Other language communities

English is not the only foreign language in the international economy of Zug. The Russian-speaking community, which Part I described, had its own social and business networks before 2022. Indian professionals, who form a growing community, often speak English at work and Hindi, Tamil or other languages at home. Chinese, Japanese and Korean companies have established subsidiaries in the canton, whose employees form small communities of their own. Dutch, Scandinavian and German executives are numerous in the international companies. For all these communities, English is the bridge to each other and to the Swiss environment.

The multilingualism of the international community gives English its particular role. It is not the language of a dominant national group, as it would be in London or New York. It is a shared second language for people with many first languages, including the Swiss themselves. This neutrality is one of its strengths. No group is privileged by its use, except the native speakers from the English-speaking countries, who form a minority of the international community.

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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