Hi,

We are in very similar fields. 5+ years Java Developer although I now specialise in the Financial sector. Firstly, as a perm salary, 120K CHF is probably about right, depending on package etc.

I personally came over here as a contractor/freelance. Firstly I was with a UK agency, and then payrolled over here with a Swiss agency. They wont let you directly contract over here and payrolling makes things much simpler regarding tax and permits etc. Obviously having 2 agencies as such wasn't ideal, so I am now purely with a Swiss agency, this would be your best bet. Regarding permits, as a perm you will get a B permit, whereas with a fixed length contract you will be given a L permit which will expire the same day as your contract does. I have this permit and have no problems.

Look for companies such as Swisslinx, RMIT, Elan and Harvey Nash etc.

Any more questions, maybe regarding typical daily rates here, feel free to PM me.

Chris.