Healthcare Quality
Switzerland ranks among the top healthcare systems globally, combining universal access with outstanding quality of care.
OECD / WHO, 2025
International Relocation · Switzerland
Your next chapter, in Switzerland.
→ Zero capital gains tax
→ Zero inheritance tax on direct family
→ Unmatched political stability since 1291
Fidinam guides international professionals, entrepreneurs and families through every step of their move to Switzerland — from tax planning to residency, real estate and corporate structure.
Why Switzerland
Stability you can measure.
Seven indicators explaining Switzerland's appeal for relocation — beyond tax, across stability, residency and long-term planning.
Education
Home to world-leading universities and a highly skilled workforce, Switzerland consistently ranks among the best education systems globally.
QS World University Rankings, 2025
Political Stability
Switzerland is one of the most politically stable countries worldwide, with strong institutions and legal certainty.
World Bank Governance Indicators, 2025
Innovation
Switzerland leads the world in innovation, driven by R&D excellence, talent and a strong business ecosystem.
Global Innovation Index, 2025
Sovereign Rating
Switzerland holds a top-tier AAA rating, reflecting exceptional financial strength and a safe environment for wealth preservation.
S&P / Moody's / Fitch, 2025
Safety & Security
Switzerland ranks among the safest countries in the world, offering exceptional personal security and low crime rates — key for families and wealth protection.
Global Peace Index, 2025
Safe-Haven Currency
A global benchmark for monetary stability, the Swiss franc is trusted worldwide for preserving wealth across economic cycles and periods of uncertainty.
IMF / BIS, 2025
Sources: OECD / WHO 2025 · QS World University Rankings 2025 · World Bank Governance Indicators 2025 · Global Innovation Index 2025 · S&P / Moody's / Fitch 2025 · Global Peace Index 2025 · IMF / BIS 2025.
Global Comparison
How Switzerland compares.
A snapshot across five jurisdictions that attract international executives. Switzerland balances low rates with rule of law, discretion and long-term predictability.
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Switzerland
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United Kingdom
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Italy
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France
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UAE
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| Max. Personal Income Tax | ~32.5% | 45% | 43% | 45% | 0% |
| Corporate Income Tax | ~14.5% | 25% | 24% | 25% | 9% |
| Capital gains (personal) | 0% | 24% | 26% | 30% | 0% |
| Inheritance (direct line) | 0%¹ | 40% | 4% | 45% | None |
| Standard VAT | 8.1% | 20% | 22% | 20% | 5% |
| Tax predictability | |||||
| Political stability |
The figures presented reflect standard tax regimes. Special arrangements — such as lump-sum taxation, non-domicile status, or pensioner regimes — can result in substantially different tax outcomes. Fidinam offers expert guidance to identify the most suitable regime for your individual circumstances.
¹ Canton Ticino: no inheritance or gift tax on direct family line. Sources: IMD 2024 · Swiss Federal Tax Administration · BAK Taxation Index 2024
Our Services
One integrated team for every step of your relocation.
From your first strategic considerations to settling into your new home, Fidinam provides a fully integrated approach across tax, immigration, real estate, and more.
Private Individuals
For individuals and families relocating to Switzerland.
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Tax Planning & Lump-Sum Regime Ordinary or lump-sum taxation — we identify the optimal structure and manage discussions with cantonal authorities on your behalf.
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Residence Permit & Migration End-to-end management of Swiss residence permits.
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Real Estate Search & Purchase From rental to purchase, our real estate team handles search, negotiation and all legal formalities.
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Wealth & Estate Planning Cross-border wealth structuring, succession planning, and the setup of trusts and foundations under Swiss or international law.
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Practical Relocation Support From customs clearance to driving licence, health insurance and bank account setup — fully coordinated.
Entrepreneurs & Companies
For business owners and corporate structures relocating to Switzerland.
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Corporate Tax Planning Optimised corporate tax structures across Swiss cantons, including holding, operating and IP models.
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Company Setup — SA / GmbH / Branch End-to-end incorporation — from articles of association to commercial register — including full domiciliation services.
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Transfer Pricing & International Tax Intercompany pricing, M&A tax, and cross-border structuring, supported by rigorous compliance and documentation.
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Corporate Domiciliation Registered office, board representation, corporate secretariat and full statutory compliance.
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Payroll & HR Administration Swiss payroll, social security and employee work permits; fully managed or outsourced.
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Cross-border Restructuring Entity rationalisation, mergers and carve-outs, with seamless cross-border execution.
Your Journey
Six steps to your new Swiss life.
A proven sequence that compresses complexity into clear milestones. Most steps run in parallel — you never wait longer than necessary.
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Weeks 1–2
First Consultation
A confidential 45-minute call to understand your goals, your situation and constraints. We outline the feasible paths and the realistic timeline.
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Weeks 2–4
Tax Planning
Cantonal comparison, lump-sum vs. ordinary regime analysis, coordinated exit strategy from your current jurisdiction and modelling of the first years in Switzerland.
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Weeks 4–8
Real Estate Search
Curated property shortlist, Lex Koller compliance, negotiation and notarial coordination — apartment, chalet or villa, in line with your strategy.
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Weeks 6–12
Residence Permit
Dossier preparation, filing with the cantonal migration authorities, family reunification and direct liaison until the permit is issued.
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Months 3–6
Practical Settlement
Comprehensive, hands-on support covering all key aspects of day-to-day establishment in Switzerland, including school selection, health insurance setup (both the mandatory and the private one), driving licence conversion, household logistics, bank account opening, and utilities activation. All processes are managed end-to-end by a dedicated relocation manager, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition.
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Ongoing
Continuity & Optimisation
Annual tax returns, periodic structure reviews, succession updates and a single point of contact for every future life event — we stay with you after the move.
Life in Switzerland
A country you can actually enjoy living in.
Beyond the spreadsheet: safety, schools, healthcare, nature and connectivity. Switzerland consistently ranks among the world's top destinations for quality of life — across every major index.
Lakes, Alps, compact cities.
World-class healthcare, low crime, clean air and a one-hour commute to the mountains. Switzerland ranks in the global top 5 for quality of life across every major index.
ETH, EPFL and international schools.
Two Federal Institutes of Technology among Europe's finest, plus a dense network of international, bilingual and IB schools in every major canton.
All of Europe in a morning.
Three hours from Milan, five from Paris, direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to every major global hub. The SBB rail network runs like Swiss clockwork.
Switzerland in a nutshell
- 8.7M
- Inhabitants
- 4
- National languages
- 26
- Cantons
- 2
- Federal Institutes of Technology
Where to live?
Lugano·Zurich·Geneva·Luzern·Bern·St. Moritz·Lausanne
All Swiss cantons are available options — these locations represent some of the most sought-after destinations. Our advisors guide you to the right choice based on your profile.
Why Fidinam
65 years of experience. On your side, worldwide.
Since 1960, Fidinam has been advising families, entrepreneurs and HNWIs at the intersection of Swiss precision and international reach.
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1960
Mr Tito Tettamanti establishes Fidinam.
Fidinam starts its activity in Lugano (Canton Ticino, Switzerland) and offers mainly a wide range of consulting and related services to companies, entrepreneurs and private clients.
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2000
Change in Corporate Strategy.
The Fidinam Group has decided to focus its strategies on specialization and expertise in its core activities in order to ensure a new approach to meeting client needs. The main services are management consultancy, tax consultancy and real estate consultancy.
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2014
Integration of the Asian Headquarters.
With the creation of Fidinam Group Worldwide in Hong Kong, the management of Fidinam Group's activities outside Europe is separated from Fidinam Group Holding in Lugano and transferred to a dedicated team of specialists and managers.
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2020
Global Presence.
Fidinam is present in over 90 countries, either directly or through trusted service providers who support companies, entrepreneurs and private clients.
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2021
Acquisition of PwC Switzerland's Abacus business unit and strengthening of market position.
The Fidinam Group has acquired the Abacus business unit from PwC Switzerland, which specializes in consulting and implementation of the Abacus business software. This acquisition positions the Fidinam Group as a leading provider ('Abacus Platin Partner') of Abacus business software in the field of business consulting.
Truly global. Deeply local.
With a presence in over 20 cities across four continents, Fidinam offers a unique combination of international reach and local expertise. Your Swiss-based advisor works hand-in-hand with our teams worldwide — ensuring a seamless transition across jurisdictions, languages and time zones.
Fully Integrated
One partner for tax, corporate, real estate and digital. No coordination across multiple firms — Fidinam covers the entire process.
Discretion & Privacy
Since 1960 we protect our clients with Swiss fiduciary confidentiality standards. LPD 2023 and GDPR compliant.
Multilingual Team
Our consultants work natively in the main European and international business languages, ensuring clear and direct communication at every stage. Additional language support is available through our global offices. No machine translation, no intermediaries — your first call, notarial appointment and annual tax review are all handled in the language you are most comfortable with.
Global Presence
A global network. Rooted in Switzerland since 1960.
From our Lugano headquarters to 25+ offices across four continents, Fidinam combines Swiss precision with an international footprint — so wherever you are today, your advisor is nearby.
FAQ
The answers, before we speak.
Six questions we hear most often from clients considering a move to Switzerland.
How long does the entire relocation process take?
From the first consultation to the day you sleep in your new Swiss home, count on roughly three to six months for a typical individual or family relocation. The first month covers tax planning and cantonal comparison, the second brings permit filing and property search, and months three to six close with notarial deeds, household logistics, schools and all the practical on-arrival steps.
Do I need to be an EU citizen to move to Switzerland?
No. Switzerland grants residence permits to non-EU citizens through several well-established channels: the lump-sum regime for HNWIs of cantonal interest, employment permits for executives, business permits for entrepreneurs creating local value and retirement permits for financially independent applicants aged 55+. Fidinam regularly assists British, American, Emirati, Chinese and other non-EU clients.
What is the difference between ordinary taxation and lump-sum (forfait fiscal)?
Ordinary taxation taxes your worldwide income and wealth at progressive federal and cantonal rates. Lump-sum taxation (imposition d\u2019après la dépense) replaces this with a flat tax based on your standard of living in Switzerland — typically calculated as a multiple of the annual rental value of your primary residence. It is available to non-Swiss citizens who do not carry out any lucrative activity in Switzerland. Requirements may vary by canton. Fidinam verifies eligibility for your specific profile.
Can I maintain foreign bank accounts and investments after relocating?
Yes. Swiss residency does not require closing foreign accounts or liquidating foreign investments. Under both ordinary and lump-sum taxation, properly structured foreign assets remain accessible. Fidinam advises on the optimal structure to maintain continuity of your existing arrangements.
In which languages can we work together?
Our Lugano headquarters operates natively in Italian, German, French and English, with fluent Arabic through the Dubai office and Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Portuguese through the Asia-Pacific network. Every step — first call, written memos, notarial meetings, annual tax review — can be conducted in the language you prefer, with no junior go-betweens and no machine translation of sensitive correspondence.
Can I continue working abroad after relocating to Switzerland?
In many cases, yes — but the details matter. Remote employment for a foreign employer, non-executive board seats, consulting engagements and passive investments are all compatible with Swiss residence, provided your tax regime allows lucrative activity (or provided the activity qualifies as non-lucrative under lump-sum rules). We map out every income stream before you move so there are no surprises with permits or tax.
Get in touch
Let's design your move.
Tell us a little about yourself and we'll arrange a confidential 45-minute call with a senior Fidinam advisor — free, no commitment.
Reply within one business day
Senior advisor, not a call centre
Strict confidentiality & Swiss discretion
Thank you.
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