Moving to Switzerland: Tax Advice for Your Move
You have built a remarkable life for yourself and your family.
Built wealth. Wealth, you want to see last and grow.
Now you are planning your move to Switzerland. To a place where you feel at home.
And suddenly, everything feels more complex. With more room for mistakes.
It feels like there are 100 things to decide.
Which canton is the right one? Which municipality feels right for us as a family?
Rent or buy?
House or apartment? By the lake?
How will rental income and wealth from my current country of residence be taxed?
When exactly do I become a Swiss tax resident? And what was that again about the 183 days and being tax-free?
ChatGPT gave me an overview of Swiss taxes, but what does that mean for me? And how much tax will I actually pay?
So far, you have collected bits and pieces of tax information. From Google and AI, such as Claude or ChatGPT, to friends and social media.
And now?
At some point, it is no longer about collecting more information.
It is about knowing what the right next step is.
Sondern zu wissen, was der nächste richtige Schritt ist.
Tax Planning Before Moving to Switzerland
When is the perfect time to start working together? Before you move. Then everything can still be planned freely.
When is the second-best time? Immediately after you move.
We are also happy to involve your existing tax advisor abroad. Alternatively, we can put you in touch with selected colleagues in different countries.
Afterwards, you understand what the different options mean for your personal situation.
You have a clear basis for making decisions about your move to Switzerland.
Only once it is clear which path is right for you do we move on to the next steps. Implementation.
Already living in Switzerland and looking to plan your wealth and taxes? Read more about tax planning for international wealth.
Every Move Is Part of a Life Story.
Since 2007, I have advised hundreds of people on their move to Switzerland.
And every situation is unique in its own way.
There is one thing all my clients have in common: All are making one of the most important decisions of their lives:
International executives
High-net-worth individuals in retirement
Families with real estate in several countries
Entrepreneurs and investors
Complexity Is Part of My Everyday Work.
My clients include people with:
- Real estate in several countries
- Real estate held through companies or other structures (e.g. US: LLC, France: SCI, Liechtenstein: Anstalt)
- Trusts
- Employee share plans
- International severance payments
- Pension and social security matters relating to international employment
“My tax situation had become increasingly complex, particularly due to owning property abroad. I was looking for someone who could not only advise me on the Swiss side, but who was also familiar with foreign tax law and cross-border matters.”
Partner at a Big Four firm
Your Life Comes First.
Taxes Are Planned Around It.
You can take your time when deciding on your tax solution.
We start somewhere else.
If anything were possible: How would you want to live? What are your goals?
Only then do we start with tax planning.
Before we look for a solution together, I want to understand what is important for you.
Then we will discuss possible options.
And I will tell you directly if, in my opinion, a solution is not the right one for you and your goals.
How We Work Together
Introductory Call
Advisory Package: Your Arrival in Switzerland
1. Meeting to discuss Your Goals and Vision
Before our meeting, you will receive questions about your goals and your situation.
During the meeting, we look at your wealth and your goals together and discuss possible options. Then we narrow these down to a maximum of two.
2. Options Analysis
We analyse the option(s) from a tax and social security perspective and prepare a calculation for you based on the results.
3. Decision Meeting
We discuss the results and you decide which option you would like to move forward with.
Implementation Package: Your Solution
What My Clients Say About Working With Me
“What surprised me most was how quickly Tabea gets to the point. Within two or three sentences, I knew what mattered in my situation. She didn’t try to make it more complicated than it needed to be.”
V.E.
“I have recommended Tabea several times. I particularly value her pragmatic and practical advice, combined with the speed at which she gets things done.” Partner at a Big Four firm
“I can relax knowing that I have advice from someone who understands my specific situation.” Insurance Company Executive
You have certainty when making one of the most important decisions of your life.
You have more time for your new life in Switzerland instead of constantly having to think about tax matters.
Ready for an Initial Conversation?
We’ll discuss your situation and your goals and decide together whether and how I can support you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Switzerland
When should I start tax planning for my move to Switzerland?
The perfect time is before you move. Then everything can still be planned freely.
A move does not only affect your tax situation in Switzerland, but also in the country you are moving from.
For example, before moving from the United States, I would review the tax impact in the US and also if you can break state residency.
It makes sense to look closely at how your wealth is structured and whether any changes are needed before moving to Switzerland.
The second-best time? Immediately after you move.
When do I become tax resident in Switzerland?
You become subject to Swiss tax on your worldwide income and wealth when you move your centre of vital interests to Switzerland.
Registration with your municipality is often used as one indicator for when unlimited Swiss tax liability begins.
Ultimately, however, your overall circumstances are the most important factor in determining your tax residence.
What happens to my real estate abroad when I move to Switzerland?
Real estate, for example in the UK or France, is generally considered for Swiss tax purposes.
Rental income or the deemed rental income (a virtual income if the property is not rented out), less deductible costs, is included when determining the applicable income tax rate.
The resulting tax rate is then applied to the taxable income excluding that rental income or virtual income.
The same principle applies to the value of property for wealth tax.
What should I consider from a tax perspective when moving from the UK to Switzerland?
The Swiss tax year ends on 31 December. This should be considered when planning your move and preparing for your Swiss tax return.
A UK trust can either be considered either revocable or irrevocable. The tax treatment in Switzerland is different depending on the classification. You should look into the tax treatment in Switzerland before your move.
Remember to consider the UK inheritance tax rules and other tax rules that might still apply even if you have left the UK.
How do the canton and municipality affect my taxes in Switzerland?
Certain cantons, such as Zug or Schwyz, have lower tax rates than others, such as Zurich or Bern.
Tax rates also vary between municipalities within the same canton.
So it is not only the canton that matters, but also the municipality in which you live.