You can have an account in another kanton, no problem. Aarguaer Kantonalbank for example, I choose them as tax rates in Aarau on leaving are low here if you are not a millionaire , hmm I mean, if you contributed the maximum per year for less than 5 years, like a lot of expats might do, they are quite low there. Edit: yes Goldtop is right, it is the foundation's location that matters. But I remember I checked that with them (but do check yourself to be sure). That is why there are many 3a foundations located in the low tax cantons. There is one kanton with such foundations for the truly rich, but if you are, you probably already know about this kanton . Schwyz it is.