Zurich: A Place to Do Business

Canton Zurich is the motor of the Swiss economy; 85 of the country's 100 largest firms are based within an hour's drive of the city center. Companies will find that Zurich offers excellently qualified specialists and management staff with international experience. The labor market is relatively unregulated and labor productivity is high. Other key location benefits include an internationally compared moderate taxation system and easy international access.


Workforce: Highly Qualified and Productive

The Swiss labor market is flexible and relatively unregulated. The local workforce is extremely productive and qualifications are above average at all levels thanks to the good public education system.  The best minds from all over the world are drawn to the university and the other institutes of higher education which train professional specialists.

Nationals of the EU-17/EFTA countries enjoy total and unconditional freedom of movement. For the new EU-8/EU-2 countries, freedom of movement is being introduced gradually on a controlled basis (with transitional periods and quotas). Citizens of non-EU countries may obtain permits depending on the labor situation in their specific sectors. It takes very little time to submit an application for a work permit online in Canton Zurich. e-WorkPermits - Online Work Permits. More information about the labor market see here.

Jobseekers can either look for positions in the newspapers, apply to companies directly, or take advantage of one of the many internet platforms. For an overview, consult this website here.
Tips for jobseekers here

There are several specialist job search sites for prospective employees in the banking and insurance sector. For example, JobDirectory is a jobs and information site that combines all job offers on one single platform, and it includes a detailed directory of employers and personnel consultants in the financial sector.

Company Start-Ups Made Easy

The Canton Zurich Canton Zurich Company Foundation Platform is available to anyone with good business ideas who wants to set up a company. Incorporating a business in Canton Zurich is fast and straightforward. Technology transfer is well established, and there is close cooperation between the business and research sectors. Countless start-up companies generate strong impetus for the innovation process.

Setting up a financial service company
In many cases, financial service providers are subject to special regulation.
Link to Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Establishing a Bank in Switzerland (Overview): Establishing a Bank in Switzerland.pdf

Tax System

Zurich enjoys internationally compared moderate corporate taxation as well as moderate tax for individuals - a mix that is unique in the world. Canton Zurich also offers legal certainty and stability combined with an extremely simple tax declaration process based on the official balance sheet. Companies can obtain a binding preliminary decision on their effective tax burden from the tax administration. The tax authorities are glad to assist private individuals and companies with any questions they may have. More information:

Taxation in the Canton of Zürich 

Real Estate: Ideally Positioned

Canton Zurich has an attractive real estate market with a wide range of land, office space, commercial properties, apartments, and houses for rental or purchase. Real estate prices are based on the location and the construction standard of the specific property. More information:

Zurich internationally compared
Real Estate Market Canton of Zurich

First-Class Transport Infrastructure

Zurich is situated in the heart of Europe. However, the city's central location is not the only reason why destinations in Switzerland and abroad can be reached so quickly: The Zurich region has one of the world's most extensive public transport networks, so travel times are short. For example, it takes a mere ten minutes to reach the international airport at Zurich-Kloten from the city's main rail station. The airport and links to the international rail network connect Zurich to the entire world. More information: Connectivity of Zurich.