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The beginner's guide

Your money in Switzerland: where to start.

The full path, in order: six steps, each with the article that explains it. One evening to read everything, a few hours to put it all in place.

The six steps

In this order. Each step prepares the next.

  1. An emergency fund first

    One evening

    About 3 months of expenses in a savings account you can access straight away. It saves you from selling your investments at the wrong moment if something unexpected happens.

    The 5 first moves →

  2. Pillar 3a

    Opening an account

    CHF 7'258 deductible in 2026. Paying in the full amount usually gives you back about a quarter of it in tax, this very year. You can withdraw it if you leave Switzerland for good.

    The 3a limit and deadlines →The 3 Swiss pillars →

  3. Automate

    10 minutes

    A standing order the day after payday. You start now, and waiting 5 years can cost over CHF 100'000.

    Starting at 30 or at 40 →

  4. Understand what is taxed

    7 minutes to read

    In Switzerland, your stock market gains are not taxed. Dividends are. And there are 5 legal ways to pay less.

    Investing in Switzerland: what is taxed →

  5. Choose where to invest

    One hour

    Over 10 years, fees range from a few hundred francs with an online broker to several thousand at a traditional bank.

    Swissquote or Interactive Brokers →What an ETF really costs →

  6. Your first purchase

    30 minutes

    One index ETF, a fixed amount every month, and let it run.

    Your first purchase in 5 steps →How much in equities →

Then 6 reading paths go deeper into each topic, in order, with actions to tick. Not sure of your priorities? The financial score gives you your plan.

8 words to know

The basic vocabulary, one sentence each.

Pillar 3a
Voluntary retirement savings, tax-deductible up to a limit. Locked until 60, except to buy a home, become self-employed or leave Switzerland.
BVG (2nd pillar)
Your employer's pension fund. You and your employer pay into it every month.
Marginal tax rate
The tax on your last franc earned. It decides what a deduction is worth to you.
ETF
A fund listed on the stock exchange that tracks an index, for example 1'500 companies worldwide. Simple and cheap.
TER
A fund's annual fees, taken inside the fund. Below 0.20% on a major index.
Stamp duty
A federal tax of 0.075 to 0.15% on every purchase or sale made through a Swiss bank or broker.
Withholding tax
35% withheld on Swiss dividends, which you get back by declaring your securities.
Taxed at source
Tax deducted directly from your salary if you hold a B permit. Above CHF 120'000 of gross salary, you also file a full tax return.

Your numbers

Enter your situation and see the result.