Practitioner's checklist: relocating a family to Zug

The practitioner who advises a wealthy family on a relocation to Zug should address the following points. The immigration status of each family member, including the choice between the free movement regime and admission on fiscal grounds for third-country nationals. The exit from the previous state of residence, including the effective termination of the tax residence, the exit taxation of unrealised gains and the extended tax liability that some states impose on their former residents. The tax arrangement in Zug, including an advance ruling on the taxation according to expenditure or the planning of ordinary taxation. The structure of the family's holdings and companies, and its adaptation to Swiss tax law. The acquisition or lease of a residence, with the review of the Lex Koller. Social security and health insurance. And the review of the family's succession planning, including the effect of the move on the applicable succession law and on existing wills, marriage contracts, trusts and foundations, which Chapter III addresses.

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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