HNWI & Entrepreneur Advisory in Zug

Zug offers Switzerland's most attractive tax system for HNWI and entrepreneurs:

• Income tax: ~15-22% combined (federal + cantonal + municipal) vs 25-35% in Zurich/Geneva. CHF 200k salary = CHF 20k+ annual savings.
• Wealth tax: 0.1-0.3% on net assets (Switzerland's lowest). CHF 5M wealth = CHF 5-15k/year vs CHF 25-30k in Geneva.
• Corporate tax: ~12% effective rate. Holding companies benefit from participation exemption (no tax on dividends/capital gains from subsidiaries).
• Crypto taxation: Private crypto holdings taxed as wealth (0.1-0.3% annual) but gains tax-free if held as private assets. Professional traders pay income tax on gains.
• No lump-sum taxation (forfait fiscal): Canton Zug discontinued pauschalbesteuerung. However, standard Zug rates often lower than lump-sum minimums elsewhere.

Advisory agencies coordinate with Zug tax advisors for optimal structuring: residence planning, company formation, holding structures, and wealth tax minimization strategies.

Zug is the global blockchain capital requiring specialized advisory for crypto entrepreneurs:

• Ecosystem: 1,000+ blockchain companies including Ethereum Foundation (founded 2014), Cardano, Tezos, Bitcoin Suisse, Crypto Finance AG.
• Foundation setup: Swiss foundations (Stiftung) popular for blockchain projects. Requirements: endowment (CHF 50k+), statutes, board, regulatory filings. Timeline: 1-3 months.
• FINMA compliance: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority regulates tokens/ICOs. Advisory agencies coordinate with crypto-specialized lawyers for AML/KYC compliance.
• Token structures: Payment tokens, utility tokens, asset tokens — different regulatory treatment. FINMA guidelines clear but complex.
• Banking: Bitcoin Suisse, Crypto Finance AG offer custody/trading. Traditional banks (UBS) piloting crypto custody. Revolut provides crypto trading (80+ coins).
• Community: Crypto Valley Association (1,000+ members), networking events, English widely spoken. Collaborative ecosystem.

Advisory agencies with Crypto Valley expertise guide: foundation formation, FINMA submissions, banking relationships, tax optimization for token gains, and community integration.

Zug attracts HNWI with low wealth tax and access to Swiss private banking:

• UBS Wealth Management: Private banking services in Zug, portfolio management, tax-efficient investing, holding company coordination.
• Credit Suisse: Private banking for HNWI, entrepreneur services, family office solutions, alternative investments.
• Boutique wealth managers: Independent advisors specializing in crypto wealth, tax optimization for Zug residents, cross-border structures.
• Minimum thresholds: CHF 500k-1M+ investable assets typical for private banking; CHF 100k+ for wealth advisory.
• Services: Discretionary portfolio management, Zug-domiciled holding companies, estate planning, family office coordination, crypto asset management.
• Family offices: Multi-family offices coordinate: wealth management, tax planning, philanthropy, succession planning, lifestyle services.

Advisory agencies facilitate introductions to private bankers familiar with Zug tax structures. Common strategy: Combine low Zug wealth tax (0.1-0.3%) with Swiss private banking discretion and professional management.

Zug company formation process coordinated by advisory agencies with fiduciaries and lawyers:

• 1. Choose structure: AG (Aktiengesellschaft, CHF 100k capital) for larger companies/growth plans; GmbH (CHF 20k capital) for smaller/family businesses; Branch office for existing foreign companies.
• 2. Reserve name: Check availability at Handelsregister (commercial register). Reserve company name.
• 3. Draft statutes: Lawyer prepares company statutes (articles of association), shareholder agreements, board resolutions.
• 4. Deposit capital: Open blocked bank account, deposit minimum share capital (CHF 100k AG, CHF 20k GmbH). Bank issues confirmation.
• 5. Notarization: Notary authenticates founding documents, board appointments, share allocations. Founders present in person or via power of attorney.
• 6. Handelsregister registration: Submit documents to commercial register. Publication in SHAB (Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce). Registration complete in 1-2 weeks.
• 7. Post-formation: Register for VAT (if turnover >CHF 100k), open corporate banking accounts, arrange accounting/audit, register with social security.

Total timeline: 1-4 months. Costs: CHF 5-15k (notary, registration, legal fees). Advisory agencies coordinate entire process, minimizing founder time commitment. Corporate tax ~12% effective rate in Zug.

Zug offers excellent lifestyle for HNWI families with children:

• Location: Lakefront living on Lake Zug. 20 minutes to Zurich Airport, 25 minutes to Zurich city center. Mountains (Rigi, Pilatus) nearby for weekend skiing.
• International schools: Zurich International School (ZIS) in Wädenswil (30 min), Zug Bergschule, International School of Central Switzerland (Lucerne). English curriculum (IB, IGCSE).
• Safety & quality of life: Low crime, clean environment, excellent healthcare, efficient public transport. Family-friendly parks, playgrounds, sports facilities.
• Expat community: Large international community (crypto entrepreneurs, finance professionals, UN/NGO staff from nearby Geneva). English widely spoken.
• Leisure: Lake activities (sailing, swimming, paddle boarding), hiking, cycling. Zurich cultural scene (museums, opera, concerts) 30 minutes away. Alps skiing 1-2 hours.
• Cost of living: High (typical Switzerland). Rent: CHF 3-6k/month for family apartment; CHF 6-15k+ for lakefront villas. Groceries, restaurants expensive. Offset by low tax savings.

Advisory agencies coordinate: housing search (lakefront vs family neighborhoods), school placement, family office services, concierge coordination for lifestyle needs.