Living in Verrayes and working in Valais as a border worker (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Living in Verrayes offers strategic connections with the Valais.
• The cost of living is a factor to be carefully considered.
• The new tax agreement defines the rules for frontier workers.

Key facts

• What: Transfer of residence for border workers in Valais.
• When: New Frontier Agreement in force from 1 January 2024.
• Where: Verrayes, Valais (Switzerland).
• Who: Italy-Switzerland Frontiersmen.
• Amount: Deductible for new frontier workers: CHF 10,000; for old frontier workers: CHF7,500 (transitional regime 2024-2033).

Moving to Verrayes, a charming municipality located in the heart of the Valais, to work as a border worker in Switzerland requires careful planning. The choice of Verrayes as a place of residence for those who work in the Canton of Valais involves a series of assessments, ranging from logistical links to daily life, through tax and social security aspects. The municipality, known for its tranquility and the beauty of the alpine landscape, offers an interesting residential alternative for many workers who cross the border between Italy and Switzerland on a daily basis. The geographical position, although more internal than other border towns, still allows you to reach the main work centres of the Valais in a reasonable time, as long as you carefully consider road connections and travel times, especially during the winter months. The cost of living is another element

Operational details

Connections and Travel Times from Verrayes

The choice of Verrayes as a residence for a border worker working in Valais implies an accurate assessment of connections and journey times. Although Verrayes offers a serene living environment, its location, despite being in the Valais Canton, can lead to longer journey times compared to municipalities located closer to borders or major communication routes. It is important to consider the local road network and its efficiency, especially during periods of heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions, which in high mountains can be more frequent. For example, reaching workplaces such as Sion or Martigny da Verrayes could take a journey time that must be compared to that of other more strategically positioned locations. The use of public transport, if available and efficient, can be an alternative, but even in this case it is necessary to check its capillarity and schedules with respect to work needs. The proximity to the border crossings, although Verrayes is not a border municipality, is another factor to be considered indirectly, as the efficiency of internal transport in the Valais affects the overall fluidity of commuting. A border worker who chooses Verrayes should therefore carefully consider these logistical aspects, perhaps simulating the usual routes in the different time slots to

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

What to Consider Before Moving to Verrayes Before finalizing your move to Verrayes and starting work as a cross-border worker in Valais, it's crucial to conduct a series of checks and planning. Firstly, you must inform yourself about the requirements for obtaining the Permit G, a document essential for cross-border workers residing in Italy and employed in Switzerland. This permit governs access to the labor market and residence conditions. The choice of residence municipality, in this case Verrayes, should be weighed in relation to commuting times to your workplace. It's advisable to simulate the route on weekdays to get a realistic estimate of travel times and associated costs (fuel, vehicle wear, highway tolls if applicable, or public transport costs). Evaluating the cost of living is another fundamental step: comparing prices for rentals, utilities, food, insurance, and services in Verrayes with those in your current Italian residence will give you a precise idea of the economic impact of the move. No less important is understanding the Swiss and Italian tax systems, particularly the novelties introduced by the New Cross-Border Agreement from January 1, 2024. The tax exemptions (CHF 10,000 for new cross-border workers and CHF 7,500 for old cross-border workers in a transitional regime until 2033) modify the calculation of withholding taxes, retained exclusively in Switzerland. Italy applies a tax credit to avoid double taxation. It's also useful to inform yourself about Swiss social contributions, such as AVS/AI/IPG (5.3% employee), AD/AC (1.1%), LAINF (0.7-1.5%) and LPP (from 7% to 18% by age bracket from the 25th year), which impact your paycheck. Choosing health insurance (LAMal) is another aspect to address carefully, considering the options available for cross-border workers with Permit G and applicable deductibles. Finally, it's advisable to consult specific guides or experts in cross-border taxation to ensure you have all the necessary information and to best plan every aspect of your move and working life in Switzerland. Preparation is the key to a serene and advantageous cross-border experience. For a precise estimate of your potential net earnings considering Swiss tax and social security deductions, you can use our cross-border calculator.