Scenario
Investments & relocationSwiss investments after moving to Germany
Anyone moving from Switzerland to Germany who retains Swiss bank accounts, securities accounts, shares, funds or other investments becomes subject to German rules on investment income from the start of their German tax liability. For a smooth transition, the moving date, portfolio holdings, acquisition costs, income and foreign tax deductions should be fully documented.
Overview
Moving to Germany brings your Swiss investments into a new tax regime
From the start of German tax residence, income from investments that remain in Switzerland must generally also be assessed under German tax law.
The location of your securities account remains relevant for bank documents and foreign withholding taxes. For German taxation, however, the decisive factors are the type of income and the type of investment.
It is particularly important to distinguish between the periods before and after the move and to preserve historical acquisition and transaction data.
Moving to Switzerland: the Swiss perspective
TaxRep Switzerland covers investments after moving to Switzerland, focusing on Swiss income and wealth taxes, tax values and foreign withholding taxes.
Moving date
The start of German tax liability should be clearly documented
Record the moving date
Document the start of German tax liability and the end of your previous Swiss tax residence.
Preserve a record of your holdings
Record securities, quantities, bank accounts and custodian banks at the time of the transition.
Keep acquisition cost records
Purchase confirmations and historical cost basis information should remain permanently available independently of your custodian bank.
Record subsequent income separately
Interest, dividends and fund income received after the move are recorded for German tax purposes.
A securities account transfer is not required for German tax liability to begin.
A Swiss securities account can generally be retained. What matters is that all income and transactions from the start of German tax liability can be fully prepared and assessed in accordance with German law.
Asset classes
Different German rules apply to different investments after the move
Swiss bank accounts & interest
Interest from Swiss bank accounts and fixed-term deposits must generally be reported for German tax purposes from the start of German tax residence.
Swiss shares
Dividends and disposals are assessed under German rules; Swiss withholding tax must be coordinated separately.
Funds & ETFs
Fund holdings retained after the move are subject to German investment fund tax rules, including the relevant income components.
Bonds
Coupon payments and subsequent disposals must be classified under German rules on investment income.
Substantial shareholdings
Larger shareholdings in Swiss companies may be subject to special German rules on company shareholdings.
Foreign withholding tax
Tax deducted in Switzerland and third countries must be reviewed for potential refunds and credits against German tax.
Common questions
Questions that often arise after moving to Germany
Can I keep my Swiss securities account?
Generally, yes. However, from the start of German tax liability, the income must be declared in accordance with German rules.
Do I have to report the Swiss securities account itself?
German income tax focuses on the taxable income and transactions arising from the foreign securities account.
How are Swiss dividends treated?
They are taxed in Germany; Swiss withholding tax must be coordinated through refunds under the double taxation treaty and tax credits.
What rules apply to interest on Swiss bank accounts?
Interest received after the start of German tax liability is generally subject to German taxation.
What rules apply to funds and ETFs?
From the start of German tax liability, the investment must be assessed under German investment fund tax law.
How important are the original acquisition costs?
They are particularly important for subsequent sales and for maintaining an accurate tax history.
Do I have to transfer my securities account to Germany?
No. A transfer may be useful for administrative reasons, but it is a separate issue from tax reporting.
What rules apply to shareholdings in Swiss companies?
The ownership percentage, acquisition history and previous Swiss tax positions should be reviewed separately.
Checklist
Documents for your Swiss investments after moving
Relocation documents
Date of moving to Germany, residence documents and evidence of the end of Swiss tax residence.
Portfolio holdings
Banks, accounts, securities, quantities and holdings.
Income
Interest, dividends and fund income, showing gross amounts and tax deductions.
Acquisition costs
Historical purchase confirmations, cost basis information and corporate actions.
Transactions
Sales, securities account transfers, repayments and other changes.
Swiss tax history
The latest Swiss tax documents, bank tax reports and evidence of withholding taxes.
Further reading
In-depth articles on Swiss investments after moving
A Swiss securities account while living in Germany
Bank documents and your German tax return.
Read articleSwiss interest income while living in Germany
Bank accounts, fixed-term deposits and bonds.
Read articleSwiss funds and ETFs while living in Germany
Investment fund tax law, the advance lump-sum investment income amount (Vorabpauschale) and sales.
Read articleRelated topics
Other topics after moving to Germany
Investments & withholding taxes
Shares, interest, funds, securities accounts and Swiss withholding tax.
Explore topicMoving from Switzerland to Germany
Changing tax residence and the tax year of your move.
Read guideA Swiss securities account while living in Germany
Foreign bank documents and investment income.
Read guideTax returns & reporting obligations
Foreign investment income in your German tax return.
Explore topicGermany–Switzerland tax advice
Have you moved from Switzerland to Germany and retained your investments?
We review Swiss bank accounts, shares, funds, ETFs and company shareholdings from the start of German tax liability, prepare the bank documents and coordinate withholding taxes, acquisition costs and subsequent sales.
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