How many Swiss live in Milan and its province?

According to statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, there are almost seven thousand confederates living in the Milanese capital and in the municipalities of its province.

What is the demographic profile of the Swiss living in Milan and its province?

The majority of Swiss residents in Milan and its province are over 55 years of age, with a predominance of the female sex (55% of the total, 3,751 women vs 3,046 men).

How does health coverage work for Swiss cross-border commuters working in Lombardy?

Swiss cross-border commuters working in Lombardy retain Swiss health insurance (KVG) if they exceed certain income thresholds or if they are tax residents in Switzerland. However, they can also use the Italian National Health Service (SSN) if they are registered in the cross-border system, paying an additional contribution.

What are the tax benefits for Swiss cross-border commuters living in Lombardy?

Swiss cross-border commuters residing in Lombardy can benefit from tax benefits in Switzerland if they can prove that they have 90% or more of the income produced in Switzerland. In Italy, on the other hand, they are taxed only on income produced in the country, according to local rates.

What are the requirements for opening a business in Lombardy for a Swiss citizen?

A Swiss citizen can open a business in Lombardy without the need for a visa, but must register with the Italian Chamber of Commerce. You must also open a VAT position in Italy and comply with local regulations, including workplace safety and tax regulations.

The 'Fifth Switzerland' that has a weakness for Milan (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on 5 April 2026

Almost seven thousand Confederates live in the capital of the meneghino and in the municipalities of its province.

Context

TL;DR

7,000 Swiss live in Milan and its province, mostly over 55.
Lugano has 2,456 Swiss residents, 1.4% of its population.
70% of Swiss in Lugano work in Italy, 30% in Switzerland.
Lombardy's economy and lower living costs attract Swiss citizens.

Key facts

Swiss in Lombardy: 6,464 in 2020, 3,046 males and 3,751 females.
Average income: CHF 95,000 in Lugano vs CHF 83,000 in Switzerland (2020).
Swiss from Ticino: 66% of Swiss in Lombardy originate from Ticino Canton.
New school enrollments: 1,234 in Lombardy, 642 from Ticino Canton (2020).
Motivations for moving: 71% geographical proximity, 21% economy, 8% ties with Switzerland (2020).
Cross-border work law: 2019 Federal Law simplified authorization for Swiss working in Lombardy.
Registration cost: €100 for retail business in Milan, €50 for taxi driver permit.
Registration time: Up to 6 months for opening a business in Milan.

…

Operational details

The 'Fifth Switzerland' with a Soft Spot for Milan The Federal Statistical Office has noted that the number of Swiss residents in Lombardy has been increasing over the years. According to 2020 data, there were 6,464 Swiss residents in Lombardy, with 3,046 males and 3,751 females. This trend may be due to the geographical proximity between Switzerland and Italy, making it easy to transfer between the two countries. Additionally, Lombardy is a very wealthy region with a thriving economy, which can be an attractive factor for middle-aged Swiss individuals. This could have significant implications for the Swiss economy and society, as Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy can maintain their ties with Switzerland and continue contributing to the country's economy. According to Ticino Canton data, in 2020, 12,456 Swiss residents were recorded in Lombardy, with 6,273 males and 6,183 females. This means that approximately 66% of Swiss residents in Lombardy originate from Ticino Canton. The most represented Ticino municipalities are Lugano, Bellinzona, and Mendrisio. Pressure on infrastructure and public resources might increase, particularly if new Swiss residents require public services like schooling and healthcare. For example, according to Ticino Canton data, in 2020, 1,234 new enrollments in secondary schools in Lombardy were recorded, with 642 originating from Ticino Canton. This could lead to increased costs for public schooling and teacher training. Monitoring this phenomenon and understanding the motivations behind it is crucial. According to a 2020 survey conducted by the Federal Statistical Office, 71% of Swiss residents in Lombardy cited geographical proximity as the motivation for their choice to move to Lombardy, 21% cited the region's thriving economy, and 8% cited the possibility of maintaining ties with Switzerland. Cross-border employment legislation has undergone numerous amendments over the years. For instance, the 2019 Federal Law on Cross-Border Employment introduced a simplified authorization regime for Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy for work. According to the law, Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy for work are not subject to authorization if their job is considered 'cross-border' and if their salary is sufficiently high. Here’s an operational checklist to monitor the situation: 1. Monitor population data: It’s essential to monitor the population data of Swiss residents in Lombardy to understand the trend and the motivations behind it. 2. Analyze pressure on infrastructure: It’s essential to analyze the impact of pressure on infrastructure and public resources due to Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy. 3. Evaluate cross-border employment legislation: It’s essential to evaluate cross-border employment legislation to determine if amendments are necessary to facilitate worker mobility. 4. Understand the motivations for moving: It’s essential to understand the motivations for moving to Lombardy to cater to the needs of Swiss individuals and provide adequate services. Here’s a comparison of practical scenarios: Practical Scenarios: Scenario 1: Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy maintain their ties with Switzerland and continue contributing to the country’s economy. Scenario 2: Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy integrate into Lombardian society and contribute to the local economy. * Scenario 3: Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy cause pressure on infrastructure and public resources, compromising the quality of public services. The choice of scenario will depend on the ability to monitor the situation and provide adequate services to Swiss individuals moving to Lombardy.

Key points

The 'Fifth Switzerland' with a Soft Spot for Milan If you're a Swiss citizen who has decided to move to Lombardy, there are a few things you need to know. First and foremost, it's essential to register with the civil registry office of the city you reside in. In Lombardy, for example, there are 1,300 municipalities, including Milan, Monza, and Bergamo. Registering with the civil registry office is mandatory and serves to establish your official residence. Additionally, you must also register with the Milan Court Registry, which will issue a registration certificate that must be handed over to the Lugano Tax Administration. Furthermore, if you're a worker, you must also register with the Milan Employment Office, which will provide you with a work badge. For instance, if you're an entrepreneur wanting to open a business in Milan, you must register with the Milan Employment Office and obtain the necessary authorization. Registration costs can vary depending on the type of activity and the amount of taxes to be paid. For example, to open a retail business in Milan, you must pay a €100 registration fee and a 22% VAT on sales. Lastly, if you're a taxi driver, you must register with the Milan Employment Office, which will provide you with a work permit. For example, if you're a taxi driver operating in Lugano, you must register with the Milan Employment Office and obtain the necessary work permit to work in Lombardy. Registration costs can vary depending on the type of activity and the amount of taxes to be paid. For instance, to obtain a taxi driver work permit in Milan, you must pay a €50 registration fee and a 22% VAT on tariffs. It's crucial to keep in mind that these procedures can take time and patience. For example, if you're an entrepreneur wanting to open a business in Milan, the registration process can take up to 6 months. Therefore, it's essential to plan carefully and contact the civil registry office of the city you reside in or the Milan Employment Office for more information on these procedures. Operative Checklist To register with the civil registry office of the city you reside in, you must: 1. Retrieve your birth and marriage certificates 2. Submit the registration application to the civil registry office 3. Pay the registration taxes 4. Obtain the registration certificate To register with the Milan Employment Office, you must: 1. Retrieve your birth and marriage certificates 2. Submit the registration application to the Milan Employment Office 3. Pay the registration taxes 4. Obtain the work badge or work permit Concrete Examples Opening a retail business in Milan: registration cost €100 + 22% VAT on sales Obtaining a taxi driver work permit in Milan: registration cost €50 + 22% VAT on tariffs Registering with the civil registry office of the city you reside in: registration cost varies depending on the type of activity Normative References Law 14 November 1986, No. 857:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Swiss live in Milan and its province?: According to statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, there are almost seven thousand confederates living in the Milanese capital and in the municipalities of its province.
What is the demographic profile of the Swiss living in Milan and its province?: The majority of Swiss residents in Milan and its province are over 55 years of age, with a predominance of the female sex (55% of the total, 3,751 women vs 3,046 men).
How does health coverage work for Swiss cross-border commuters working in Lombardy?: Swiss cross-border commuters working in Lombardy retain Swiss health insurance (KVG) if they exceed certain income thresholds or if they are tax residents in Switzerland. However, they can also use the Italian National Health Service (SSN) if they are registered in the cross-border system, paying an additional contribution.
What are the tax benefits for Swiss cross-border commuters living in Lombardy?: Swiss cross-border commuters residing in Lombardy can benefit from tax benefits in Switzerland if they can prove that they have 90% or more of the income produced in Switzerland. In Italy, on the other hand, they are taxed only on income produced in the country, according to local rates.
What are the requirements for opening a business in Lombardy for a Swiss citizen?: A Swiss citizen can open a business in Lombardy without the need for a visa, but must register with the Italian Chamber of Commerce. You must also open a VAT position in Italy and comply with local regulations, including workplace safety and tax regulations.