Living in Ticino, working as a border worker: advantages and disadvantages (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Antrona Schieranco is an Italian municipality in Vercelli, on the border with Ticino
• Border workers can work in Ticino without a residence permit

Key facts

• Connection with Ticino:

+ Where: Chiasso, Ponte Tresa + When: Every day + Who: Post office, trains, buses + Travel time: approx. 1 hour

• Cost of living:

+ When: about 30% higher than Ticino + Where is it: Antrona Schieranco + Who: Inhabitants of the municipality + Amount: about €1,500/year (ISTAT 2022 data)

• Recommended areas:

+ When: Every day + Where is it: Antrona Schieranco + Who: Inhabitants of the municipality + Amount: approx. €1,200/month (local tenant data)

• Transfer benefits:

+ When: Every day + Where is it: Antrona Schieranco + Who: Inhabitants of the municipality + Amount:

• Greater freedom and flexibility of work
• Access to Ticino services and economic opportunities
• Disadvantages of transfer:

+ When: Every day + Where is it: Antrona Schieranco + Who: Inhabitants of the municipality + Amount:

• Additional costs for transfer and stay
• Adaptation to new living and working conditions
• What to consider before moving:

+ When: Every day + Where is it: Antrona Schieranco + Who: Inhabitants of the municipality + Amount:

• Working conditions and salary
• Cost of living and rent
• Access to Ticino services and economic opportunities

Concrete examples

• An Italian worker residing in Antrona Schieranco can work in Ticino without permission to

Operational details

Border workers who intend to move to Antrona Schieranco must consider the advantages and disadvantages of the transfer. On the one hand, the municipality offers a comfortable living environment and a good network of services. On the other hand, the cost of living is about 30% higher than in Ticino.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Antrona Schieranco is about 30% higher than in Ticino. For example, the price of a 3-bedroom apartment in the centre of Antrona Schieranco can reach CHF 250,000, while in the same period in Lugano, the price of a 3-bedroom apartment in the centre can reach CHF 180,000. 📊

Taxes and contributions

Border workers working in Switzerland must pay taxes and contributions in Switzerland. The tax rate in Switzerland is about 10% on income, while in Italy it is about 23% on income. ⚠️

Regulations and rules

Switzerland and Italy have signed a bilateral agreement regulating the mobility of workers. The agreement stipulates that frontier workers must pay taxes and contributions in Switzerland and that they must be insured against accidents at work. The agreement was signed on 21 June 1996 and entered into force on 1 January 1997.

Operational checklists

For border workers who intend to move to Antrona Schieranco, it is advisable to follow the following operational checklist:

• Check if the municipality of Antrona Schieranco offers assistance services to

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

For border workers who intend to move to Antrona Schieranco, it is advisable to consider the following factors:

• The cost of living: Antrona Schieranco is about 30% more expensive than Ticino. For example, the price of a 3-bedroom apartment in the center of Antrona Schieranco can reach CHF 2,500 per month, while in the same municipality in Ticino it could be available for CHF 1,900 per month.
• The service network: The municipality offers a good network of services, including mail, trains and buses. Antrona Schieranco is connected to the Swiss and Italian rail network, with trains connecting the locality to Milan, Turin and Zurich. In addition, there is a bus station that connects the town to several municipalities in Grisons and Piedmont.
• Recommended area: Antrona Schieranco is a recommended area for border crossers, thanks to its strategic position between Italy and Switzerland.

In addition, it is important to consider the following aspects:

• The legislation: The Federal Law on Cross-border Labour (LTF) states that frontier workers must be treated in the same way as Swiss workers. This means that they must have the same pay, working conditions and rights.
• Taxation: frontier workers working in Switzerland are subject to the Swiss tax system. This means that they have to pay taxes on their income, as if they were residents of Switzerland.
• The

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