How to Set Up a Family Office in Switzerland

Switzerland is among the renowned global financial centers.

But did you know that the country has become a preferred destination for establishing family offices?

It is mainly due to some lucrative factors like:

• Political stability
• Robust financial infrastructure
• Favorable legal environment

Family offices have grown in popularity as wealthy families seek greater control over their financial affairs and need specialized services beyond traditional wealth management.

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This post explores the essential aspects of how to set up a family office in Switzerland, providing practical guidance for families considering this option.

What Is a Family Office in Switzerland?

A Swiss family office is a private organization dedicated to managing the wealth and personal affairs of wealthy individuals or families.

Swiss law does not provide a specific legal definition for family offices, allowing for flexibility in their structure and operations.

Family offices typically take one of two forms:

• Single-family offices (SFOs) that serve one wealthy family

Or

• Multi-family offices (MFOs) that provide services to multiple families

In practice, Swiss family offices are most commonly established as companies limited by shares, or limited liability companies. This is because these legal structures limit the personal liability of board members and managers.

This practical approach provides both protection and flexibility for the family’s operations.

The regulatory environment for family offices in Switzerland is governed primarily by:

• The Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)
• The Collective Investment Schemes Act (CISA)

Since January 2020, the Financial Services Act (FinSA) and the Financial Institutions Act (FinIA) have also become relevant to family office operations.

However, unlike banks or asset managers, there is no general requirement for family offices to be authorized in Switzerland unless they provide specific regulated services.

How does a family office work in Switzerland?

Family offices provide comprehensive services that extend far beyond traditional private banking.

Their core functions typically include:

1. Asset management and investment advisory – developing and implementing investment strategies tailored to the family’s goals

2. Planificación financiera and reporting – providing consolidated financial statements and performance tracking

3. Tax planning and compliance – coordinating with tax advisors to optimize the family’s tax position

4. Estate planning and succession management – ensuring smooth wealth transfer across generations

5. Philanthropy coordination – managing charitable giving and impact investment initiatives

6. Administrative services – handling day-to-day matters like bill payments, property management, and travel arrangements

7. Family governance – developing structures for family decision-making and conflict resolution

8. Risk management – protecting family assets against various threats

9. Legal and regulatory compliance – ensuring adherence to applicable laws across jurisdictions

The exact services offered vary based on each family’s specific needs, wealth level, and geographical spread.

Swiss family offices often help coordinate with external specialists while maintaining a central point of oversight for the family’s global affairs.

A key advantage is their ability to provide tailored solutions rather than standardized services.

Do Family Offices Make Money in Switzerland?

Family offices in Switzerland operate under various business models, shaped by their legal structure, the family’s objectives, and regulatory considerations.

For Single Family Offices (SFOs), the primary objective is typically conservación del patrimonio, succession planning, and streamlined management of family affairs.

These offices function as cost centers, with operational expenses funded by the family itself.

In contrast, Multi-Family Offices (MFOs) in Switzerland are structured as commercial entities and operate with a profit motive.

These offices cater to multiple wealthy families and derive revenue through a variety of fee-based models:

• Asset-based fees – a percentage of assets under management (AUM)
• Fixed fees – for specific administrative, legal, or investment services
• Performance-based fees – tied to investment returns or milestone achievements
• Hybrid models – blending the above structures

The profitability of a family office in the Swiss context depends heavily on:

• Operational efficiency
• Service delivery model
• Whether it centralizes or outsources key functions such as investment management, tax advisory, and legal compliance

Even within SFOs, certain components may be run as internal profit centers to instill financial discipline and accountability.

This is especially relevant in jurisdictions like Switzerland, where transparency and regulatory compliance are held to high standards.

Who Runs a Family Office in Switzerland?

A Swiss family office is typically led by a multidisciplinary team of experts, often drawn from top financial institutions, law firms, and international family office networks.

The Swiss talent pool, known for discretion and professionalism, makes it possible to staff a family office with highly qualified individuals.

These specialized professionals align with the family’s values and privacy expectations.

Many Swiss family offices also involve family members in governance roles, such as on a family council or advisory board, mainly considering the importance of long-term trust and alignment.

In larger or globally active offices, professional managers typically oversee daily operations, ensuring best practices, particularly in investment governance, reporting, and risk management, which are deemed hallmarks of the Swiss financial services sector.

How many family offices are there in Switzerland?

According to a study published in 2024 by the Swiss Single Family Office Association (SFOA), Switzerland hosts approximately 250 to 300 Single Family Offices.

These SFOs are known for managing assets worth about 600 billion Swiss francs ($670 billion).

This number continues to grow as more wealthy families recognize the benefits of centralized gestión de patrimonios in a stable jurisdiction.​

Switzerland has become a favored location for family offices due to several specific factors:

1. The availability of highly qualified financial specialists and professionals
2. Excellent infrastructure and world-class banking services
3. Exceptional legal and political stability
4. Attractive taxation regimes in many cantons
5. High overall quality of life

The Swiss government, through entities like the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), supports economic development.

This is the kind of development that indirectly benefits the family office sector.

This government backing contributes to the stable environment that makes Switzerland so attractive to global wealthy families seeking a secure base for their family offices.

How Much Do You Need to Start a Family Office?

The minimum capital required to establish a viable family office depends on the scope of services and operational model.

Industry experts generally suggest that an SFO becomes economically viable when managing assets of at least:

• For a full-service family office: Approximately CHF 100 million or more
• For a limited-service family office: Around CHF 50 million may be sufficient

The costs of running a family office need to be proportionate to the assets being managed.

As a general rule, annual operational costs typically range from 0.6% to 1.5% of assets under management.

This means a family with CHF 100 million might spend between CHF 600,000 and CHF 1.5 million annually on their family office operations.

Key cost factors include:

• Staff salaries and benefits (typically the largest expense)
• Office space and infrastructure
• Technology systems and platforms
• External service providers and consultants
• Regulatory compliance costs
• Insurance and risk management

Families with less capital may consider alternatives such as joining a multi-family office using a “virtual” family office model.

This option comes with minimal fixed costs, or creating a hybrid model with more outsourced services.

Steps for Setting Up a Family Office in Switzerland

1.     Define Your Objectives & Scope

Determine whether your priority is pure wealth preservation, investment opportunity sourcing, estate planning, or full concierge services.

Based on that, decide between a Single-Family Office (SFO) versus joining a Multi-Family Office (MFO) or hybrid/virtual model.

2.    Choose the Optimal Legal Structure

Company Limited by Shares (AG): Preferred for larger SFOs and offers clear governance and strong liability protection.

Limited Liability Company (GmbH): Simpler and more cost-effective for smaller setups.

Branch or Subsidiary of an Existing Entity: May suit families that already have other Swiss investments.

3.    Select Your Canton & Location

Compare cantonal tax regimes (e.g., Zug, Schwyz, Geneva) and negotiate rulings where possible.

Geneva and Zurich offer unparalleled access to financial professionals; smaller cantons may yield cost savings.

4.    Assemble Your Advisory Team

Legal Counsel: Specializing in Swiss corporate and trust law.

Tax Advisors: Experienced in both Swiss taxation and your home jurisdiction treaties.

Fiduciary Services: A licensed Swiss trustee can act as a statutory director if required.

Banking Partner: Select a private bank or custodian familiar with family-office needs.

5.    Incorporation & Regulatory Filings

Incorporation Process:

File articles of association, appoint directors and deposit minimum share capital (CHF 100,000 for an AG; CHF 20,000 for a GmbH).

AMLA Registration:

If you provide any financial intermediation, register with the local Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS).

FINMA Notification (if applicable):

Only required if you offer regulated services beyond mere asset-holding.

6.    Establish Governance & Policies

Draft a charter setting decision-making rules, conflict resolution procedures, and succession protocols.

Define roles for investment, risk, compliance, and philanthropic committees.

Set up regular financial and ESG reporting, performance benchmarks and audit cycles.

7.    Hire Core Team & Service Providers

Key Roles: CFO/COO, Head of Investments, Tax Manager, Legal Counsel and Family-Office Coordinator.

Outsourcing vs. In-House: Determine which functions (e.g., IT, property management, travel services) to outsource based on cost-benefit analysis.

8.    Deploy Technology & Infrastructure

Wealth-Management Platforms: Implement secure portfolio-management and reporting software.

Data Security: Establish robust IT and cybersecurity policies to protect sensitive family data.

Office Setup: Lease or co-work space with appropriate confidentiality and compliance measures.

9.    Capital Deployment & Risk Management

Formalize asset-allocation targets, liquidity needs, and allowable risk parameters.

Put in place hedging strategies, insurance cover, and counterparty-due-diligence processes.

10.  Ongoing Compliance & Review

Stay abreast of changes in AMLA, FinIA, and any relevant EU or home-country rules.

Conduct annual audits and governance revise meetings to refine strategy.

Regularly revisit your succession plan to reflect family dynamics and market conditions.

Family Office Cons

While family offices offer numerous benefits, they also present several challenges:

1. High Operational Costs: Significant investment is required in staffing, infrastructure, and technology—especially burdensome for smaller family offices.

2. Regulatory Complexity: Swiss regulations, particularly under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, may require family offices involved in financial intermediation to join a self-regulatory organization or fall under FINMA supervision.

3. Staffing Issues: Attracting professionals who align with family values and managing a lean, specialized team can be difficult.

4. Privacy and Security Risks: Centralized gestión de patrimonios can expose families to privacy vulnerabilities without proper safeguards.

5. Family Dynamics: Intergenerational conflicts may disrupt governance and decision-making.

6. Succession Planning: Sustaining continuity over generations requires strong governance frameworks.

7. Operational Inefficiencies: Smaller offices often lack the scale to operate as efficiently as larger institutions.

8. Limited Investment Access: Internal teams may not access the same investment opportunities as external specialists.

9. Key Person Risk: Heavy reliance on select individuals can pose risks if they exit unexpectedly.

Conclusión

Starting a family office in Switzerland offers wealthy families a sophisticated approach to managing their assets.

The process requires careful consideration of legal structures, service offerings, staffing, and operational models.

Before establishing a family office, families should:

• Thoroughly assess their needs
• Consult with legal and financial advisors familiar with Swiss regulations
• Develop a comprehensive business plan.

This plan should address both immediate requirements and long-term objectives, including governance structures, succession planning, and risk management.

For families with sufficient wealth and complex needs, a well-structured family office can be an invaluable tool for preserving wealth and legacy across generations.

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Adam es un autor reconocido internacionalmente en temas financieros, con más de 830 millones de respuestas en Quora, un libro muy vendido en Amazon y colaborador de Forbes.