When you move to Switzerland, navigating the local admin can feel like a full-time job from health insurance models to local tax declarations. But one practical topic that many international residents put off is what actually happens to their estate under Swiss law.
If you come from the UK, the US, or another common law country, Swiss succession rules can come as a surprise. Swiss civil law places strong emphasis on statutory shares, specific handwritten requirements, and cantonal procedures.
Whether you own property in Switzerland, hold assets across borders, or simply want to ensure your family is protected, here is a practical look at how Swiss inheritance works and how to prepare before consulting a notary.
The two ways to draft a will in Switzerland
In Switzerland, you generally have two main routes for creating a Last Will:
1. The Holographic Will (Testament olographe – Art. 505 CC)
Unlike many countries where a will is typed and witnessed, a Swiss holographic will must be entirely handwritten by you. No notary or witnesses are required, but the rules are strict:
- Every single word must be handwritten with pen on paper (a printed document signed by hand is void).
- It must clearly state the date (day, month, year) and place.
- It must be signed by you at the bottom.
2. The Notarized Will (Testament authentique – Art. 499 CC)
This is drafted with a licensed Swiss notary in the presence of two independent witnesses. It is officially recorded in the cantonal register and is standard practice for complex family structures or business transfers.
On over 100 square meters, children aged 4 to 12 will be able to “play at being little shopkeepers”. The mobile Mini-Migros will be touring Switzerland again in 2026, inviting children to play in 10 shopping centers.
This is the first time that Swiss children will be able to play in the supermarket under such realistic conditions. In the Mini-Migros, they can create their own world and slip into the shoes of customers or sales and logistics staff. Girls and boys can stack products, drive around with a cart or use the cash register as they please, without instructions or animation. The play area covers more than 100 m². Like the real Migros, Mini-Migros also has its own industrial companies, which supply the store with products.
We recently heard from Katherine Bornet about Booketins, a group of bilingual English/French parents in Lausanne who meet at the library to read books with their children, sing songs, and chat over snacks and coloring in English. The objective is to bring English into the “real world” for children — beyond screens —and it has grown into a lovely community, with 30 to 60 families joining these sessions!
What has been the inspiration for Booketins?
In 2023, the 3 founders were inspired by the 1001 Histoires initiative, which aimed to promote bilingual storytelling within a safe environment and spark children’s imagination. While there were so many languages included English was not, and there are so many anglophone and bilingual families in the region that the founding parents decided to take the initiative, ask the Bibliothèque Jeuenesse for space, and they were off to the races.
GAOS have pulled out all the stops again for this season's holiday musical held in December at the Théâtre de Marens in Nyon. Read on to participate in our competition to win a pair of tickets!
Elf, the Musical is the hilarious and heart-warming musical based on the famous holiday film Elf starring Will Ferrell, the musical features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Prom, The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney's Aladdin on Broadway)…
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is raised as an elf, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
From the Heart2Heart team, quarterly update Die Dargebotene Hand.
Calls on Heart2Heart - Volumes Increase by 75%
The need for an English helpline in Switzerland is huge: Between April and June 2025, our Heart2Heart (H2H) support line experienced a 75% increase in calls compared to the same period in 2024.
In this quarter, 56% of our callers reached out due to ongoing mental health challenges and difficulties coping with daily life, followed by challenges in relationships.
This significant rise underscores the growing need for safe, respectful support, and our team remains committed to responding with compassion, professionalism, and urgency.
Responding with Care:
After a difficult divorce and years of living abroad, one individual felt increasingly isolated - without family nearby, facing financial stress, and struggling with work and a troubled relationship. Life felt overwhelming and out of control.
Through Heart2Heart, they found a safe space to explore and understand their emotions, identify small and manageable steps, and reclaim a sense of autonomy. They ended the phone call feeling heard - and no longer alone.
Another university student recently reached out to Heart2Heart while struggling with intense academic and family pressure. Overwhelmed and experiencing intense suicidal thoughts, they felt trapped and uncertain where to turn.
Connecting with H2H, they explored how they could begin to prioritize their own well-being, set boundaries, and take small but meaningful steps toward longer-term support.
