Make employment in Switzerland easy. Let us handle payroll, benefits, taxes, compliance, and even stock options for your team in Switzerland, all in one easy-to-use platform.
Remote Consulting Services Switzerland GmbH
Hinterbergstrasse 16, 6312 Steinhausen, Zug
+41445056361
Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
2026-01-01 | New Year's Day (Neujahrstag) |
2026-05-14 | Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ (Auffahrt) |
2026-08-01 | Swiss National Day (Schweizer Nationalfeiertag) |
2026-12-25 | Christmas Day (Weihnachtstag) |
Known for its high quality of life, beautiful nature, and highly educated population, Switzerland is home to talented workers in a variety of industries. As a country with one of the highest costs of living in the world, it’s also a place where salaries tend to match. People in Switzerland often speak multiple languages, so communication is rarely difficult. Come to Switzerland to find your next team member, then stay for the beautiful scenery (and the chocolate).
Capital
Official language
Currency
Population
Cost of living index
GDP real growth rate
Payroll frequency
VAT rate
Ease of doing business
Want to employ workers in Switzerland? Companies hiring in Switzerland are typically required to either own a local legal entity or work with a global employment platform like Remote that can legally provide employment services in the country.
Remote can employ team members in Switzerland and keep you compliant. Remote can hire, onboard, and pay your Switzerland team so you don't have to set up local HR services in the region. Remote also makes it easy to pay contractors in Switzerland. Sign up now to get started or talk to an expert for more details.
Employment taxes and statutory fees affect both your payroll and your employees' paychecks in Switzerland. Note that your employees may be liable for additional local taxes.
Employer
0.0-9 %
BVG (pension)
0.000 %
AVS (social security)
0.0-3.6 %
FAK (Family Compensation Fund)
0.0 %
ALV (unemployment) on salary up to CHF 148,200
0.0 %
ALV (unemployment) on salary above CHF 148,200
Varies - UVG (accident insurance)
0.000 %
Maternity insurance
0.00 %
Early childhood fund
0.000-19.438 %
Total Cost of Employment
Employee payroll taxes
0.000 %
AVS (social security)
0.0 %
ALV (unemployment) on salary up to CHF 148,200
0.0 %
ALV (unemployment) on salary above CHF 148,200
Varies - UVG (accident insurance)
0.000 %
Maternity insurance
0.00 %
Early childhood fund
Federal taxes for single filers
0 %
CHF 0 to 14,500
0.00 %
CHF 14,500 to 31,600
0.00 %
CHF 31,600 to 41,400
0.00 %
CHF 41,400 to 55,200
0.00 %
CHF 55,200 to 72,500
0.00 %
CHF 72,500 to 78,100
0.0 %
CHF 78,100 to 103,600
0.0 %
CHF 103,600 to 134,600
0 %
CHF 134,600 to 176,000
0.0 %
CHF 176,000 to 755,200
0.0 %
CHF 755,200 and above
Federal taxes for married couples and single filers with children
0 %
CHF 0 to 28,300
0 %
CHF 28,300 to 50,900
0 %
CHF 50,900 to 58,400
0 %
CHF 58,400 to 75,300
0 %
CHF 75,300 to 90,300
0 %
CHF 90,300 to 103,400
0 %
CHF 103,400 to 114,700
0 %
CHF 114,700 to 124,200
0 %
CHF 124,200 to 131,700
0 %
CHF 131,700 to 137,300
0 %
CHF 137,300 to 141,200
0 %
CHF 141,200 to 143,100
0 %
CHF 143,100 to 145,000
0 %
CHF 145,000 to 895,900
0.0 %
CHF 895,900 and above
Employees 20 years old and above receive at least four weeks of paid time off per year. Employees younger than 20 years old are entitled to five weeks. Employees are also entitled to paid time off for public holidays in the canton in which they live.
Maternity leave in Switzerland lasts 14 weeks, with the employer paying 80% of the employees wages during leave, capped at CHF 196 per day. Employees in the Geneva canton receive 16 weeks. Employees must contribute to AHV (social security) for the nine months preceding childbirth and must be actively employed for five months preceding childbirth to be eligible. Employees who give birth may not return to work for at least eight weeks.
Switzerland does not have federally mandated paternity or partner leave, nor does the Swiss government require employers to provide shared parental leave. However, paid leave for parents and spouses is becoming increasingly common, and some cantons do have their own requirements. Employers commonly offer one or two days for partner leave.
Employees are entitled to ongoing payments during sick leave, depending on how long they have worked for the company. Typically, employees receive three weeks of sick leave during the first year. Employers commonly have benefits insurance schemes in lieu of sick leave, under which employees can receive 80% of their most recent salary for up to 720 days.
On paper, Switzerland does practice at-will employment, in which the employer or employee may end the relationship at any time for any reason. However, most companies are more cautious regarding terminations and do provide fair reasoning for any termination. It is important for employers of workers in Switzerland to maintain accurate documentation of termination processes.
While Switzerland has at-will employment, notice periods are common in employment contracts. Notice periods generally range from one to three months depending on seniority, tenure, and industry. Notice period must be at least one month for employee who has worked for a year or more.
Severance pay is not required in Switzerland, unless stated in the employment contract or the employee is over the age of 50 and has worked for the same employer for more than 20 service years.
Probationary periods in Switzerland usually last from one to three months.
At Remote, we provide tailored benefits to ensure that all Remote employees receive comprehensive coverage from top providers. Our plans offer competitive rates designed for larger groups - even if the team is still growing!
Upon onboarding, Remote will enroll team members in their benefits and provide detailed information about their coverage. Remote manages all administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on scaling your global team.
To ensure benefit equality, any benefits offered will apply to all team members in the country, providing consistent coverage and support across the team.
Remote’s Global Business Travel Insurance program is crafted to address the unique needs of your team, whether they are embarking on short business trips or traveling extensively throughout the year. With five comprehensive plan options—Basic, Standard, Premium, Premium Plus, and Standard Plus—this program ensures that your team members have the right level of coverage to protect their health, safety, and well-being while traveling for business.
Available in over 90 countries, the program provides extensive global coverage at competitive rates, offering peace of mind no matter where their work takes them. This optional benefit is designed to be flexible, allowing you to offer tailored coverage that meets the diverse needs of your workforce. By providing business travel insurance, you are taking proactive steps to safeguard your team from unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, trip disruptions, or loss of business equipment while they are on the road.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Excludes Medical & Evacuation
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Cancellation & Curtailment: $2,000 per trip; subject to $100 deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Excludes Medical & Evacuation
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Cancellation & Curtailment: $2,000 per trip; subject to $100 deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Offering mental health benefits is not mandatory in this country, but providing the benefit can significantly enhance the emotional well-being and overall productivity of employees. Remote offers a comprehensive employee mental wellbeing platform in partnership with one of the top-rated employee mental wellbeing providers. This platform is available on desktop and mobile apps and includes 1-to-1 therapy with a curated pool of top-quality therapists in over 35 languages. The advanced matching service finds each employee the right therapist within 48 hours, boasting a 98% success rate. Employees receive a personal wellbeing profile with tailored recommendations and information to track progress. The platform also offers a curated self-guided content library with audio mindfulness and meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers. Additionally, there are 24/7 mental health helplines for immediate support when an employee is struggling. Mental health program benefits may be offered to the employees from among 5 different plans. Offering mental health benefits is optional, but it can greatly enhance employee well-being and productivity. It is essential to be aware that in certain countries, mental health benefits may be categorized as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK). This categorization means that the monthly premiums paid for the benefit might be counted as part of the employee’s taxable income according to the local tax laws. When mental health benefits are offered, they must be provided equally to all employees in the respective country.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Not included in the Basic plan
Team members can pay for therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes one pre-paid Therapy/Coaching session per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes three pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes six pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalized wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes twelve pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Offering health insurance in this country is not mandatory, but providing these additional health benefits can greatly enhance the healthcare experience for employees by enabling access to a wider range of providers and specialists, as well as significantly reducing wait times. Switzerland’s healthcare system includes both a universal public system and a private system. It is globally renowned, with highly qualified doctors and short wait times. To access it, residents are required to have at least basic health insurance, paid for through individual contributions. Many residents also have supplementary private health insurance, typically provided through their employers. In Switzerland, Remote offers two health insurance options: the Supplemental Health Insurance Plan, which enhances the existing personal Swiss health insurance plan and provides wider and more flexible healthcare options, and the Full Local Health Insurance Plan, which combines the supplemental coverage with the mandatory Swiss base cover, ensuring comprehensive healthcare protection and meeting Swiss governmental requirements for health insurance. If you would like more insight into fair equity and benefits best practices, you can download our Global Benefits Guide
here
!
The Supplemental offering is designed to enhance the existing personal Swiss health insurance plan, providing wider and more flexible healthcare options. It supplements the mandatory Swiss coverage with additional benefits.
Hospital Accommodations: Semi-private room
Intensive Care: Full refund
Prescription Drugs: Full refund
Surgical Fees: Full refund
Diagnostic Tests: Full refund
Organ Transplants: Full refund
Emergency In-patient Dental: Full refund
Out-patient Surgery: Full refund
Local Ambulance: Full refund
CT & MRI Scans: Full refund
Oncology: Full refund
Routine Maternity: Full refund
Complications in Pregnancy & Childbirth: Full refund
Palliative Care: Full refund
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy : 13,780 CHF
Medical evacuation : Full refund
Expenses for one person accompanying an evacuated person: 3,900 CHF
Travel costs of insured family members in the event of an evacuation : 2,600 CHF
Repatriation of mortal remains: 13,000 CHF
Long term care: Full refund
Medical Practitioner Fees & Prescription Drugs: Full refund
Specialist Fees: Full refund
Diagnostic Tests: Full refund
Vaccinations: Full refund
Chiropractic Treatment, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Chinese Herbal Medicine, & Acupuncture: Full refund (max. 12 sessions per condition)
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Full refund (max. 12 sessions per condition, 5 sessions for non-prescribed physiotherapy)
Health & Wellbeing Checks Incl. Screening For Early Detection of Disease: 780 CHF
Infertility Treatment: 15,600 CHF (lifetime)
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: 20 visits
Prescribed medical aids: 3,250 CHF
Dental Treatment: 80% refund
Dental Surgery: 80% refund
Periodontics: 80% refund
Orthodontic Treatment & Dental Prosthetics: 50% refund
Prescribed Glasses, Contact Lenses, Eye Exams: 234 CHF
The Full Local offering combines the supplemental coverage of the Supplemental benefit with the mandatory Swiss base cover, ensuring comprehensive healthcare protection. This plan meets the Swiss governmental requirements for health insurance and includes additional benefits specific to Switzerland.
Hospital Accommodations: Semi-private room
Intensive Care: Full refund
Prescription Drugs: Full refund
Surgical Fees: Full refund
Diagnostic Tests: Full refund
Organ Transplants: Full refund
Emergency In-patient Dental: Full refund
Out-patient Surgery: Full refund
Local Ambulance: Full refund
CT & MRI Scans: Full refund
Oncology: Full refund
Routine Maternity: Full refund
Complications in Pregnancy & Childbirth: Full refund
Palliative Care: Full refund
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy : 13,780 CHF
Medical evacuation : Full refund
Expenses for one person accompanying an evacuated person: 3,900 CHF
Travel costs of insured family members in the event of an evacuation : 2,600 CHF
Repatriation of mortal remains: 13,000 CHF
Long term care: Full refund
Medical Practitioner Fees & Prescription Drugs: Full refund
Specialist Fees: Full refund
Diagnostic Tests: Full refund
Vaccinations: Full refund
Chiropractic Treatment, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Chinese Herbal Medicine, & Acupuncture: Full refund (max. 12 sessions per condition)
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Full refund (max. 12 sessions per condition, 5 sessions for non-prescribed physiotherapy)
Health & Wellbeing Checks Incl. Screening For Early Detection of Disease: 780 CHF
Infertility Treatment: 15,600 CHF (lifetime)
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: 20 visits
Prescribed medical aids: 3,250 CHF
Hospitalization: Acceptance of all costs in the general ward of a hospital
Outpatient - Conventional Medicine: Costs covered according to recognized tariffs
Outpatient - Complementary Medicine: Acupuncture, anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, physiotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine carried out by a doctor with a Swiss Federal Diploma and professional qualifications are covered
Medication: Costs covered
Under Swiss Local Plan: Cover provided according to local tariff
Under the Supplemental Plan:
Coverage Limit: 2,665 CHF
Dental Treatment: 80% refund
Dental Surgery: 80% refund
Periodontics: 80% refund
Orthodontic Treatment & Dental Prosthetics: 50% refund
Prescribed Glasses, Contact Lenses, Eye Exams: 234 CHF
Clients can choose to offer the Wellness & Lifestyle Benefit and select from multiple contribution levels, providing their team members a monthly wallet, which they can use with their virtual card at approved stores, online retailers, or any other approved vendors related to Lifestyle and Wellness benefits. The offered services include:
Physical and mental health support such as gym memberships, fitness classes, therapy, mindfulness apps, and guided meditation.
Lifestyle services like streaming subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix), groceries, and other services that support work-life balance and personal well-being.
Personalized recommendations to help employees select benefits most relevant to their needs.
Platform support for employees needing immediate assistance or guidance on wellness-related concerns.
The available contributions are:
$25 USD
$50 USD
$100 USD
$150 USD
$200 USD
$250 USD
$300 USD
Switzerland has a strong economy with key industries in banking, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. With specific labor laws and tax regulations, employers in Switzerland must ensure compliance with local payroll requirements, including social security contributions, employment contracts, and tax obligations. Understanding these regulations is essential for smooth payroll operations and legal compliance.
Employers in Switzerland must adhere to national payroll regulations regarding wages, taxes, and social contributions. Below is an overview of key payroll components:
Minimum wage: Switzerland does not have a nationwide statutory minimum wage; wages are determined by collective agreements or cantonal regulations.
Payroll frequency: Salaries are generally paid monthly.
Standard working hours: The normal workweek in Switzerland is 42 hours, typically spread over five days.
Overtime: Employees are entitled to additional pay for overtime work, usually regulated by employment contracts and collective agreements.
Personal income tax: Switzerland has a progressive income tax system, with federal rates ranging from 0% to 11.5% and additional cantonal and municipal taxes.
Employer contributions:
Employee contributions:
Corporate tax: The corporate income tax rate in Switzerland varies by canton but generally ranges from 12% to 25%.
Tax reporting: Employers must file payroll taxes and contributions with the Swiss Federal Tax Administration and respective cantonal authorities regularly.
Employment contracts must be provided in writing and specify terms such as salary, working hours, and job responsibilities.
Payroll deductions: Employers must ensure accurate deductions for social security, pension contributions, and income tax.
Employers must stay updated on changes to Switzerland’s labor laws and tax regulations to avoid penalties.
Managing payroll in Switzerland requires careful attention to tax regulations, employment laws, and social security requirements. Employers must stay informed about tax rates, wage laws, and reporting deadlines to ensure smooth payroll processing and avoid penalties.
The good news is, you can pay anyone, anywhere — from your team in the office to your team abroad, all with Remote Payroll. To see just how easy global payroll can be with Remote, book a demo today.
Hiring contractors in Taiwan can be a strategic and cost-effective way for businesses to complete projects without the obligations of hiring full-time employees. Whether you are engaging independent contractors for specialized services or bringing in subcontractors for various tasks, understanding Taiwan’s laws and federal regulations is essential.
Remote helps businesses stay compliant when hiring contractors globally with these key features:
Global compliance support: Ensures adherence to labor laws in 200+ countries with localized contracts and proper documentation.
Misclassification protection: Includes built-in compliance checks and seamless contractor-to-employee conversion.
Centralized documentation: Maintains essential records for audits and automates tax filings.
Legal expertise: Provides guidance on complex local labor laws, simplifying international hiring.
Remote’s streamlined approach minimizes compliance risks and simplifies contractor management for businesses.
Remote simplifies contractor payments with:
Automated processing: One-click approvals, bulk payments, recurring invoices, and real-time tracking.
Global coverage: Payments in 200+ countries, multiple payment methods, and currency flexibility.
Cost and compliance: Fair price guarantee, built-in compliance with regional regulations, and localized contracts.
Learn more about how Remote simplifies contractor management in Taiwan — get started for free today.
Our employer of record (EOR) service enables you to hire, manage, and pay top talent in Switzerland with speed and simplicity.
Remote’s EOR allows your company to legally hire employees in Switzerland without having to set up a local legal entity. On paper, Remote is the official employer, and we handle compliance, payroll, benefits (including equity), and other HR processes — but you maintain full control over the hire’s day-to-day management and work responsibilities. Learn more.
An EOR may be ideal if your company:
Needs to hire employees in Switzerland but doesn’t want to establish a legal entity
Is testing local markets before committing to a full business expansion
Wants to ensure full compliance with local employment laws and tax requirements
Needs a fast, cost-effective way to onboard employees in Switzerland
Needs a temporary hiring solution before establishing a legal entity
If your company wants to hire talent in Switzerland but doesn't have a legal entity there, our EOR provides a fully compliant and efficient solution. Switzerland has strict employment and payroll tax laws, and our EOR service ensures you meet these legal obligations while enabling you to grow quickly.
Key benefits of hiring through our EOR in Switzerland include:
Faster market entry. You can hire talent quickly, without having to wait months to establish a local entity.
Full compliance with local employment laws. Avoid the legal risks associated with non-compliance and misclassification.
Simplified payroll management. We automate payroll tax calculations and ensure you are fully compliant with all withholding obligations, even when laws change.
Lower costs. Setting up a legal entity in Switzerland can be costly and time-consuming. An EOR eliminates the need for entity registration, reducing overhead expenses.
Fewer resources required. With HR, payroll, and compliance managed by the EOR, your company can concentrate on scaling operations and assigning your resources elsewhere.
It’s also crucial to note that, at Remote, we own our own legal entity in Switzerland. As a result, we don’t need to rely on third parties, which can incur delays and extra costs, and result in a negative employee experience. All our EOR services — including the dedicated support of our local specialists — are provided in-house.
To learn more — and to see our EOR platform in action — book a demo with one of our friendly experts today.
Equity incentives are an invaluable way to attract, motivate, and retain top talent for your business. But when you cross hiring borders, they can become deeply complex.
Remote enables you to easily offer non-qualified stock options (NSOs) to your team members in Switzerland. There are no compliance headaches or administrative hassles — just simplicity and clarity for you and your people at every step.
NSOs are a type of equity incentive. They give your team members the right to buy a set number of shares in your company at a fixed price, known as the exercise price.
This typically happens after a vesting period, which is often based on the length of time your team member stays at your company. As a result, they are a great way to foster long-term commitment, and align people with your company’s strategic goals.
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors | |
Can receive NSOs? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Difficulty score | Easy | Easy | Hard |
It’s important to note that granting stock options to contractors can also potentially increase your misclassification risk in Switzerland (although this is not the primary factor). See how Remote protects you against misclassification.
In Switzerland, NSOs are taxed in the following ways:
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors | |
At grant | There is no taxation at grant. | There is no taxation at grant. | There is no taxation at grant. |
At exercise | The spread (i.e., the difference between the fair market value of the shares and the exercise price) is taxed as salary income. | The spread (i.e., the difference between the fair market value of the shares and the exercise price) is taxed as salary income. | Your contractor will normally have to pay taxes on the spread in the same way as their professional income. If the contractor works through a personal management company (which often happens in Switzerland), they are subject to two layers of tax: one at the company level (subject to company income tax), and another at the personal level (for the taxation of salary and dividends). |
At sale | Part of any gain will likely be taxed as salary, and the rest will likely be exempt from taxation. | Part of any gain will likely be taxed as salary, and the rest will likely be exempt from taxation. | Any gain on the sale has to be reported in the income statement of the yearly tax return, and is subject to regular income tax and social security. If the contractor works through a personal management company (which often happens in Switzerland), they are subject to two layers of tax: one at the company level (subject to company income tax), and another at the personal level (for the taxation of salary and dividends). |
Note that taxation in Switzerland is particularly complex for contractors. It’s recommended that they consult with a local tax advisor to verify their tax treatment at the time of exercise.
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors |
There is no tax-favored scheme as such in Switzerland. However, part of the gain made by the employee when selling their shares could be tax exempt. This tax exemption serves a similar purpose to tax-favored schemes seen in other countries. | There is no tax-favored scheme as such in Switzerland. However, part of the gain made by the employee when selling their shares could be tax exempt. This tax exemption serves a similar purpose to tax-favored schemes seen in other countries. | There are no tax-favored schemes for contractors. |
If you want to use Remote Equity Advanced to offer stock options to your Switzerland-based team members, your top corporation (i.e., your parent company) must be incorporated in Delaware. Your company must also be private — not publicly listed.
$699
per employee/month
Hire without opening a local entity in 90+ countries
Onboarding with a dedicated specialist
Local payroll paid on time, every time
Compliance protections built-in
Competitive, flexible and localized benefits
Dedicated in-house experts for local support
Includes HR Essentials as standard
$29
per employee/month
Powerful, transparent international payroll
Simple self-service platform
Personalized support from dedicated specialists
Adhere to local payroll regulations in every country
Integrated benefits management
Includes HR Core as standard
$29
per contractor/month
Only pay for contractors you actively work with
Work with international contractors
Create, edit, and sign tailored, localized contracts
Approve contractor invoices with one click or auto-pay
Transparent payments with complete visibility
Includes HR Core as standard
