International Community
As a border city, as a city of commerce and industry and as a university city, Basel has always attracted people from other parts of the globe. Basel has an attractive mix of different cultures and languages, and the city authorities make every effort to ensure that newcomers are all successfully integrated.
People who move to Basel are invited to a Welcome Event by the Department of Presidential Affairs. Valuable information and support for new residents of Basel are also available in the department’s website.
Centrepoint
Centrepoint is the main organisation for expats and plays a key role in the social life of the international community and helps newcomers to find their way around the new city. There is a library, a counselling clinic and other offers for the international community.
Spouse Career Centre
The Spouse Career Centre offers advice for spouses and partners of people who move to Basel to a new job.
Crescenda
Women from abroad who want to start their own business can turn to Crescenda for advice. There, women find support in starting their business and meet people to build up a network.
Working together for Basel
The website www.you4basel.ch a platform for expat associations, volunteer work, and the launching of private initiatives. It is operated by the Komitee Sozialkonferenz Basel (Basel Social Conference Committee), and aims to promote the integration of "expats" through social commitment.
BaselConnectsPeople is a mentor programme that is looking for people living in Basel and recent arrivals who want to exchange ideas with each other.
Bookshops
International bookshops include Bergli Books (English), Bider&Tanner (English), Thalia (English, French, Italian), Olymp und Hades (English, French) and La Libreria (Italian) in the St. Johanns suburb.
Associations
Migrant associations
Cafés, Pubs, Bars
The international community is, of course, welcome in all bars and restaurants in Basel. Some are especially popular with expats, however:
Paddy Reilly’s Pub, Mr. Pickwick Pub and McGuinness’ Irish Pub: real Irish beer and many British expats
Starbucks: The branches of Starbucks are popular with Americans, who feel at home there.
Bar Rouge: For a New York feeling in Basel, visit the bar at the top floor of Messe tower.