Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Bulgarian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Business / self-employment routes
• Retirement / pensioner residency
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Montenegrin residency routes:

• Temporary residence via employment
• Business / self-employment
• Real-estate ownership
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Common Armenian residency routes:

• Temporary residence - issued for 1 year, renewable; granted for work, study, business, family, or Armenian ancestry
• Permanent residence - typically 5 years renewable; available after qualifying temporary stay or other qualifying ground
• Special residence - 10-year status for individuals of Armenian descent or those of significant value to Armenia
• Family reunification - spouse, children, dependant parents

Many nationalities can enter visa-free or with a simple e-visa for up to 180 days, which is often used to plan the right route.

Swiss residency routes:

• Work permit - employer-sponsored, quota-controlled for non-EU
• Lump-sum taxation (forfait fiscal) - HNW individuals in eligible cantons
• Business / investor routes
• EU / EFTA routes - under FMP
• Family reunification

OOD (LLC) and EOOD (single-shareholder LLC) are common structures. Formation is well-documented. Corporate tax is at a flat rate; VAT registration depends on activity.

DOO (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation is well-documented and reasonably fast. Tax and VAT registration follow.

Standard Armenian entities and tax treatment:

• LLC (Sahmanapak Pataskhanatvutyamb Enkerutyun) - the default private entity; fast online formation
• Individual Entrepreneur (IE) - simple setup; Turnover Tax regime at 5% (or category-specific rates) for qualifying small businesses
• IT Sector incentives - certified IT companies have historically benefited from reduced corporate tax and payroll incentives (programmes are revised periodically)
• Standard CIT is 18%; dividend withholding is 5% for residents

Bordercase coordinates structure choice to match real activity and current incentive frameworks.

GmbH and AG are the standard structures. Cantonal variation in tax, registration, and substance treatment is real. Federal and cantonal compliance is precise.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Source-of-funds documentation matters for non-standard cases. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Personal banking for residents is accessible. Corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Personal and corporate banking is broadly accessible through Ameriabank, ACBA Bank, Ardshinbank, and others - typically with USD, EUR, RUB, and AMD accounts. Onboarding is straightforward for clean cases; expect source-of-funds questions for larger flows. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Swiss banking has tightened materially since the 2010s. Personal accounts require residency or strong nexus; corporate banking requires substance and clear source of funds. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.

Family inclusion on residency applications is supported. International schools are available in Podgorica and on the coast.

Family reunification is supported across most routes. English-language international schools are available in Yerevan. Healthcare is a mix of public and private; private cover is recommended for relocating families.

Family reunification is supported on most permits. Schools (public, private, and international) are widely available; international schools are well-established but selective.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Bulgaria:

• Tax residency triggers
• VAT classification on cross-border services
• Processing variations between regions
• Euro adoption is in progress - operational planning needed

Risks Bordercase watches for in Montenegro:

• Tax residency triggers
• EU accession dynamics may change rules over time
• Processing variations between municipalities
• Schengen entry / exit considerations for travel planning

Risks Bordercase watches for in Armenia:

• Tax residency triggers - 183 days makes you tax-resident under Armenian rules
• IT certification scope - incentives apply only to certified, qualifying activities
• Russia/EAEU exposure - Armenia is part of EAEU; some structures benefit from this, others raise sanctions/banking flags
• Source-of-funds scrutiny for non-standard transfer corridors
• Permit renewals - documentation continuity matters across cycles

Risks Bordercase watches for in Switzerland:

• Quotas for non-EU work permits
• Lump-sum taxation eligibility and cantonal variation
• Banking gatekeeping for non-residents
• Substance and arm's-length pricing audits

Typical Bulgarian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Basis for residence (employment, business, etc.)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Bulgarian.

Typical Montenegrin residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of accommodation
• Basis for residence
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated.

Typical Armenian residency documents:

• Passport (6+ months valid)
• Proof of basis (employment, business, study, ancestry, family)
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance
• Bank statements / proof of income
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled, where required)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Apostille and certified translation into Armenian where required.

Typical Swiss residency documents:

• Passport
• Employment contract or business plan
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance valid in Switzerland
• Financial evidence

Apostilled and translated where required.