How to Invest Money in Switzerland

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

Switzerland's neutrality and stability make it a haven for investment. With a significant tech sector, the competitive Swiss economy is poised to succeed well into the future. As international investors flock to the Alpine nation, you might be thinking you'd like to get in on the action. Luckily for you, we've gathered answers to some of your most common questions about investing money in Switzerland.

Question 1

Question 1 of 9:
Can foreigners invest in Switzerland?

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Yes, Switzerland welcomes international investors. International investors have all the same options for investment that Swiss nationals do. You can probably even buy shares in Swiss stocks through your regular broker.^{[1]
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US Department of State
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- Switzerland's 26 cantons create their own local investment policies and often include incentives to attract investment, so it pays to shop around depending on the type of investments you're interested in.

Question 2

Question 2 of 9:
Why do people want to invest in Switzerland?

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Switzerland has a competitive economy and reliable infrastructure. The country's political neutrality and government stability also make it an attractive market for foreign investment. Switzerland serves as a safe haven for many more conservative investors, particularly during volatile times.^{[2]
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US Department of State
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- Investors are also attracted to Switzerland because of the international reputation of the Swiss financial sector. Swiss banking is world-renowned for its security and sophistication.

Question 3

Question 3 of 9:
Is investing in Switzerland risky?

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Investing in Switzerland isn't as risky as some other places. While any investment can be risky, the riskiness has more to do with the investment itself. Switzerland has a relatively stable market, which makes it less prone to extreme fluctuations.^{[3]
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- As in any market, riskier investments might have higher potential rewards—you're just unlikely to get them.
- Swiss bonds are typically considered the least-risky investment option.

Question 4

Question 4 of 9:
Can I invest in the Swiss franc?

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Yes, the Swiss franc is extremely stable and considered a good investment. When markets are volatile, many investors buy Swiss francs in the same way they buy gold and silver. The currency retains its value well, which makes it a good bet if you're looking for some stability in your portfolio.^{[4]
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- An easy way to invest in Swiss francs is through shares in the CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust ETF (NYSE: FXF). It's an exchange-traded fund, so you can buy shares with most brokers around the world.
- You can also trade Swiss francs in a pair with another currency using a forex platform. The US dollar/Swiss franc pair (USD/CHF) is one of the most popular currency pairs and is traded widely.

Question 5

Question 5 of 9:
Which platforms are best for Swiss investment?

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Try Interactive Brokers or TradeStation. These platforms offer international accounts that allow you to buy and sell on the Swiss stock exchange. Interactive Brokers is considered the best with access to residents of 184 countries and $0 trades.^{[5]
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- TradeStation also offers $0 stock and ETF trades.
- If you want a Swiss broker, go to https://www.moneyland.ch/en/online-trading-comparison to easily compare online brokers and try out free demo accounts.

Question 6

Question 6 of 9:
Do I have to use Swiss francs to buy investments?

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No, Swiss investments are available in most currencies. Typically, you'll use the currency of the country where your broker is located. If you're investing directly in the Swiss stock market, your broker has already factored in the exchange rate.^{[6]
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- You also have the option of buying Swiss francs and using those to purchase stocks, which could get you a better deal if you can find a better exchange rate than the one used by your broker.

Question 7

Question 7 of 9:
What's the minimum amount I need to invest?

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Account minimums are set by each broker. Many online brokers will let you open an account with no money. But even if there's no account minimum, you'll still have to deposit enough money into your account to pay for any stock you want to buy.^{[7]
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- Full-service brokers typically require an account minimum of a few thousand dollars or the equivalent in another currency.
- Brokers might have different requirements for international investment accounts than they do for domestic investment accounts.^{[8]
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Question 8

Question 8 of 9:
How can I invest in Swiss real estate?

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The easiest way to invest in Swiss real estate is through a fund. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) allow you to buy shares of Swiss real estate the same way you'd buy shares of stock in companies. Because these shares are traded on the exchange, they're also a lot easier to get rid of if you're not getting the returns you thought you would.^{[9]
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- Real estate funds typically require a minimum investment of at least US $1,000.

Question 9

Question 9 of 9:
Can I get Swiss citizenship through investment?

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You can gain a residence permit through investment, then apply for citizenship. It isn't easy to get Swiss citizenship through investment. To get a residence permit, you need to form a company with a Swiss office and hire Swiss nationals. Once your business is paying annual taxes of at least CHF 150,000, you qualify for a residence permit.^{[10]
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- After you've lived in Switzerland for 10 years, you qualify for permanent resident status. Another 2 years after that you can apply for citizenship.