Calculate your gross/net salary in Switzerland: quick guide for cross-border workers
Do you have a job offer in Geneva, Vaud or elsewhere in Switzerland and want to know what will be left in your account? Calculating your Swiss gross to net salary isn’t complicated if you follow a clear method: deduct social insurances (AVS/AI/APG, AC, LAA), LPP (occupational pension) and, if applicable, withholding tax (depending on canton and status). This condensed guide, designed for Swiss cross-border workers, gives you a practical method, essential keywords (Swiss gross net converter, Swiss payslips), and a concrete example you can easily adapt.
Context and useful definitions
The gross is your contractual salary before deductions. The net is the gross minus social contributions and, if you’re subject to it, withholding tax. Main items include:
- AVS/AI/APG: old-age/survivors, disability and loss of income insurance (legal rate shared by employer/employee).
- AC: unemployment insurance, deducted up to a certain ceiling.
- LAA: accident insurance. The non-occupational part is often paid by the employee.
- LPP: occupational pension (2nd pillar), variable by age and company plan.
- Withholding tax: depends on canton (Geneva, Vaud…), scale, family situation and permit.
Key takeaways in 30 seconds
- The Swiss net mainly depends on social insurances (AVS/AC/LAA) and LPP (variable).
- In Geneva or Vaud, withholding tax may apply; check your scale and cross-border status.
- Use a Swiss gross net converter then adjust with your payslip and your LPP plan.
Step-by-step procedure / how-to
Step 1 — Start with the monthly gross salary
Take the contractual gross (e.g. 7,000 CHF). Check the 13th salary if relevant: some employers pay it in December (or spread over 12 parts). For France comparisons, always recalculate to an annual amount.
Step 2 — Deduct mandatory social charges
Deduct AVS/AI/APG, AC and non-occupational LAA (usual rates, subject to change). Add LPP based on your age bracket and the employer’s pension plan (often 5–10 % of the insured salary, sometimes more for generous plans).
Step 3 — Apply withholding tax if applicable
In Geneva or Vaud, many cross-border workers are taxed at source: the rate depends on income, family situation and cantonal scale. If you’re not (or only partly) taxed at source, factor in your tax liability in the relevant country and use an annual estimate for an accurate view of your cross-border net salary.
Step 4 — Check for supplementary insurances
Some companies contribute to supplementary plans (daily allowances, group insurance). Their impact on net salary is small but real: include them in the total employee cost if comparing offers.
Tip
Run two simulations: Geneva and Vaud. Withholding tax scales and some LPP practices differ. Compare with identical family situation and the same reference month. Keep a screenshot of your Swiss gross net converter and compare it to your first Swiss payslip to adjust your forecasts (actual LPP, exact LAA, possible 13th).
Concrete example
Offer in Geneva: 7,000 CHF gross × 12. Indicative deductions: AVS/AI/APG ≈ a few %, AC up to the ceiling, non-occupational LAA (moderate premium), LPP (by age/plan). After these, you get a net before tax. If the employee is taxed at source (single, no children scale), an additional percentage is withheld. Result: a net in hand used to compare with CMU (URSSAF contribution based on income N-2, deduction) or LAMal (per person premium). Repeat the calculation if you change canton, LPP age bracket or family status.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is the Geneva net salary always lower than in Vaud?
A: Not necessarily. It all depends on the withholding tax scale, your LPP and LAA. Run both simulations.
Q: Is a Swiss gross net converter enough?
A: It’s a good basis, but check your actual payslips (LPP plan, LAA, possible benefits) for accuracy.
Conclusion & next steps
For a cross-border worker, correctly estimating Swiss gross to net salary means adding social charges, LPP and withholding tax, then comparing annually. Need a custom calculation (Geneva, Vaud, family status, employer’s LPP)? Contact our firm for a personalized simulation and to optimize your budget (LAMal vs CMU, option rights, pension).
