In 2024, 37,816 existing businesses moved their head office locations within Switzerland. 80.6% of all changes of domicile occurred within the same canton, while 7,470 businesses moved to a different canton.
Wallis reports the highest level of net immigration
The highest level of net immigration from other cantons was reported by the Canton of Valais (at 88 businesses), followed by Appenzell Ausserrhoden (65) and Freiburg (39).
Valais mainly attracted businesses from the Cantons of Vaud (101) and Geneva (83). Appenzell Ausserrhoden benefited from relocations from St. Gallen (63), Zurich (45) and Zug (19). The Canton of Freiburg reported that its highest number of inward-moving businesses came from the Cantons of Vaud (80), Bern (67) and Geneva (21).
Zurich reports the largest net outflow
The highest net emigration figures were registered by the Canton of Zurich, at -133 businesses. Other cantons reporting a high level of net emigration are Vaud (-87), Lucerne (-61) and Bern (-46).
Most of the businesses relocating out of the Canton of Zurich moved their headquarters to the Cantons of Zug (301), Aargau (237) and Schwyz (227). Companies from the Canton of Vaud moved to the Cantons of Geneva (152), Valais (101) and Freiburg (80). From the Canton of Lucerne, most business relocations were to the Cantons of Zug (115), Zurich (83) and Aargau (59).
About the survey process
We have taken into consideration all those businesses entered into the commercial register that relocated their head offices within Switzerland in 2024.
