Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Chur

About Golden Visa Law in Chur, Switzerland

The term Golden Visa is commonly used by media and some advisers to describe residency routes aimed at high-net-worth individuals who move to a country in exchange for investment, economic activity, or significant tax agreements. Switzerland does not operate a single, federal "Golden Visa" program in the way some other countries do. Instead, residence and settlement for non-Swiss nationals are regulated by Swiss federal immigration law and implemented at cantonal level. In practice, wealthy individuals seeking to live in Chur - the capital of the Canton of Graubünden - typically rely on one of the following pathways: obtaining a standard residence permit based on employment or self-employment, negotiating a cantonal tax-residency arrangement such as lump-sum taxation where available, or making a substantial local investment combined with a business plan that supports a residence permit.

Decisions about residence permits are governed federally but require cantonal approval and local administrative handling. Tax treatment, including any preferential arrangements, is heavily influenced by cantonal tax authorities. That means prospective residents aiming for a so-called Golden Visa outcome must navigate both federal immigration rules and canton-level tax and administrative processes in Graubünden and in the municipality of Chur.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Applying for residence under high-net-worth or investor-related pathways can involve complex legal, tax and administrative issues. A lawyer experienced in Swiss immigration and tax law can help in multiple ways:

- Interpreting eligibility - Assessing whether a person qualifies for a residence permit based on employment, self-employment, family reunification, or a negotiated tax arrangement.

- Structuring the approach - Advising on the optimal combination of immigration strategy, investment, and tax planning consistent with federal and cantonal rules.

- Negotiating with cantonal authorities - Preparing and presenting cases to cantonal migration and tax offices, particularly when seeking discretionary arrangements or lump-sum taxation agreements.

- Preparing documentation - Ensuring applications, business plans, financial statements, proof of funds and source-of-funds documentation meet Swiss standards and are presented clearly.

- Compliance and risk management - Advising on ongoing legal and tax compliance, anti-money-laundering obligations, international information exchange rules, and potential criminal record or reputational issues that could affect admission.

- Family and estate planning - Helping with family reunification applications, inheritance and estate planning, and integration of Swiss residency into broader personal planning.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal and administrative elements relevant to a Golden Visa-style approach in Chur include the following:

- Federal immigration framework - Swiss residence permits are governed by the federal Foreign Nationals and Integration Act and related ordinances. Federal rules set the categories of permits, basic admissibility criteria and the framework for entry and stay.

- Cantonal implementation - Cantons have discretion in implementing certain aspects of immigration and taxation. The Canton of Graubünden and the City of Chur are responsible for processing most local permit formalities and have their own administrative procedures and priorities.

- Residence permits - Common categories include short-term permits, B permits (initial residence) and C permits (settlement-permit after long-term residence). Permits for the self-employed require a credible business plan, evidence of economic benefit and compliance with labor market rules if hiring locally.

- Lump-sum taxation and preferential tax arrangements - Some cantons have historically offered lump-sum taxation for foreign residents who do not engage in Swiss gainful employment, calculating tax on living expenses rather than worldwide income. Availability, conditions and acceptance vary by canton and are subject to cantonal negotiation and federal oversight. Not all applicants or nationalities may be treated the same, and certain reforms or limitations may apply.

- Business-investor routes - Setting up or investing in a Swiss company can support residence if the activity is genuine, creates local economic value and satisfies immigration criteria for self-employment. Mere passive investment is generally not sufficient for a residence permit based on self-employment.

- Tax residency rules - Swiss tax residency is determined by physical presence and intention to reside, and by separate cantonal rules when special tax regimes are negotiated. Moving to Chur creates obligations to register with local authorities and to declare worldwide tax matters according to Swiss law.

- Anti-money-laundering and source-of-funds - Strong documentation of the origin of funds is required for significant investments, real-estate transactions and certain tax arrangements. Swiss banks and authorities apply strict anti-money-laundering checks and international information-exchange standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Golden Visa in the Swiss context?

In Switzerland the expression Golden Visa is informal. It usually refers to residence strategies used by high-net-worth individuals - such as negotiated tax residency, self-employment or investment-based residence. There is no single federal Golden Visa program with uniform rules nationwide.

Can I obtain residence in Chur by buying property?

Buying property in Switzerland does not automatically grant residence. Non-Swiss nationals must meet immigration criteria for a permit. In some cases owning property can support an application, especially if combined with economic ties or a genuine reason to live in the canton, but property acquisition alone is usually not enough.

Does Graubünden offer lump-sum taxation to new residents?

Some cantons have historically offered lump-sum taxation to incoming wealthy individuals under specific conditions. Whether Graubünden currently offers such arrangements, and the precise terms, depend on cantonal policy and negotiations. Any prospective applicant should seek up-to-date advice from a cantonal tax specialist or lawyer.

What permit do I need if I plan to start a business in Chur?

If you plan to be actively self-employed in Switzerland you will normally apply for a residence permit on the basis of self-employment. Authorities will expect a credible business plan, evidence of economic benefit to the canton, sufficient financial resources, and compliance with local regulatory and employment rules.

Can I bring my family if I obtain residency in Chur?

Family reunification is an option for many residence permits, but conditions vary by permit type. Authorities will consider the applicant's financial capacity, housing and whether family members meet admissibility criteria. A lawyer can help prepare the documentation and timing for family applications.

How long does the residency application process take?

Timing varies depending on the route, complexity, and whether federal or cantonal approvals are required. Straightforward B-permit applications may be resolved in a few weeks to months. Negotiations for special tax treatment or complex investor applications can take several months and require back-and-forth with cantonal authorities.

What documents are typically required?

Commonly required documents include a valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, proof of accommodation in Chur, detailed financial statements, bank references, proof of source of funds, a business plan for self-employment cases, and police-clearance records. Exact lists depend on the permit and canton.

Will I be taxed in Switzerland on my worldwide income?

As a Swiss tax resident you are normally subject to taxation on your worldwide income and assets, subject to double-taxation treaties and any special cantonal arrangements. If a negotiated lump-sum taxation agreement is obtained, tax can be calculated differently - but those agreements are specific and must be negotiated with the cantonal tax authority.

How important is proving the source of funds?

Very important. Swiss authorities and financial institutions require clear, verifiable documentation of the origin of large funds or investments. Weak or incomplete source-of-funds documentation can block banking relationships, real-estate purchases or permit approvals.

Should I hire a lawyer or a tax advisor first?

It is often beneficial to consult both a specialized immigration lawyer and a tax advisor together. Immigration lawyers can assess permit eligibility and coordinate with cantonal migration offices, while tax advisors analyze the tax consequences and negotiate with tax authorities. A coordinated team reduces the risk of missteps and speeds up the process.

Additional Resources

When seeking reliable information or starting formal procedures, the following types of bodies and professionals are relevant:

- Federal migration authority - the agency responsible for Swiss immigration policy and federal permit rules.

- Cantonal migration and tax offices in Graubünden - local administrative bodies that implement immigration and tax decisions for Chur and the canton.

- Federal Tax Administration - for questions about federal tax rules and international tax cooperation.

- Swiss embassies and consulates - for visa pre-clearance, initial information on entry requirements and consular services.

- Local municipality office in Chur - for registration, local permits and information on municipal obligations upon arrival.

- Qualified immigration lawyers and tax advisors - professionals with experience in Swiss and cantonal law and in negotiating special residency or tax arrangements.

- Professional associations - national bar associations and certified tax advisor organizations can help identify licensed practitioners.

Next Steps

If you are considering moving to Chur under a high-net-worth or investor-related pathway, follow these practical steps:

- Arrange an initial consultation - Contact an immigration lawyer experienced in Swiss and Graubünden practice to assess your personal situation, residency goals and admissibility routes.

- Prepare preliminary documentation - Gather passports, identity documents, financial statements, bank references and high-level details of any planned investment or business activity.

- Conduct a tax and immigration assessment - Work with a tax advisor and lawyer to understand the tax consequences of relocation, the potential for any negotiated tax arrangements, and the most realistic immigration pathway.

- Plan source-of-funds documentation - Begin assembling audited statements, transaction histories and any legal documents that explain the origin of funds you will use in Switzerland.

- Engage with cantonal authorities - With legal guidance, request meetings or clarifications from Graubünden cantonal migration and tax offices to understand local expectations and timelines.

- Prepare a business plan if applicable - If applying on the basis of self-employment or investment, prepare a detailed plan showing economic benefit to Chur and the canton.

- Apply and follow compliance steps - Submit the appropriate permit application, register with local authorities after arrival, and follow tax and reporting obligations. Maintain ongoing compliance with Swiss anti-money-laundering and tax disclosure rules.

Moving to Switzerland is a significant legal and financial decision. Early professional advice tailored to your personal circumstances will reduce risk, clarify expectations and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome in Chur.