Legally, you may give away as much money as you like. There is no upper limit. However, the key factor is whether your gift is considered a gift for tax purposes and whether gift tax is due on it.
Monthly transfers to family members are often not considered gifts if they are made to fulfill so-called “moral obligations.” Moral obligations are ethical duties toward close relatives, such as providing support to family members in need. This support is normally tax-exempt. For example, a moral obligation exists when parents support their adult children who are experiencing financial difficulties.
For occasional gifts,, the rule of thumb is between CHF 3,000 and 5,000 per year. If you stay below this limit, such gifts are generally not considered significant gifts.
Gift tax is regulated at the cantonal level. Gifts to spouses and direct descendants (children, grandchildren) are tax-exempt in almost all cantons. For other recipients, there are tax-exempt thresholds ranging from CHF 5,000 to 50,000, depending on the canton.
Taxation is determined by the canton of residence of the donor at the time of the gift. The cantons of Lucerne, Schwyz, and Obwalden do not levy any gift tax at all.
If you receive large or regular payments, you should contact the cantonal tax office or a tax advisor to avoid unexpected back taxes.