Located at the heart of Europe, Switzerland is the second oldest federal state in the world after the United States of America. The country is divided into 26 states, which are known as cantons. They originally united to form the Confederation with the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 – the only exception is the canton of Jura which separated from the canton of Berne in 1979. Berne is the capital city of the Swiss Confederation.

Today the total population in Switzerland is about 8.4 million, most of whom live in the major cities – Zurich, Basel, Geneva and Berne. In comparison with other European countries, the proportion of foreigners is particularly high in Switzerland representing around 25% of the resident population. The vast majority of foreign residents come from Europe – Italy (15.4%), Germany (15.1%) and Portugal (13.1%). However the proportion of residents who come from other continents is slightly increasing.

Switzerland’s economy is fairly robust in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). If we consider GDP per capita, it is among the richest countries in the world. The main sources of Switzerland’s GDP include services (71%), industry such as machinery manufacture, pharmaceuticals production and watchmaking (27%).

Switzerland is known for its high standard of living, attracting many professionals and their families from around the globe – Zurich and Geneva are regularly ranked as being amongst the best cities in the world in which to live.

EU/EFTA nationals (i.e. EU citizens as well as citizens of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, due to BREXIT this applies to UK nationals only until 31.12.2020) benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of People, and therefore have a legal right to obtain a work permit based on a signed Swiss employment contract. They receive their work permit upon registration at their local community office of their domicile in Switzerland.

EU/EFTA nationals on assignment to Switzerland (no Swiss employment contract) for more than 90 days per calendar year are not covered by the Agreement on the Free Movement of People. A work permit application has to be approved in advance.

The Swiss salary levels have to be respected and additionally all assignment related costs for accommodation, food and travel have to be covered by the employer. The applicable Swiss salary level has to be individually calculated depending on several parameters such as education, age, professional experience or responsibilities. The processing time with the authorities amounts to around 3-6 weeks.

Locally hired non EU/EFTA nationals are only granted a work permit if no equivalent candidate could be found on the Swiss employment market and effective and extensive recruitment efforts can be proven (requirement). Exemptions are applicable for intra company transfers of highly specialised employees or for positions in managerial roles.

For intra company assignees (no Swiss employment contract), the precedence is not applicable under the condition that the assignees have been employed for at least 12 months.

For all non EU/EFTA nationals the Swiss salary levels have to be respected. Most non EU/EFTA nationals have to pick up an entry visa in order to enter Switzerland for work and/or residence. The processing time with the authorities for the work permit including the entry visa amounts to around 4-8 weeks.

A gainful activity of a foreign national in Switzerland requires a work permit.

Business meetings are allowed without work permit (Schengen Rules apply) and visa requirements are applicable for most non EU/EFTA nationals. Persons from EU/EFTA member states, regardless of their qualifications, are granted easy access to the Swiss labour market under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. By decree of the Federal Council, workers from third countries, as they are referred to, are admitted in limited numbers to the labour market in Switzerland, if they are well qualified.

Even though Switzerland is a small country, its people speak no less than four different languages: German, French, Italian, and Rhaeto-Romanic.

Everything from the list of the ingredients on the package of groceries to official government documents has to be printed in three different languages (German, French and Italian).

The German speaking Swiss speak a different form of German than the Germans or the Austrians, called “Swiss-German” or “Schweizerdeutsch”. To make it more complicated, each canton has its own dialect and there is no written Swiss-German at all. Fortunately, the Germans, Austrians, and Swiss-Germans use the same written German language, which is close to the so-called “high German,” the standard for the German languages.

The French and Italian speaking Swiss also have a unique version of their language that differs from their neighbours, but the difference is mainly in vocabulary and is not as dramatic as in the case of Swiss-German.

The other official language is Rhaeto-Romanic, a very old language (considered so because new words are not introduced, but instead taken from German) that is spoken within a limited region of Switzerland. Even though there are only a few villages where they still speak this language, there are nonetheless five different dialects.

Currency and foreign exchange

The currency is the Swiss Franc which is divided into 100 cents (rappen/centimes/centesimi). Swiss coins are available in 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2, and 5 franc amounts. Bank notes are printed in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1’000 francs. The official abbreviation of the Swiss Franc is CHF, although it is common to see SFr. and Fr. used as well. There are no currency or exchange control restrictions in Switzerland.

Banking

Switzerland is a country with an efficient and established banking system. Current account services are available through the major banks, the Post Office Bank, Cantonal Banks, and private banks. For more information about setting up a Swiss bank account, refer to the websites of any of the major banks in Switzerland, including:

• Credit Suisse
• UBS
• Post Finance

All invoices in Switzerland are required to be issues on a standard payment form (einzahlung/versement/versamento), regardless of who issues the invoice. Payment can then be made in cash at the post office (assuming you bring the payment slip), at your bank, at your bank’s automated bank machine, or via your bank’s online banking system.

Public Holidays

Some holidays are specific to individual cantons. However, there are some national public holidays, listed below.

• January 1 - New Year’s Day
• April (variable) - Good Friday
• April (variable) - Easter Monday
• May (variable) - Ascension Day
• May (variable) - Whit Monday
• August 1 - Swiss National Day
• December 25 - Christmas Day
• December 26 - Day After Christmas

If one of these days falls on a weekend, it is not usual for the following weekday to be given off “in lieu”.

Office and retail hours

Most offices are open from 08:00 until 17:00, Monday through Friday, although banks and government buildings may close earlier. Shops are usually open from 09:00 until 18:30, Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 09:00 until 17:00 (with shops in the city staying open later). In certain cities, shops will stay open until 21:00 on one day of the week. Shops are closed on Sunday, with the exception of shops in airports, train stations or some tourist areas.

Postal services

The post office hours in Switzerland vary depending on the size and location of the post office. Locations in the city center or near airports/train stations may open later.
There are two postal categories: Tariff A Priority (for next day delivery in Switzerland) and Tariff B Standard (for delivery within two to four days in Switzerland).

The Swiss housing market is difficult in certain locations given the limited supply of housing. Prices for the purchase and rental of property remain relatively high, especially in urban areas.

Renting property

It is possible to arrange for housing individually through resources available to the public. There are still listings in the local or regional newspapers, but more often information is nowadays available on the internet. By subscribing to various dedicated websites, vacancies can be found, but information may be limited as properties are not always advertised on the internet due to the short vacant period between renters. Acting quickly is highly recommendable as properties are usually rented in a short amount of time.

Alternatively, the services of a real estate or relocation agent can be used to help review housing options. The biggest benefit of using an agent is the fact that agents often have access to properties before they are listed on the open market. The agent can also assist in prioritising a specific rental application above other applications, although the final decision is always made by the landlord (there is no requirement for the landlord to accept the first application for a rental property). When determining the overall cost of the rental property, it should be considered whether any charges are included in the monthly rent, such as utilities, cable television, etc. It is standard for landlords to request a security deposit of up to three months rent.

Related links

•  www.homegate.ch
•  www.immostreet.ch

Purchasing property

The purchase of property can take time and will also affect an individual’s tax situation (see our separate section on the tax issues related to real estate). The advice of a qualified real estate professional should be sought when purchasing a property in Switzerland, as they can explain the various fees that will be due upon purchase, including transfer taxes, notary fees, and land register fees (approximately 6-7% of the purchase price should be budgeted for these fees).

The Bilateral Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons provides that, effective 1 June 2002, an EU/EFTA national holding a residence permit and resident in Switzerland enjoys the same rights as Swiss citizens with regard to the purchase of real estate. In addition, C permit holders, regardless of nationality, have the same rights as Swiss citizens to purchase real estate. Those individuals can acquire real estate in Switzerland such as a principal residence or a second home, a holiday home, land to build on, or an investment in a property.

EU nationals and cross-border workers (irrespective of nationality) who are not resident in Switzerland may acquire real estate if necessary for their gainful activity. Otherwise, the acquisition of a second residence or of holiday accommodation requires the granting of authorisation from the local authorities.

Individuals are required to pay at least 20% of the purchase price of a personal-use primary property as a down payment (i.e. the maximum amount of the mortgage is 80%). Generally, two mortgages are set up and the main one does not require amortisation of capital. Individuals can also use their pension capital (2nd and 3rd pillar) to finance the purchase of real estate in Switzerland, but only for a principal residence.

Purchasing property in Switzerland may have significant impact upon an individual’s tax position. Fiscal advice should therefore be sought prior to any property purchase.

Utilities

Individuals are often required to organise their utilities by arranging the services with the relevant company. In some cases, e.g. apartments in the city center, the arrangement of utilities can happen relatively quickly. However, it can take more time in an older home or for residents in rural locations, depending on the amount of work involved.

The telephone system in Switzerland is managed by Swisscom. To have a telephone line installed or connected an individual will need to contact them. After registering with Swisscom, a different service provider can be chosen from a variety of companies.

There is a wide range of internet service providers, which vary by geographic location. Some will also provide telephone options.

The public utility system (i.e. electricity, water) is usually managed by the cantons and the process will vary from canton to canton, as well as from city to city. As with Swisscom, one should expect to pay a deposit to have the services turned on and to register an individual account. Some utility companies will invoice based on estimated usage (usually from the preceding tenant) and will then adjust for the actual usage once a year or upon the closing of an individual’s account.

Television and radio

Television signal systems vary from country to country, even within Europe, so an imported television may not receive a signal in Switzerland.

Few basic channels can be received with an aerial only, but a satellite or cable hook-up is needed to access anything more than this basic service. It is possible to receive US and UK television broadcasts either via self-set up or through the local satellite dealers, although a supplemental fee is due for this service.

Every Swiss household is obliged to pay a television and/or radio license fee that is centrally collected through a company called SERAFE. All individuals whether they own a functioning radio or television or not are required to register with SERAFE upon arrival in Switzerland.

The Swiss education system is the responsibility of the cantons, so the process may vary from canton to canton.

Public Schools

Public schools are funded by the cantons through tax revenue, so there are no additional fees for schooling at public schools. Children living in Switzerland are required to attend an educational institution, either private or public, from age 6 or 7. The compulsory education usually starts at the age of 4 and lasts for 11 years.

The public school system in Switzerland is divided into the following sections:

• Nursery school (Kindergarden): for ages 4 to 6, usually two years before entering primary school. This school is mandatory in most cantons.
• Primary school: for ages 6 to 12. Primary school encompasses grades one through six.
• Secondary school: for ages 12 to 15. Secondary school is designed to prepare the child for the post‑secondary schooling. Compulsory education is completed when graduating from secondary school.
• Post-secondary school: for ages 15 and up. Post‑secondary school can be a high school or an apprenticeship of 3 to 4 years, depending on the career plans of the student.

The public education system in Switzerland has a reputation for high quality and tough standards. Upon arrival in Switzerland, individuals wishing to register their children in public schools are required to contact the cantonal education department and will be required to provide them with a copy of a work/residence permit and proof of health and accident insurance for the child.

Switzerland has an extensive network of roads ranging from multi-lane highways to small country roads. The major roads are always well-maintained and Swiss drivers are extremely courteous on the roadways, making driving in Switzerland relatively simple. Driving is on the right side.

Driver’s licence

Individuals are required to have a valid driver’s licence to drive in Switzerland. Foreigners who are living in Switzerland are allowed to drive for up to one year on their home country driving licence or an international driving licence, assuming they meet the minimum legal driving age of 18 years old (21 for large trucks). To obtain a Swiss driver’s licence, an individual will have to apply at the local motor vehicle division with the following items:

• Completed application to exchange their foreign licence for a Swiss licence.
• The original foreign driver’s licence for exchange or for the authorities to stamp as “invalid in Switzerland”.
• A certificate from a Swiss certified optician that the eye examination has been passed, which costs about CHF 25 (the motor vehicle department can provide a list of certified opticians in a specific area).
• One colour passport-sized picture.
• A copy of the Swiss permit (the actual permit must be brought along when applying for the licence).

In most cases, home country or international driving licences can be converted to a Swiss licence within the first year in Switzerland without taking an examination or practical driving test. Individuals from certain countries may be required to pass a practical driving test, but not the written exam.

Individuals who fail to convert the licence to a Swiss licence within one year from their arrival will have to take both the written and practical exams to obtain their Swiss licence.

Buying or importing a car

An individual must have a residence permit (or at least the permit number) before they can purchase a car in Switzerland. Purchasing a car from a dealer is the simplest approach, as the dealer will usually take care of all registration items. However, it is possible to purchase from a private individual, with many listings being available on the internet.

Cars are required to pass a strict mechanical evaluation by the motor vehicle department on a periodic basis (usually every 2-5 years, depending on the age of the car). Any mechanical problems that are discovered must be corrected, and the vehicle re-examined by the motor vehicle department, within a short period of time. When purchasing a car in Switzerland, the buyer should question when the car last underwent this mechanical evaluation.

After any purchase, an individual will need to obtain a licence plate and a “circulation permit”, as well as to take out insurance through a private insurer before the car can be driven in Switzerland. Proof of insurance and the grey “circulation permit” are the first things the police will ask for upon any traffic control.

A car can be imported into Switzerland, provided the following documents are available:

• Proof of car insurance by an insurance company registered in Switzerland;
• An expert report with the official customs stamp and/or additional customs authorisation;
• The date the vehicle was first registered from the original registration card;
• Technical data of the vehicle, such as engine size, weight, and maximum speed; and
• An antipollution maintenance card established in Switzerland after the proper tests have been completed.

There is an exemption under Swiss law that allows an individual to import their personal car without taxes or duties as part of their move to Switzerland, provided that they have owned the vehicle for six months prior to the move to Switzerland and they continue to own the vehicle 12 months after arrival in Switzerland

Otherwise, Swiss VAT (7.7%) and car tax (4%) – both calculated on the car’s value – are payable upon importation of a car. Custom duties may also be charged, depending on the country of construction (not the country where the car was purchased) and the weight of the car. It may be possible to reclaim VAT paid in the country of purchase in certain circumstances.

In addition, the car will have to undergo a technical evaluation (as discussed above) and may require additional updates to be compatible with the Swiss system, such as ensuring the speedometer shows kilometres.

Car insurance

Insuring a car in Switzerland is both mandatory and costly (relative to other countries). There are three types of insurance in Switzerland:

1. civil responsibility
2. comprehensive coverage
3. accident insurance.

All cars are required to have civil responsibility cover as a minimum; this covers injury and damage inflicted on a third party. The comprehensive coverage – which covers collision, theft, vandalism, etc. to the car – and accident insurance for passengers are both optional.

Practical tips

For any travel on the motorway, an annual (calendar year) highway sticker needs to be purchased. These stickers are available at the border crossings and most petrol stations for currently CHF 40. The speed limit on the highway is 120km/h unless posted otherwise, whereas the speed limit in towns is generally 50km/h.

Drivers should pay attention for photo radars, both in the cities and on the motorways. Drivers caught exceeding the limit will receive a traffic ticket.

All passengers are required to wear their seatbelts. Drivers generally travel in the right lane unless passing another car. If a car behind flashes their lights or puts on their turn signal, it is a sign that they would like to pass. Swiss drivers will not honk the horn unless it is an emergency or someone has made a serious traffic error (as it is generally against traffic regulations to use the horn).

As with Swiss social security (first pillar), affiliation to a pension fund (second pillar) is mandatory for all Swiss employees below retirement age (currently 64 years for women and 65 years for men) and therefore every Swiss employer must establish or join a recognised Swiss pension scheme.

However, under a valid certificate of coverage, the employee is exempted from mandatory Swiss pension fund contributions. If the employee remains affiliated to the home country pension scheme, the (employee) contributions into the foreign plan might be fully tax deductible as long as this foreign pension plan broadly corresponds to a Swiss plan. A review of the foreign plan is therefore necessary to see if recognition in Switzerland can be obtained.

In addition, anyone arriving in Switzerland with the intention of staying must take out Swiss health insurance within three months, which should cover them from the arrival date. Health insurance is mandatory for all Swiss residents and is organised privately, although some employers may choose to subsidise a collective private plan. The Swiss government will ask for documentation to prove that all members of an individual’s family have appropriate health insurance.

Social health insurance gives everyone living in Switzerland access to adequate health care in the event of sickness, and accident if they are not covered by accident insurance. Health insurance in Switzerland generally covers the cost of outpatient treatment, doctors (general practitioners), hospitals, pharmacy, etc. Broadly speaking, everyone is responsible for 100% of their health care expenses up to a certain amount (which can be chosen individually between CHF 300 and CHF 2,500 and which impacts the level of health insurance premiums payable), plus 10% (in general) of any costs above this amount up to an annual cap. The insured may choose any health insurer, and the insurer must accept the insured irrespective of age and state of health, and without any reservations or qualifying period.

Health Maintenance Organizations, or HMOs, are a relatively new concept in Switzerland and may not provide the same discounted costs on health care as they provide in other countries.

International health plans (e.g. CIGNA) are typically not recognised and are therefore not sufficient to fulfil the above-described legal obligations but each situation needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis upon arrival in Switzerland.

The taxation of income and wealth in Switzerland is dependent on the individual’s tax residence status. A foreign individual who is regarded as a tax resident in Switzerland will in general be subject to tax on worldwide income and net wealth while a non‑resident taxpayer is only subject to Swiss taxation on Swiss sourced income and Swiss situs assets (e.g. real estate).

Resident taxpayers

Individuals qualify as tax resident in Switzerland based on domestic legislation if:

1. Their tax home (i.e. centre of vital interests) is located in Switzerland; or
2. They spend 30 consecutive days in Switzerland (minor interruptions abroad are ignored) while performing a gainful activity; or
3. They spend 90 consecutive days in Switzerland (minor interruptions abroad are ignored) without performing a gainful activity.

In practice, each individual who is registered as resident with the local authorities is – presumably - regarded as fiscally resident based on domestic legislation.

International legislation (i.e. double tax treaties or other international conventions) can override Swiss taxing rights. An individual qualifying as fiscally resident in another country at the same time might therefore be (partially) exempted from Swiss resident taxation based on a specific double tax treaty.

Non‑resident taxpayers

Individuals who do not qualify as Swiss tax resident based on domestic or international law might still be subject to Swiss taxation as non‑residents on certain Swiss sourced income and/or Swiss situs assets. Non‑resident taxation based on domestic legislation is for example due on the following income and assets:

a. Gainful activity (employed or self-employed) performed on Swiss territory; or

b. Directors’ fees paid by Swiss based companies; or

c. Pensions (especially second pillar pensions) paid by a Swiss pension plan provider

d. Gainful activity performed in international traffic (e.g. on board of a ship or aircraft ) for a Swiss based employer

International legislation (i.e. double tax treaties) might overrule or limit the Swiss taxing rights.

Employees who are required to travel extensively can be reimbursed with a standard representation allowance for small expenses (up to CHF 50 per occasion) incurred during such business travel. These representation allowances must be agreed with the competent cantonal tax authorities and remain free of income tax and social security contributions. In return, the employees are typically unable to claim reimbursement of small business expenses up to CHF 50 per occasion.

To agree on representation allowances with the competent cantonal tax authorities mainly results in an administrative simplification for employer and employees to reimburse small business expenses. Especially in Geneva, representation allowances can, however, be an interesting tax planning tool because the amounts granted by the Geneva tax authorities (normally around 5% to 10% of compensation up to an annual maximum of CHF 100’000) are significantly higher than in other cantons (most other cantons would not grant allowances of more than CHF 24’000 per annum for top executives and lower amounts for lower level employees).

The Federal Tax Administration FTA provides a tool to obtain an estimate of the tax burden in the main cantons of Switzerland. To access the tool, please visit the following website: Tax Calculator (admin.ch).

The tax calculator offers simplified, quick calculations of tax burdens, taking into account flat-rate deductions. You can also enter further details and deductions to obtain detailed calculations. The calculations are neither binding nor guaranteed. Your actual tax assessment may be different.

Non‑resident taxpayers whose Swiss sourced income is subject to tax at source or any other Swiss income tax withholding are typically (irrespective of their nationality) not obliged to file a Swiss tax return. Whether they are able to file a return or a tariff correction (see the respective section for resident taxpayers) depends very much on the situation and the applicable cantonal rules and practices. This should therefore be checked carefully on a case‑by‑case basis.

Non‑resident taxpayers owning real estate located in Switzerland are – on the other hand – normally obliged to file an annual Swiss tax return irrespective of whether rental income is generated or not. A review on a case-by-case basis will even be more important with regards to the change in the source tax legislation as per January 2021.

Switzerland implemented a value-added tax (VAT) in January 1995 that is similar to the tax charged by other European countries. As a result of Liechtenstein adopting the Swiss VAT system, Switzerland and Liechtenstein form a single VAT territory. The VAT rate for most purchases in Switzerland is currently 8.1%, although some items are taxed at a reduced rate (currently 2.6%). Accommodation services also benefit from an intermediate rate at currently 3.8%.

Individuals who reside in Switzerland or Liechtenstein must declare Swiss acquisition VAT if they purchase supplies from non-Swiss VAT registered companies who are established outside Switzerland or Liechtenstein and the overall value of the supplies purchased exceeds CHF 10,000 within the calendar year. These supplies can include legal fees, transportation of goods, or shipping/relocation services related to a Swiss move (not exhaustive). If the threshold is met, the total amount incurred in that year must be declared by the 28th of February of the following year at the latest to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.

Supplies provided by foreign businesses* not VAT registered in Switzerland are subject to acquisition VAT**

• Lawyer’s fees
• Tax Advisors fees
• Professional services
• Financial Accounting and private account administration
• Aircraft or yacht management fees
• Cleaning, construction, gardening of a Swiss property
• Valuation of art work
• Advisory work for interior architecture and interior-design

* In case the services are provided based on an employment relationship between the foreign provider and Swiss recipient, no VAT applies

Household goods and any collections, animals or cars can be imported into Switzerland duty‑free at the time of the change of residency. The imported goods must have been used personally abroad for at least 6 months before the importation date and they have to be continued to be used thereafter. It is possible to import household effects within two years after the change of residency provided the conditions mentioned above are met.

Clearance of household effects must occur at the time of the change of residency (relocation of the goods) and within the opening hours of customs offices for merchandise. For the first importation, the completed application form 18.44 needs to be presented at the customs office. The change of residency may need to be proven with an employment contract, lease or a confirmation of notice of departure from the country of departure. If emigrating from a different country, an assurance of a Swiss

The animals need to be microchipped, own a pet passport and hold a valid rabies vaccination to enter Switzerland. There are several more restrictions depending on the country of origin. Further information are provided on the website of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office.

When entering Switzerland, personal belongings, travelling provisions and the fuel in the tank of your vehicle are considered as import tax free and import duty‑free. For all other goods, tax and duty will be charged depending on the quantity and the value of the articles being carried. The following chart provides an overview on the allowance of tax and duty‑free importation into Switzerland.

There is a stamp duty levied on security transactions in Switzerland by the broker involved in the transaction. This transfer tax of 0.3% for foreign securities and 0.15% for Swiss securities is levied by the broker as part of the transaction fees.

Federal withholding tax is levied at 35% on investment income (such as dividends and interest over CHF 200 per annum) derived from deposits with Swiss banks, Swiss investment fund income, as well as on bonds and bond‑like loans from Swiss debtors. This withholding tax is either fully reimbursed or fully credited against the Swiss tax liability for Swiss resident taxpayers, provided the investment and the income are properly declared in the tax return.

The aim of the federal withholding tax is to ensure that interest and dividends received by domestic taxpayers are properly declared as taxable income, and to charge non-resident recipients of interest and dividends with a final tax. However, foreign recipients of interest and dividends may be granted a full or partial refund if a double tax treaty exists between Switzerland and their country of residence.

The European Union Savings Directive is an agreement between EU countries to exchange information (effective as of 1 July 2005) on interest paid to individuals residing in another EU country.

The agreement between the EU and Switzerland stipulates that the interest payments made by a Swiss paying agent to beneficial owners who are individuals and residents of an EU member State are subject to EU source tax of 35% (from July 2011). Interest payments made on debt‑claims issued by Swiss debtors are excluded from the EU source tax, as they are already subject to Swiss withholding tax at 35%. Indeed, all interest payments subject to Swiss withholding tax will be excluded from EU source tax. In addition, and provided EU source tax is due, a beneficial owner can avoid the tax withholding by expressly authorising his Swiss paying agent to report the interest payments to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.

Switzerland has an extensive network of tax treaties designed to minimise any double tax exposure. The tax treaties normally cover the double taxation of income, but some cover both income and wealth taxation.

The application of the tax treaties and the interpretation of the rules can be quite complex. As a result, specialist advice should be sought before making any decisions based upon applying the treaty rules.

Switzerland does not have any double taxation treaties on gift taxes. However, Switzerland has concluded tax treaties with certain countries regarding the double taxation of estates or inheritances. These treaties can help minimise any potential double taxation, but some, such as the US/Swiss treaty, are very limited in their scope.

Albania, Algeria, Anguilla, Antigua, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North-Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Christophe, Nevis, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sweden, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Zambia.

Copies of the text of the tax treaties can be found on the website of the State Secretariat for International Finance SIF.

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