Dual-career couples

Many international employees who come to Zug have partners with careers of their own. The partners often find it difficult to continue their careers in the canton, particularly if they do not speak German or work in a field in which the local language is essential, such as law, medicine, education or public administration. The difficulty is a factor in the decision of families to move to Zug and in the length of their stay. Support for dual-career couples, including career counselling, networks and help with job searches, is one response to this difficulty.

The problem illustrates the limits of English as a working language outside the international companies. A partner who is a doctor, a teacher or a lawyer trained in another country faces not only the language barrier but also the recognition of qualifications. English opens the door to the international economy, but not to the professions and public services that make up a large part of the local labour market. Partners who wish to work in those fields must learn German and often requalify, which many are unwilling or unable to do.

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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