Cross-border net salary in Geneva: what's really left?
A Swiss gross salary sounds great, but between social charges, withholding tax and the exchange rate, what does a cross-border worker really keep net?
1. Social charges
Deducted first, the same across Switzerland: OASI/DI/EO 5.3 %, unemployment insurance 1.1 % (up to CHF 148,200/yr), accident and pillar 2 (age-dependent). Total ~13 to 17 % before tax.
🧮 Calculate your exact net salarySocial charges + tax by canton →2. Withholding tax: Geneva is special
Geneva levies withholding tax in Switzerland, based on your family situation. By contrast, 8 cantons (Vaud, Valais, Bern, Jura, Neuchâtel, Basel-City, Basel-Country, Solothurn) apply the 1983 agreement: there you are taxed in France, with no Swiss deduction.
3. The 13th salary
Salary is often paid in 13 instalments. Think annually, then divide by 13 for your real monthly payment.
4. The CHF → EUR exchange rate
Paid in francs, spending in euros: the rate (and your bank's margin, 1-2 %) eats into your purchasing power.
💱 Convert your salary to eurosCHF ⇄ EUR at today's rate →Example: CHF 8,000 gross/month in Geneva (single)
| Gross annual (×13) | 104,000 CHF |
| – Social charges (~15 %) | – 15,600 CHF |
| – GE withholding tax (~11 %) | – 11,440 CHF |
| Estimated net annual | ≈ 76,960 CHF |