Inheritance & wills in Switzerland

Swiss Civil Code (Zivilgesetzbuch — Schweizerisches ZGB) Art. 470 applies Pflichtteil to descendants (3/4 of statutory share) and surviving spouse (1/2). Sharia faraid not recognised. Foreign-domiciled Muslims may elect their nationality's law (Federal IPL Act Art. 87).

Public will before a notary + 2 witnesses, or holographic (handwritten, signed, dated).

Cantonal probate registry. No federal central register; Swiss Notary Association maintains a voluntary index.

Public will: 2 adult witnesses of full civil capacity + notary; witnesses must be non-beneficiaries, not related to the testator in the direct line, and understand the language of the will (ZGB Art. 501-503). Holographic (eigenhändige letztwillige Verfügung): entirely handwritten by the testator, dated, signed — no witnesses required (ZGB Art. 505).

Collecting authority

Fédération d’organisations islamiques de Suisse (FOIS) · VIOZ

Tax relief

Donations to charities recognised as "tax-exempt for public service" deductible federally + cantonally.

Maximum relief

20% of federal taxable income (cantonal varies)

Notes

Cantonal differences are significant — Zurich, Geneva, Bern have the largest Islamic charities.

Pflichtteil — descendants 3/4 of statutory share, spouse 1/2 (post-2023 reform reduced these from 3/4/1/2 of historical higher rates).

Erbenscheinerteilung from the cantonal authority. Inheritance tax varies by canton.

Diverse — Hanafi (Turkish), Maliki (Maghrebi), Hanafi (Bosnian + Albanian). Strong cantonal variation.

• Cantonal differences in inheritance tax — Geneva + Vaud have lower spousal exemptions; Schwyz + Obwalden have very low rates.
• Banking secrecy not absolute for estates — Swiss banks freeze accounts pending Erbenschein.

• Fédération d’organisations islamiques de Suisse (FOIS)
• Vereinigung der Islamischen Organisationen Zürich (VIOZ)

• Is Islamic inheritance (faraid) legally recognised in Switzerland?

  Swiss Civil Code (Zivilgesetzbuch — Schweizerisches ZGB) Art. 470 applies Pflichtteil to descendants (3/4 of statutory share) and surviving spouse (1/2). Sharia faraid not recognised. Foreign-domiciled Muslims may elect their nationality's law (Federal IPL Act Art. 87).

• What makes an Islamic will (Wasiyyah) legally valid in Switzerland?

  Public will before a notary + 2 witnesses, or holographic (handwritten, signed, dated).

• Where do I register my will in Switzerland?

  Cantonal probate registry. No federal central register; Swiss Notary Association maintains a voluntary index.

• Does Switzerland have forced-heirship rules that override an Islamic will?

  Pflichtteil — descendants 3/4 of statutory share, spouse 1/2 (post-2023 reform reduced these from 3/4/1/2 of historical higher rates).

• How does probate work in Switzerland?

  Erbenscheinerteilung from the cantonal authority. Inheritance tax varies by canton.

• How many witnesses do I need for a will in Switzerland?

  Public will: 2 adult witnesses of full civil capacity + notary; witnesses must be non-beneficiaries, not related to the testator in the direct line, and understand the language of the will (ZGB Art. 501-503). Holographic (eigenhändige letztwillige Verfügung): entirely handwritten by the testator, dated, signed — no witnesses required (ZGB Art. 505).

• What are the most common Islamic-will pitfalls in Switzerland?

  Cantonal differences in inheritance tax — Geneva + Vaud have lower spousal exemptions; Schwyz + Obwalden have very low rates. Banking secrecy not absolute for estates — Swiss banks freeze accounts pending Erbenschein.