If you are not a Swiss citizen, you need a Swiss residency permit to live in Switzerland for a period longer than 3 months. A tourist visa will only allow you a 3-month stay. There are various types of permits and different ways to get them—it all depends on what you want to do in Switzerland.
Switzerland is often considered one of the most suitable locations for incorporating an offshore company along with many other jurisdictions. However, it is a reputable and prestigious jurisdiction with a relatively low tax rate and especially a well-known reputation for the quality and security of its services and is located in the center of Europe.
Each state has the sovereign right to levy taxes, which means that it has to deal with certain tax issues that concern not only its own citizens, but also citizens that are non-residents who occasionally or temporarily earn income in the respective state.
For the first time in Switzerland, one of the cantons will introduce an hourly minimum wage, following a decision of the Swiss Federal Court. This measure will come into force in the canton of Neufchatel, although it has been disputed by managers and economic organizations.
Swiss economic structure is characterized by a pronounced orientation towards international trade in goods and services as well as on cross-border investment activities, besides the banking and pharmaceutical industries.
According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2015-16 Global Competitiveness Index, Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy for the seventh year consecutively, this due to its low tariffs on manufactures and absence of quantitative restrictions.
The 15th largest export economy in the world and the 2nd most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI), Switzerland has exported only in 2015 $279B and imported $261B, resulting in a positive trade balance of $17.5B.
Though not a common process, changing the legal entity structure of a business in Switzerland is possible. Entrepreneurs who have opened a company in Switzerland are allowed to change the legal structure of the company they formed in Switzerland if needed.
The economic stability of Switzerland is one of the most known facts about the country. Due to its taxation system, geographic and political position, low inflation, low unemployment rate as well as its competitive business environment, Switzerland has become a preferred destination for investors.
But in order to ensure the best development of a foreign capital company, quality accounting and bookkeeping services are required.
With fantastic transportation infrastructure, clean environment and a hub for innovation, the Zug canton is an attractive region for establishing a Swiss residence, as well as a popular location for doing business. Zug offers a wide range of business sectors, focused in this popular Swiss canton, which makes it an attractive location for new entrepreneurs who want to invest in business ventures and take advantage of the favorable tax system and business-friendly environment.
In Switzerland, the business culture it is above all other personal relations. The Swiss business values refer to punctuality, sobriety, responsibility honesty and hard work. This is why is important to know the business culture before starting a new business relationship with a Swiss client or partner. Here are the top 10 things to know about Swiss business culture.
Banks are part of Swiss culture since 16th century, therefore there is no surprise that the Swiss banking system is one of the biggest strengths of the country. The Swiss banking system is different than other European banking systems because it is based on the universal banking concept. This concept refers to offering all the banking services both commercial and investment. This is so that the risk to be spread over a greater number of business and customers.
