Opportunities for clients from South Africa
You are a company, an investor or a family from South Africa and want a base in Europe? Switzerland gives you stable law, banks with a global reach and access to Europe's largest markets, and Ressos Legal helps you set it up.
South African groups in mining, commodities and financial services use Switzerland for trading, treasury and holding functions, and South African families use Swiss private banks and trustees to diversify their wealth. The free trade agreement between the EFTA states and the Southern African Customs Union covers trade in goods.
Below you will find the articles written for clients from South Africa as they are published, followed by the articles on the Swiss law that applies across all financial centres. On questions of the law of South Africa, your own lawyers advise you, and Ressos Legal works alongside them on Swiss law.
Across the Swiss financial centres
Corporate · Liquidation
Liquidating a Swiss company limited by shares (AG): routes, procedure and restrictions
Corporate · Restructuring
Capital loss and over-indebtedness under Swiss company law: the board's statutory duties
Social Security · Practice
Leaving Switzerland: AHV pensions abroad, refunds of contributions and voluntary insurance
Social Security · Practice
Social security agreements and secondments: the AHV in cross-border situations
Social Security · Practice
The AHV old-age pension in 2026: amounts, the 13th pension, early and deferred retirement
Social Security · Practice
Unpaid AHV contributions: the personal liability of directors and managers
Social Security · Practice
AHV for the self-employed and for persons without gainful activity
Social Security · Practice
AHV contributions on salaries in 2026: what employers and employees pay
Social Security · Practice
The Swiss AHV: how the first pillar works for foreign entrepreneurs and their families
Property · Commercial Property
Buying business premises and commercial property in Switzerland
Property · Purchase Process
The Swiss property purchase process: reservation, notarial deed and land register
Property · Tax
Taxes on Swiss real estate: transfer tax, property gains tax and imputed rental value
Property · Financing
Mortgage financing in Switzerland for foreign buyers
Property · Commercial Leases
Renting office and commercial premises in Switzerland
Property · Holiday Homes
Holiday homes and second homes in Switzerland
Property · Corporate Ownership
Holding Swiss real estate through a company
Property · Indirect Investment
Investing in Swiss real estate through funds and listed companies
Residence · Settlement Permit
The settlement permit (C permit): permanent residence in Switzerland
Residence · Citizenship
Swiss citizenship: ordinary naturalisation and dual nationality
Residence · Family Reunification
Family reunification: bringing your spouse and children to Switzerland
Residence · Departure
Leaving Switzerland: deregistration, taxes, pensions and permits
Private Client Tax · Wealth Tax
Wealth tax in Switzerland: how cantons tax net assets
Private Client Tax · Inheritance and Gift Tax
Inheritance and gift tax in Switzerland
Private Client Tax · Capital Gains