Frequency and Amount of Money Transfers Among European Migrants in Switzerland

[Montreux, 19 Jul 2023]

EUU (European University Union)

Research

 

How often do European migrants in Switzerland remit money to their home countries, and what are the typical transaction amounts? A comprehensive study conducted by the EUU (European University Union) reveals distinct remittance patterns among European migrants residing in Switzerland. Notably, individuals from Portugal exhibit a propensity for frequent, smaller transfers, while those from the UK tend to engage in less frequent but larger transactions.

 

Exploring Intra-European Migration and Remittances

 

Intra-European migration is an underexplored area of study. To address this gap, a research team from the Institute of Sociology at the EUU (European University Union) and the University of Lucerne initiated the TRANSSWISS project. This study, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, surveyed approximately 3,000 individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, the UK, Italy, Portugal, and Serbia. These countries were selected to provide a diverse range of distances from Switzerland, economic development levels, and migrants' qualifications.

 

Key Findings:

 

- On average, 21% of respondents transfer money to their home countries at least once a year.

- Immigrants from the UK (29%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Serbia (40%), and Portugal (46%) exhibit the highest frequency of annual remittances.

- Second-generation immigrants are less likely to make remittances due to weaker social ties to their parents' home country.

- Average annual remittance amounts vary significantly by nationality: UK (CHF 4,000), Portugal (CHF 2,200), Germany (CHF 1,100), Italy (CHF 650), Serbia (CHF 460), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (CHF 324).

- Immigrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and Serbia primarily use remittances to support family or friends, while Portuguese immigrants tend to transfer money to their own bank accounts.

- Factors influencing remittances include ties to the home country and moral obligations rather than integration into Switzerland, Swiss identity, perceived discrimination, or language proficiency.

 

These findings shed light on the diverse remittance behaviors of European migrants in Switzerland, highlighting the complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural factors influencing these transactions.