Swiss Residence Program

Switzerland is one of the most peaceful countries in the world and has been a dream destination for the very rich and wealthy for very high standards of living, world class infrastructure, safety, healthcare, political neutrality, retirement and attractive destination investment. Switzerland has always been a very expensive country in the world to live and work in Europe.

Benefits

  • Residence in Europe for HNW investors
  • Excellent quality of life and education
  • Ideal for Retirees and Wealthy families
  • Investment or purchase of Real estate property
  • Choice of Swiss Canton, Location

Residence by Investment

Switzerland is a very expensive country and only suited for ultra high net worth clients. Minimum USD 1 million, before applying for swiss residence program (business or lump sum).

Non-EU nationals, can get swiss residence permit under two routes.

Effective from 2020, we have discontinued swiss residence program no longer assisting clients.

1. Swiss Lump Sum Taxation

The Swiss Lump Sum Taxation is best suited for ultra wealthy individuals or retirees, while the swiss company formation is ideal for investors and corporates who wish to setup a swiss company and gain residency by self-employment. Swiss residence permit gives visa-free access to the entire Schengen Area of Europe.

We offer a fixed fee “swiss residence program”, where it is possible to get residence permit in Switzerland, upon paying a `annual lump sum taxation` fee – a minimum of CHF 250,000 yearly or more, depending on swiss canton except Zurich. This annual tax fee may go upto CHF 1 million or more depending on the canton and it is irrespective of family of worldwide income or assets. Under the lump sum taxation, there is no need to declare worldwide income and assets.

Rule of thumb, the Lump-sum taxation is calculated based on 5 times the annual rental income or the annual living expenses, which ever is higher. For example lets say that you have rented the apartment for CHF 10’000 a month and your total living expenses comes to CHF 200’000 annually. The monthly rental of CHF 10’000, becomes CHF 120’000 yearly and then multiplied by 5 becomes CHF 600’000. Since CHF 600’000 is higher than that of yearly living expenses, at 30% of CHF 600’000 comes the payable tax CHF 180’000 annually.

Most popular swiss cantons for this program are Appenzler, Bern, Geneva, Fribourg, Graubunden, Jura, Nidwalden, Schwyz, St.Gallen, Vaud ,Valais, Lucerne, Slothurn, Obwalden, Thurgau, Ticino, Zug.

2.  Business Immigration

Non-EU nationals can qualify for swiss residence permit upon starting a new business or enterprise in Switzerland with a minimum turn over of atleast CHF 1 million or more.

It usually takes about 3-4 months to get a residence permit in Switzerland.

Foreign citizens who have a swiss residence permit, are allowed to buy real estate property such as apartment or a home, without the need for prior approvals in Switzerland.

Foreign Population

In Switzerland, one in four people are foreigners. The number of foreigners staying permanently in Switzerland stands at 2.1 million people. The proportion of foreign nationals is 24.9% of the permanent resident population. Zurich, Geneva and Vaud (including Lausanne) have the highest numbers of foreigners in Switzerland.

Zug

Zug as the most attractive place in Switzerland for companies to relocate to, because of its attractive tax rates. Zug is known as the crypto valley of blockchain and fintech companies

Swiss Taxes

In Switzerland, taxes apply in switzerland at federal, cantonal and municipality level..

Federal Cantonal Municipal
Income Tax yes yes yes
Wealth Tax yes yes
Capital Gains Tax
Inheritance Tax yes yes
Gift Tax yes yes

The income tax levied by cantonal authorities are Bern, Geneva, Vaud, Valais are around 30-35% (expensive) and Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug are around 17% (inexpensive ones). The canton of Schwyz has no inheritance and gift taxes and therefore very attractive to foreign clients.

By paying this lump sum taxation fee to the swiss canton, there is no need to declare worldwide income and assets to Swiss authorities. This is the main advantage of Switzerland, compared to other high tax countries. The lump sum taxation gets discontinued or expires if the foreigner is employed or gets swiss citizenship.

Swiss Real Estate

Buying or investing in swiss real estate property, can be quite difficult to foreigners who are not resident in Switzerland. The real estate market is very expensive and in high demand, has seen good appreciations, and excellent target return to investors.

All non resident foreign nationals, upon getting a approval from authorities, can purchase holiday home or hotel condominium in Switzerland. The approvals are quite difficult to get from authorities and any such approvals are subjected to several restrictions, such as applicable size, allowed to purchase under personal name (cannot by company) and this makes estate planning even difficult. We usually recommend wealthy clients, to take 2 routes:

1. Apply for swiss residence permit first and then buy a swiss real estate. Swiss residence permit can be obtained through negotiating “lump sum taxation” with a specific swiss canton or establish a business in switzerland and as a director of the company you qualify for residence permit. Upon receiving residence permit, you are free to buy property in any location.

(or)

2. Directly buy a property in “Andermatt Swiss Alps“ real estate luxury project , which allows foreigners freely buy a swiss property without any restrictions or residence permit. This project was the only project, given a “special” very rare exemption under Swiss Lex Koller law, thus allowing foreigners to freely invest in this project. Foreigners, who are non resident in switzerland can directly buy a apartment, hotel condominium without the need for residence permit. You can even buy under company name as well, for tax purposes.

The Andermatt Swiss Alps (ASP) is a massive luxury Alpine resort community real estate project, with 490 apartments in 42 buildings, upto 30 private villa holiday homes, golf course, 4 star and 5 star hotels. The ASP is in the Canton of Uri, and generally it takes 1 hr drive from Zurich city centre.

Andermatt village in between the Alps

Under this project, the pricing of apartments start from CHF 400,000 and penthouse villas cost about CHF 4 million.

We are assisting very wealthy foreigners from outside Switzerland including celebrities with real estate in Switzerland. We highly value privacy of such clients, who wish to exercise discretion. If you are interested in swiss real estate, please mention this in your online application.

Swiss Permanent Residence

After ten years of living legally in Switzerland

Swiss Citizenship

To apply for swiss citizenship, one has to spend atleast 12 years in switzerland, and the amount of time spent between age of 10 to 20 count as double. It is very difficult to acquire “Swiss Citizenship” for foreigners and there is no guarantee of swiss citizenship to foreigners, even after having spent 12 years of residence in Switzerland.

Swiss Passport

Switzerland has one of the world’s sixth best passport in the world with visa free travel to 185 countries.

Swiss Residency – FAQs

Frequently asked questions about immigrating to Switzerland

What is the minimum investment required for swiss residency?

CHF 1,000,000 or more. We recommend Switzerland only to wealthy and ultra wealthy individuals.

Can i get residency in switzerland through real estate investment?

No, third country nationals can get swiss residency only through business or cantonal lump sum taxation. Switzeraland does not have real estate investment program. If you want you can buy real estate property after getting the residence permit.

What is swiss lump sum taxation program?

If you have lots of money over 1 million and want to retire in Switzerland, you can apply for residency under lump sum tax in any canton of your choice. You cannot work under this program.

To be eligible for lump sum tax, you must have annual revenue of CHF 400,000. The annual tax is based on your spending – not your income, usually computed 5 times of annual rent.

The following cantons have minimum lump sum taxes

  • Aargau – CHF 400,000
  • Geneva – CHF 600,000
  • Bern – CHF 400,000
  • Lucerne – CHF 600,000
  • Ticino – CHF 400,000
  • Fribourg – CHF 250,000
  • Uri – CHF 400,000
  • Schwyz – CHF 600,000
  • St Gallen – CHF 600,000

Basel and Zurich have abolished Lump sum tax regime. Cantons Vaud and Valais are very popular among foreigners.

What are the advantages of living in Switzerland?
  1. Safe and neutral country.
  2. High standards of living and education.
  3. Multicultural cities.
  4. Beautiful country with pristine lakes around alps
  5. Business investment friendly.
  6. Excellent banking system
  7. Swiss citizenship best in the world.
What is the minimum business investment needed?

For Non-EU nationals, CHF 1 million turnover of the company to qualify for residence permit in Switzerland. If not it is very difficult to qualify.

How to get Swiss permanent resident?

You must live legally in Switzerland for 10 years to get swiss permanent residency.

How to become a Swiss citizen?

You must have lived atleast 12 years in Switzerland to get swiss passport.

What is the reputation of Swiss passport?

Swiss passport considered very best in the World and very well respected worldwide. Swiss passport is ranked No 6 in the world passport rankings with visa free travel to 172 countries in the world for swiss citizens, according to 2016 Henley restrictions index. Many say having a swiss passport is safer than US or British passport, because the Swiss adopt political neutrality and have not gone to war with other countries for over 200 years.

Which cities are best in Switzerland?

Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Basel, Lucerne, Lugano are some of the best cities in Switzerland. Zurich and Geneva are the most expensive cities. Zug is a popular place for company incorporation setups because of low taxes.

What languages are widely spoken in Switzerland?

French, German and Italian.

Is Switzerland in Schengen?

Yes, switzerland signed schengen with EU to enable free movement within the EU. If you have swiss residence card, you can move freely in schengen countries.

Are there any taxes if i live outside Switzerland after getting residency?

If you hold B permit or own a real estate, you have to pay taxes. Taxes are very high in Switzerland.

How is real estate in Switzerland?

Swiss real estate is very expensive and good properties in central areas are no less than CHF 1 million. Homes and flats around Lake Zurich and Lake Geneve are extremely expensive starting from CHF 3 million or more.

What is the cost of living in Switzerland?

You will need atleast CHF 5000 every month to live comfortably on an average.

Does Switzerland has tax treaties?

Yes, Switzerland has tax treaties with OECD countries.

What are the income tax rates?

Progressive up to 11.5% (federal)/up to 30% (cantonal). Foreign employees residing in Switzerland whose gross salary exceeds CHF 120,000 per year (CHF 500,000 in Geneva) are obliged to file atax return for their worldwide income and assets.

 

We offer full assistance and personalized consultation in deciding which swiss canton to get residence permit , international tax planning, real estate and accomodation in Switzerland, specifically those non-EU persons and foreign nationals, who wish to move to Switzerland.