Estate Planning for Expats in Switzerland
Living in Switzerland and still relying on old UK estate planning documents?
Your estate plan may need a proper review.
You may have a UK will, Swiss residence, UK pensions, Swiss Pillar 2 benefits, Pillar 3a savings, investment accounts, property, life cover, beneficiaries in different countries and family members who may not all live in the same jurisdiction.
That matters because estate planning in Switzerland is not just about what your will says.
Swiss succession rules, Swiss inheritance tax, UK inheritance tax, pension death benefits, beneficiary nominations, trusts, account ownership and asset location can all affect what happens when you die.
The real question is not only:
Do I have a will?
It is:
Will my estate pass to the right people, in the right way, with the right tax and pension planning, if I die while living in Switzerland?
This page explains what British expats in Switzerland should review before relying on old wills, pension nominations or UK-only estate planning.
You have the information. Now get advice on what it means for you.
This page can help you understand the key issues. But the right decision depends on your own pensions, investments, tax position, future plans and family circumstances.
If you are unsure what applies to you, or want to understand the best next step before making a decision, book a confidential introductory call with Josh Clancey.
Estate planning for expats in Switzerland
Estate planning can become more complicated when you live in Switzerland.
A British expat may have assets, pensions and family connections across several countries.
These can include:
- a UK will
- Swiss residence
- UK pensions
- UK property
- UK bank accounts
- ISAs and investment accounts
- Swiss bank accounts
- Pillar 2 pension benefits
- Pillar 3a savings
- international investment accounts
- offshore bonds
- life insurance
- trusts
- US shares or ETFs
- beneficiaries in different countries
The issue is not simply whether you have written a will.
The issue is whether your estate planning works across the countries that matter.
Swiss official guidance explains that, if there is no will or inheritance contract, the estate passes to legal heirs under statutory succession rules.
Swiss inheritance tax can also be relevant and is generally a cantonal matter.
The UK position may still matter too.
From 6 April 2025, the UK replaced domicile and deemed domicile rules with a long-term residence framework for inheritance tax exposure on non-UK assets.
That means British expats should review whether UK inheritance tax may still apply to worldwide assets, UK assets, pensions, trusts or gifts.
The starting point should be simple:
Do not rely on old UK estate planning documents without checking whether they still work while you live in Switzerland.
What should expats in Switzerland review?
Wills and succession
Review whether your UK will, Swiss residence and succession position work together, especially if assets and beneficiaries are in different countries.
UK inheritance tax
UK inheritance tax may still matter for British expats depending on UK residence history, UK assets, worldwide assets, trusts and gifts.
Swiss inheritance tax
Swiss inheritance tax is generally cantonal, so the position may depend on canton, beneficiary relationship and asset location.
Pension death benefits
UK pensions, Pillar 2 and Pillar 3a may not pass under your will in the same way as other assets, so nominations should be reviewed.
What to check in your Switzerland estate plan
Do you have a valid will?
Check whether your existing UK will remains suitable while living in Switzerland and whether local legal advice is needed.
Which succession law applies?
Swiss succession rules may be relevant if you live in Switzerland. Cross-border legal advice should confirm which law applies to your estate and whether an election or planning step is appropriate.
Who inherits if you die without a will?
Swiss official guidance explains that, without a will or inheritance contract, an estate passes to legal heirs under statutory succession rules.
Could UK inheritance tax still apply?
UK inheritance tax may still be relevant depending on your UK residence history, UK assets, worldwide assets, gifts, trusts and whether the long-term residence rules apply.
Could Swiss inheritance tax apply?
Swiss inheritance tax is generally dealt with at cantonal level. Treatment can depend on canton, beneficiary relationship and asset type.
Are pension beneficiaries updated?
Review UK pension expression of wish forms, Pillar 2 beneficiaries, Pillar 3a beneficiaries and any employer death benefits.
Do you hold US-situs assets?
US shares, US ETFs and US assets can create estate tax and administration issues for non-US expats.
Are life policies written correctly?
Life cover, employer benefits and protection policies should be reviewed for ownership, beneficiaries, trust structure and cross-border tax treatment.
Will your family know what to do?
Estate planning should include document storage, executor details, account lists, adviser contacts and clear instructions for family members.
Still scrolling? It is probably time to book a call.
Reading can help you understand the issues. But it cannot tell you what is right for your pension, retirement plans, investments, tax position or family circumstances.
If you are facing a financial decision, or simply know your current arrangements need reviewing, a conversation is usually more useful than another hour of research.
Why a UK will may not be enough in Switzerland
A UK will can be valuable, but it should not be assumed to solve every estate planning issue once you live in Switzerland.
There are several reasons.
First, Swiss succession rules may become relevant.
Switzerland has its own rules around succession and legal heirs. If no valid will or inheritance contract applies, statutory succession rules can determine who inherits.
Second, tax can arise in more than one country.
Swiss inheritance tax is generally cantonal, while UK inheritance tax may still apply depending on UK residence history, UK assets, worldwide assets, gifts, trusts and the long-term residence rules.
Third, pensions may not follow the will.
UK pensions often pass according to pension scheme rules and trustee discretion, supported by expression of wish forms.
Pillar 2 and Pillar 3a benefits can also have their own beneficiary and pension rules.
Fourth, assets may be spread across several jurisdictions.
UK property, Swiss bank accounts, international platforms, offshore bonds, US shares and employer stock may all need different administration steps.
Fifth, family circumstances may have changed.
Marriage, divorce, children, blended families, unmarried partners, dependants and beneficiaries in different countries can all change the estate planning position.
The right question is not:
Do I have a will somewhere?
It is:
Does my estate plan work across the UK, Switzerland and every country where my assets or beneficiaries are located?
Documents to gather for an estate planning review
Existing wills
Gather UK wills, Swiss wills, codicils, letters of wishes and any documents dealing with assets in specific countries.
Powers of attorney
Review UK lasting powers of attorney, Swiss powers of attorney and any equivalent documents for health, welfare, property or financial decisions.
Pension beneficiary nominations
Collect expression of wish forms for UK pensions, SIPPs, workplace pensions, Pillar 2, Pillar 3a and employer benefits.
Life insurance policies
Review policy ownership, beneficiaries, trust documents, employer cover, personal cover and whether benefits are paid to the right people.
Asset list by country
List bank accounts, investments, pensions, property, companies, trusts, crypto, insurance and valuable assets by jurisdiction.
UK inheritance tax position
Gather UK residence history, previous domicile notes if relevant, UK assets, gifts, trusts and any inheritance tax advice already received.
Swiss tax and residence information
Gather Swiss residence details, canton, tax returns, wealth reporting and any Swiss inheritance or succession advice already received.
Trust documents
Collect trust deeds, letters of wishes, settlor notes, trustee details, beneficiary information and any tax advice linked to the trust.
US asset information
Review US shares, US ETFs, US brokerage accounts, US property or other US-situs assets that could create estate tax or administration issues.
Family and beneficiary details
Confirm spouse, partner, children, stepchildren, dependants, vulnerable beneficiaries and anyone who should or should not benefit from the estate.
What an estate planning review may lead to
Update your wills
You may need new or revised wills that coordinate UK, Swiss and international assets properly.
Review pension nominations
Pension death benefits can be valuable, but nominations should reflect your current family, residence and estate planning wishes.
Reduce tax and admin problems
Good estate planning can reduce delays, confusion, tax leakage and cross-border administration for surviving family members.
Coordinate UK and Swiss advice
Some cases need both UK and Swiss legal or tax input, especially where assets, heirs or residence are split across countries.
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Important information
This page is for general information only and does not constitute personalised financial, tax, legal, pension transfer, investment, estate planning or retirement advice.
Estate planning, Swiss succession rules, forced heirship, UK inheritance tax, Swiss inheritance tax, wills, trusts, pension death benefits, beneficiary nominations, life insurance, US-situs assets and cross-border administration depend on personal circumstances and may change.
Swiss inheritance tax can vary by canton and may depend on beneficiary relationship, exemptions, asset type and residence.
From 6 April 2025, UK inheritance tax rules changed from a domicile-based framework to a long-term residence framework for non-UK assets. The position should be checked with a suitably qualified UK tax adviser.
Swiss and UK legal advice should be taken before making or changing wills, succession planning documents, trusts, powers of attorney or cross-border estate planning arrangements.
Pension death benefits should be checked with the relevant pension provider or scheme administrator.
Investing involves risk. Pension and investment values can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invest.
