The relationship with the European Union

Read the PDF edition (2 pages)

Switzerland's relationship with the European Union frames the environment for all the companies of Zug. The bilateral agreements give Swiss companies access to the European internal market in many sectors and allow the free movement of persons. The package of agreements concluded in December 2024 would update and stabilise the relationship, including the institutional questions that had blocked progress for a decade.¹ The package must be approved by Parliament and, probably, by the voters in a referendum. Its fate will determine whether Switzerland's access to the European market remains secure or deteriorates.

For Zug, the European question has several dimensions. The free movement of persons allows its companies to recruit from the European Union without quotas. Access to European research programmes matters to its life sciences and technology companies. Market access for financial services, which the package does not include, would matter to its crypto and finance companies. The political debate on the package has divided the Swiss business community: most large companies support it, while some small companies and the political right oppose it as a loss of sovereignty. The canton's government has expressed support for a stable relationship with the Union.²

Notes

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, "Paket Schweiz–EU", europa.eda.admin.ch: negotiations concluded materially in December 2024 and formally in May 2025; consultation June to end of October 2025; agreements signed on 2 March 2026; dispatch to Parliament adopted on 13 March 2026; Federal Council in favour of an optional referendum. ↩
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, "Zwischenbericht zu den Ergebnissen der Vernehmlassung" on the Switzerland–EU package, 5 December 2025, europa.eda.admin.ch: the canton of Zug is among the participants that support the package in principle, among the 13 cantons that assess the institutional elements positively and among the large majority of cantons that support the dynamic adoption of law. ↩

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 October 2026.

English

Contact

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.

Get in touch →

The relationship with the European Union

Notes

Setting up or expanding in Switzerland?