In recent years, Switzerland, and Ticino in particular, has attracted a growing number of people interested in moving there. What are the main reasons for this choice today?
Our country benefits from extremely favorable framework conditions, which are even more important in the current context of geopolitical turbulence, conflict, and economic uncertainty. Those seeking political, monetary, and economic stability will find here security, a high-quality healthcare and education system, and, more generally, a quality of life that has placed the country among the world's leading nations for decades. Added to all this are its neutrality and strategic geographic location, in the heart of Europe and along the north-south axis. For those who travel frequently, for work or personal reasons, this is also a significant advantage. These are elements that make Switzerland an attractive destination at all stages of life.
Taxation remains important, but security, stability, and quality of life seem to be increasingly important. Is that true?
Certainly. Taxation remains a favorable factor compared to many other European countries: favorable regimes such as flat-rate personal taxation, exemptions on capital gains, gifts, and direct inheritance, as well as attractive tax rates combine with stability, legal certainty, and streamlined bureaucracy.
However, tax considerations aren't necessarily the determining factor. There are jurisdictions that are tax-efficient, but they don't offer the same combination of stability, services, and security. Wealthy clients who turn to us are often aware of having to pay a certain level of taxation, but they also perceive the value of what they receive in return: efficient infrastructure, security, healthcare, education, public services, and regulatory certainty. Essentially, they value the balance between cost and overall quality of life.
What is the profile of those who choose Ticino today?
Our support is primarily sought by two groups. The first includes entrepreneurs, former entrepreneurs, or executives who, having reached a more mature stage in their professional lives, wish to settle down with their spouse in a quiet, safe place where they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. The second group consists of younger families, with parents still fully employed and school-age children. In this case, education, healthcare, safety, and a quality environment for raising children take on even greater importance. Often, the entrepreneur continues to have businesses and economic interests abroad, while Ticino becomes the center of their personal and family life.
How much do services, schools and healthcare impact families?
"They have a huge impact. When a family considers a move, they don't just consider the financial aspects, but everything that will shape their daily lives in the years to come. The quality of schools, the reliability of the healthcare system, and the safety and efficiency of services therefore become key factors."
However, moving your residence involves tax, administrative, real estate, and personal considerations. How does Gruppo Multi guide clients through this process?
For us, relocation is a project that encompasses a person's personal and family life. It can't be approached in a hasty manner. We must first understand the client's needs, assets, financial interests, family situation, and country of origin. Based on this, we analyze tax and inheritance issues, any potential consequences of leaving the country of origin, the client's immigration situation, and their housing needs.
Gruppo Multi has the advantage of being able to cover most of these needs internally through its expertise in fiduciary, tax, real estate, and relocation procedures. We can assist clients from the initial planning stage to the search for a home, from preparing permits to dealing with public authorities, and even managing the numerous formalities resulting from the move.
Your work, therefore, doesn't end with the client's arrival in Ticino...
"No, on the contrary. After the move, many practical needs arise: notifications to local authorities, moving paperwork, tax returns, driver's license exchange, and many other aspects of daily life. Once a relationship of trust is established, we also become involved in very practical matters, including, for example, managing service personnel."
So what are the advantages of relying on a truly qualified organization?
Our advantage is that we can offer a single point of contact, saving clients from having to independently contact numerous professionals and different companies. This is a much more complex process than it might seem; Gruppo Multi has qualified professionals and extensive experience in this field, which also requires coordination with the tax, legal, and financial advisors the client already has abroad. A properly planned relocation must, in fact, consider both Switzerland and the client's country of origin.
In recent years, many companies have emerged offering relocation services, focusing primarily on the most immediately attractive aspects of the area: the landscape, the quality of life, the opportunities. All this is true, but it's not enough. Behind an international relocation lie fiscal, administrative, migration, and financial issues that must be analyzed expertly and in advance.
Otherwise, the risk is to create expectations that may lead to difficulties or unpleasant surprises. Relocation requires technical expertise, experience, and planning.
Gruppo Multi has been operating in the Ticino market for about forty years, with operations in Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno, and currently employs approximately 45 people. This structure allows us to approach the move not just as a simple commercial service, but as a comprehensive and comprehensive professional journey.
What are the prospects for relocation in Ticino, and what could further strengthen the canton's attractiveness?
«The starting conditions discussed are excellent and it is a priority to preserve them and, potentially, further improve them.
In my opinion, the main area for growth lies in local marketing, that is, the ability to better publicize Ticino and its characteristics abroad. This is an area in which, for example, the City of Lugano is already working. The real potential lies in better communicating the region and, above all, the strength of the system that underpins its quality of life.
