Switzerland Expat Guide
Everything you need to know to settle and live in Switzerland.
Latest Expat Articles
LPP buy-in 2026: worth it or not? How to calculate it | ibani
Tax saving, investment period, tax on the lump sum: the formula for valuing a 2nd pillar buy-in, the three-year lock-in and the 31 December deadline.
Updated on: 9 November 2026
Widow's or old-age pension: the 30-day choice | ibani
Letter from your AVS fund: keep the widow's pension or switch to the old-age pension with the 13th pension. 12 versus 13 monthly payments, 30-day deadline.
Updated on: 9 November 2026
Swiss 2nd pillar (OP) 2026: figures, pension and withdrawal
Swiss pension 2026: entry threshold CHF 22,680, coordination deduction CHF 26,460, minimum rate 1.25%, conversion rate 6.8%. Pension or lump sum.
Updated on: 6 November 2026
Salary in US dollars in Switzerland: tax, OASI and FX | ibani
Paid in USD by an employer in Switzerland: the rate used for tax, OASI and LPP, the 120,000-franc threshold, and what the dollar cost you in 2025.
Updated on: 5 November 2026
Swiss pension abroad: payment dates, currency and tax | ibani
AVS and LPP pensions paid outside Switzerland: payment dates, the 13th pension, currency by country, exchange costs, withholding tax and tax in your country.
Updated on: 3 November 2026
Transferring your euro savings to Switzerland | ibani
Transferring your euro savings to Switzerland: what the bank checks, the documents needed depending on the source of funds, the exchange cost and when to convert.
Updated on: 28 October 2026
Sending money to family abroad from Switzerland | ibani
Sending money to your family from Switzerland: what the intermediary checks, when you must justify a transfer, gifts, exchange controls and the real cost.
Updated on: 27 October 2026
Buying in Switzerland as a foreigner: the Lex Koller | ibani
Cross-border worker, expat or European living outside Switzerland: who can buy a home in Switzerland without authorisation, quotas by canton, the 2026 reform.
Updated on: 26 October 2026
Cross-Border Inheritance 2026: Swiss or Foreign Law? | ibani
Death in Switzerland or abroad: which law governs the estate, which forced heirship rules apply, and who taxes what in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Updated on: 22 October 2026
Swiss health insurance deductible 2027: the break-even | ibani
Deductible of 300 or 2,500, family doctor, HMO or Telmed: the exact care spend at which a high deductible stops paying, and when you may switch.
Updated on: 20 October 2026
The Ultimate Guide for the New Swiss Cross-Border Worker (2026)
2026 guide for the new Swiss cross-border worker: G permit, telework caps (40% FR, 25% IT), right of option, cantonal tax, allowances, FX.
Updated on: 19 October 2026
Moving to Dubai: Visas, Admin and Money | ibani
Moving to Dubai in 2026: residence visa, Emirates ID, health cover, real cost of living, what happens to your OASI and Swiss pension, and how to transfer money.
Updated on: 19 October 2026
Swiss 35% withholding tax: how to get it refunded
Swiss dividends and interest cut by 35%: what a resident recovers, and what a non-resident recovers under their country's tax treaty, country by country.
Updated on: 19 October 2026
Investing in Switzerland: The Complete 2026 Guide | ibani
Investing in Switzerland in 2026: stocks, ETFs, pillar 3a, real estate (Lex Koller, end of imputed rental value), atypical investments and tax. Updated guide.
Updated on: 19 October 2026
Opening a Swiss Bank Account: 2026 Cross-Border Worker Guide
Cross-border worker or resident: how to open a Swiss bank account in 2026. Offers with no non-resident fees, Swiss IBAN, documents and 16 accounts compared.
Updated on: 19 October 2026
Moving to Switzerland: Customs Checklist | ibani
Relocating to Switzerland: FOCBS customs, permits, KVG/LAMal, vehicles, the 10M Switzerland vote, and how to transfer your funds without hidden fees.
Updated on: 19 October 2026
Tax on 2nd pillar capital withdrawals: rates by canton 2026
LPP lump sum withdrawal: 5.7% to 9.6% tax on CHF 500,000 in 15 cantonal capitals. 2026 rates, the effect of staggering and the case of non-residents.
Updated on: 15 October 2026
Health insurance in retirement: LAMal or country of residence?
Swiss pension only, a French pension too, a third-country pension: who insures you in retirement, when to exercise the right of option again, and at what cost.
Updated on: 7 October 2026
Life certificate: drawing your Swiss pension abroad | ibani
Life and civil status certificate 2026: who still has to file it to keep drawing an AVS or LPP pension abroad, the 90-day deadline, exemptions and suspension.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss LPP (2nd Pillar): 2026 Simulator, Taxation & Withdrawal
Swiss LPP (BVG): calculate your capital with our interactive simulator. Coordination deduction rules, WEF and cross-border withdrawal taxation.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Moving to Switzerland with a Pet: Vet Rules | ibani
Microchip, rabies vaccine, EU pet passport, customs and AMICUS registration: all the 2026 veterinary rules to move to Switzerland with your dog, cat or ferret.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Moving to Switzerland from Singapore: Visa, Study and Work
Expert guide for Singaporean citizens: visa exemption, immigration procedures, study permits, obtaining a work permit, and settling in Switzerland.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Moving to Switzerland: your first 30 days | ibani
B permit, registration (14 days), rent deposit and LAMal (3 months from registration): the step-by-step admin checklist for new expats in Switzerland in 2026.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss Payslip 2026: OASI, DI and LEC Contributions | ibani
OASI, DI, LEC, unemployment, LOB, accident cover: what each line deducts from your gross Swiss salary in 2026, with official rates and a full net calculation.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss Rent Guarantee: How to Block Funds from Abroad in 2026
2026 Guide for expats: how to open and fund a Swiss rent guarantee account from Europe while limiting the cost of exchange.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Importing Your Vehicle to Switzerland: Taxes, Customs, Plates
Importing a car to Switzerland: exemption (form 18.44), import taxes, inspection report 13.20 A, vehicle inspection and Swiss license plates.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Buy-to-let property abroad from Switzerland | ibani
Swiss resident letting a property in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy or Germany? Local tax, Swiss rate, interest, 2nd pillar, currency exchange: 2026 guide.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
2026 Expert Guide: The Swiss Three Pillars Retirement System
Discover OASI, Caisse de Pension (LPP), and 3rd pillar (3a) in Switzerland for 2026. Updated amounts, 13th AVS payment, and expert tax strategies.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Guide to Transport in Geneva 2026: Optimize Your Commute | ibani
Cross-border worker or newcomer to Geneva? Transport solutions for 2026 (Léman Express, TPG passes covered for young people under conditions, bikes).
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Renting an Apartment in Switzerland: The Ultimate Guide | ibani
Discover how to build the perfect rental application to rent an apartment in Switzerland in 2026. Real estate websites, students, debt register, and deposit.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss Naturalisation 2026: Steps and Requirements | ibani
C permit, 10 years of residence, B1 speaking, cantonal test, fees: every step of Swiss naturalisation in 2026, from filing your file to the passport.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Job Opportunities in Switzerland 2026: Sectors, Jobs and Salaries
Swiss Job Market Barometer 2026: Discover the sectors facing talent shortages, the Top 10 most in-demand jobs, and their median salaries.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Opening a Bank Account in Hong Kong: ZA Bank or HSBC | ibani
Traditional or digital banks (ZA Bank, Mox) in Hong Kong: who can open what, the HKID constraint, the real timelines and the cost of converting into francs.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss Residence & Work Permits (B, C, G, L): 2026 Guide | ibani
Permit B, C, G or L: which Swiss residence or work permit do you need in 2026? Conditions, procedures, taxation and salary management.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Resigning in Switzerland: the notice rule that costs a month
Notice expires at the end of a month: one day late moves your departure by a whole month. Periods by seniority, benefits by country, second pillar and G permit.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Leaving Switzerland: the 2026 departure checklist | ibani
Leaving Switzerland in 2026: departure notification, 2nd pillar, OASI, 3rd pillar, C permit. Four decisions must be made before you go. The full timeline.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Repatriating capital from Hong Kong to Switzerland 2026 | ibani
End of assignment in Hong Kong: IR56G tax clearance, MPF withdrawal, real transfer times for HKD to Switzerland and the AMLA framework on arrival.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Withdraw 2nd Pillar (BVG) to buy property abroad | ibani
Expert guide: using your Swiss 2nd pillar (BVG/LPP) to buy a house abroad. Conditions, international taxes, and optimizing the exchange rate.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Repatriating Funds from Singapore to Switzerland | Expert Guide
Expert guide and official sources: capital transfer, SRS/CPF liquidation, and SGD/CHF exchange rate optimization when relocating from Singapore to Switzerland.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Maximum AHV Pension (2,520 CHF): The Guide for Future Retirees
Complete breakdown of the conditions (Scale 44, Average Annual Income, Splitting) to reach the AHV pension ceiling of 2,520 CHF and optimize its repatriation abroad.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss Retirement Abroad (Portugal, Spain) | ibani
2026 guide: retiring in Portugal or Spain with a Swiss pension. Exporting your AVS and LPP, withholding tax, taxation, LAMal and converting CHF into EUR.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Average Salary Switzerland 2026: Jobs, Cantons & Minimum Wage
Swiss salary guide 2026: Average income by job, Geneva minimum wage (24.59 CHF/h), and net salary calculator for cross-border workers.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Swiss Workplace Etiquette: The 2026 Business Culture Guide
Punctuality, formal address, meetings, apéro, emails: the unwritten rules of Swiss business culture in 2026, from the Röstigraben to Swiss employment law.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Getting Married in Switzerland as a Foreigner: 2026 Guide | ibani
Preparatory procedure, legalised documents, lawful residence, a three-month window and real costs: how to marry in Switzerland as a foreigner in 2026, tax included.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
UN operational rate of exchange: pay and expenses | ibani
The UN rate is not a bank rate: it is set for a period and used to record everything. What it changes for a salary, an expense claim and a pension in Geneva.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Working in two Swiss cantons: which tax rules apply? | ibani
Working in two Swiss cantons in 2026: withholding tax, the global-rate rule and salary centralisation for cross-border and B permit workers.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Writing your CV and Applying for a Job in Switzerland (2026)
Discover the exact methodology to land a job in Switzerland in 2026. Complete guide on the Swiss CV format, application dossier, and essential job boards.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Relocating and Living in Switzerland: The 2026 Expert Guide
Complete and updated guide to moving to Switzerland: residence permits (SEM), cost of living (FSO), mandatory insurance (KVG/LAMal), and financial optimization.
Updated on: 30 September 2026
Guide to OASI: Old Age and Survivors' Insurance in Switzerland
Everything you need to know about OASI: Understand how the first pillar of Swiss retirement works and its benefits.
Updated on: 29 September 2026
Free bank account in Switzerland: the hidden costs | ibani
CHF 0 Swiss accounts in 2026 (neon, Zak, Yuh, UBS, ZKB…): what they charge elsewhere (exchange, withdrawals, conditions) and the real cost over a year, in figures.
Updated on: 28 September 2026
Wealth tax in Switzerland: what is taxed, canton by canton
Who pays wealth tax in Switzerland, on what, and how much by canton. Euro accounts, property abroad, 2nd pillar, crypto: what you must declare in 2026.
Updated on: 28 September 2026
ANobAG in Switzerland: who pays your contributions | ibani
Employed in Switzerland by a foreign company with no place of business here: you pay 12.8% in contributions instead of 6.4%. What you owe, and how to register.
Updated on: 22 September 2026
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