Press Release: EU-Switzerland: State aid decision on company tax regimes

The European Commission has decided that certain company tax regimes in Swiss Cantons in favour of holding, mixed and management companies are a form of State aid incompatible with the proper functioning of the 1972 Agreement between the EU and Switzerland. At stake are schemes offering unfair tax advantages to companies established in Switzerland, for profits generated in the EU. The Commission asks Switzerland to amend these tax schemes to bring them in line with the terms of the Agreement. The Commission has also asked the Council for a mandate to start negotiations with Switzerland with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution.