Ticino, Switzerland
April 8, 2025
by Brandon Ahearn, JD, LLM, CFA
Relocation Consultant at YourPlaceInEurope
YourPlaceInEurope.com
Biography: Brandon Ahearn is a US and Swiss dual citizen and holder of a BA and a Juris Doctor from the USA, a Master in European Laws from Germany plus a CFA Charterholder. His career as a lawyer has been largely in financial services and in technology. He resides in Lugano, Switzerland and speaks six different languages.
“Where Italian flair meets Swiss precision!”
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Throughout Europe, a curious traveler can find hidden pockets of local societies that don’t quite logically coincide with the lines drawn out on today’s political maps. Local languages that don’t fit in with the rest of a country, or cultures that would seem better aligned with those on the other side of the border. One of my favorite such European curiosities is the Swiss canton of Ticino, a place that defies the typical images evoked by the name ‘Switzerland’.
Ticino buzzes with the rhythm of Italian life, not a Swiss one.
This southern Swiss region, or canton, is surprisingly completely Italian-speaking, and enjoys a Mediterranean climate that lures fashionistas, cycling enthusiasts, and lovers of good food and wines to its lively piazzas. Here, espresso is taken at the bar on a quick stop on the way to work, and at the end of the day an aperol spritz is enjoyed under the shade of palm trees. The streets are lined with an unexpected number of Italian cars and vespas – a testament to its proximity and connection to its neighbor to the south. It is the complete opposite of what would come to the mind of anyone who first imagines what Switzerland is like.
Ticino represents only 8% of the Swiss population, yet its importance as a transitional region from the traditional and harder lifestyle in the Swiss Alps to the plains of northern Italy is economically fundamental. The differences between European life north and south of the Alps are great and it is areas such as Ticino that bridge that difference. The local dialect in its mountainous reaches will stump almost all native Italian speakers, while city-dwellers converse in a dialect akin to that of their neighbors to the south.
The lifestyle here is an extraordinary blend of la dolce vita and Swiss efficiency – gelaterias and wooden motor boats from the 1950s coexist with the precision and order for which Switzerland is known.
Ticino is more than a scenic getaway; it is a hub of innovation and forward-thinking government. Both the canton and the federal government have embraced technological advancement. Federal legislation on blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in Switzerland is among the most favorable in the world, making the country an attractive destination for tech businesses. Lugano, Ticino’s largest city, is not just famous and glamorous but also a pioneer in the crypto world. The city has introduced its own cryptocurrency, the LVGA, accepted by merchants throughout the city for both everyday and big ticket purchases, and it accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for all city taxes and fees. Lugano also annually hosts the prestigious Plan B Forum, drawing blockchain aficionados from around the world.
This unique fusion of Italian zest with Swiss meticulousness, coupled with a commitment to technological advancement and a tax-friendly regime, makes Ticino a standout region. It is a place where quality of life is not just a phrase but is an everyday experience. Over 2,000 hours of annual sunshine, stunning landscapes, Italian cuisine, local wineries, hidden mountain villages and access to the Swiss-Italian lake region of Lago di Como, Lago Maggioore and Lago Ceresio, all punctuated by Swiss reliability.
Moreover, Ticino offers easy access to iconic Alpine destinations such as Andermatt, St. Moritz, and Zermatt, with their world-renowned ski slopes close enough for a day out or a ski weekend. Seaside escapes to the Mediterranean charms of Liguria are just a 2-3 hour drive south.
Come for a visit; you might find yourself never wanting to leave.
