Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Dornach

About Residence by Investment Law in Dornach, Switzerland

Switzerland does not operate a classic golden visa. Instead, residence is granted under federal immigration law and implemented by each canton, including the Canton of Solothurn where Dornach is located. While there is no automatic residency in exchange for a set investment, there are two well known pathways often described under the residence by investment umbrella. First, financially independent applicants may obtain a residence permit without gainful activity if they have sufficient means, comprehensive health insurance, and in some cases opt for the lump sum taxation regime. Second, third country entrepreneurs may obtain residence when they establish or take over a Swiss company that creates jobs and serves a proven cantonal economic interest. EU or EFTA citizens have facilitated residence based on employment or sufficient means and generally do not need to invest to reside.

Investment alone does not confer a right to live in Switzerland. Real estate purchases, securities investments, and bank deposits do not directly grant residence status. Applications are assessed under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration and related ordinances, with the State Secretariat for Migration at federal level and the Canton of Solothurn authorities deciding and administering permits for applicants in Dornach.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Most residence by investment strategies require careful structuring and early engagement with the correct authorities. A lawyer helps you identify the viable route for your nationality and goals, whether financially independent residence without gainful activity, a business based application grounded in cantonal economic interest, or an EU or EFTA movement of persons route.

Legal counsel is useful to design and document a credible business plan, demonstrate job creation, and liaise with the cantonal economic development unit. If you pursue lump sum taxation, a lawyer and tax adviser coordinate the approach and negotiate a tax ruling with the tax administration before you apply for residence. Counsel also mitigates risk around Lex Koller real estate restrictions, family reunification, source of funds documentation, employment restrictions, and the language and integration requirements tied to renewals, permanent residence, and eventual naturalization.

If an application is delayed or refused, a lawyer can handle communications, cure deficiencies, and file appeals within the statutory time limits. This is especially important for third country nationals subject to quotas and stricter admission thresholds.

Local Laws Overview

Residence is governed primarily by the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration and the Ordinance on Admission, Period of Stay and Employment. The State Secretariat for Migration sets federal policy and approves certain permits. The Canton of Solothurn implements and decides at first instance, and the municipality of Dornach handles local registration once you arrive.

Permit types commonly seen are the L short stay permit, the B residence permit, and the C settlement permit. EU or EFTA nationals typically receive B permits based on employment or self sufficiency, with family members admitted under facilitated conditions. Third country applicants face annual quotas and must meet higher thresholds such as proven economic interest for business founders or substantial means for non employed residence.

Financially independent residence without gainful activity is available to non Swiss first time residents who do not work in Switzerland and can show sufficient resources and health insurance. Many applicants pair this with the lump sum taxation regime, which taxes based on living expenditures instead of worldwide income. The lump sum regime is available in many cantons, including Solothurn, and is subject to minimums and a binding tax ruling before arrival. It does not itself grant residence, but it can support a coherent overall application when combined with the appropriate immigration basis.

Business based residence requires that your company in Solothurn generates genuine economic value, typically through creating jobs, investing locally, and operating a real business. There is no statutory minimum investment. The canton focuses on the quality and impact of the project, the sustainability of jobs, and the applicant’s qualifications to run the venture.

Real estate purchases do not grant residence. The Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad, commonly known as Lex Koller, restricts property acquisitions by non residents and certain permit holders. Residents in Switzerland may buy a primary residence under defined conditions, but investment and vacation properties are restricted. Always verify your status and the specific rules before committing to property.

Other key requirements include timely municipal registration in Dornach after arrival, mandatory Swiss health insurance within three months, payment of federal, cantonal, and communal taxes, and meeting integration and language standards. For a C settlement permit in a German speaking canton like Solothurn, applicants generally must demonstrate integration with language at about A2 spoken and A1 written in German, along with a stable record of compliance. Time toward citizenship is generally 10 years with additional integration criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Switzerland offer a golden visa for Dornach or the Canton of Solothurn?

No. Switzerland does not grant residence simply for making an investment. Residence is possible through employment, self employment, financially independent residence without gainful activity, or a business that meets a cantonal economic interest. EU or EFTA citizens have facilitated routes that are not investment dependent.

Can I obtain Swiss residence by buying real estate in Dornach?

No. Purchasing real estate does not grant residence. In addition, Lex Koller restricts property purchases by persons abroad. Residents with the right permit may buy a primary residence in many cases, but investment properties and vacation homes are restricted. Confirm your permit status and permissions before any transaction.

What is the minimum investment required to gain residence in Solothurn?

There is no legal minimum investment. For a business based application, the authorities look for a credible, well capitalized plan that creates and sustains jobs in the canton and serves a legitimate economic interest. The appropriate level of investment depends on your industry, staffing, and operating costs shown in your business plan.

What is lump sum taxation and can I use it in Dornach?

Lump sum taxation is an alternative method for taxing non Swiss residents who do not work in Switzerland. Taxes are calculated on living expenditures rather than declared worldwide income. The regime is available in the Canton of Solothurn, subject to minimum taxable thresholds and a negotiated tax ruling. It does not automatically give residence, but it is often combined with a financially independent residence application.

Which residence permits are relevant and how long do they last?

The B residence permit is the standard residence category. For many third country applicants it is granted for one year and is renewable if conditions remain met. EU or EFTA citizens typically receive a five year B when based on employment. L permits are short stay permits often tied to specific employment or a transitional period. The C settlement permit is usually available after 10 years of lawful residence, subject to integration criteria. Some applicants from certain countries may qualify earlier if well integrated, but this is not automatic.

What documents will I need for a residence by investment style application?

Typical documents include a valid passport, civil status records, recent criminal record extract, curriculum vitae, evidence of sufficient financial means, proof of comprehensive health insurance, a signed lease or property use agreement, and passport photos. For business founders, add a detailed business plan, financial projections, evidence of capital, draft employment plans, and any company formation documents. For lump sum taxation, add evidence of living expenditures and documentation requested by the tax administration to support a ruling.

How long does the process take in practice?

Timelines vary by route and case complexity. A straightforward EU or EFTA employment based registration may be completed within weeks. Third country applications involving economic interest or financially independent residence commonly take several months due to cantonal review and federal sign off. Negotiating a lump sum tax ruling can add 1 to 3 months before a residence application is filed. Plan for contingencies and avoid fixed travel commitments until approvals are issued.

Can my spouse and children join me in Dornach?

Yes, family reunification is possible for spouses and dependent children when the sponsor has suitable housing, sufficient income, and appropriate health insurance. Language and integration conditions may apply. Spouses of B permit holders often obtain a right to work, but this depends on nationality and permit type. Confirm details before arrival to avoid delays.

If I obtain a financially independent B permit, can I work or run a business?

Generally no. A B permit without gainful activity prohibits work in Switzerland. Remote work performed from Switzerland is usually considered gainful activity and may violate permit conditions. If you intend to work or run a company, your permit must authorize gainful activity. Discuss your plans with counsel to align immigration status with your intended activities.

What is the path to permanent residence and citizenship from Dornach?

After sustained lawful residence and integration, you may apply for a C settlement permit, usually after 10 years. For Swiss citizenship, the general residence requirement is 10 years, with additional integration, language, and commune and canton level approvals. Time on permits that prohibit gainful activity can still count if you meet all other legal conditions, but each stage involves separate criteria and procedures.

Additional Resources

State Secretariat for Migration SEM.

Canton of Solothurn Office for Migration and Civil Status.

Canton of Solothurn Economic Development Agency.

Canton of Solothurn Tax Administration.

Federal Tax Administration.

Municipality of Dornach Residents Office.

Commercial Register of the Canton of Solothurn.

Local Chambers of Commerce and industry associations in Solothurn.

Licensed Swiss immigration and tax attorneys with experience in Solothurn.

Swiss health insurance providers familiar with newcomer policies.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal and route. Decide whether your case fits employment, a business based application supported by cantonal economic interest, or financially independent residence without gainful activity, potentially paired with lump sum taxation. Your nationality and current professional plans are decisive.

Engage qualified counsel early. A lawyer and tax adviser can map the legal pathway, confirm feasibility in the Canton of Solothurn, and coordinate with the correct authorities before you submit any application or sign leases or purchase agreements.

Assemble core documents. Gather passports, civil records, proof of finances, health insurance options, criminal record extracts, and for business cases a robust business plan with financials and staffing. For lump sum taxation, prepare expenditure evidence for a pre arrival ruling request.

Pre clear with the canton. For business cases, consult the economic development agency to test the project’s economic interest. For lump sum taxation, seek a tax ruling with the tax administration. Align immigration filing timing with these preliminary steps.

Plan your arrival logistics. Secure suitable housing, register with the Dornach Residents Office promptly after arrival, take out Swiss health insurance within three months, and observe any work restrictions tied to your permit.

Build for integration. Start German language learning, keep clean tax and compliance records, and follow local rules. This supports renewals and eventual eligibility for a C settlement permit and citizenship.

If you need legal assistance now, prepare a short case summary stating your nationality, intended route, family members, timeline, and whether you plan to work. Share this with a Swiss immigration lawyer experienced in Solothurn so they can provide a focused initial assessment and a step by step plan.