How much money should you save per month? Guidelines for Switzerland
There is no official savings amount. The 50-30-20 rule of thumb puts it at 20 percent of net income; Budgetberatung Schweiz recommends an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months' income rather than a fixed rate. In reality the average household sets aside around CHF 1'736 per month per BFS HABE 2023 (16.8 %), just under 20 percent. The fastest lever to save: groceries, around CHF 638/month.
Rappn compares the current promotions of 7 Swiss retailers, updated daily: free, no subscription.
Track your grocery spending in Rappn, free
There is no legally prescribed savings amount in Switzerland. The most-cited rule of thumb is the 50-30-20 rule: 50 percent of net pay for needs, 30 percent for wants, 20 percent for saving. That is a guideline, not a law, and in expensive Switzerland 50 percent for needs is often too tight. More important than a fixed percentage is keeping a dedicated savings line at all.
Rappn is an independent grocery price comparison app in Switzerland, with no commercial agreement with any retailer. Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl, Denner, Aligro and Otto's do not pay us to rank them, and nothing below is sponsored.
How much should you save per month?
| Guideline | Recommendation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 50-30-20 rule (savings share) | 20 % of net income | International rule of thumb |
| Emergency fund | 3 to 6 months' income | Budgetberatung Schweiz |
| Fixed savings rate prescribed? | No, but keep a dedicated line | Budgetberatung Schweiz |
| Real avg savings amount | CHF 1'736/month (16.8 %) | BFS HABE 2023 |
Scan your receipts in Rappn and view recorded spending by category. Review your grocery budget using your own purchases.
Track your grocery spending in Rappn, freeFree, no subscription · iOS & Android
Your spending
How do I hit the savings rate realistically?
Not everyone can save 20 percent: households in the lowest income bracket often spend more than they earn, per BFS. If you want to raise the rate, look at the big items first. But housing, taxes and social insurance are fixed in the short term; health insurance can only be switched on set dates. The fastest lever is therefore the one large expense you can change every week: groceries, around CHF 638 per month. What you save here through own-brands, unit-price comparison and well-timed promotions moves straight into the savings line every month, without giving anything up.
Building your emergency fund, step by step
Switzerland sets no official savings target, and no fixed savings rate is prescribed by law. As a rough guide, Budgetberatung Schweiz recommends an emergency fund of three to six months of income. Based on the average household's disposable income of CHF 7'186, you get a range of roughly CHF 21'500 (three months) to CHF 43'000 (six months). These figures are derived and are not a binding benchmark.
These figures look daunting at first, but what matters is the path, not the starting amount. Here is how to go about it:
- Pay yourself first: set up a standing order to a separate account that runs at the start of the month, before you spend anything.
- Think in stages: the fund can grow slowly over many months, you do not have to build it all at once.
- Use the weekly grocery shop as your lever: what you save each week flows straight into the standing order and funds your cushion.
That way a big, off-putting number turns into a series of small, doable steps you take automatically every month, without having to cut back noticeably anywhere else.
In the Rappn app you scan your receipts and see your real grocery spend, instead of guessing, and through the price comparison you lower it week by week. That turns the intention to save into a fixed amount. For what a household spends overall, see average household expenses, and for which fixed costs you can cut, and when, see the guide to the biggest household expenses.
Updated: .
Why Rappn?
Rappn is an independent grocery price comparison app in Switzerland, with no commercial agreements with any retailer. Our comparisons are truly independent.
- 100% free: no subscription, no hidden costs
- Neutral: no commercial agreements with Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl, Denner, Aligro, or Otto’s
- Updated daily, as soon as the chains publish their deals
- The chains’ deals in one place: search, filter, compare, no subscription
- Meal planner in the Kitchen tab: plan the week, send the ingredients to your list
Ready to save on groceries?
Install Rappn and compare for yourself this week. No account required.Scan the code, install Rappn and compare current offers. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money should you save per month?
There is no official figure. The 50-30-20 rule of thumb puts 20 percent of net income toward saving. Budgetberatung Schweiz recommends, instead of a fixed rate, an emergency fund of three to six months' income and a dedicated savings line in the budget. In reality the average household sets aside CHF 1'736 per month (16.8 percent), per BFS.
What is the 50-30-20 rule?
An international rule of thumb: 50 percent of net pay for needs (housing, food, insurance), 30 percent for wants and 20 percent for saving and investing. It is a guideline, not an official Swiss standard, and in expensive Switzerland the 50 percent for needs is often too tight.
How much does an average Swiss household save?
Per the BFS Household Budget Survey 2023, around CHF 1'736 per month, or 16.8 percent of gross income, just under the 20 percent rule of thumb. The average hides large differences, though: low-income households often save negatively.
How do I raise my savings rate fastest?
Through the variable line. Housing, taxes and social insurance are fixed short-term, and health insurance is switchable only on set dates. Groceries (around CHF 638/month), by contrast, you buy every week, and what you save there lands straight in the savings line.
How big should my emergency fund be?
Budgetberatung Schweiz recommends three to six months of income. On the average disposable income of CHF 7'186 per month, that is roughly CHF 21'500 to CHF 43'000 (a derived figure). Switzerland prescribes no fixed savings rate by law.