You’ve decided you want to invest in ETFs. The A selection of ETFs in Switzerland
is large, and you’re wondering which ETF is really suitable for beginners.
First of all: There is no single ‘best’ ETF. But there is a short list that works for most Swiss investors. You’ll find it below, including the ISIN codes.
Our focus is clearly on the area of ETF Switzerland. After all, if your income and expenditure are in Swiss francs, it’s worth taking currency risk into account.
You'll find out why in a moment. Let's get started right away!
Which ETF is suitable for beginners? Be sure to pay attention to the following ETF selection criteria:
The ETF Comparison Switzerland and this listing do not constitute an investment recommendation.
| ETF Name | Index | Fees (TER) | Fund domicile | Distribution | Currency | Diversification | ISIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares SPI (CH) | Swiss Performance Index | 0.10% p.a. | Switzerland | Distributing | CHF | ✔️✔️✔️ | CH0237935652 |
| UBS Core SPI (CH) | Swiss Performance Index | 0.09% p.a. | Switzerland | Accumulating | CHF | ✔️✔️✔️ | CH1416135338 |
| iShares SLI (CH) | Swiss Leader Index | 0.35% p.a. | Switzerland | Distributing | CHF | ✔️✔️✔️ | CH0031768937 |
| UBS ETF MSCI Switzerland 20/35 UCITS ETF | MSCI Switzerland | 0.20% p.a. | Luxembourg | Accumulating | CHF | ✔️✔️ | LU0977261329 |
| MSCI World SPDR | MSCI World | 0.12% p.a. | Ireland | Accumulating | USD | ✔️✔️✔️✔️ | IE00BFY0GT14 |
| iShares MSCI ACWI UCITS | MSCI All Country World | 0.20% p.a. | Ireland | Accumulating | USD | ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ | IE00B6R52259 |
Which is the best ETF in Switzerland? Ultimately, the criteria always depend on your personal circumstances and plans.
If you want to build up your investments with a clean strategy, you should definitely check out the FinanzFahrplan (in german) take a closer look!
Your key to success! Discover our top recommendations from real testimonials.
When it comes to choosing ETFs for beginners and more experienced investors, I recommend using tools. For the screening process alone, justetf.com It’s handy – you can filter and compare ETFs there based on various criteria. It’s important that you ETF comparison for yourself. Why? Because the ETF that’s best for me in Switzerland isn’t necessarily the same as the one that’s best for you.
Before you start, though, it’s worth taking a look at the Swiss Special features. If you’re looking for the right broker to buy from, our Online broker comparison Switzerland Continue. There, we compare the fees charged by the main providers.
You can then use the criteria above to assess your options and choose your ETF. Once you’ve found your ETF, copy the ISIN number and enter it with your broker to buy the ETF there.
Many people are looking for the best MSCI World ETF in CHF. The honest answer is: it doesn’t exist as a fund currency; the base currency remains the USD. Whilst you can trade such an ETF on the SIX in Swiss francs, that’s not the same as investing in francs. Trading in CHF does not mean investing in CHF. Don’t confuse the two.
Anyone wishing to eliminate currency risk entirely should opt for a currency-hedged ETF (hedged). Sounds safe. But it comes at a price that you don’t immediately realise.
The costs depend primarily on the interest rate differential between the Swiss franc and the foreign currency. For investments in US dollars, these costs have in some cases amounted to several per cent per annum in recent years, depending on the interest rate environment. They are usually not fully reflected in the stated TER, but they do have an impact on the fund’s long-term performance.
Our assessment: For most long-term equity investors, hedging is often unnecessary. Hedging reduces currency fluctuations, but it does not increase the expected return. The situation is different with global bond ETFs: here, currency fluctuations can account for a large proportion of the expected return, which is why hedging into Swiss francs is often advisable.
For genuine Franc investments without Currency risk leaves us with a Swiss equity ETF such as a SPI-ETF. For long-term wealth accumulation, you should ideally choose it as a Swiss ETF Accumulating: Domiciled in Switzerland, fund currency: Swiss francs, no currency conversion.
"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".
We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:
In practice, the Claims of ETF selection unfortunately not always so easy to fulfil. Therefore, pay attention to the most important criteria for you and then make an ETF comparison.
A typical error in thinking is the Distribution strategy. If you are not yet dependent on income in the form of dividends, it is better to wait until you need it.
So when choosing an ETF, ask yourself what your goal is. For example, if you want to emigrate and need your money in USD in the future, some of the above criteria are not valid. Otherwise, in Switzerland we have many special featureswhich is why you can't simply copy a strategy from Gerd Kommer or Finanzfluss from Germany.
Which Swiss ETF did you choose and why? Let us know in the comments. And if you want to build up your investments with a clean strategy optimised for Switzerland, take a look at the FinanzFahrplan (in german) take a closer look!
Looking for the best ETF in Switzerland? Then you'll find it with the guide above!
People often ask which is the best Swiss ETF, but there is no such thing. Instead, you need to know which factors are important to you and then you can find the best ETF for you.
Use the above instructions and tools in the article for an ETF Switzerland recommendation. Also pay attention to the ETF tax tips.
Yes, a Swiss ETF makes sense for Swiss investors for several reasons: you save currency conversion fees (often 1% per trade), Switzerland is a tax-advantageous domicile for funds, and Swiss companies such as Nestlé, Roche and Novartis operate globally anyway.
ETFs focusing on Switzerland are available to persons residing in Switzerland from other countries., here reasons mentioned above.
There is no pure MSCI World ETF in CHF – the base currency is USD. However, you can trade the SPDR MSCI World (IE00BFY0GT14) on the SIX in CHF, whereby the fund handles the currency exchange more favourably than you could yourself.
Pay attention to:
For an ETF for beginners in Switzerland, I recommend broadly diversified products such as the SPI or MSCI World. Important: Look for low fees (TER below 0.5%), a fund volume of over 100 million and, ideally, domicile in Switzerland or Ireland.
You can buy an ETF – Switzerland offers several low-cost brokers for this purpose, such as Swissquote, Yuh and Saxo. Compare the fees in our Online broker comparison. You can find any ETF directly in your broker's search mask using the ISIN number.
There is no single ‘best’ Swiss ETF in 2026; it depends on your goals. A broadly diversified SPI ETF domiciled in Switzerland, with a low TER and a reinvestment policy, is a suitable basis for building wealth. If you want to diversify globally, you can add an MSCI World or MSCI ACWI ETF. It’s important to look for low fees, a fund size of over 100 million and the right type of distribution.
For most long-term investors with broadly diversified equity ETFs, currency hedging is often unnecessary.
Whilst a hedged ETF reduces fluctuations caused by exchange rates, this does not increase the expected return. Furthermore, hedging incurs ongoing costs. These depend primarily on the interest rate differential between the currencies and can amount to several per cent per year for USD investments. They are not always directly reflected in the TER, but do affect the fund’s long-term performance.
The situation is different for global bond ETFs, where hedging in Swiss francs is frequently used.
In short: for equity ETFs, hedging is not necessary for many Swiss investors, whereas for bond ETFs it often makes more sense.
Eric is the founder of Schwiizerfranke.com and certified IAF wealth advisor. Since 2019, he has been helping Swiss citizens to organise their finances comprehensibly, independently and efficiently.
📌 Note: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised investment advice.
Dear Eric
I’ve also noticed that some of the ETFs you’ve recommended (specifically the MSCI World) are domiciled in Luxembourg. Aren’t these at a tax disadvantage compared to those domiciled in Ireland because of the double taxation agreement?
Could you please briefly explain the tax differences for investors in Switzerland? I meant that Luxembourg is less favourable than Ireland.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Hello Simon,
True, Luxembourg isn’t always ideal – but it can sometimes be a good fit. For example, for European ETFs or thematic ETFs. But it always depends … so here’s the ETFs – Taxation Article.
Dear Erik, I opened an account with Saxo some time ago and find the trading quite good and the investing works well. Now I have liquidated money that was invested with an asset management company, which has hardly performed at all, and transferred it there via the cantonal bank. As a result, further deposits were stopped and I have to prove where the money comes from. Sent tax statement, salary statement, called 3 times, sent emails, explained everything. Still no answer after 18 days. I am even a platinum customer because of the amount, but still no answer. As this is pension money, I really want to invest it now.
What can I do if the support team doesn't get back to me?
Hello Natascha,
This should hopefully be resolved quickly. Unfortunately, compliance issues are often somewhat protracted and they often arise when large sums are involved.
It's best to try to contact support again by phone, and if it doesn't work, please send me an email - then I'll try to help you.
Hi Eric, thank you very much for your valuable contributions! I recently „dared“ to open an account with Saxo and started saving (World etf). However, my plan is to add a CH etf soon. However, I realised (too late) that Saxo does not offer the UBS Core SPI acc at all. If you were me, would you open another account for this etf (e.g. with neon) or would you just stay with Saxo and save the distributing etf for CH and keep reinvesting yourself?
Thank you in advance for your assessment!
Hi Nastasja, if I were you, I would stay with Saxo. A second account is more trouble than it's worth.
I'm already talking to Saxo about including the ETF. Anyone who would also like it: please write to the support team - together we will definitely get it into AutoInves 🙂
Kind regards
Eric
You write about the type of distribution: Do you want to build up assets over the long term? Then choose an ETF that does not make distributions. These are taxed and slow down your wealth accumulation extremely!
That's not true. Accumulating ETFs are taxed in the same way. If dividends of €100 are paid, the ETF reinvests €65 and transfers €35 directly to the tax authorities. The investor can then reclaim these taxes on their tax return, just as with distributing ETFs. The bottom line is that it makes no difference for tax purposes whether an ETF is distributing or accumulating.
Yes and no, both are taxed. But Accumulators are more efficient in terms of reinvestment over time than distributors. This so-called cash drag (i.e. the slowing of the interest rate effect) makes a big difference over the years.
Hi Eric, great site - thanks.
I find it confusing how you wrote «extremely favourable» for 2-3 companies in the robo comparison but then wrote «fees could be lower» in the disadvantages. A brief revision of the page would bring a gain.
The comparison also woke me up ... VIAC with redemption fees? That's a no-go for me, the warning shot came just in time. So FP after all, alone.
On the question of my favourite CH-ETF: For me, the iShares SPI - with 4x annual distribution.
It's rubbish for taxes - but I'm glad for the money. I'm retiring in a few weeks and the pension is a disaster. Unfortunately.
From your test experience, do you have the impression that FP can be trusted with the capital that may be paid out and that you can make a good return? Would be of interest to me in connection with a payout plan! Thank you.
PS: Yes, I don't want investment advice - just your personal opinion 😉
Thanks for the feedback! «Extremely cheap» and «could be even cheaper» is actually not a contradiction: the fees are fair, but cheaper would of course always be better.
About finpension: My detailed experience report will help you decide: finpension experience report
Regarding the iShares SPI: There is also an accumulating version if you prefer to reinvest the distributions directly.
Hi Eric, there are double leveraged EFTs - on the MSCI and Nasdaq. Which ones are available in CH (accumulating)? What additional criteria should I consider before buying? Many thanks, Lisa
Hello Lisa,
Leverage not only means more opportunity, but also significantly more risk.
Here in the ETF Guide you will find even more criteria!
Dear Eric, I often see in the SPI ETFs (also in the financial timetable) that you emphasise CH0237935652. When I look at the data sheets of the ETFs (yes, I learnt about them in the course), the UBS Core SPI ETF CHF catches my eye. It has been available as a distributing fund since 2011 (CH0131872431) and as an accumulating fund since 2025 (CH1416135338). Accumulating suits me better. But isn't it actually too young? But what I definitely don't understand is that UBS states the same total fund assets on the factsheet for both the dis and the acc. How should I understand this?
Dear Carmen,
iShares is very favourable. But so are the UBS SPI funds. According to my information, however, the fund assets are not identical - they are separate funds. The accumulating fund has only been in existence since March 2025 and has only collected 60 million, so I don't know what that means. still too little. But hopefully it will soon be big enough 🙂
Thank you Eric.
I refer to the two factsheets in my note on total fund assets.
Both show total fund assets of CHF 1492 million.
Then there is the term "share class assets" for both. It says CHF 50 million for acc and CHF 1442 million for dis.
I don't understand the difference between total fund assets and unit class assets.
Hello Carmen,
CH0131872431 has fund assets of USD 1.5 billion, CH1416135338 has fund assets of USD 60 million. - Both according to JustETF.
«Did you find »share class assets" in the factsheet? I only have it in English, but I would say it's the invested assets per asset class (equities) or sub-category/sector (healthcare, pharma, industrials ...).
Otherwise, please share the exact location where you found it 🙂
Good morning Eric
Thank you for helping me to clarify this further. Here is the link to the German-language factsheet that I used:
https://api.fundinfo.com/document/f7a6f6c28f8aeef653b7e336a22f189b_154716/MR_CH_de_CH1416135338_YES_2025-09-30.pdf
Dear Carmen,
You have been paying attention: The UBS Core SPI ETF is a fund with currently two unit classes - one distributing („dis“, CH0131872431) and one accumulating („acc“, CH1416135338). Both classes invest together in the identical securities pot, but each have their own unit class assets. This explains why the „total fund assets“ are stated the same on both factsheets, while the „unit class assets“ vary depending on popularity (currently much more in dis, less in acc, because the latter was only launched in 2025).
In the factsheet you will also find information about a name change: Since May 2025 the fund has been called „UBS Core SPI ETF“, previously it was called „UBS ETF (CH) SPI“ - and the TER has also been adjusted.
In addition to equities, you would also like to have ETFs (e.g. bonds or money market) with less volatility in your portfolio as a buffer for bear markets. Can you recommend a few ETFs for government and corporate bonds?
I can't recommend any here, that would be investment advice. What I would personally look out for: avoid the currency risk with bond ETFs at all costs. Swiss government bonds are hardly profitable, so I would favour Swiss corporate bonds.
But be careful: Bond ETFs also have risks and can quickly fluctuate +-10% and more.
The low-risk part should definitely be approached strategically and correctly. Little return for additional risk ...? That works better! In the FinanzFahrplan (in german) I will show you step-by-step how to do this.