks to the number and quality of local and international companies in the medtech/pharma sector operating within its borders, the canton is now part of the Western Switzerland life sciences cluster (Health Valley).
Neuchâtel Friendly
Neuchâtel—an attractive canton that’s ideal for living and working.
The canton of Neuchâtel is an ideal place to live and work. It offers favorable living conditions, a wide range of recreational and cultural activities, and a well-preserved natural environment that is easily accessible.
In addition, the cost of living there is low (housing, daycare, insurance, restaurants, gas, etc.) compared to other regions that also boast a magnificent coastline. With moderate traffic, you have more time for leisure and family life. It’s the canton where quality of life reigns.
Our research institutes
We work closely with scientific and industrial partners in the region.
FAQ
For third countries, work permits are granted to nationals with specialized skills whose presence is essential to the country’s development.
Each application will be reviewed. The procedure for obtaining a residence and work permit for a third-country national is explained on thewebsite of the cantonal migration office.
The necessary procedures by legal structure are detailed on the website ofthe Neuchâtel Canton Commercial Registry. The procedures will depend on the legal status of the business. For SA, Sàrl, and foundations, for example, you must go through a notary.
Currently, the procedure for hiring a European Union national has been simplified. The national must simply have an employment contract with a company in Switzerland, and the necessary steps are taken directly with the relevant municipality (the municipality where the company is located for cross-border workers, or the municipality of residence for workers moving to the region).
The procedure for obtaining a work permit for a European Union citizen is explained on the website of the cantonal migration office.
If you are a business or a project leader and have questions regarding your economic activities, your company’s growth, a plan to establish a business here, or your interactions with other government agencies, please contact NECO. The Economic Development Department can answer your questions, provide guidance, offer support, or connect you with the right partners. Please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re here to help.
Several types of projects are eligible for support. These include projects that generate economic added value through exports, as well as projects that fall within the canton’s ten strategic areas of activity (DAS).
The Economic Development Support Act (LADE) also encourages diversification of the economic landscape. As a result, projects outside the scope of the DAS may be supported if they provide significant added value to the regional economy.
Tourism projects that raise the canton’s profile and generate economic value for the region may also be eligible for supplementary support from the Department of Economic Affairs.
The regional economic impact is therefore central to every funding decision, and the potential leverage effects on private investment are naturally taken into account. It is also important to note that the grants are supplementary in nature and are intended to provide a boost to a project that must ultimately become self-sustaining.
Moving to and Starting a Business in Neuchâtel
Learn about the canton’s framework conditions and take advantage of our support to bring your project to life.