Welcome to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital. Here, we support international sport federations and organisations and help them grow by providing them with exclusive benefits.
Exclusive Benefits
Favourable conditions
Special benefits
Over the years, the Canton authorities have tailored a package of benefits to make it easy for international sport organisations to move in the Olympic Capital and maximise their benefits once established.
Easy entry in Switzerland
Non-Swiss nationals applying for an entry visa in Switzerland have to submit an application to the Swiss representation in their place of legal domicile. The special assistance service provided to International Federations (IFs) based in the Canton de Vaud will ensure that all procedures are as hassle free as possible for all involved.
Fast access to residence and work permits in Switzerland
Whether it is to establish domicile or to pursue a paid activity in Switzerland, foreign citizens need to have a residence or settlement permit. IFs, however, do not need to search for candidates in the European job market before hiring specialists from non-EU countries, and will be provided with special assistance that ensure that all administrative tasks are completed in a hassle free manner.
Easy acquisition of real estate
International Federations (IFs) do not need special permission to acquire real estate (land or buildings) for the purpose of establishing their operations in Lausanne and the Canton de Vaud. In addition, IFs have the opportunity to acquire adjacent land for potential future developments.
Rent-free property
IFs that prefer renting rather than acquiring real estate will instead benefit from a two-year rent-free period within the City of Lausanne and a one-year period elsewhere in the Canton, under certain conditions.
Favourable Tax Conditions
Should (1) IFs be recognised by the IOC, (2) move their headquarters and their main activities in the Canton de Vaud and (3) be a non-profit organisation, they can benefit from special taxation conditions. Staff members living in Switzerland will need to pay taxes on income, but volunteers (e.g. Board / Council/ Commission or Committee members) benefit from special conditions on business expenses, allowances and per diems.
Low VAT
In Switzerland, any revenue earning activity, even if it is not for profit, enjoys a favourably low VAT rate of 8%. Upon request, the Swiss Confederation may simplify administrative procedures for IFs. The special assistance service provided by the Canton de Vaud and the City of Lausanne will ensure that these procedures are completed in a hassle free manner.
Favourable imports and exports
Generally, organisations that exporting goods intended to be re-imported into Switzerland (temporary exports) are required to deposit a guarantee. However, in the Olympic Capital, IFs are not subject to this guarantee, as long as they enter into a formal commitment to pay all taxes and any customs duty that may be applicable. The Canton de Vaud and City of Lausanne will be able to provide special assistance to ensure that this can be enacted.
When moving to the Olympic Capital, IFs benefit from a single point of contact.
This contact will provide dedicated assistance in:
Finding the perfect office space,
Answering questions related to entry into Switzerland,
Work permits,
Customs regulations,
Exemptions from direct taxation,
Practical information on living in Switzerland.
The Foundation "Lausanne Olympic Capital Foundation" is always responsive and make the utmost effort to service IFs – both throughout the process of moving to the Olympic Capital, and once IFs are established.
A presence in Lausanne, Canton de Vaud provides opportunities for year-round visibility within the international sports community – stretching across the Olympic family and beyond.
As the home of international sport, the Olympic Capital is the perfect stage for IFs to showcase their event to the Olympic movement, the wider sports community and to the rest of the world at large. This is true whether for sporting events, congresses or conferences.
The Canton de Vaud and the City of Lausanne are world-leaders in hosting events of all shapes and sizes. This experience has been built up over many years and has seen numerous world championships, annual congresses and industry conferences welcomed to the Olympic Capital.
As serial event hosts, we are always at the forefront of the latest trends in hosting, and we have a strong local network of professional services that specialise in the delivery of events as well as a community with a long tradition of volunteerism and support for sports-related events in the area.
The Canton de Vaud and the City of Lausanne played/will play host to prestigious events such as :
ISU World Figure Skating Championships (1997)
ISU European Figure Skating Championships (1992 and 2002)
World Gymnaestrada (2011)
World Triathlon Grand Finals (2019)
Stages of the Tour de France (2000 and 2022)
Winter Youth Olympic Games (2020)
FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup (2025)
ISU European Figure Skating Championships (2027)
Being situated in the Olympic Capital not only provides opportunities for IFs to host and easily attend empowering events on the field, but also in the conference room. As an indication of this, recurring events being held the Olympic Capital include:
SportAccord IF Forum - The IF Forum takes place annually and provides an inspirational environment for IF Members to discuss key challenges as well as gain insights from leading sport and industry innovators.
Smart Cities & Sport Summit – Held every two years in the City of Lausanne, the Smart Cities & Sport conference is organised for representatives of cities, regions and countries around the world interested in learning more about effective and smart strategies that connect sport and cities.
WADA Anti-Doping Organisation Symposium – An annual gathering anti-doping experts from IFs, National Anti-Doping Organisations, Regional Anti-Doping Organisations, Major Games Organisers, WADA-accredited laboratories and other stakeholders.
IOC (International Olympic Committee) Executive Board Meetings – Meetings of the Executive Board which manages the affairs of the IOC, are regularly held in the City of Lausanne.
Close to 60 International Sports Federations and organisations call the Olympic Capital their home!
As part of this, the Canton de Vaud and City of Lausanne facilitate this network in a number of ways :
IF Seminars
A series of eight seminars open exclusively to staff from International Federations based in the Canton of Vaud. These seminars are directed at the different departments/activities of an IF, being centred on the following topics:
Member Services
Finance
Development
Legal/Governance
Communication/Marketing
Events
Clean Sport
Technologies and Innovation
For more information of the next IF Seminar, please click here.
Welcome Home Briefings
The briefing is a free event offered to all new staff members, and their partners, who have recently joined an International Federation in the Olympic Capital region. Those in attendance will learn more about their new home, how the international sports community based here operates as well as some of the logistics required for new arrivals.
Social Activities
To provide the staff of IFs with opportunities to network and share experiences in a more relaxed setting, various social activities are organised throughout the year. These include participation in sporting events (such as the 20km of Lausanne, Course Lausanne Capitale Olympique, etc...) as well as various networking activities.
The Canton de Vaud and City of Lausanne also helps to ensure that IF Directors are able to network and share experiences with one another.
This is facilitated in a number of ways, including :
IF Directors Meeting
An annual meeting dedicated to IF Executives of International Federations based in the Canton de Vaud. This meeting provides IF Executives with the opportunity of discussing on “hot” topics and take decisions that impact the future of the international world of sport.
Social Activities
Social and cultural activities are organised annually for presidents, general secretaries and department heads of IFs. The objective of these activities is to provide an opportunity for participants to visit the region and network with each other. These events are also open to spouses.
As a business and academic hub, the Canton de Vaud and City of Lausanne offers the ideal setting for IFs to access highly-specialised industries that can advance their work.
A Business Hub
A large number of corporations, associations, Fortune 500 companies and leading business strategists are based in Lausanne, over the Canton de Vaud and across the country, many with a shared connection to, or interest in, sport.
Academic Institutions
Furthermore, IFs can benefit from an abundance of academic expertise located nearby. The University of Lausanne (UNIL), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), IMD Business School, the International Academy of Sport Science and Technology (AISTS), EHL Hospitality Business School, and the Sport Management School (SMS), among others, are all in close proximity.
Lausanne boasts the largest university campus in Switzerland, known for producing numerous successful start-ups and innovative outputs. Additionally, Lausanne and its surrounding region are home to several public and private researyh institutions, many of which specialise in sport management, research, and technology.
ThinkSport helps you navigate
In order to facilitate access to and collaboration between these sports stakeholders, the Olympic Capital, together with the Canton de Vaud, the Swiss Confederation and the International Olympic Committee founded ThinkSport, a unique network that enhances the variety of sports-related expertise across all sectors in Lausanne and beyond. ThinkSport’s aim is to facilitate new partnerships, knowledge sharing, creative thinking and innovative projects, and in doing so, drive progress in sport.
Whilst this progress is initiated in Switzerland due to the many influential sports organisations in the country, the network also extends to players across the globe and has an impact at international level.
ThinkSport offers services and tools that add value to professionals working in or with sport, including an information office with customised support; a directory of companies and organisations working with sport; a database of innovative sports-related projects, educational programmes and job opportunities; and a calendar of business conferences, meetings and events taking place in Switzerland.
The Olympic Capital is the host of Smart Cities & Sport, an initiative of the World Union of Olympic Cities.
Smart Cities & Sport aims at connecting the sports world with more than 500 cities from all around the world. In addition to organising a yearly conference, held every two years in the City of Lausanne, Smart Cities and Sport allows International Federations based in the Canton de Vaud to contact cities from across the world in an efficient and effective manner.
The benefits of being based in the Olympic Capital are not all about work!
There are a huge number of benefits to living in Switzerland, consistently regarded as one of the best places to live in the world.
Excellent public services
World-class health and education industries
A safe and secure environment
A highly connected, central location at the heart of Europe
Entertainment, culture and relaxation
The Olympic Capital is a fantastic place to relax in your spare time. There is something for everyone, no matter what your taste. Some of the exciting options on offer include:
Lake Léman’s stunning views, beautiful riviera and array of sporting activities
The Swiss Alps hiking and biking trails in summer and snow sports in winter
The famous Vaudoise countryside, including the UNESCO Heritage protected Lavaux vineyards
Countless museums and theatres, concerts and festivals, and a host of other cultural activities all year round
World-class restaurants and bars to suit every taste
For more information on how you can spend your well-earned spare time in the Olympic Capital, please see the official website of Lausanne Tourism by clicking here.
Be active
There is a huge range of sporting options on offer to residents here in the Olympic Capital. The Canton de Vaud and the City of Lausanne organise numerous sporting events open to the public every year.
Sports clubs
Whether you are a seasoned pro, a dedicated amateur or simply want to try something new, the sporting infrastructure, facilities and events on offer mean you will never have an excuse not to get out there and get active! Lausanne counts more than 40’000 members of sports clubs, practicing a total of 70 different sports in hundreds of sports clubs and associations.
Please click here to view a list of different sports clubs in the City of Lausanne.
Mass participation events
There are a number of annual events open to Olympic Capital residents (and non-residents but they don’t get the special discounts and goodies offered!). These include:
20KM of Lausanne
The Lausanne Marathon
Midnight Christmas Run
Olympic day (for the kids)
The Lausanne triathlon
And many, many more.
To see what else is on and find out more details on these events, please check out the official website of the City of Lausanne by clicking here.
Enjoy the show!
The Olympic Capital is also a world-class host of sporting events. Over many years, the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud have been trusted by a variety of rights holders to welcome their event to the Olympic Capital.
Upcoming events in the Olympic Capital
Our consistent delivery of safe, efficient, high-quality events continues to attract the world’s biggest sporting bodies.
In the next few years, the Olympic Capital will be playing host to, amongst other major events:
FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025
ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2027
The Canton de Vaud and the City of Lausanne are also very proud to host a number of recurring events in the Olympic Capital. These include:
