Canada – Switzerland Tax Treaty
The Canada-Switzerland tax treaty caps withholding on dividends at 15% for portfolio investors and 5% for qualifying direct investment, and interest at 10%. Royalties are taxed at a uniform 10% across all categories. Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. This is one of 51 active treaties in Canada's network and one of 49 in Switzerland's. The general dividend rate of 15% compares to a median of 15% across Canada's network and 15% across Switzerland's.
Verified data
Swiss Federal Tax Administration (estv.admin.ch) - Double Taxation Agreements overview and treaty texts (Treaty list verified April 2026. Rates from individual treaty texts (Articles 10-12).)
Withholding Rate Summary
Source: Switzerland Treaty Reference| Income Type | Treaty Rate | Statutory Rate (Switzerland) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (general) Portfolio investors | 15%saves 20% | 35% |
| Dividends (qualified) Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock | 5%saves 30% | 35% |
| Interest Bank interest, bonds, loans | 10% | 0% |
| Royalties (avg) Patents, copyright, know-how, film/TV | 10% | — |
| Pensions Private pension distributions | 0% | — |
| Social Security Government social security benefits | 0% | — |
“Treaty Rate” is the maximum withholding permitted under this treaty. The actual effective rate may be lower if domestic law provides a more favorable rate independently. “Statutory Rate (Switzerland)” shows the rate that applies when no treaty benefit is claimed. Qualified dividend rate requires: Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock.
Dividends
The general dividend rate of 15% applies to portfolio investors. A reduced rate of 5% is available when beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock. Without the treaty, the statutory withholding rate on dividends is 35%.
Source: Switzerland Treaty Reference
Interest
Interest payments (bank interest, bonds, loans) are subject to 10% withholding under this treaty, compared to the 0% statutory rate. This represents a no reduction from the statutory rate.
Source: Switzerland Treaty Reference
Royalties
Royalty withholding rates vary by the type of intellectual property. This treaty distinguishes 4 categories, with rates ranging from 10% to 10%.
Source: Switzerland Treaty Reference
Pensions & Social Security
Private pension distributions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. Government social security benefits are exempt from source-country withholding.
Source: Switzerland Treaty Reference
Comparative Context
🇨🇦Canada's Network
Among Canada's 51 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 6th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Australia | 15% |
| Belgium | 15% |
| Bulgaria | 15% |
| Switzerland (this treaty) | 15% |
| Chile | 15% |
| China | 15% |
| Colombia | 15% |
🇨🇭Switzerland's Network
Among Switzerland's 49 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 15th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Australia | 15% |
| Belgium | 15% |
| Brazil | 15% |
| Canada (this treaty) | 15% |
| Chile | 15% |
| Colombia | 15% |
| Cyprus | 15% |