Switzerland

Switzerland Investment Immigration Programs Overview

From its top-of-the-line watches and chocolates to its ultra-safe banking system, Switzerland enjoys a reputation for quality. The European country is the gold standard for many investors, retirees and wealthy individuals.

For those looking to relocate there, the price tag is high. Some advisers on residency programs suggest having $1 million in hand before applying for Swiss residency. And most of that is for taxes, not investment, with any real estate costs on top of that. Those taxes, and other aspects of residency, vary among the country’s 26 cantons.

In exchange, those who relocate to Switzerland can count on a consistent fixed-amount tax, low inheritance taxes, political and economic security, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a high level of privacy and personal security.

Switzerland is business-friendly by tradition and is eager to attract not only large corporations but also small and medium-size enterprises and private entrepreneurs.

Citizenship By Investment

While there is no CBI program, after 10 years of uninterrupted residence in Switzerland, the foreigner qualifies for a permanent residence permit.

How To Apply

Residence permits are issued by the authorities in each of the country’s 26 cantons; there is no central office. To obtain a residence permit, applicants should contact the appropriate cantonal migration office.

It typically takes about three to four months to get a residence permit in Switzerland.

Mobility

Foreign nationals who are not EU/EFTA citizens but hold a Swiss permit B, C, L and Ci may visit the 26 countries of the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, if they carry their residence permit and a valid travel document.

Country

Switzerland’s reputation as a banking powerhouse is well-known. The nation’s financial system is tightly regulated, solid and safe, offering sophisticated services to businesses and individual investors as well as privacy. The country has a stable currency and trade balance surpluses.

Along with that reputation is the country’s lofty status among the most expensive countries in which to live. Estimates of what it costs to live comfortably in Geneva, Zurich or Bern average 10,000 Swiss francs monthly, comparable to Germany, France, the Netherlands or the U.S.

That cost reflects a high standard of living and a well-oiled civic machine, with state-of-the-art public services including transportation, communications and energy systems.

Many international companies locate their European headquarters in Switzerland, including Amgen, Philip Morris and HP.

Switzerland has regions speaking German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romance. About a quarter of the nation’s 8 million residents are foreigners.