From a retreat to a strategic residence
Ticino is experiencing a significant influx of both German-speaking Swiss and international expats. Mediterranean flair, digital working models and clear framework conditions make the southern canton one of the most dynamic residential regions in Switzerland.
The mixture of Mediterranean joie de vivre and Swiss order is unique. Sunny days, Italian cuisine, lakes and mountains offer a quality of life that goes far beyond lifestyle. Families, those seeking peace and quiet and retirees are discovering a second home in Ticino, with a stable infrastructure and safe environment.
Digitalisation is changing housing decisions
The wave of working from home since the pandemic has revolutionised the choice of location. People who no longer have to commute every day are increasingly opting for quality of life. Ticino, with its good digital connections and attractive properties, is the clear winner.
Property prices in comparison
While living space is hardly affordable in Zurich, Zug or Geneva, Ticino offers more space at more favourable conditions. Particularly outside of Lugano or Locarno, dream homes can be realised that remain out of reach in other regions.
Expats discover the south
More and more international professionals, entrepreneurs and wealthy families are looking southwards. Zurich remains a financial centre, Geneva a hub of diplomacy, but Ticino impresses with efficiency, accessibility and a strong balance of cost, quality and lifestyle. Lugano is also developing into a hotspot for private banking, fintech and crypto initiatives.
Tax clarity and human access
A decisive advantage lies in cantonal practice. Lump-sum taxation in Ticino is not only attractive, but is also handled transparently and efficiently. The dialogue with the authorities is personal and solution-oriented. A decisive difference to the often more complex procedures in Zurich or Geneva.
Integration through openness
Italian cordiality meets Swiss structure, a combination that facilitates integration. Language skills remain important, but the open culture and short decision-making channels create closeness. For many expats and returnees, Ticino is not just their place of residence, but their home.
Opportunities and challenges
The boom also brings challenges, such as increasing demand for housing, schools and infrastructure. Municipalities are faced with the challenge of managing growth sustainably without losing their identity. But it is precisely the interplay of tradition, innovation and quality of life that makes Ticino a model of a region that wants to shape the future.