CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY PROGRAMMES
A selection of alternative residency and citizenship investment programmes to consider.
Switzerland Golden Visa
Residency by Investment in Switzerland
Switzerland is a popular choice and dream for those considering residency by investment or a golden visa. But the reality of obtaining residency or citizenship in Switzerland through investment is quite different. After initial research most investors look at alternative options. Not only is the investment requirement very high, the terms are also very stringent. Quotas apply to countries from outside the EU. Two methods apply:
Company Formation: By forming a company that creates jobs and economic opportunities for local Swiss citizens.
Taxation: By paying an annual taxation typically between CHF 150,000 and CHF 1 million depending on the chosen canton.
Switzerland Citizenship by Investment
Switzerland does not offer a direct Citizenship by Investment program. Unlike some countries that provide immediate citizenship or a fast-tracked route to citizenship in exchange for a significant financial investment, Switzerland has a more traditional approach to naturalization, requiring a period of permanent residency before one can apply for citizenship.
To become a Swiss citizen, an individual must typically live in Switzerland for at least 10 years, although this duration can be shortened in some cases, such as for individuals married to Swiss citizens or those who have strong ties to Switzerland. The naturalization process involves demonstrating integration into the Swiss community, familiarity with Swiss customs and traditions, and proficiency in one of the national languages.
Swiss Passport
Anyone fortunate enough to acquire citizenship in Switzerland through investment will gain a significant bonus as they qualify for one of the strongest passports in the world. Ranking 8th in La Vida’s superior passport ranking measure globally the Swiss passport offers visa-free access to around 199 countries worldwide. In terms of access for business, it offers visa-free access to 81.1% of the world’s wealth (as measured by GDP) and 92.6% of the global travel popularity.
Please contact us for further information on Switzerland or other programmes.
