International Geneva and the Genevans

The arrival of the international organisations transformed the relationship of the Genevans to their city. It brought prestige, jobs and international standing, but also tensions: competition for housing, privileges granted to international civil servants, and a sense of a city divided between a local population and an international community that live side by side without always mixing. These tensions, already perceptible in the days of the League of Nations, have found expression in popular votes and political debates on the host policy, on the construction of international buildings and on the cost of International Geneva.

The financial centre has experienced comparable tensions, between the jobs and revenue it brings and the costs it imposes on the canton. The two share the same position in the Geneva debate: that of international activities whose contribution is acknowledged and whose effects are disputed. Cohesion between the city and its international vocations is a permanent political concern, which the cantonal and municipal authorities seek to preserve through policies on integration, housing and communication.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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