About
About Foundations in Switzerland
A legal advisory resource operated by experienced Swiss foundation law professionals based in Zug. We guide international clients and Swiss residents through the full lifecycle of foundation law, from initial structure decisions through ongoing governance and regulatory compliance.
Our Mission
Switzerland is home to more foundations per capita than almost any other country. That density reflects something real: a legal framework, rooted in the Swiss Civil Code (Zivilgesetzbuch, ZGB), Articles 80–89, that is stable, internationally respected, and well-suited to long-term purposes.
Our mission is to translate that framework into informed decisions. We take complex Swiss foundation law and make it decision-ready: precise enough to be reliable, clear enough to be acted upon.
We cover:
- Family foundations (Familienstiftungen), wealth planning and estate succession
- Charitable foundations (gemeinnützige Stiftungen), philanthropic structures and tax exemption
- Foundation governance, board duties, Stiftungsrat composition, internal regulations
- Regulatory compliance, reporting to the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (ESA)
- Cross-border estate planning, coordinating Swiss foundation structures with foreign jurisdictions
Our Team
Hansruedi Mueller
Swiss Foundation Lawyer
Our advisory team is led by Hansruedi Mueller, a Swiss legal professional with extensive experience in foundation governance, regulatory compliance, and cross-border estate planning.
Hansruedi advises international clients, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and philanthropists, as well as Swiss residents considering foundation structures for wealth preservation or charitable purposes. He is fluent in English and German and regularly works with clients across multiple jurisdictions.
His expertise spans the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB Art. 80–89c), the Swiss Foundation Code 2021, and the requirements of the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (ESA). He is familiar with the practical implications of the Family Foundation Reform 2024 for existing and newly established structures.
Legal Framework We Work Within
Headquarters
Zug Office
Grafenauweg 4-10
6300 Zug
Switzerland
We welcome enquiries in English and German.
Get expert foundation advice
Our specialists are available to discuss your specific requirements with discretion and Swiss precision.