Passive income Switzerland 2026

A long time ago, I read a quote that would change my thinking forever. Until then, I thought that having a career, earning good money and looking after my pillar 3a would give me financial peace of mind.

But the words "Those who can't find a way to earn money while they sleep will work until they die" should change my thinking and actions in the long term.

For many years now I have dedicated myself to Generation of passive income. You can find everything you need to know about passive income in Switzerland in this series of articles, which also includes passive investing will take up.

You can thank me later, for now I wish you good entertainment!

Table of contents

passive income switzerland swiss franc investment series

Why passive income should be important to Swiss

The Swiss earn well. At least when you consider the purchasing power of the Swiss franc and the Salaries with those in neighbouring countries.

But many forget to look at the working conditions or take a look at the pensioners. If we were to work only 35 hours a week, had strong unions and more than 30 days of vacation, many a salary would look different.

In 2020, Pro Senectute determined that 17% of Swiss pensioners dependent on supplementary benefits are. In short: working a lot and earning well is great (active income). But who passive income flows can generate a nice income at a young age. Additional income and generate further security in the pension.

Step-by-step guide to passive income

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What is passive income?

A passive income according to the definition not active through direct Time use be deserved.

For example, with a normal active income, you earn 30 Swiss francs per hour. Work more, earn more and vice versa.

In the case of passive income, however, this is decoupled. Often more work has to be done in the beginning before the first income is generated. Afterwards, however, the income continues to flow, even if hardly any or no more work has to be done for it. 

Examples of passive income: 

  • A Buy a share that pays a dividend every 3 months. To buy the share, you have to work actively and earn money. Afterwards, it belongs to you, increases in value if necessary and you continue to receive Dividends. 
  • In a field in which you have in-depth expertise a write an eBook and publish it on Amazon. The sales then generate a passive income for you.
  • A to build up an online shop and products to market, label and earn from the margin. (Here you will find +50 Passive Income Ideas)
  • A Flat on Airbnb to rent and to organize a cleaner for the cleaning and handovers. Then you have no more direct effort with the individual guests and the rental income is therefore generated passively. 

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Passive income ideas Switzerland

The amount, security and stability of your Passive Income depends entirely on the created Added value off. So feel free to let the Ideas for passive income inspire, but above all, think for yourself!

The better your idea, the more you can earn and the harder it will be for competitors to take your niche.

  • Are you a foodie? The food and nutrition sector will become even more important in 2026 than it already is. Promoting high-quality local Swiss food products in innovative ways and selling them online, for example, can be very lucrative! One example would be an online shop where buyers are supplied directly by farmers. All you have to do is set up the online shop (or have it set up) and automate the processing. Payment is made online, the farmer sends the goods for dispatch and you share the margin.
  • There is a free granny flat in your parents' house? Automate your own Airbnb business! Electronic door lock with app control, automatic message to the cleaner and much more will help you to get your first Swiss passive income.
  • Passive income through dividends! Throw shares or ETFs Dividends off. Once purchased, you benefit from price increases and distributions. 
  • You are creative or even an artist? Switzerland is short of brave artists who want to promote their work online. Whether it's on stock photo sites where you get paid for your photos or on YouTube where you can market our photogenic country - there are opportunities galore! 
  • Do you like programming or have an idea for a great app? Offering an app brings you good returns and the Swiss don't skimp on spending on fancy gadgets. Tip: Focus on Switzerland. That way you don't compete with Silicon Valley.
  • Build a website or a portal where you can target a specific niche and then earn money through partnerships. Schwiizerfranke is nothing else, because we address a small target group, offer high added value free of charge and, if the referral is successful, we receive a commission that costs you as a reader nothing! Keyword affiliate marketing - the way we explain passive income to Swiss people today.

Taxation of passive income

The taxation of your passive income depends entirely on the type of source. For example, does it come from Investment incomeit falls under the so-called Withholding tax.

In Switzerland, this was 35% in 2024 and is then declared in the tax return and subsequently refunded. 

Things can be better with passive income from self-employment or one's own business be. No general statements can be made there. But it is an open secret that taxes can be optimised and very partially reduced. To go into detail here would go beyond the scope of this article.

But it is also worth mentioning the term digital nomad. These are typically entrepreneurs who travel the world, make their money online and are often even stateless. You can find out how to avoid paying taxes in this way at stateless.ch.

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Passive income with ETF's and dividends

We have now explained what passive income is and why Swiss people should know about it. Equally well known in recent years have been Exchange Traded Funds or ETF for shorts.

ETFs are made up of a whole basket of financial products and therefore represent the index. For example, you can buy an ETF that contains all the shares of Swiss companies from the IT sector.

Such an investment in the Index is therefore considered passive investing is the term used. Since there are ETFs that pay out the dividends of the shares they contain, you can also generate passive income with passive investing. What's so special about this and how you can beat the performance of top fund managers with this method, we explain in the Continued of this series.

If you want to generate passive income, the term "passive income" should be familiar to you. financial freedom be familiar to you. Here the term is explained and you can easily calculate your current financial freedom:

Conclusion on the subject of earning money passively throughout Switzerland

It's easy to say why extra income is so popular throughout Switzerland: Financial self-determination and security is an important issue for many. 

There are various ways to build up a passive income. You can Invest money and then Income or build up a small business or an online income.

Passive income always requires first a commitment on your part. Be it in the form of money or effort, first you have to perform, then you can reap the rewards.

Building passive income made easy throughout Switzerland: Here you will find 50 ideas to make money onlineand earn extra income from the comfort of your own home anywhere in Switzerland!

If you need more Ideas for passive income flows in Switzerland please feel free to share them in the comments!

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9 responses

  1. I have to partially correct you here:
    "The taxation of your passive income depends entirely on the type of source. If it comes from capital gains, for example, it is subject to capital gains tax.

    There is no capital gains tax in Switzerland. Profits from investments (capital gains) are tax-free - but interest and dividends are subject to 'withholding tax'. This amounts to 35%, but is only a security tax and is technically paid back if declared in the tax return. So it's not 35% + extra progressive taxes, don't scare people about dividends :-))

    Otherwise, good article :-))

    Reply

    1. A mistake had crept in, thanks for pointing it out! The post has been corrected.
      These are of course subject to withholding tax.

      Reply

  2. Hi!

    Nice blog! I have a question about taxation regarding affiliate marketing in Switzerland and also I wanted to know whether students are allowed to engage in this activity or not.
    Thanks in advance.
    Samanta

    Reply

    1. Hi, Samanta,
      thanks for your positive feedback!
      If you have income in Switzerland you have to declare it and depending on your status and income you will have to tax it as every other income.
      To your 2nd question: Why should a student not be allowed to do earn money? Do you receive a scholarship which would be cancelled if you have a certain income?

      Reply

  3. Hi!
    Cool blog, nicely presented! Somehow you beat me to it a year ago, had very similar ideas for a finance blog for some time.
    But what about the "cleaners"? 😉 Politically correct today would be cleaners, hihi.

    Greetings
    Oliver

    Reply

    1. Hi Oli
      I can see your blog is definitely getting politically correct 😀 picked up the comment 🙂 .
      Best wishes and good luck!

      Reply

  4. Hello, Eric. Good contribution! I hope that people take advantage of the current situation and think a little bit about their financial situation. Permanent employment is not a good security, but the topic of passive income gives you financial security in the long run. That's why I think your contribution is so great! I have written on my website listed some more ideas on this topic. I hope it helps a reader! LG Martin

    Reply

  5. Hello Eric
    Great blog! Unfortunately the link at the end of the article does not work.
    Keep up the good work, greetings
    David

    Reply
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