Morning all!

I've been trying to find a previous post for this situation but I don't think it has been raised before, so I was wondering if anyone had practical advice or experience of something similar:

I currently live and work primarily in the UK as a contractor through my Limited Company, and I expect that my current contract will continue until mid-2016 (maybe a bit longer).

I was wondering what the implications would be if I was to move over to Switzerland in early 2016 and continue working on my UK contract, and continue to be paid into my UK account etc.? I would be mainly working from home with some travel (25%).

Eventually, once the contract finished, my plan would be to look for work in Switzerland (Zurich), and my thinking is that it may help my chances if I am already in the city and making progress with the local languages etc.

Based on the above, would I have any challenges getting the required permits etc. to rent a property, open local bank accounts, things like that when I first arrived? I'm guessing there will be some tax implications too, but I can perhaps address those directly with my UK accountant and perhaps a Swiss counterpart?

Have a great day!
Indigo

As a British citizen, you can move here to live if you want. You'll need to register at the local municipality and provide information that proves you can support yourself. Normally that's a work contract or bank statements. You'll also need to sign up for health insurance here. If all is in order, you'll either receive a B or L permit.

As long as you have sufficient funds, there should be no issues with permit or rent or bank account. It does seem that one has better chances of getting a job in Switzerland if you're already here. Networking is key, and a lot of jobs are filled this way and never make it to a jobs board.

I'm not sure how taxes would work if your contract and income are in the UK but your residence is in CH. I imagine some of our members have encountered this before and hopefully one of them will chime in with how it works.

If living here the OP will be liable to taxes in CH, however there is a good chance that the OP will still be UK tax resident too. Lots of paperwork....

As far as tax goes, you might get double tax treatment (i.e. fill in a tax return for both countries, but get relief on whatever you've paid in one on the other) initially, but once you're out of the country (so long as you comply with the rules of not spending too much time in the UK, don't have significant assets you still enjoy, family ties etc. etc.), for a full tax year, you'll only be liable for tax here.

I'm a contractor and one of my clients is based in the UK. I occasionally visit them - like once a year for a couple of days - so I only pay tax here. No MWST (VAT) is added to invoices to the UK

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Tax wise it depends on the nature of the work. Simply managing your company in the UK from a desk in Switzerland will most likley not make you liable to pay taxes in Switzerland.

According to Swiss law you will have to file a return in Switzerland if you lived here for more than 90 days. However most dual taxation agreements rule this law out.
Once you worked your first day in Switzerland, you will have to file (assuming you have been here at least 30 days).

Moving here and looking for a job is not a bad idea. Switzerland does have a dual taxation agreement with the UK so paying tax twice will not be an issue.

Many thanks to all for these replies and information.

The great news is that it seems there is no issue in principle if I do want to move out - so now I can start developing a plan for early 2016. Initially I was concerned that my work situation would have been a roadblock until I had finished my UK contract.

It would appear that the key open points will mainly relate to Taxes and Permits, so I shall continue my research on these items and post any follow up queries in the relevant sub-forums if required.

Vielen Dank!
Indigo