PL Group opened a new office in Zurich in July, positioning the firm as a hub for residence and citizenship by investment (RCBI), international real estate, private‑client services, and government advisory across Europe.
The Zurich operation is led by Managing Partner Jacopo Zamboni, who brings more than 15 years of experience advising high‑ and ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals in markets such as Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the UK, Luxembourg, Monaco, the USA and Brazil. Founder and Chairman Jeffrey Henseler noted that inbound enquiries from Europe rose 35 % year‑on‑year, while the firm’s EU client base grew 12 % YoY, making a permanent European presence a strategic priority.
Why Zurich Matters
- Zurich is a global centre for private banking, wealth management, family offices, insurance, legal advisory and cross‑border financial services.
- The city’s ecosystem brings together lawyers, trustees, bankers, tax advisers and family‑office executives, enabling integrated advice on residence, citizenship, real‑estate and wealth planning.
- Clients now seek to understand how a residence permit impacts business operations, how overseas property can serve both lifestyle and strategic goals, and how a second citizenship fits into succession and family‑governance plans.
Services Offered from the Zurich Hub
The office operates across four core areas:
- Residence and Citizenship by Investment (RCBI)
- International Real Estate
- Private‑Client Services
- Government Advisory
These functions are intended to provide a coherent, responsible approach aligned with long‑term family interests, emphasizing discretion and continuity.
Shifting Client Landscape
Historically, RCBI attracted emerging‑market families seeking access to Europe, North America or the Caribbean. Over the past decade the client base has broadened to include European families themselves, who are now looking for “Plan B” options rather than a complete exit from Europe. Drivers include:
- Economic: Higher tax burdens and concerns about public‑finance sustainability.
- Political: Evolving rules on wealth, inheritance and business ownership.
- Business: Need for a second residence to support international expansion, travel and market access.
- Personal: Education, healthcare, succession planning, asset protection and rapid relocation capability.
The focus has moved from “which passport is strongest?” to “what structure offers the greatest protection over the next 10‑30 years?”
Key European Programs
- Portugal: Long‑term citizenship pathway.
- Greece: Schengen‑area residence linked to real‑estate investment.
- Cyprus: Permanent residence route and strategic Eastern‑Mediterranean base.
Caribbean citizenship programs are often used as complementary components, providing visa‑free travel and diversification beyond a single country.
Market Maturation
- The sector has shifted from a transactional model (select program → submit application → obtain result) to an advisory‑led model that aligns residence, citizenship and real‑estate choices with a family’s tax, business and succession objectives.
- Tighter regulation and enhanced due diligence have raised the importance of reputation, compliance and quality of advice.
- European clients, many already holding strong passports and established banking relationships, seek flexibility rather than escape, demanding counsel that matches the complexity of their cross‑border lives.
In this environment, the ability to choose among multiple residency, citizenship and investment options is increasingly viewed as the most valuable asset for Europe’s wealthy families. The Zurich office aims to provide the integrated expertise required to plan those choices well in advance.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
