Ioana Balas

• Swiss bar exam (Geneva, May 2023)

• Master of Law in Economic Law, University of Geneva (2019)

• Certificate of Advanced Studies in Legal Professions, University of Geneva (2019)

• Bachelor of Law, University of Geneva (2018)

• Master in International Affairs, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva (2013)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Security Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (2011)

• State University of New York at Cortland, United States of America (exchange student, 2010).

Ioana is a Swiss-qualified lawyer with experience in Swiss immigration, international tax and cross-border private client matters. She advises private clients, entrepreneurs, families and internationally mobile professionals on Swiss immigration, residence and relocation issues.

Her practice covers Swiss residence and work permit applications, relocation planning for EU/EFTA and non-EU nationals, including Swiss ordinary and facilitated naturalisation processes, and residence planning for high-net-worth individuals and executives. She regularly assists clients with immigration procedures before Swiss cantonal and federal authorities and advises on the legal and practical implications of establishing residence in Switzerland.

Ioana also brings substantial Swiss and international tax experience to her immigration practice. Her background includes advisory work relating to Swiss and international taxation, private client tax matters, corporate taxation, cross-border structuring and tax compliance. She has assisted individuals, entrepreneurs and companies with matters involving Swiss tax residence, relocation-related tax considerations, social security matters, withholding tax issues and interactions with Swiss tax authorities.

This combined immigration and tax expertise enables Ioana to advise clients whose relocation to Switzerland forms part of a broader tax residence, wealth structuring, business, succession or family planning strategy.

In addition to immigration and tax matters, Ioana has experience in contractual, corporate and commercial law, as well as employment-related matters and tenancy law. She advises clients in both English and French. 

Before joining Richmond Chambers Switzerland, Ioana worked with leading Swiss and international firms in Geneva, including CMS von Erlach Poncet, Eversheds Sutherland and Ernst & Young.

Ioana also has prior experience in international migration and employment in a policy-related context, including roles with the Global Forum on Migration and Development, the International Organization for Migration and the International Labour Organization.

Ioana is fluent in English, French, Romanian and Spanish. She also has a working knowledge of Italian.