Should I live in canton Vaud or canton Geneva?

Vaud is meaningfully cheaper than Geneva for rent and for tax in the lower-income brackets, but more expensive than neighbouring Fribourg or Valais. Many Geneva-based workers live in Nyon or Morges for that reason — Léman Express and the IR bring you in under 35 minutes.

Is Lausanne expensive?

Yes, but less than Zurich or Geneva. A single adult typically needs CHF 5,500–7,000 net per month for a comfortable lifestyle in Lausanne — rent is the dominant line item.

Do I need French to live in Vaud?

EPFL, Nestlé HQ, the IOC and the international biotech firms operate in English. Everything else — landlords, the SPOP, schools, doctors, the commune's Contrôle des habitants — does not. Plan B1 within two years if you want to stay long term.

How does the Vaud Quellensteuer work for foreigners?

B-permit foreigners are typically taxed at source on their salary. Above CHF 120,000 gross (or with significant non-salary income), Vaud requires a regular declaration (TOU) — many newcomers miss this and lose deductions they were entitled to.

Is Vaud good for families?

Yes — public schools are well-funded, the lake and Jura are weekend playgrounds, and crèche supply, while still constrained, is better than Geneva. The downside is cost: childcare in Vaud is income-tested and full-time can run CHF 2,000–3,000/month per child for higher earners.

Vaud: self-employed checklist

Lausanne • French • Updated August 2026

Company setup, AHV registration and VAT thresholds.

Income tax (~CHF 100k)

25.5%

Rent 1BR

CHF 1’900

Health insurance

CHF 420/mo

Vaud · free tool

See what you'd actually pay in tax in Vaud

Tax calculator — pre-filled for Vaud. No signup.

Choose a structure

Pick a legal form
REQUIRED
~2 hoursFree to research
Sole proprietorship (Einzelfirma): cheapest, unlimited liability. GmbH: CHF 20,000 capital, limited liability. AG: CHF 100,000 capital, suitable for raising investment.
Confirm self-employment is allowed by your permit
REQUIRED
~30 minFree
Non-EU B permit holders generally cannot be self-employed without specific authorization. C permit holders can. EU/EFTA citizens can after registering.

Register the company

Register in the commercial registry
REQUIRED
~1–4 weeksCHF 600–2,000
Mandatory for GmbH/AG; optional for sole proprietorships under CHF 100k revenue. File via your canton's Handelsregisteramt.
Register for VAT (if revenue > CHF 100k)
REQUIRED
~1 hourFree
Standard VAT rate 8.1%. Register with the Federal Tax Administration (ESTV). Below CHF 100k revenue, registration is optional.
Register with AHV (social security)
REQUIRED
~1 hour~10% of profit
Self-employed contribute ~10% of profit to AHV/IV/EO. Register with your cantonal AHV office within 30 days of starting.

Want to tick these off and save your progress? Open the interactive self-employed checklist.

Keep reading

Vaud is set as your canton, so checklists and tools across HowToSwiss now use its rates.

Choose a structure

Pick a legal form

Confirm self-employment is allowed by your permit

Register the company

Register in the commercial registry

Register for VAT (if revenue > CHF 100k)

Register with AHV (social security)

Keep reading

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