Investor visa, residency by investment and citizenship-by-investment programmes across Europe.
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Use the Lawyer Wizard → Suggest a FirmLeading international law firm with strong English-speaking team specializing in corporate and commercial law
Prominent Swiss firm with extensive English-language corporate and IP practice; active 2024-2025
Geneva-based international firm with strong English-speaking practice; specializing in banking and finance
Full-service law firm with bilingual English teams across Switzerland; active in corporate and real estate
Zurich-headquartered firm known for bilingual English-speaking team in corporate and tax matters
Full-service law firm with significant English-language expertise in corporate and IP matters
Thresholds vary by country — typically €250,000–€500,000 for real estate, or lower amounts via investment funds. Requirements change regularly; always verify with a lawyer.
In most countries, Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship after 5–10 years of residence. Requirements include language tests and clean criminal records.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Switzerland's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsNo EU-Style Golden Visa Scheme: Switzerland does NOT offer direct golden visas (investment-for-residency like Greece/Portugal). However, wealthy non-working foreigners have clear pathway via Pauschalbesteuerung (Expenditure-based Taxation).
Pauschalbesteuerung (DBG art. 14): Non-Swiss nationals settling in Switzerland can elect lump-sum taxation. Tax base = living expenses × 7. Minimum tax base federal: CHF 400,000 (equivalents to ~CHF 57,000 minimum annual lump-sum tax at ~14% cantonal rate). Cantons with schemes: Valais, Lucerne, Obwald, Uri, Appenzell I.Rh., St. Gallen, Appenzell A.Rh., Thurgau, Graubünden (most Eastern/mountainous cantons). NOT available: Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Basel (high-demand cantons).
Requirements: (1) Non-resident in Switzerland for 5 years immediately preceding application; (2) Physically relocate residency to qualifying canton; (3) No substantial economic activity in Switzerland; (4) Minimum tax base CHF 400K federal (cantons set higher: Valais CHF 400K, Graubünden CHF 250K).
Alternatives: Ordinary Permit B: Standard 1-year residence permit for employed/self-employed foreigners. Requires job/business presence in Switzerland. Path: Establish company (GmbH/AG), employ yourself, obtain permit. Investment: CHF 30-50K business setup + living costs. No minimum capital required if genuinely self-employed.
EU/EFTA Nationals: Bilingual I agreement (Personenfreizügigkeit) permits residence without pre-approval. Register with cantonal migration office (automatic approval). No lump-sum taxation available (EU treaty privileges standard income/wealth taxation).
Case Study (Hypothetical): Russian billionaire (CHF 500M net assets, retired, non-resident anywhere 5+ years). Standard taxation: ~CHF 100M worldwide assets × wealth tax + CHF 500M income (assuming investment returns). Swiss pauschalbesteuerung application: Relocate to Valais (minimum CHF 400K base = CHF 400K ÷ 7 = ~CHF 57K lump-sum annually at ~14% Valais rate). Approval: ~12 months post-residence establishment. Savings: Hundreds of millions annually (wealth tax exemption alone). Trade-off: Residency tie-in, reputational considerations, ongoing cantonal relationship management.
