Fact sheet for expatriates

Transcription

1 Fact sheet for expatriates Benefits of living in the Canton of Bern Housing market and property hunting Taxes and living expenses Infrastructure, leisure and family Services and contact persons

2 Benefits of living in the Canton of Bern Swimming in the river Aare at Bern Broad range of residential accommodation Attractive purchase and rental prices Central location in Switzerland and Europe At the heart of an excellent transport network Low living expenses High-caliber international schools Active international community Unspoilt countryside on the doorstep Safe and clean environment Bilingual: German and French Facts and figures 985,000 inhabitants 36,300 companies Languages: German (83%), French (7%), Italian (2%) Bern-Belp European Airport and direct rail links to the Swiss international airports in Basel, Geneva and Zurich Institutes of higher education: University of Bern, Bern University of Applied Sciences, World Trade Institute, Rochester-Berne Executive MBA, private institutes International schools: International School of Bern, British School, École Française de Berne, John F. Kennedy School, Feusi Preschool VD NE Neuchâtel JU Fribourg FR Moutier SH BS SO Biel/Bienne Bern Thun Basel BL AG Langenthal Burgdorf Canton of Bern ZG LU SZ NW OW UR Interlaken Grindelwald Zurich ZH TG SG GL AR AI GR Lausanne Gstaad GE Geneva Sion VS Brig TI Less than 1 hour away by car/train 3,580,000 inhabitants 2,150,000 employees 108,000 students (9 universities) Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office Caption to cover page: Inline skating in the Emmental region

3 Housing market and property hunting Renewable energy: apartment block with solar panels in Oberburg BE lower with no compromises in terms of comfort. Bern, the capital of Switzerland, lies in the Bern region and Biel-Seeland offers many jobs both in the private sector and in the public sector at the cantonal and federal levels. Whether for an apartment in the historic old town or a loft in the general conurbation, prices are markedly lower than in Zurich or Geneva. Commercial regeneration areas that can benefit in full from the tax Housing market relief on direct federal taxes. The Canton of Bern offers you the choice of Bordering Bern to the south is the Bernese Assisted areas in a transitional arrangement until the end of 2010 living in a German- with maximum or French-speaking tax relief amounting environment or, even better, of enjoying the benefits of tation and many holiday homes (Grindelwald, to 50%. Oberland region with its strong tourism orien- both cultures. Whether an urban or rural setting, in flat country or in the mountains, along- living environment. The availability and prices Gstaad, Interlaken) as well as an attractive side a lake or river, the Canton of Bern has a of residential accommodation vary considerably, depending on the location, near the lake varied and attractive range of areas in which to live. There is something to fit every budget and or at the foot of the famous Alps. taste in an unspoilt natural environment. In the eastern part of the canton are the Emmental and Oberaargau regions which have developed and diversified both economically and with a view to sustainability while maintaining an unspoilt nature. A relatively wide range of residential accommodation is available at moderate prices. Property hunting Property hunting tends to be conducted via the Internet, with the landlord being contacted directly. Interesting advertisements can be found in the daily and weekly newspapers as well as in neighborhood meeting points. This also applies to buying property. Here it is common practice to call on the assistance of a real estate agent. Relocation companies offer flexible solutions for moves to and from Switzerland. Important links In the north, the French-speaking part of the canton, is the Bernese Jura region. It is a leading light in the precision industry and renewable energies. Smaller towns and villages offer attractive places in which to live and work in this affordably priced region, where a house of your own may cost less than an apartment in other regions of Switzerland. Bordering on this region and the lake is the bilingual Biel-Seeland region, the heart of the world-renowned watchmaking industry and living space for both urbanites and outdoors lovers. Here, just a 25-minute train ride from Bern, residential accommodation prices are Average prices for a range of residential accommodation (average standard) Prices subject to fluctuation. We will be pleased to submit individual quotations on request. Major cities in the Canton of Bern Major cities in other cantons Bern Biel/Bienne Thun Zurich Basel Geneva Rental apartment (in CHF) 2 rooms + kitchen/bath 1, , ,610 4 rooms + kitchen/bath 1,650 1,280 1,440 2,120 1,580 2,570 Owner-occupied apartment (in CHF) 3 rooms + kitchen/bath 499, , , , ,000 1,032,000 5 rooms + kitchen/bath 758, , ,000 1,228, ,000 1,597,000 Owner-occupied house (in CHF) 4 rooms + kitchen/bath 605, , , , ,000 1,110,000 6 rooms + kitchen/bath 906, , ,000 1,430, ,000 1,645,000 Source: Wüest & Partner 2/2011

4 Taxes and living expenses A shopping, wellness and architectural experience in one: Westside shopping mall in Bern If you are domiciled in Switzerland, you are liable to pay tax at the federal, cantonal and local commune levels. The cantons and communes have different tax rates and assessment bases. Special rules apply for expatriates: certain everyday expenses may be deducted on the tax return. Foreign citizens who are not gainfully employed and have no source of income in Switzerland, yet wish to live in the Canton of Bern, may make use of a simplified flat-rate taxation scheme. At the same time it should be noted that in the Canton of Bern, direct descendants are not liable for inheritance taxes. Another advantage and at the same time a unique feature in Switzerland is the so-called wealth tax brake : This has the effect of limiting the wealth tax to 25% of the yield on assets. The minimum levy is 2.4 per mill of the taxable assets (Art. 66 Tax Law). In addition to the attractive corporate taxation, the Canton of Bern is also quite advantageous for individuals. This is illustrated by the following calculation: It shows how much of your income remains after deduction of taxes, living and social costs. It does not take into account everyday costs (food, clothing, doctor/dentist, leisure, etc.) and individual out-goings (commuting, living standard, car, insurances, etc.). Disposable income (net income) Married, protestant, 1 employee, 2 children, rental apartment Cities Bern Thun Biel/Bienne Zurich Basel Geneva Entry Year Year Year Year Year Year Gross income 150, , , , , ,000 Yield on assets 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Total income 151, , , , , ,000 Social contribution 17% 25,670 25,670 25,670 25,670 25,670 25,670 Ø obligatory health insurance 12,658 11,504 12,659 11,354 13,330 12,420 Max. 3a pillar 6,566 6,566 6,566 6,566 6,566 6,566 Max. tax amount 21,726 22,551 21,722 15,315 22,194 21,623 Net income I 84,380 84,709 84,383 92,095 83,240 84,721 Ø net rent 4 rooms 19,800 17,280 15,360 25,440 18,960 30, % of rent charges 2,970 2,592 2,304 3,816 2,844 4,626 Net income II 61,610 64,837 66,719 62,839 61,436 49,255 Disposable income in % of earned income 41.10% 43.20% 44.45% 41.90% 40.95% 32.85% Rent prices according to Immo-Monitoring 2/2011, Wüest & Partner, health insurance obligatory according to 2010/Comparis July 2011 Single, employee, protestant, rental apartment, 4 rooms Bern Thun Biel/Bienne Zurich Basel Geneva Entry Year Year Year Year Year Year Gross income 150, , , , , ,000 Yield on assets 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 Total income 151, , , , , ,000 Social contribution 17% 25,670 25,670 25,670 25,670 25,670 25,670 Ø obligatory health insurance 4,823 4,316 4,823 4,210 5,146 4,846 Max. 3a pillar 6,566 6,566 6,566 6,566 6,566 6,566 Max. tax amount 33,106 34,251 33,049 25,429 33,829 33,722 Net income I 80,835 80,197 80,892 89,125 79,789 80,196 Ø net rent 4 rooms 19,800 17,280 15,360 25,440 18,960 30, % of rent charges 2,970 2,592 2,304 3,816 2,844 4,626 Net income II 58,065 60,325 63,228 59,869 57,985 44,730 Disposable income in % of earned income 38.10% 40.20% 42.15% 39.90% 38.65% 29.80% Rent prices according to Immo-Monitoring 2/2011, Wüest & Partner, health insurance obligatory according to 2010/Comparis July 2011 Married, protestant, 2 children, 1 employee, owner-occupied house, 6 rooms Situation in Bern, different incomes Entry Year Year Year Gross income 100, , ,000 Yield on assets 25,368 25,368 25,368 Total income 125, , ,368 Social contribution 17% 17,000 25,500 34,000 Ø obligatory health insurance 12,658 12,658 12,658 Max. 3a pillar 6,566 6,566 6,566 Max. tax amount 6,176 17,663 33,614 Net income I 82, , ,530 Interest on mortgage 2.75% 19,932 19,932 19,932 2% for charges of purchase price 18,120 18,120 18,120 Net income II 44,916 74, ,478 Disposable income in % of earned income 44.92% 49.9% 50.2% Status July 2011, 2.75% mortgage, 6-room house, mortgage = 80% of purchase price, notional rent = 4% of official value (official value: 70% of purchase price). Price of houses according to Immo- Monitoring 2/2011, Wüest & Partner, health insurance obligatory according to 2010/Comparis July 2011

5 Infrastructure, leisure and family Excursion in the old town of Bern Transport infrastructure Thanks to the Canton of Bern s central location in the heart of Switzerland, the national and international transportation links are first rate. Bern-Belp airport offers many scheduled flights, for example to Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Paris, Rome and Barcelona. The small airport is not only popular with business travelers: families with children also appreciate the shortest check-in times in Switzerland (around 20 minutes). Leisure The Canton of Bern offers a wealth of leisure opportunities. You will discover fascinating recreational areas with lakes and forests and everything you could desire from leisurely family excursions to extreme sports activities. Grindelwald, Interlaken and Gstaad are renowned holiday destinations. The Jungfrau- Aletsch-Bietschhorn Alpine region is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Culture lovers, too, will be spoiled with riches: The historic Old City of Bern has been part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since In addition to the many shopping opportunities beneath the famous arcades, the city of Bern offers diverse museums such as the Zentrum Paul Klee, the Bern Historical Museum and the Art Museum. sity of applied sciences as well as other eminent educational establishments and research institutes. Thanks to its central location, many other schools and universities (in Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Basel and Zurich for example) are within easy reach. The Canton of Bern promotes supplementary childcare outside school hours, thereby facilitating the reconciliation of work and family life. International schools International School of Berne: British School: John F. Kennedy School: Feusi Preschool: Ecole cantonale de langue française (publique): Ecole Française de Berne: Social networks The city of Bern is the capital of Switzerland and seat of the federal government. Thanks to this role, all the foreign embassies are based in Bern and are part of the international scene. In addition, private international communities regularly organize events for expatriates. For example, the German, French, Italian, British, American, Indian, Chinese and Japanese among others have their own social clubs and cultural events. There is also a thriving cultural, sports and association scene as an integration platform within the Swiss population. Three times a year, the Berne Economic Development Agency organizes the popular Bern Expat Breakfast. This event is an outstanding opportunity to get to know Bernese companies and their expatriates in an informal atmosphere. In March, the Bern International Business Cocktail is held. This, together with the Ambassadors Reception Canton of Bern, is a further highlight for the international community and perfect for maintaining private and professional networks. Networking and events for expats Moscow Other attractions include international events such as the Swiss Open tennis tournament in Gstaad, the Menuhin Festival Gstaad, the Lauberhorn and Adelboden World Cup ski races and the Westside shopping and leisure center. Schools In addition to state and private Swiss schools, the Canton of Bern also offers international educational institutions where students are taught in French and English. The Canton of Bern has a renowned university and a univer- Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Miami San Francisco, Los Angeles Sao Paulo London Barcelona Amsterdam Cologne/Bonn Paris Nice Hamburg Hanover Berlin Frankfurt Vienna Munich Zurich Bern Rome Budapest Shanghai Delhi Hongkong Singapur Sydney*

6 Our services The Bern old town experience: a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site Contact persons For private individuals The Berne Economic Development Agency will be pleased to provide you with information on the subject of living in Berne such as Property availability and projects Site comparisons Switzerland/Canton/Region/City Availability and price structures in the property market Property rental / construction / purchase Relocation to the Canton of Bern, schooling Contacts with trustees, banks, consultants and relocation service providers For companies The Berne Economic Development Agency supports and assists companies wishing to establish themselves in the Canton of Bern free of charge. Individual site evaluation visits Tax holidays and other financial contributions Arranging grants for R&D activities Assistance in your site search and in provision of premises and realty Information on work permits and residence permits, national insurance, building permission, etc. To make your start-up in the Canton of Bern as easy as possible, we can put you in touch with local authorities and federal institutions education institutes (universities, universities of applied sciences) industrial and cluster organisations financial services providers and venture capitalists consultants and lawyers other networks President Denis Grisel President Berne Economic Development Agency denis.grisel@berneinvest.com Contact persons for foreign companies Jean-Philippe Devaux Vice-President Foreign Investment jeanphilippe.devaux@berneinvest.com Vassiliki Riesen-Giannoysios vassiliki.riesen@berneinvest.com Isabelle Berthold isabelle.berthold@berneinvest.com Alexandra Fries alexandra.fries@berneinvest.com Peter Kistler peter.kistler@berneinvest.com You can reach us on tel. +41 (0) Impressum Münsterplatz 3, CH-3011 Bern Robert-Walser-Platz 7, CH-2501 Biel Tel. +41 (0) Tel. +41 (0) Fax +41 (0) Fax +41 (0) info@berneinvest.com Member of Greater Geneva Berne area Editorial Berne Economic Development Agency Appearance in German, English, French Photos BEDA (front page), Bern Tourism (page 2), Jenni AG (page 3), Westside (page 4), Bern Tourism (page 5), Bern Tourism (page 6). Order by info@berneinvest.com or download on Reprint with written permission only Edition August 2013