Private Client Expertise
Dixcart Switzerland advises international families, entrepreneurs and private clients on the structuring, protection and long-term stewardship of their wealth. Based in Geneva, we work with clients who value discretion, clarity and well-judged advice within a stable and respected financial environment.
How we can help
We assist clients in establishing and reviewing wealth structures that reflect their personal, family and succession objectives. Our approach is pragmatic and considered, with a focus on long-term continuity rather than short-term solutions.
Our work includes:
- Wealth structuring and coordination
- Asset protection considerations
- Succession and inheritance planning
- Family governance and legacy planning
While Swiss law does not provide for domestic trusts, Switzerland is a recognised and well-regulated jurisdiction for the administration of trusts governed by foreign law. We advise on the appropriate use of Swiss trustees and fiduciary structures, including Private Trust Companies, and provide ongoing administration and oversight.
Our role is to ensure that trust arrangements remain robust, compliant and aligned with the intentions of the settlor over time.
Dixcart Trustees (Switzerland) SA has been providing trustee services for over fifteen years. We are a member of the Swiss Association of Trust Companies (SATC), and are registered with the ”Organisme de Surveillance des Instituts Financiers” (OSIF).
We are fully confident that Dixcart Trustees (Switzerland) SA meets the regulatory obligations required by the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Institutions, that came into effect at the start of 2020. Our application has been submitted to FINMA and is within the licence process.
Many of our clients have assets, family members and interests across multiple jurisdictions. We work closely with advisers within the Dixcart group and with external professionals to ensure that private client arrangements are coordinated, consistent and workable in practice.
This joined-up approach allows clients to manage complexity with confidence, while maintaining a single point of contact in Switzerland.
Why Choose Switzerland?
Switzerland has a long‑established reputation for managing the affairs of wealthy individuals and families, supported by deep professional expertise and a highly developed financial services sector. For many years, Swiss trustees have delivered tailored, high‑quality trust services, with trusts widely recognised as effective tools for estate planning, succession, and asset protection.
The regulatory environment for trustees in Switzerland has strengthened significantly in recent years. New trustee regulations introduced in 2020, together with ongoing legislative developments, have reinforced Switzerland’s position as a leading financial centre, enhancing transparency, accountability, and professional standards across the Swiss trust industry.
Switzerland is one of the world’s most stable and resilient economies, underpinned by political neutrality, a strong legal system, and a long tradition of financial integrity. These foundations, combined with attractive tax regimes and a strong culture of privacy and confidentiality, continue to make Switzerland highly appealing to high‑net‑worth individuals and family offices seeking long‑term security.
Trusts remain a flexible and effective asset protection vehicle when structured appropriately. They support long‑term succession planning, confidentiality, and the orderly transfer of wealth by separating legal ownership from beneficial entitlement.
A Private Trust Company (PTC) can provide an additional layer of control, enabling family members to participate in governance while maintaining the benefits of a professional trustee structure.
Switzerland recognises trusts through its ratification of the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Trusts. While Switzerland does not yet have domestic trust law, foreign trusts are fully recognised and may be administered from Switzerland, with the governing law selected by the settlor.
The tax treatment of trusts administered in Switzerland depends primarily on the residence of the settlor and beneficiaries. Specialist advice is essential to ensure structures are implemented efficiently and in line with individual circumstances.
Switzerland is home to one of the strongest and most sophisticated banking centres in the world. Its banks have extensive experience in international currencies, cross‑border transactions and open capital markets, with many institutions offering dedicated desks for specific jurisdictions and client profiles.
Key advantages of Swiss banking include a low level of financial risk, a high degree of privacy and access to a broad range of specialist financial services tailored to international private clients.
Taxation of Trusts in Switzerland
The Hague Convention (Article 19) confirms that the Convention does not prejudice the fiscal sovereignty of individual states. As a result, Switzerland has retained full autonomy in determining the tax treatment of trusts.
The tax advantages of using a trust administered by a Swiss trustee depend primarily on the tax residence of the settlor and the beneficiaries. In general terms, under Swiss law:
- A Swiss‑resident trustee is not subject to Swiss income tax or capital gains tax on assets held under trust management.
- Settlors and beneficiaries are not subject to Swiss taxation provided they are not considered Swiss tax residents.
Professional tax advice should always be obtained to ensure appropriate structuring and compliance.
Regulation of Swiss Trustees
Swiss trustees are required to operate within a clearly defined regulatory framework. Trustees must be registered as financial intermediaries in accordance with Swiss Anti‑Money Laundering legislation, either with the Central Regulatory Authority or with a recognised self‑regulatory organisation (SRO) approved by the Swiss Federal State.
This regulatory oversight enhances transparency, professionalism and confidence in the Swiss trust industry.
Asset Protection
Under common law principles, the trustee holds legal ownership of trust assets and is required to manage them separately from their own personal assets. In the event of the trustee’s death or insolvency, trust assets do not form part of the trustee’s estate. Instead, they remain protected within the trust and are held exclusively for the benefit of the beneficiaries. This segregation provides an important layer of asset protection and legal certainty.
Confidentiality in Switzerland
Switzerland is internationally recognised for its commitment to professional confidentiality, commercial competence and discretion.
Members of the Swiss Association of Trust Companies (SATC) are bound by strict confidentiality obligations. Any information relating to a trusteeship and acquired in the course of professional duties must be kept strictly confidential by trustees, directors, officers and employees. Disclosure is permitted only where required by law.
This strong culture of confidentiality continues to be a key attraction for families and private clients seeking discretion and long‑term stability.
