Advice and support
143.ch Dargebotene Hand
A resource for emotional first aid. Counseling for adults dealing with everyday worries, loneliness, addiction, violence, suicidal thoughts, or physical ailments. Counseling is available in German, French, Italian, or English by phone, chat, or email. Phone number: 143
143.ch Heart2Heart
Whatever you’re going through, Heart2Heart is there for you.We offer support from 6 to 11 pm (in English), anonymously and free of charge.Call 0800 143 000
147 Pro Juventute
Support for children and young people with worries, problems, or questions, big or small. Counseling is available by phone, WhatsApp, or email; see website below. Phone: 147 Available 24/7, free and confidential.
AOZ - German course advice at the immigration office
Individual German language course consultations are available at the Zurich Cantonal Migration Office. Consultations are also possible by phone or email. No appointment necessary.
AOZ: Psychosocial Service (PSD) - Psychological Counseling and Support
Psychological counseling and support for adult refugees. This service is aimed at clients of AOZ social services who are experiencing mental health difficulties or illnesses (residents of the city of Zurich). For registration and further information about this service, please contact Daniela Gossweiler, Head Psychologist of the Psychological Counseling and Support Service, at +41 44 415 66 08.
AOZ: Psychosocial Service (PSD) - Psychological support for unaccompanied minors
Psychological support for unaccompanied minors and young adults facing the consequences of traumatic experiences, mental health challenges, and psychosocial stress. This service is exclusively available to clients who: - live in cantonal group homes for unaccompanied minors (unaccompanied minor centers) run by the AOZ (Association for the Support of Young Adults) or - are young adult refugees (18–25 years old) receiving support from the City of Zurich's Young Adult Support and Guidance Program (BBJE). For further information about this service, please contact Dominique Speck, Head Psychologist, at +41 44 415 68 92.
Arche fĂĽr Familien - Family Counseling
Telephone counseling and support for expectant parents and families on topics such as parenting, housing, health, substance abuse, and relationship issues. Call us: +41 44 241 63 43
AsylLex
Free legal advice for asylum seekers throughout Switzerland. Online via the contact form below (https://www.asylex.ch/?lang=de), or by email to info@asylex.ch
augenauf ZĂĽrich
Information and referrals regarding asylum issues and related matters. Investigating potential police misconduct, arbitrary actions/harassment by authorities in asylum centers, police prisons, during arrests, deportations, etc. Publishing a media bulletin on this topic at least every three years. Consultation: only available online (website below) and by phone (+41 44 241 11 77, voicemail) as we do not have an office.
Bahnhofkirche Hauptbahnhof ZĂĽrich
Conversation with a chaplain, for all religions and denominations.
Berufs-, Studien- und Laufbahnberatung Kanton ZĂĽrich
Education and Careers in Switzerland: Free brief consultations without appointment Career information centers (biz) are located in the Canton of Zurich in Horgen, Kloten, Meilen, Oerlikon, Urdorf, Uster, and Winterthur; see link below.
Café Yucca (Solidara)
Café Yucca: Advice & support, referral to emergency shelter, food & medical care. Soup, affordable dinner.
Caritas Zurich: Copilot Infocafé Affoltern
Information for parents with questions about school and leisure activities for their children. Support is provided by intercultural mediators in Arabic, English, French, Kurdish, Somali, Tigrinya, Turkish, and other languages. A meeting with coffee and tea to get to know other parents; children are welcome. No registration required and free of charge. The current program can be found on the website (see below).
Caritas Zurich: Copilot Infocafé Grünau
Information for parents with questions about school and leisure activities for their children. Support is provided by intercultural mediators in Arabic, English, French, Kurdish, Somali, Tigrinya, Turkish, and other languages. A meeting with coffee and tea to get to know other parents; children are welcome. No registration required and free of charge. The current program can be found on the website (see below).
Caritas Zurich: Copilot Infocafé Leimbach
Information for parents with questions about school and leisure activities for their children. Support is provided by intercultural mediators in Arabic, English, French, Kurdish, Somali, Tigrinya, Turkish, and other languages. A meeting with coffee and tea to get to know other parents; children are welcome. No registration required and free of charge. The current program can be found on the website (see below).
Ein Bus - outreach social work
"A Bus" is a mobile advice service offered by the city of Zurich. We provide free and anonymous advice on all aspects of life and can refer you to the appropriate specialist service.
FIZ Fachstelle Frauenhandel und Frauenmigration
Counseling for migrant women in the Canton of Zurich who are victims of violence or exploitation or who have residency issues. Victim protection program for victims of human trafficking.
Flora Dora - Advice for sex workers
Flora Dora is a counseling center offering easily accessible services for sex workers who already work or wish to work in the city of Zurich. Our counseling focuses on preventative measures and crisis intervention. We provide targeted support with legal, social, and medical issues, as well as career reorientation.
Freiplatzaktion ZĂĽrich (FPA)
Free legal advice on asylum and migration law. Open consultations for new clients on Mondays; registration only in person at 8:30 a.m. Consultations take place later that morning. Please bring important documents with you (letters from authorities, decisions, etc.).
Heilsarmee ZĂĽrich - Social Counseling Zurich
General social counseling. In-person consultations by appointment only. Tel. 044 273 90 01. Services include the following areas: - Administrative matters: Mail processing, clerical assistance, contact with authorities - Financial matters: Clarification of social welfare law, budget counseling, debt management, and, depending on the situation and available resources, targeted financial support - Other social concerns: Support with issues such as employment, housing, asylum, migration, integration, and family - Questions of life and meaning: Coping with crises and emotional distress, living with God - Referral: Triage to other specialized agencies
HEKS MosaiQ ZĂĽrich
Specialist service for highly qualified migrants. Support with diploma recognition, validation of educational achievements, and finding an internship or job. Registration at mosaiq-zuerich@heks.ch
Help for pregnant women
Neutral, anonymous counseling for pregnant women and their families. Phone: 0800 505 800
Infodona - Advice center for migrants of the city of Zurich
Free, personal consultations for migrants in the city of Zurich on the following topics: living in Zurich, marriage and family, law, finances, work, and health. Available in many languages. Call us to schedule an appointment. Telephone availability: Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Phone: +41 44 412 84 00
JOB SHOP / INFO SHOP
JOB SHOP / INFO SHOP is a contact point for young people and young adults in the city of Zurich, their caregivers, and professionals. JOB SHOP / INFO SHOP provides support with job (apprenticeship) searches, reviews applications, and offers helpful information and addresses from A to Z.
MegaMarie - Psychological consultation for parents
In this free consultation, psychologists from the Marie Meierhofer Institute offer advice to families who are concerned about their child's development or have questions about children and family life. The consultation also helps families find other suitable resources. No appointment necessary, flexible arrival time, free and confidential.
Netz4 - Coffee & Coaching for young people
Coaching program with time for leisure activities and community – for young people aged 16 to 30. Coaching: - Support with applications and job interviews - German tutoring - Financial advice - Counseling sessions for personal difficulties etc.
Netz4 - Ladies Corner for young women
Coaching program with time for leisure activities and community – for young women aged 16 to 30. Coaching: - Support with applications and job interviews - German tutoring - Financial advice - Counseling sessions for personal difficulties etc.
Offene Kirche St. Jakob - Psychosocial Support
Advice for personal, family or professional difficulties and problems, financial or legal issues, etc.
Opferhilfe Schweiz - Victim Support Switzerland
Help for all people in Switzerland who have been physically, psychologically, or sexually harmed by a crime. Free, confidential, anonymous, and available throughout Switzerland. Victim support centers in the various cantons: https://www.opferhilfe-schweiz.ch/de/wo-finde-ich-hilfe/ (see link below) Brief information in many languages: https://www.opferhilfe-schweiz.ch/de/ (see link below)
Parentu – Advice app for parents in 15 languages
Parentu sends parents all the important information about their child's development via push notifications. Available in 15 languages. Topics include growing up, education, and child-rearing. Parents receive suggestions for structuring everyday family life, as well as information on events and current news in the region. Professionals can find information for their counseling work. The app can be downloaded for free from the website; see the link below.
Perspektiven – Studium
Did you start a degree program in your home country that you had to drop out of? Or do you already have a degree from your home country that isn't recognized here? On our website (www.perspektiven-studium.ch) you'll find lots of information about studying and support programs for refugee students. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us by email (perspektiven-studium@vss-unes.ch) to arrange a consultation.
Platforme Traite
The Swiss Platform Against Human Trafficking – Plateforme Traite – is a nationwide network of non-governmental organizations that support victims of human trafficking. Do you need help? Please find more information below (translated into 19 languages) https://plattform-menschenhandel.ch/brauchen-sie-hilfe/
Sans-Papiers Anlaufstelle ZĂĽrich SPAZ
Undocumented Immigrants Contact Point. Legal and social counseling for migrants without legal residency statusSPAZ supports undocumented migrants with the following issues:- Residency status, including legalization- Social security and health insurance (health insurance, social security card)- Education and German language courses- Children, young people, schools, and apprenticeships- Civil status issues (marriage, birth registration, paternity acknowledgment)- Difficult life situations (social counseling)
SOS Bahnhofhilfe HB - Station Assistance Zurich Main Station
Mobility assistance Accompaniment On-site support Information and advice Wheelchair rental (for a fee) Accompanied child transfers on behalf of social services Nursing and diaper changing area
Stadt ZĂĽrich Laufbahnzentrum - City of Zurich Career Center
Consultation Hour for Refugees and Migrants In brief consultations at the Career Center, migrants can ask questions about careers and education in Switzerland: - Careers, studies, vocational training and continuing education - Labor market integration, job search, applications - Recognition of foreign diplomas - Adult education - Financing of vocational training/continuing education Max. 15 minutes, no appointment necessary, free of charge
Stellennetz - Job network, Foundation for Work Integration
Consulting – Education and Coaching – Placement Diverse services such as career counseling, German courses, job coaching.
Streetchurch - Counseling for Zurich residents aged 16 to 65
Counseling for people facing challenging and complex life situations. Support in the areas of "Self-Organization and Administration" or "Budgeting and Managing Money": - Completing applications and submitting requests - Creating an organizational system for documents - Communicating with or collaborating with authorities or insurance companies - Budget counseling, managing limited funds - Debt management (explaining the process and options, often involving triage for debt relief) - Guidance through the social welfare system, including specific triage to determine the most effective course of action
Streetchurch - Job integration for young people and young adults
Supporting young people in building their employability, skills and resources, networking in society and entering the labor market.
Streetchurch - Psychotherapy
Therapy for adolescents and adults with mental health conditions requiring treatment who, due to their circumstances, are (currently) unable to access standard healthcare services, or for whom low-threshold treatment is appropriate. The primary focus is on restoring social and professional functioning. Registration is made directly with the psychotherapist. You can contact her by phone or email (see below).
Suchtfachstelle ZĂĽrich - Addiction Counseling Center Zurich
Counseling and therapy for people with high-risk substance use or behavioral addictions, as well as their relatives.
Sui SRK App - Self-help and information
Sui SRK App for refugees: Self-help, support, and information on everyday topics and mental health. Currently available in German, French, English, Arabic, Ukrainian, Farsi, and Turkish. Download via the website (see below).
SW Pfarrer Sieber - Mila - Contact point for young people and young adults
A safe space for young people aged 16-23 in precarious life situations. Meals (lunch, snacks, and drinks), support, and counseling.
SW Pfarrer Sieber - Social Counselling
Social counseling for people in need We offer: - Providing information - Referral to appropriate specialist agencies - Support with administrative matters - Assistance in enforcing financial claims - Clarifications with offices and authorities - Accompaniment to offices and specialist agencies - Emergency material aid - Referral to financial assistance
SW Sieber - Anlaufstelle Brot-Egge - Social counseling
Social counseling, psychosocial counseling, pastoral care, and material assistance. Here you will find: - Food and clothing - Facilities for basic hygiene needs (showers, hairdresser) - Computers for use - Social counseling, psychosocial counseling, pastoral care - Accompaniment to government offices, agencies, and other institutions - Triage and referral to appropriate specialist services - Warmth and genuine compassion - Community with others
Swiss Red Cross (SRC), Social Counseling
Social counseling for all residents of the Canton of Zurich, regardless of origin or residency status. Free counseling in German, French, English, Italian, and Spanish.
UFS - Advice on social welfare law
The UFS provides free advice, support, and representation to people affected by poverty regarding social welfare law. It also conducts training courses on social welfare law and advocates publicly for dignified social welfare benefits. Areas of responsibility: Cantons of Zurich, Aargau, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen, Glarus, GraubĂĽnden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, and Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
Winterhilfe ZĂĽrich - Multicheck aptitude analysis for young people
Free aptitude test for career choice for young people from the Canton of Zurich. Registration via form, see link below.
ZBA Zurich Advice Centre for Asylum Seekers
Legal advice, representation, and support for asylum seekers in the cantons of Zurich and Glarus. We speak German, English, and French. For all other languages, you will need to arrange your own translator.