Living in Malnate and working in Ticino as a border worker (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The New Frontier Agreement was signed on 23 December 2020 and will enter into force from 1 January 2024.
• The gross income exemption for new frontier workers is €10,000 per year.
• Frontier workers can opt for LAMal (health insurance).

Key facts

• What: New Frontier Agreement
• When: 23 December 2020
• Where: Ticino
• Who: Frontiersmen
• Amount: €10,000

The New Frontier Agreement was signed on 23 December 2020 and will enter into force from 1 January 2024. The gross income exemption for new frontier workers is €10,000 per year. Border workers can opt for LAMal (health insurance).

Living in Malnate and working in Ticino as a border worker

If you are a citizen of an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country and want to work in Ticino, the New Frontier Agreement could be the perfect solution for you. In this article, I will provide you with useful information about the new agreement, the requirements, and the opportunities it offers.

Who can benefit from the New Frontier Agreement?

The New Frontier Agreement is open to all EU and EFTA nationals wishing to work in Ticino. This means that if you are a citizen of a country such as Switzerland, Italy, France or Germany, you can benefit from the new agreement.

Requirements for frontier workers

To benefit from the New Frontier Agreement, you must meet certain requirements. First of all, you have to be a

Operational details

Border workers who live in Malnate and work in Ticino can benefit from the connections between the two countries. The journey time is about 30-40 minutes, thanks to the motorways and secondary roads that connect Malnate to Lugano and other major Ticino cities. The cost of living in Malnate is slightly lower than in Lugano, but border workers must also consider the costs of transport and other expenses related to work in Ticino.

The recommended areas for border workers are those near the Swiss border, such as Malpensata and Rancate, which offer convenient and quick access to workplaces in Ticino. In addition, these areas also offer a variety of services and activities, such as shops, restaurants and public transport services.

According to data from the Municipality of Malnate, in 2020 there were about 1,500 border workers resident in Malnate and working in Ticino. This number is increasing compared to previous years, thanks to the better job and life opportunities offered by the Ticino region.

Border workers who live in Malnate and work in Ticino must also consider the regulations and rules relating to work and residence. For example, according to the federal law of 16 December 2005, foreigners must obtain a residence permit to work in Switzerland. The cost of the residence permit is approximately CHF 250 for one year of validity.

In addition, frontier workers must also consider taxes and duties

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 live in Malnate and work in Ticino, it is advisable to opt for LAMal (health insurance) and benefit from the gross income deductible of €10,000 per year. It is also important to consider the cost of living and recommended areas for border crossers.

The Act of 14 June 1996, no. 281, regulates the working and residence conditions for border workers in Switzerland. According to Article 6, paragraph 1, "frontier workers are required to take out health insurance equivalent to that of Switzerland". LAMal is therefore the most suitable option for border workers working in Ticino.

The gross income exemption of €10,000 per year is an important benefit for frontier workers working in Ticino. This means that frontier workers will not have to pay the first €10,000 of gross income, thus reducing their health insurance expenditure.

However, it is also important to consider the cost of living in Ticino. According to the report "Cost of living in Switzerland 2022" by the Swiss Confederation, the cost of living in Ticino is higher than in other regions of Switzerland. For example, the cost of living in Lugano is 15% higher than in Zurich.

Based on this data, it is advisable to choose to live in an area with a lower cost of living. Some examples of municipalities in Ticino with a lower cost of living are:

• Bellinzona: the cost of living is 10% lower than in Lugano
• Locarno: the cost

First day as a cross-border worker? Our practical guide walks you from cantonal registration to your first paycheck.