Why I made CalmHelvet.

CalmHelvet began as something I made for myself: a clear, practical way to understand the financial decisions that come with living in Switzerland. Once it proved useful to me, sharing it felt like the natural next step. If it can save someone else time, money, or uncertainty, it is worth making public.

I am a Swiss citizen, but CalmHelvet is not about building a public persona. I would rather keep the focus on the usefulness of the work: clear explanations, transparent assumptions, and advice that can stand on its own.

CalmHelvet exists because most Swiss financial advice is sold by people who profit from your decision. Banks recommend their funds. Insurers recommend their bundles. Comparison portals are paid per lead. The math gets buried under marketing.

Each topic here follows the same structure: the landscape (what the cost actually is in Switzerland), the math (why it matters), the single highest-leverage action (the Pareto move), the common traps (where Swiss specifics quietly cost you money), and a checklist you can complete in one sitting.

I am not a licensed financial adviser. Nothing here is personalised investment advice. The figures are illustrative and, where possible, sourced from public regulators (FOPH, FINMA, ESTV, BFS). When I mention a comparison tool or service, I prefer the federal, non-commercial option (Priminfo, ESTV, SBB) and disclose any partner link clearly.

If a section ever stops being true - premiums shift, tax law changes, a provider exits the market - I update it. The site is small on purpose.