Build lasting wealth while you're in Switzerland
From pillar 3a and your pension fund to a low-cost global portfolio - we help expats invest tax-efficiently and build wealth that follows you, wherever life takes you next. Independent, in plain English, free to start.
- Independent
- Free advice
- Tailored to expats
Your wealth check
Answer three quick questions and we'll map the smartest next move for your money - free, no obligation.
- 1Situation
- 2Interests
- 3Your details
Who is this for?
Independent. Low-cost. Built for expats.
We're a Swiss financial intermediary - no in-house funds and no product quotas. We help you build a portfolio that is tax-efficient today and portable when you move on. Both the analysis and the consultation are free and non-binding.
Independent
No in-house funds. Advice you can trust.
Low-cost
Globally diversified ETFs, no hidden fees.
Always free
Paid by regulated brokerage - never by you.
Expat-focused
Cross-border and may-leave aware from day one.
Pillar 3a at a glance
- Max deduction (employees): about CHF 7,258 per year, as of 2025
- Withdrawal: from 5 years before AHV retirement age, taxed at a reduced rate
- Best held as a securities 3a, not a cash account
- Multiple accounts let you stagger withdrawals and cut tax
Pillar 3a: the easiest tax win
Pillar 3a is tax-deductible private retirement saving - as of 2025 employees can pay in up to about CHF 7,258 a year and deduct it from taxable income. Held as a low-cost investment fund rather than a cash account, it compounds far more over a 10-30 year horizon.
You can withdraw it when you leave Switzerland permanently, buy a home, or reach retirement.
Pension fund essentials
- Your 2nd pillar is usually your largest Swiss asset
- Voluntary buy-ins are deductible in the year you pay them
- Check the certificate for coverage on death and disability
- Leaving Switzerland? The money moves to a vested-benefits account
Your pension fund - and the buy-in opportunity
Your occupational pension (BVG/LPP) is capital you build with your employer. Voluntary buy-ins are deductible from taxable income - powerful in high-earning years - though a three-year lock-up applies before a lump-sum withdrawal.
When you change jobs or leave Switzerland, how you move this capital is one of the biggest financial decisions of your stay.
Investing in Switzerland
- Global ETFs keep costs low and diversification high
- Swiss capital gains are normally tax-free for private investors
- Dividends and interest are taxable as income
- US persons need PFIC-safe fund choices
A low-cost global portfolio, built from Switzerland
Beyond pensions, a simple portfolio of low-cost, globally diversified ETFs does most of the work. Non-US persons usually favour Irish/Luxembourg UCITS funds - they avoid the US estate-tax exposure that hits US-domiciled ETFs above about USD 60,000.
US persons need a different, PFIC-aware setup. Keeping total costs low (TER, custody, FX) matters more than picking winners.
Vested benefits basics
- Applies when you leave a job or Switzerland without a new employer
- Splitting across two foundations can lower withdrawal tax
- Some cantons tax lump-sum withdrawals far more lightly
- Never leave it in the default non-invested account for years
Vested benefits: what happens when you leave
When you stop working in Switzerland, your pillar 2 moves to a vested-benefits (Freizuegigkeit) foundation. Splitting it across two foundations and withdrawing in different tax years - ideally in a low-tax canton - can noticeably cut the one-off withdrawal tax.
Getting this right is often worth thousands.
Explore in detail
Pillar 3a
Tax-deductible private retirement saving - the easiest expat tax win.
Pension fund (2nd pillar)
BVG/LPP, voluntary buy-ins and what to do when you switch jobs.
Investing & ETFs
A low-cost, globally diversified portfolio built from Switzerland.
Vested benefits
Freizuegigkeit when you leave - split, invest and cut withdrawal tax.
Investing and pensions in Switzerland - common expat questions
How should an expat start investing in Switzerland?
Usually two moves: max your pillar 3a (tax-deductible) and build a low-cost, globally diversified ETF portfolio. Keep costs low and, because you may leave one day, choose a structure that travels well. We help you set it up independently.
Is pillar 3a worth it if I might leave Switzerland?
For most employed expats, yes. You get the tax deduction now, and you can withdraw the balance when you leave Switzerland permanently, often at a low one-off tax rate. The earlier you start, the more it compounds - even on a short stay.
Bank 3a or fund-based 3a?
For horizons beyond 5-10 years a fund-based 3a usually far outperforms a cash 3a account, which earns close to nothing. A bank 3a makes sense mainly if you expect to withdraw soon. We match the choice to your timeline and risk appetite.
Can I invest in ETFs from Switzerland?
Yes. Non-US persons typically use Irish or Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS ETFs, which are tax-efficient and avoid the US estate-tax exposure of US-domiciled funds above about USD 60,000. US persons need a PFIC-aware setup - we flag that early.
Should I make voluntary pillar 2 buy-ins?
Often worthwhile for higher earners: buy-ins are deductible in the year you make them, which is valuable in high-income years. Mind the three-year lock-up before any lump-sum withdrawal, and make sure your pension fund is sound first.
Is your advice really free?
Yes. The initial analysis and consultation are free and non-binding. We're independent, with no in-house products - our job is to find what fits you, not to sell a fund.
Put your money to work - the smart, low-cost way
Run the free wealth check or book a 30-minute call. Whichever comes first, we'll take it from there.