For expats who move on
Leaving Switzerland: what happens to your money
Pillar 3a, pension fund, AHV, bank accounts and taxes. What you can take with you, what stays and what you should do before your last day.
Published on 14 November 2026 · by Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF
Moving to Switzerland comes with a long checklist. Leaving Switzerland does too, and the money part is easy to forget in the stress of packing. Your pension money is spread over three pillars, and each one follows its own rules. Some of it you can take with you, some of it stays in Switzerland until retirement.
In a nutshell
- Pillar 3a. If you leave Switzerland for good, you can withdraw your whole pillar 3a, no matter where you move.
- Pension fund (2nd pillar). Moving outside the EU/EFTA, you can usually take all of it. Moving to an EU/EFTA country, usually only the extra-mandatory part. The mandatory part goes to a vested benefits account.
- AHV (1st pillar). Citizens of the EU/EFTA and of countries with a social security agreement get a Swiss AHV pension later. Others can ask for a refund of their contributions.
- Admin. Deregister with your commune, cancel health insurance and other contracts, and file your last Swiss tax return.
My codes for the money that stays in Switzerland
My vested benefits pick
finpension vested benefits
CHF 25
credit towards your fees, 0.49% per year all-in
How to redeem →Everything included
Descartes vested benefits
CHF 50
bonus on the vested benefits account
Descartes code (in German) →*Advertising, affiliate codes. This costs you nothing extra. finpension credit if you pay in or transfer at least CHF 1’000 within 12 months.
Overview: what happens to your three pillars
| Moving to the EU/EFTA | Moving outside the EU/EFTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Pillar 3a | Withdraw everything | Withdraw everything |
| Pension fund, extra-mandatory part | Withdraw | Withdraw |
| Pension fund, mandatory part | Usually stays in a vested benefits account until retirement | Withdraw |
| AHV | Pension later, no refund | Pension later or refund, depending on your citizenship |
General overview as of November 2026. The rules depend on your situation, ask your pension fund and providers before you leave.
Pillar 3a: you can take it all with you
Pillar 3a is the most flexible pillar when you leave. If you are definitely leaving Switzerland or have already left, you can have your pillar 3a paid out. Your citizenship and your new country do not matter here.
To get the money, your provider usually asks for the deregistration certificate from your commune and proof of your new address abroad. Plan this early, because the certificate only exists once you have deregistered.
How the withdrawal is taxed
If you withdraw after you have left, a special withholding tax replaces the normal capital withdrawal tax. The rate depends on the canton where your 3a provider has its seat, not on where you lived. That is why some expats move their pillar 3a to a provider in a canton with a lower rate before they withdraw.
Depending on the tax treaty between Switzerland and your new country, you may be able to reclaim part or all of this tax. Ask a tax advisor in your new country before you withdraw, because the rules differ a lot.
Withdraw now or keep it?
You don’t have to withdraw immediately. You can also leave your pillar 3a invested until the Swiss retirement age. If your 3a is invested in funds, first check how your new country taxes it. More about the basics is in my guide pillar 3a for expats, and how to move it is in transfer pillar 3a. If you want to keep your 3a invested at low cost, finpension 3a also gives you a CHF 25 credit with my code LIEBXP.
Tip. Many people have several 3a accounts. You can withdraw them in different years if you leave your money in Switzerland for a while, which can lower the tax. Ask your provider which options you have once you live abroad.
Pension fund (2nd pillar): it depends on where you move
When you leave your job, your pension fund pays out your vested benefits. What you can withdraw in cash depends on your destination.
Moving outside the EU/EFTA
You can usually withdraw your entire pension fund, the mandatory and the extra-mandatory part. Since the United Kingdom left the EU, people moving to the UK can also still ask for the full amount.
Moving to an EU/EFTA country
You can withdraw the extra-mandatory part. The mandatory part, also called the BVG part, stays in Switzerland as long as you are subject to compulsory pension insurance in your new country. It goes to a vested benefits account and can be withdrawn five years before the normal retirement age at the earliest.
If you are not subject to compulsory pension insurance in your new EU/EFTA country, for example because you don’t work there, you may be able to withdraw the mandatory part too. This is checked with the Swiss Guarantee Fund LOB.
Like pillar 3a, the withdrawal is taxed with a withholding tax at the seat of the vested benefits foundation if you no longer live in Switzerland.
Vested benefits with finpension: how it works
The money that stays in Switzerland is not lost. It moves from your pension fund to a vested benefits foundation, in German «Freizügigkeit». You choose the foundation yourself. If you don’t, the money ends up at the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution, where it earns very little interest.
A vested benefits account works like a parking space for your pension money. You can leave it in cash or invest it in a portfolio until you can withdraw it. If the money stays for five years or longer, a low-cost portfolio usually makes more sense than an account with almost no interest. My first choice is finpension.
Why I recommend finpension vested benefits
- Low cost. Approx. 0.49% per year all-in for the portfolio. Many bank solutions cost much more.
- Up to 99% shares. Invested in index funds, ideal if you only need the money in many years.
- Account and portfolio in one app. You can start in cash and switch to a portfolio later, without a fee for changing your strategy.
- Two foundations. You can split your money into two vested benefits accounts and withdraw them in different years, which can lower the tax.
- Bonus. With my code LIEBXP you get a CHF 25 credit towards your fees.
Your vested benefits in 4 steps
Open the account before you leave
Open your finpension vested benefits account online and enter the code LIEBXP. Do it while you still live in Switzerland, because some providers only accept new clients with a Swiss address.
Tell your pension fund where the money goes
Give your pension fund the payment details of your new vested benefits account. If you want to split it, name two foundations or two accounts.
Choose your strategy
Decide how much should be invested in shares. The longer you can wait, the more risk you can usually take. If you need the money soon, keep it in cash.
Withdraw later
The mandatory part can be withdrawn five years before the normal retirement age at the earliest, or earlier if you are no longer subject to compulsory insurance in your new country.
Even if you move outside the EU/EFTA and could withdraw everything, parking part of it in vested benefits can make sense, for example to spread the withdrawal over two years. Ask a tax advisor what is best in your case. All providers are compared in my vested benefits account comparison, and how to redeem the code is in finpension promo code.
Open finpension vested benefits with code LIEBXP →
*Advertising. Fees according to finpension, as of November 2026.
AHV (1st pillar): pension or refund
With your AHV contributions you don’t build up personal capital, but you earn a right to a pension. What happens when you leave depends on your citizenship.
| Your citizenship | What happens |
|---|---|
| Swiss, EU or EFTA | You keep your right to a Swiss AHV pension. It is paid when you reach retirement age, no refund. |
| Country with a social security agreement, for example the USA, Canada, India, Japan or Australia | Usually a pension later. Some agreements, for example with Australia, also allow a refund instead. |
| Country without an agreement | You can ask for a refund of your AHV contributions without interest after you have left. |
For a pension you need at least one year of AHV contributions. You apply for the pension or the refund with your compensation office or the Swiss Compensation Office SCO in Geneva. Ask your employer which compensation office is responsible for you and note it down before you leave.
If you are Swiss, EU or EFTA citizen, move outside the EU/EFTA and were insured with AHV for at least five years in a row, you can join the voluntary AHV insurance. You must apply within one year of leaving.
Bank accounts, broker and cards
Many Swiss banks and apps are made for people who live in Switzerland. Once you move abroad, some close accounts for non-residents, offer fewer services or charge extra fees. Neobanks such as Yuh or neon require a residence in Switzerland when you open the account. So check the terms of each bank and broker before you leave.
- Keep at least one Swiss account until all payouts from your pension fund, pillar 3a and tax refunds have arrived.
- Update your address with every bank, broker and insurer.
- Download your tax statements and account statements while you still have access.
- If you hold Swiss shares, think about the 35% withholding tax on dividends. As a non-resident you can usually only reclaim part of it through the tax treaty.
Which accounts work best for expats while you live here is in my guide Swiss bank account for expats.
Taxes in the year you leave
You are taxed in Switzerland until the day you leave. For the year of departure you usually file a last tax return for the months you lived here. If you were taxed at source, check with your tax office whether you have to or should file a return. Pay your last tax bill before you go, or leave a Swiss account and a contact address with the tax office.
The withdrawal of your pillar 3a and pension fund is taxed separately with the withholding tax described above. Ask about the treaty rules in your new country, so you don’t pay tax twice.
Leaving Switzerland checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 months before | Ask your pension fund and 3a providers which documents they need. Decide where the money that stays in Switzerland should go. Check your health insurance, rental contract and other notice periods. |
| 1 to 2 months before | Cancel contracts such as mobile phone, internet, gym and household insurance. Ask your employer for your compensation office. |
| About 2 weeks before | Deregister with the residents’ office of your commune and get your deregistration certificate. |
| Last weeks | Update your address with banks and insurers, download statements, pay or settle your taxes. |
| After you have left | Request the payout of your pillar 3a and pension fund with the deregistration certificate and your new address. Apply for an AHV refund if you are entitled to one. File your last tax return. |
Deadlines differ by canton and contract, check yours.
When you arrived, my money checklist for moving to Switzerland may have helped you. This guide is the counterpart for the way out.
Frequently asked questions about leaving Switzerland
Can I withdraw my pillar 3a when I leave Switzerland?
Yes. If you leave Switzerland for good, you can withdraw your whole pillar 3a, no matter your citizenship or where you move. You usually need the deregistration certificate and proof of your address abroad.
Can I take my pension fund money with me?
If you move outside the EU/EFTA, usually all of it. If you move to an EU/EFTA country and are insured there, only the extra-mandatory part. The mandatory part stays in a Swiss vested benefits account until five years before retirement age at the earliest.
Do I get my AHV contributions back?
Only if you are a citizen of a country without a social security agreement with Switzerland, or if your agreement allows a refund. Swiss, EU and EFTA citizens get a Swiss AHV pension later instead.
How is my pillar 3a taxed after I leave?
With a withholding tax in the canton where your provider has its seat. Depending on the tax treaty with your new country, you may be able to reclaim part of it.
Should I withdraw my pillar 3a immediately?
Not necessarily. You can keep it invested until the Swiss retirement age. Check first how your new country taxes the money and the investment income.
Where should I put my vested benefits?
In a vested benefits foundation of your choice. If the money stays invested for several years, a low-cost portfolio such as finpension vested benefits at approx. 0.49% per year all-in is usually better than an account with almost no interest.
Can I keep my Swiss bank account?
Some banks keep accounts for non-residents, others close them or charge extra fees. Check with your bank before you leave and keep at least one Swiss account until all payouts have arrived.
My advice. Start with the money part about three months before you leave. Most mistakes happen because documents are missing or a payout is requested too late. And keep one Swiss account open until the last franc has arrived.
This article is general information and not tax, legal or pension advice. Sources: finpension, UBS, Swiss Life, AHV/AVS information leaflets, ch.ch, as of November 2026.
