Switzerland is proud to be one of the best business locations in Europe. Among the many benefits of setting up business operations here, the following are the main pillars of our success:  More...   

The Lump-sum taxation is a special system of taxation based on the expenses of the taxpayer (an alternative to the ordinary taxation). Both federal and cantonal tax legislation provides for the possibility, under certain conditions, of levying a flat rate tax instead of ordinary income and wealth tax.  More...   

Here are some of the destinations without stopovers from Geneva. (With stopover(s), you can reach the majority of the airports of the planet.) More...   

Switzerland’s migration policy has a two-tiered system for the admission of foreign nationals into the country. On the one hand, permit regulations are significantly facilitated for EU and EFTA citizens; on the other hand, conditions are more restrictive for third-country nationals. More...   

Valais is a beautiful canton that lies to the south-west of Switzerland that borders on France and Italy. Cut off on all sides by mountains, the Valais has always been a world apart. This enchanting "holiday kingdom", situated at the heart of the Alps, provides a fascinating land of contrasts blessed with an exceptionally mild climate, where the number of sunny days per year is well above the national average.
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A social peace and a political stability
Switzerland’s efficient federal government structure gives the Cantons a considerable degree of political freedom and administrative autonomy, thereby facilitating decisions and policy-making in all areas, including issues related to foreign direct investment.

Excellent protection of intellectual property rights
Intellectual property is protected in Switzerland through a network of international treaties. The country boasts the most scientific Nobel laureates per capita.

A high standard of living
High quality homes and apartments satisfy the most demanding requirements. Personal safety and privacy are assured at all times. The public health system is world class.

Professional support and assistance
Investors are offered a number of attractive financial assistance packages. The promotion of Switzerland as a business location is closely coordinated with the private sector and the cantons. Switzerland offers direct access to essential points of contact and government agencies. Potential investors will find professional assistance throughout the investment process.

Switzerland’s geographical situation within the heart of Europe makes it an ideal business location.

Financial advantages
By European standards, taxes in Switzerland are moderate and have remained consistent over many years. In addition, there are various tax planning possibilities; in particular, Switzerland’s federal structure offers adequate latitude for healthy competition among the Swiss cantons.

The financial advantages are important enough, but Switzerland is perhaps unique among countries for offering this sensitivity towards wealth in an incomparably refined setting.

Oblivious to the trendy economic policies embraced by the rest of the world and backed by centuries of tradition, Switzerland stands as a fortress of financial restraint, political continuity and, above all, as a safe haven for private capital.

Switzerland is the world's role model for fiscal integrity. Pick any period in the last several decades, and you will find the Swiss franc has held its value better than any currency in the world. The Swiss franc has  a legal requirement that a minimum 40% is backed by gold reserves.

Switzerland is known for its wide range of first-class banking facilities which offer attractive tax benefits and interest rates, as well as very  high confidentiality. This helps to keep the Swiss Franc so strong

Switzerland values valuable citizens, and has written a tax code to allow for wealthy people to relocate and enjoy their independence relatively tax-free, without changing citizenship.

Since cantons are in a sense competing with each other to attract the most desirable individuals, some locations offer particularly striking options for wealthy retirees.  For example several cantons, including the canton of Valais, have no inheritance tax – thus wealthy citizens are free to pass their assets on to their family. 
“See also “Brit pack among record number of billionaires on Switzerland's rich list”)

Inheritance Tax/Estate Tax
With a change of domicile to Switzerland the Swiss rules for inheritance tax have to be taken into consideration as well. Many cantons have no inheritance tax.

Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF) currency is the worlds safest and strongest currency backed by 40% gold reserves.

The official ISO code of the currency used by banks and financial institutions is CHF, though most users of the currency, including advertisers, and stores generally use the often more common Fr. abbreviation. Some users also write SFr.. SwF has been used in some publications but is not an official abbreviation. CHF stands for “Confoederatio Helvetica franc”. Latin is used as the neutral representation of the country because the people of Switzerland speak four national languages.

The Swiss franc has historically been considered a safe haven currency with virtually zero inflation and a legal requirement that a minimum 40% is backed by gold reserves.

Swiss franc (CHF), divided into 100 centimes.
Notes:   1’000, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 CHF
Coins:   5, 2, 1 CHF
              50, 20, 10, 5 centimes

Languages
There are four official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansh.
Around 70% of the population speak Swiss-German (above all in the north-west, central and eastern parts of the country), 20% French (in the west), 7% Italian (to the south of the Alps).

Airport, Transportation & Telecommunications
According to international ratings, Switzerland has the best maintained and developed infrastructure with Singapore and Finland. All of this versatility and opportunity is easily accessible within a remarkably compact border. It is actually difficult to find a place more than 90 minutes away from any one of the three main airports: Geneva, Basel or Zurich. Once you are in a city, the network of intracity public transportation on buses and trams meshes seamlessly with the national rail system, which is unrivalled in Europe. The trains always arrive and depart on time and are a great way to travel as you get to sit back and admire the beautiful scenery that Switzerland has to offer.



For more information about Switzerland, the Canton of Valais,  Canton of Vaud or other cantons, please see our links page. For more information about Swiss business, consult our special section.


What we can do for you
See our Property Search Service, Property Management Service,  Construction / Renovation Service, Relocation Service, Bank Account Opening Service or Company Formation Service.

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Buying a property in Switzerland can offer wonderful advantages – whether as your personal home, retirement home, vacation property for personal use and rental income, or as an investment, now and for the future.  More...