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Moving away from Switzerland: Here are the documents you need to close your 3a account.

Anyone leaving Switzerland who wishes to withdraw their pension assets must submit various documents to the pension fund. To ensure a smooth withdrawal process, it’s a good idea to have the documents ready well in advance. This article provides an overview of all the documents you need to submit to withdraw your Pillar 3a savings following your departure from Switzerland.

How do I request a consolidation of my 3a account in the VIAC app?

1. Log in to the VIAC app.
2. Tap the menu (three lines in the top-right corner).
3. Tap Settings and select Pillar 3a.
4. Tap “Settle or delete portfolios.”
5. Select the portfolio you want to settle.
6. Click through the pop-ups.
7. You will receive an email with all the necessary information and the form.

Mandatory documents for payout (all applicable)

 

Document Purpose
Completed liquidation form Will be provided by VIAC, must be completed and signed.
Municipal deregistration confirmation Proves departure from Switzerland
Proof of residence abroad

or alternatively: copy of rental contract or property purchase contract abroad.
 Confirms that you are registered abroad.
Official ID Proof of identity
Bank details (IBAN/BIC) Account must be in your name

Additional documents depending on your situation

  1. Civil status
  • Single: copy of a recent civil status certificate (available from the civil registry office).
  • Married / registered partnership: official ID of spouse or registered partner. The partner’s signature must be certified if the pension assets exceed CHF 25,000.
  • Divorced / partnership dissolved: copy of a recent civil status certificate (available from the civil registry office). –> If divorced / partnership dissolved within the last 6 months: legally binding divorce decree / dissolution judgment and copy of a recent civil status certificate.
  1. Your nationality and the country you are moving to

Do you hold the nationality of the country you are moving to?

Yes: copy of ID is sufficient.
No: provide work and residence permit.

Exception:

Yes: copy of ID and employment contract required.
No: work and residence permit required.
  1. Pledged pension assets?

Yes: attach release declaration from previous pledge creditors.

  1. Cross-border commuter?

Yes: as a former cross-border commuter, you must also submit the cancellation of your cross-border commuter permit.

Why are these documents required?

VIAC, i.e. the pension foundation of WIR Bank (like all other pension foundations in Switzerland), is legally required to verify and ensure that you have actually transferred your residence abroad. For this purpose, a deregistration confirmation as well as proof of your residence abroad (proof of residence or rental contract or property purchase contract) are mandatory. Alternative documents such as temporary accommodation via Airbnb are not accepted.

Your civil status must also be clearly established, as a spouse or registered partner may have rights to your pension assets. Even if you are single or divorced and provide a divorce decree, a recent civil status certificate is still required, as your civil status may have changed in the meantime.

The payout can only be made after the complete file has been reviewed by our legal department.

Unfortunately, delays in the payout process are common. The reason is usually missing documents. Once a complete file has been submitted and reviewed by our legal department, the payout is made within 5 working days after the last weekly trading day. If the pension assets are not invested, the payout may be processed faster. Important: the payout will not be made before your final departure date.

Competent authorities abroad

The proof of residence / civil status certificate (or equivalent document) has different names depending on the country. The tables below provide an overview of selected document names and the respective competent authorities.

Proof of residence

 

Country Document name Competent authority
Germany Erweiterte Meldebescheinigung Gemeinde
France Attestation de résidence Mairie
Italy Certificato di residenza Comune
Portugal Certidão de residencia Serviços do Registro Civil
England Affidavit Notary

Civil status certificate

 

Country Document name Competent authority
Germany Erweiterte Meldebestätigung/Nachweis Steuerklasse Gemeinde
France Acte de naissance Mairie
Italy Certificato di stato civile/stato di famiglia Comune
Portugal Certidão do registro civil (nasci-mento, casamento) Serviços do Registro Civil
England Affidavit Notary

Important

If documents are not available in German, Italian, French, or English, a translation must be provided.