Leaving Switzerland? Your Complete Financial Checklist (3a, Pension, Tax, Investments)
February 3, 2026
9 min read
Leaving Switzerland? Your Complete Financial Checklist
You've decided to leave Switzerland. Maybe for a new job, maybe to go home, maybe for a new adventure. The emotions are real — but so are the financial decisions you need to make in the next 3–6 months.
And here's the problem: most of these decisions are irreversible, time-sensitive, and poorly documented. Your 3a provider won't call you to explain your options. Your pension fund won't send you a departure playbook. And Google gives you 15 conflicting forum posts from 2019.
This is the guide we wish existed when we started advising expats. Every financial step, in the right order, with deadlines, tax implications, and what to do with your investments after you leave.
Before we start
This guide covers permanent departure from Switzerland (deregistration from your Gemeinde). If you're moving temporarily or keeping a Swiss residence, the rules are different. This guide also assumes you've been working and paying into the Swiss pension system. For the financial roadmap of your first year, see: → New to Switzerland? Your Financial Roadmap
Contents
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The timeline: What to do and when
Here's the sequence. Some steps must happen before you leave, others after. Get the order wrong and you'll lose money or create unnecessary complications.
3–6 months before departure
☐ Notify your employer — standard notice period is 1–3 months
☐ Request your pension fund statement — check your balance, vested benefits, and buy-in potential (you can still make a tax-deductible PK buy-in before leaving)
☐ Max out your Pillar 3a for the current year — even if you leave mid-year, you can contribute the full CHF 7,258
☐ Plan your 3a withdrawal strategy — multiple accounts? Stagger across years? Which canton? (Details below)
☐ Check double taxation agreements with your destination country
☐ Decide what to do with your investments — keep, sell, or transfer?
1–2 months before departure
☐ Cancel health insurance — 30 days before departure, with proof of new coverage or departure
☐ Cancel or redirect mail — Swiss Post mail forwarding
☐ Notify your bank(s) — ask about non-resident account options
☐ Notify your 3a and vested benefits provider(s) — initiate withdrawal process
☐ Notify Serafe (TV/radio tax) — cancel with proof of departure
On departure day
☐ Deregister from your Gemeinde (Abmeldung) — this is the critical step. You'll receive a Confirmation of Deregistration. Keep this document. You'll need it for everything.
After departure
☐ Submit 3a withdrawal request with Confirmation of Deregistration
☐ Submit pension fund / vested benefits withdrawal request
☐ File final tax return (or final withholding tax will be calculated by employer)
☐ Reclaim Swiss withholding tax on any dividends (via DA-1 form in future years if applicable)
☐ Register with tax authorities in your new country — declare Swiss pension withdrawals if required
Pillar 3a: Withdraw, transfer, or leave?
When you permanently leave Switzerland, you can withdraw your entire 3a balance. There's no penalty and no minimum holding period. The money is yours from day one.
How to withdraw
Contact your 3a provider after deregistration. You'll need: your Confirmation of Deregistration, a copy of your ID, and your foreign bank account details (IBAN). The provider will process the withdrawal and deduct withdrawal tax before sending you the balance.
Withdrawal tax by canton
The withdrawal tax is calculated based on the canton where your 3a was domiciled (usually the canton of your provider's registered office, not your canton of residence). This is important — because rates vary dramatically:
| Canton | Tax on CHF 50,000 | Tax on CHF 100,000 | Tax on CHF 200,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schwyz | ~CHF 2,000 (4%) | ~CHF 4,500 (4.5%) | ~CHF 10,000 (5%) |
| Zug | ~CHF 2,400 (4.8%) | ~CHF 5,200 (5.2%) | ~CHF 12,000 (6%) |
| Zurich | ~CHF 3,000 (6%) | ~CHF 7,000 (7%) | ~CHF 16,000 (8%) |
| Basel-Stadt | ~CHF 3,500 (7%) | ~CHF 8,000 (8%) | ~CHF 19,000 (9.5%) |
| Geneva | ~CHF 3,800 (7.6%) | ~CHF 8,500 (8.5%) | ~CHF 20,000 (10%) |
Note: Rates are approximate and progressive. Actual tax depends on your total withdrawal amount, marital status, and the specific municipality of the provider.
Tax optimisation: The staggered withdrawal
If you have multiple 3a accounts, withdraw them in different tax years to reduce the progressive tax rate. For example: withdraw one account in December (before leaving) and the others in January (after leaving but in a new tax year). Or: withdraw accounts across 2–3 consecutive years. This can save CHF 2,000–5,000 on large balances. Plan this 6+ months ahead. → Multiple accounts strategy
Can you leave 3a in Switzerland after departure?
Technically, you can leave 3a accounts in Switzerland after departing — but there's no advantage. The tax benefits stop (no more deductions), the money is locked until age 60/65, and you can't contribute further. For most expats, withdrawing upon departure is the right move.
Pillar 2 (Pension Fund): The complex one
Your pension fund (2nd pillar) is usually the largest single financial asset you accumulate in Switzerland — often CHF 50,000–200,000+ after 5–10 years. What happens to it when you leave depends on where you're going.
| Destination | Mandatory portion (BVG minimum) | Supplementary portion (above BVG) |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EFTA country | ❌ Cannot withdraw. Must stay in a vested benefits account (Freizügigkeitskonto) until retirement age. | ✅ Can withdraw immediately. |
| Non-EU/EFTA country (UK post-Brexit, US, Asia, etc.) | ✅ Can withdraw in full. | ✅ Can withdraw in full. |
The EU trap
If you're moving to an EU/EFTA country, you cannot withdraw the mandatory BVG portion of your pension fund. This money must stay in a Swiss vested benefits account until you reach retirement age (60/65). Only the supplementary portion (the amount above the BVG minimum) can be withdrawn immediately. This can mean 50–80% of your pension is locked. Plan accordingly — and choose a vested benefits provider that invests in securities, not a savings account earning 0.25%.
How to handle the vested benefits account
When you leave your employer, your pension fund balance is transferred to a vested benefits account (Freizügigkeitskonto). You choose the provider. Key considerations:
1. Choose a securities-based provider — Finpension, VIAC, or valuepension offer vested benefits accounts invested in stocks/bonds directly. arvy can also manage vested benefits funds on request — email us at hello@arvy.ch for details. Don't leave CHF 100,000+ earning 0.25% in a bank savings account for decades.
2. Split into two accounts — you can have up to two vested benefits accounts. This allows staggered withdrawal later (different years = lower progressive tax).
3. The withdrawal tax is the same as for 3a — based on the canton of the provider, progressive, and deducted at source.
Your free investments: What stays, what goes
Unlike pension assets, your free investments (stocks, ETFs, funds, crypto) are entirely yours and unaffected by your departure. But some platforms require Swiss residency:
| Platform/Investment | Can you keep it after leaving? | Action needed |
|---|---|---|
| Swissquote | ✅ Yes | Update address to foreign address. Account continues. |
| Interactive Brokers | ✅ Yes | Update residency. May need to transfer to a different IBKR entity. |
| arvy equity fund | ✅ Yes — from anywhere | The fund (ISIN LI1306144786) is Liechtenstein-domiciled UCITS. Hold through any broker globally. No Swiss residency required. |
| arvy app (savings plan) | ⚠️ Requires Swiss residency | Switch from app savings plan to holding the fund through your international broker. |
| Viac Invest / findependent | ❌ Require Swiss residency | Sell positions and transfer cash before leaving. Or transfer positions to a broker that accepts non-residents. |
| True Wealth | ⚠️ Check with provider | Some robo-advisors accept non-residents, others don't. Confirm early. |
| Crypto (own wallet) | ✅ Yes | No action needed. Self-custody is location-independent. |
The arvy equity fund: Designed for global investors
If you've been investing with arvy while in Switzerland, the cleanest transition is: switch from the arvy app savings plan to holding the arvy equity fund (ISIN LI1306144786, CHF class; LI1306144802, USD class; LI1306144810, EUR class) through your international broker. Same strategy, same portfolio, same quality companies — accessible from anywhere in the world. This is one reason we structured the fund as a Liechtenstein UCITS: so your investment continues regardless of where you live.
💡 Leaving doesn't mean stopping. The arvy Weekly works from anywhere — one company analysis per week, by the team behind 30+ NZZ The Market articles. Stay informed, keep compounding. → Subscribe free
Final tax matters
Your final Swiss tax return
If you're on withholding tax (B permit, under CHF 120k): your employer handles the final tax calculation. No action needed from you — the tax is deducted from your last payslips and any remaining days are pro-rated.
If you're on ordinary assessment (C permit, or B permit over CHF 120k / NOV): you'll need to file a final tax return covering 1 January to your departure date. The tax office will send you the forms. This is a shortened return for a partial year.
Reclaiming Swiss withholding tax on dividends
If you held Swiss stocks that paid dividends, 35% Swiss withholding tax (Verrechnungssteuer) was deducted. While you lived in Switzerland, you reclaimed this through your tax return. After departure, you can still reclaim it — but through the DA-1 form under the applicable double taxation agreement with your new country. This is country-specific and may require a tax advisor in your new location.
Tax on 3a and pension withdrawals
Both 3a and pension fund withdrawals are subject to a one-time withdrawal tax at source (deducted by the provider). This tax is separate from your income tax and calculated at a reduced rate. The canton, amount, and your marital status determine the rate. See the table above for 3a; pension fund rates follow the same structure.
Double taxation on pension withdrawals
Some countries (notably Germany) may tax your Swiss pension withdrawal again under their domestic rules. However, most double taxation agreements prevent actual double taxation — you'll typically receive a credit for the Swiss tax paid. If moving to Germany: be aware that 3a and Pillar 2 withdrawals may be treated as taxable income. Consult a cross-border tax advisor before withdrawing.
Administrative checklist
Before departure:
☐ Deregister from Gemeinde (Abmeldung) — receive Confirmation of Deregistration
☐ Cancel health insurance (30 days notice, proof of departure or new coverage)
☐ Cancel Serafe (TV/radio tax)
☐ Redirect mail (Swiss Post, 12 months max)
☐ Return residence permit to migration office (Migrationsamt)
☐ Close or convert bank accounts (check non-resident fees)
☐ Cancel phone/internet contracts (check notice periods)
☐ Settle any outstanding invoices (medical, utility, etc.)
After departure:
☐ Submit 3a withdrawal request + Confirmation of Deregistration
☐ Submit pension fund / vested benefits withdrawal request
☐ File final tax return (if on ordinary assessment)
☐ Receive and verify final tax assessment
☐ Transfer free investments to non-resident-friendly broker (if needed)
☐ Update address with any remaining Swiss financial institutions
☐ Register with tax authorities in new country and declare Swiss withdrawals
Destination matters: EU, UK, US, and rest of world
| Destination | Pension (mandatory BVG) | Pension (supplementary) | 3a | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EFTA (Germany, France, etc.) | ❌ Locked until retirement | ✅ Withdrawable | ✅ Withdrawable | Mandatory portion stays in Switzerland. Choose a good vested benefits provider. |
| UK (post-Brexit) | ✅ Full withdrawal | ✅ Full withdrawal | ✅ Withdrawable | UK may tax the withdrawal as income. Check DTA. |
| USA | ✅ Full withdrawal | ✅ Full withdrawal | ✅ Withdrawable | IRS treats Swiss pension withdrawals as taxable income. Plan with a US-Swiss tax advisor. |
| Rest of world | ✅ Full withdrawal | ✅ Full withdrawal | ✅ Withdrawable | Check local tax treatment of foreign pension withdrawals. |
General rule
Moving to a non-EU/EFTA country = you can withdraw everything (3a + full pension). Moving to an EU/EFTA country = 3a is fully withdrawable, but the mandatory BVG pension portion is locked. In all cases, consult the specific double taxation agreement between Switzerland and your destination to understand how withdrawals will be taxed in both countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw my 3a if I move to Germany?
Yes, 3a is fully withdrawable regardless of destination. Swiss withdrawal tax applies (4–10% depending on canton). Germany may additionally tax the withdrawal as income — check the DTA and consult a cross-border tax advisor.
What if I return to Switzerland later?
If you left and withdrew everything, you start fresh — new 3a, new pension fund through your new employer. Any vested benefits accounts you left in Switzerland continue to exist and can be reactivated or consolidated. There's no penalty for returning.
Can I keep my Swiss bank account after leaving?
Most banks allow it, but may charge higher non-resident fees or switch you to a different account type. Swissquote, UBS, and PostFinance generally accept non-residents. Neobanks (Neon, Yuh) typically require Swiss residency. Confirm with your bank before leaving.
How long does the 3a withdrawal take?
Typically 2–4 weeks after you submit all required documents (Confirmation of Deregistration, ID, bank details). Securities-based 3a accounts may take slightly longer as positions need to be sold. Plan accordingly — don't expect the money on your departure day.
Should I withdraw my 3a before or after departure?
After. You need the Confirmation of Deregistration to trigger the withdrawal. However, you can initiate the process (contact provider, prepare documents) before you leave. For staggered withdrawals across tax years, plan the timing carefully.
Can I keep investing with arvy after leaving Switzerland?
The arvy app savings plan requires Swiss residency. But the arvy equity fund (ISIN LI1306144786) is a Liechtenstein-domiciled UCITS fund accessible from anywhere through any broker that offers it. Same portfolio, same quality companies, no Swiss address needed. → arvy equity fund
What's the single most expensive mistake people make when leaving?
Not optimising the withdrawal tax. Withdrawing CHF 200,000 of pension + 3a in one go from a high-tax canton can cost CHF 15,000–20,000 in tax. Splitting across multiple accounts, multiple years, and a low-tax-canton provider can cut that to CHF 8,000–10,000. The difference: a small car. Plan 6 months ahead.
This article was written by Thierry Borgeat, Co-Founder of arvy, and reviewed by Patrick Rissi, CFA, and Florian Jauch, CFA. Last updated March 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute personal tax, legal, or financial advice. Rules regarding pension fund withdrawals, 3a withdrawals, and taxation vary by canton, destination country, individual circumstances, and are subject to change. The information about EU/EFTA restrictions on mandatory BVG withdrawals is based on current bilateral agreements. For individual advice, consult a qualified cross-border tax advisor. arvy is a FINMA-supervised asset manager. Legal Notice & Disclaimers
