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Bordercase

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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 GR flagGreece

Europe

CH flagSwitzerland

Europe

DE flagGermany

Europe

OverviewGreece offers structured EU residency routes including the Golden Visa investor route, the Digital Nomad Visa, and the Financially Independent Person (FIP) route. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Greek partners for filings and ongoing compliance.Switzerland is a stable, high-quality jurisdiction with structured residency routes - most of them merit-based, contribution-based, or employer-sponsored. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Swiss partners for filings.Germany is the largest EU economy and a strong destination for skilled professionals, founders, and remote workers (under specific routes). Bordercase coordinates with licensed German partners for filings.
Best for
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Coastal living
  • HNW
  • Founders
  • Forfait fiscal
  • Stability
  • Founders
  • Skilled workers
  • EU access
  • Families
CurrencyEURCHFEUR
LanguageGreekGerman / French / ItalianGerman
Time zoneUTC+2UTC+1UTC+1
EU memberYesNoYes
SchengenYesYesYes
Residency

Greek residency routes:

  • Golden Visa - property investment (thresholds vary by region, recently raised)
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers
  • Financially Independent Person (FIP) - passive-income individuals
  • Employment routes

Each route has different residency-day and renewal requirements.

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

German residency routes:

  • Blue Card - high-skilled employees
  • Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
  • Employer-sponsored work permits
  • Entrepreneur visa
  • Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

Company setup

IKE (Private Company), EPE (LLC), and AE (Joint Stock Company) are common structures. Greek tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the non-dom regime may apply to eligible high-net-worth relocators.

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

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

Banking

Personal banking for residents is well established; corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard structures.

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.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Family

Family reunification is supported on most routes. Schools (public, private, international, English-language) are available in major cities.

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

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Greece:

  • Property due diligence - especially older buildings
  • Tax residency triggers
  • Non-dom regime conditions
  • Registration timing across municipalities
  • Some routes do not permit employment in Greece without additional permits

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

  • Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
  • Late VAT registration on cross-border services
  • Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
  • Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes
Documents

Typical Greek residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance valid in Greece
  • Accommodation evidence (deed, lease)
  • AFM (tax number)

Apostille and certified Greek translation 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.

Typical German residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Recognised qualifications (where required)
  • Contract or business plan
  • Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
  • Health insurance
  • Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.