Switzerland: Investing

FDI in Figures

According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2023, FDI inflows to Switzerland returned positive after several years in 2022 (at USD 13.3 billion), compared to a negative inflow of USD -88.1 billion one year earlier. Of this total, 95% was equity capital and 5% was intragroup loans. In the same year, the total stock of FDI stood at USD 1.03 trillion, around 128.4% of the country’s GDP. As of 2022, investors from the U.S. and the EU controlled 41% and 30% of the capital stocks respectively. Most of the EU stock was attributable to investors from the three largest European holding company locations – the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Ireland. In the year 2022, resident parent companies possessed a majority stake in 20,300 non-resident enterprises. Among these subsidiaries, 8,600 were situated in the manufacturing sector, while 11,700 were in the services sector. Notably, the “other services” category had 5,700 non-resident subsidiaries. Manufacturing subsidiaries contributed CHF 509 billion, comprising 57% of the total turnover. The 'other manufacturing and construction' category led with a 7% increase to CHF 173 billion, while chemicals and plastics maintained a turnover of CHF 149 billion. The electronics, energy, optical, and watchmaking category, impacted by factors like high energy prices, saw a significant 16% growth, reaching CHF 107 billion. Non-resident subsidiaries in metals and machinery experienced a 12% increase, reaching CHF 78 billion. In the services sector, non-resident subsidiaries collectively achieved a turnover of CHF 378 billion. Notably, insurance companies led with gross premiums reaching CHF 113 billion, while the trade category saw a 29% increase to CHF 90 billion, benefiting from a positive market environment and higher prices (data Swiss National Bank). According to the latest data from the OECD, in the first half of 2023, FDI flows to Switzerland were negative by USD 94.5 billion, compared to investments worth USD 93.4 billion recorded in the same period one year earlier.

Switzerland is an attractive destination for foreign investors because of its economic and political stability, transparent and fair legal system, reliable and extensive infrastructure and efficient capital markets. Despite its attractiveness, FDI flows to Switzerland remain highly volatile due to the country's large exposure to international trade dynamics and political stability. Several Swiss cantons have used tax incentives to attract investment into their jurisdictions, including tax exemptions for new companies for up to ten years in some cases. After criticism from the European Union, this practice was severely restricted: the Federal Act on Tax Reform and Swiss Pension System Financing (TRAF) now obliges cantons to offer the same corporate tax rates to both Swiss and foreign companies. Nevertheless, the law allows cantons to continue setting their own rates and to offer incentives for corporate investment through deductions and preferential tax treatment. The major laws regulating foreign investment in Switzerland are the Code of Obligations, the Lex Koller, and the Cartel Law. There is no screening of foreign investment; however, FDI controls do apply to certain industries and sectors (i.e. banking, securities and real estate). Furthermore, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Investment Screening Act on 15 December 2023. Investment screening will focus on state-controlled investors and domestic companies operating in particularly critical sectors. The country ranks 3rd out of 82 in the Economist Business Environment ranking and 12th in the AT Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index. Moreover, the country ranks 1st among the 132 economies on the Global Innovation Index 2023 and 2nd out of 184 on the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom.

Foreign Direct Investment	2020	2021	2022
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	-50,252	-88,169	13,311
FDI Stock (million USD)	1,183,255	1,038,359	1,036,890
Number of Greenfield Investments*	128	147	151
Value of Greenfield Investments (million USD)	3,114	3,247	8,354

Source: UNCTAD, Latest data available.

Note: * Greenfield Investments are a form of Foreign Direct Investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up.

FDI STOCK BY COUNTRY AND INDUSTRY

Main Investing Countries	2022, in %
	0.0
USA	41.5
Ireland	10.4
Netherlands	4.5
Germany	4.2
United Kingdom	4.2
France	4.2
Japan	3.6

Main Invested Sectors	2022, in %
Financial and insurance activities	36.8
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	24.6
Manufacturing	16.6
Professional, scientific and technical activities	13.7
Private real estate activities	3.6
Information and communication	1.8

Source: Swiss National Bank, Latest data available.

Form of Company Preferred By Foreign Investors: The stock corporation [société anonyme (SA)/Aktiengesellschaft(AG)] is the most widespread form of business organization, though the limited liability company [société à responsabilité limitée (SARL)/Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH)] has recently been used more frequently because of its less stringent regulatory structure.
Main Foreign Companies: For a comprehensive list of foreign companies active in Switzerland, refer to the "Leading Companies" section on the S-GE website.
Sources of Statistics: Swiss National Bank

What to consider if you invest in Switzerland

Strong Points

Switzerland is the 36th country in terms of the ease of doing business according to the World Bank's annual report (Doing Business 2020). The main strengths of the Swiss economy include:

World-class infrastructure
Highly skilled workforce
Labour laws are less restrictive than in other European countries
Low unemployment rate
A legal and regulatory environment that is very attractive for companies and FDI
A strategic geographical location and excellent transport infrastructure that allows the country privileged access to European (West and East), African and Middle East markets
An excellent market for high-tech products and services and high-end products, making it an ideal pilot country for the introduction of new products
A major centre of research and development, offering excellent opportunities for partnerships and alliances (such as biotechnology and nanotechnology)
Political and social stability and close relations with the European Union
The country's relative political neutrality minimises the risks of tensions and economic sanctions that can slow down economic growth and attraction of FDI.

Weak Points

Disadvantages for FDI in Switzerland:

Switzerland has a relatively small economy, very open to international markets and landlocked, making it one of the most competitive markets in the world
The Swiss economy is highly dependent on trade, financial services and the presence of multinationals
Companies are also confronted with very strict regulations and standards (such as those related to the quality and packaging of products, drugs or cosmetics)
Overvaluation of the Swiss franc and bank secrecy (which can serve as an economic refuge) make the country sensitive to global economic affairs, thus attracting from time to time the eyes of the whole world and thus slowing FDI and other economic initiatives
Banks’ exposure to real estate (85% of domestic loans), with two institutions accounting for half of domestic assets.

Government Measures to Motivate or Restrict FDI

Switzerland is a country with a legal framework particularly favourable to foreign direct investment. The federal government allows all the 26 cantons (states) to set their own foreign investment attraction policies. Many cantons offer foreign investors tax exemptions and other tax incentives. For example some cantons offer ten years of tax exemption to new firms. Furthermore, there is no surveillance or screening done on foreign investments except in certain sectors like telecommunications where certain levels of performance are required in order to qualify for tax reductions. For companies working in the banking and insurance fields, government authorisation is required in order to invest in the country.
Following criticism from the European Union, a new law was passed in 2019 obliging cantons to offer the same corporate tax rates to both Swiss and foreign companies.

Protection of Foreign Investment

Bilateral Investment Conventions Signed By Switzerland: To see the list of investment treaties signed by Switzerland, consult UNCTAD's International Investment Agreements Navigator.
International Controversies Registered By UNCTAD: Refer to UNCTAD's Investment Dispute Settlement Navigator.
Organizations Offering Their Assistance in Case of Disagreement: ICCWBO , International Court of Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce
ICSID , International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency: Switzerland is a member of the MIGA convention.

Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors	Switzerland	OECD	United States	Germany
Index of Manager’s Responsibility**	5.0	5.3	9.0	5.0
Index of Shareholders’ Power***	5.0	7.3	9.0	5.0

Source: The World Bank - Doing Business, Latest data available.

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment: Guaranteed; however, the board of directors of a company registered in Switzerland must consist of a majority of Swiss citizens residing in Switzerland, and at least one member of the board of directors who is authorized to represent the company must be domiciled in Switzerland.
Acquisition of Holdings: Foreigners can invest and acquire stakes in Swiss companies, with some restrictions pertaining to sectors such as certain types of public transportation, postal services, alcohol and spirits, aerospace and defense, certain insurance and banking services. Furthermore, domicile requirements are applicable in air and maritime transport, hydroelectric and nuclear power, operation of oil and gas pipelines, and the transportation of explosive materials.
Obligation to Declare: At the moment, Switzerland does not maintain an investment screening mechanism for inbound foreign investment.
In order to prevent the misuse of its very liberal market framework, the Swiss government has introduced Due Diligence Guidelines in the banking industry under which banks must identify the beneficial owner of the invested funds. The government has also instructed Swiss banks to abandon anonymous numbered bank accounts, keep banking records ten years after the closing of an account and to refrain from actively assisting customers to evade tax.
Competent Organisation For the Declaration: Federal Department of Finance
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
Swiss National Bank
Requests For Specific Authorisations: Companies working in the banking sectors need to seek the approval of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to invest directly in the country. Furthermore, foreign and national investors alike must inform FINMA before acquiring or disposing of a qualified majority of shares of a bank organized under Swiss law.
The establishment of a commercial presence by persons or enterprises without legal status under Swiss law requires a cantonal establishment authorization.

Office Real Estate and Land Ownership

Possible Temporary Solutions: InstantOffices, CoWorker, Regus, etc
The Possibility of Buying Land and Industrial and Commercial Buildings: EU/EFTA citizens living in Switzerland enjoy the same rights as Swiss citizens when it comes to buying real estate.
Third-country nationals do not require a permit to buy a main residence when they live in Switzerland and meet the following requirements:
- hold a valid residence permit, generally a B permit for foreign nationals.
- live in that main residence for as long as you hold residence in that location.
- wish to build on the land within one year from the purchase.
An authorization is required to purchase the following types of apartment: holiday apartment, housing unit in an apparthotel (hotel with flats), second home.
Foreigners living abroad are subject to restrictions, which may vary according to the canton.
In any case, no permit is needed for the purchase of land to be used for economic activities.
Risk of Expropriation: The constitution guarantees the property rights. There has not been any major expropriation in the recent past. However as per their constitutional powers, the federal and cantonal governments can, through a legal process, expropriate or restrict property for reasons of public interest. In such cases, full compensation is paid.

Investment Aid

Forms of Aid: Investment incentives are offered at the federal and canton levels, which could include: tax holidays or reduced tax rates up to 10 years, subsidies on interest of bank loans, loan guarantees, employee recruitment plans, facilitation of real estate location, etc.
Privileged Domains: As FDI incentives are generally under the competence of the cantonal authorities, it is advisable to consult the canton-specific promotion agencies' websites, including the ones of Greater Zurich, Western Switzerland (Greater Geneva and Bern area), and the Basel area.
Privileged Geographical Zones: Large scale investments in manufacturing and service sectors with potential for job creation are preferred.
For further information, consult the "Industries" section of the S-GE website.
Free-trade zones: Each canton has a business promotion office dedicated to promoting foreign investments. Similarly, cantons can develop their investment incentives schemes. Since 2020, however, cantons are obliged to offer the same corporate tax rates to both Swiss and foreign companies.
No free zones exist in the country.
Public aid and funding organisations: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Swtizerland Global Enterprise
Swiss Bankers Association

Investment Opportunities

The Key Sectors of the National Economy: Travel & tourism, medical and security equipment, scientific and educational equipment & instruments, aircraft and automobile spare parts, electricity generation and distribution, information technology & telecommunications, agriculture, luxury, gastronomy, pharmaceuticals, medical technology.
High Potential Sectors: Bio- and nano- technology, IT & telecommunications, High-tech equipment, precision engineering, scientific instruments, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.
Privatization Programmes: Privatisation programs have been carried on in sectors like railways, post office, telecommunication and energy (although often formerly public companies continue to dominate their markets). At the moment, the main operation of privatization is the one that involves the aerospace and defence company RUAG, which has been split in two at the beginning of 2020, with the part that includes non-armaments aviation and aerospace businesses to be fully privatized.
Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Simap , Public procurement
Tenders Info , Tenders in Switzerland
Ted - Tenders Electronic Daily , Business Opportunities in the European Union
DgMarket , Tenders Worldwide

Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer

Monopolistic Sectors: Some formerly public Swiss monopolies continue to retain market dominance despite partial or full privatization, in markets such as telecommunications, certain types of public transportation, postal services, alcohol and spirits, aerospace and defence, certain types of insurances and banking services. Furthermore, the Swiss agricultural sector remains protected and heavily subsidized.

Finding Assistance For Further Information

Investment Aid Agency: Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE)
Other Useful Resources: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Invest Western Switzerland
Greater Zurich Area (investement agency)
Basel Area (investement agency)
Doing Business Guides: Handbook for Investors - Switzerland Global Entreprise
Deloitte Tax Guide - Switzerland
World Bank - Doing Business in Switzerland

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