Switzerland · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Setting up from abroad
- Usual entity for foreign founders
- GmbH
- Non-resident can be sole director
- No
Official registry: kmu.admin.ch
Since 1 July 2015 both the GmbH and the AG must be represented by at least one person whose place of residence is in Switzerland and who has access to the register of shareholders and beneficial owners.
Companies register in the cantonal Commercial Register (indexed nationally on Zefix). A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 capital and an AG needs CHF 100,000 (partly paid in); both require a notarised deed.
Companies in Switzerland register in the cantonal Commercial Register, searchable nationally via Zefix. A GmbH or AG requires a notarised deed and minimum capital.
- Companies (GmbH/AG) are entered in the cantonal Commercial Register.
- A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 capital; an AG needs CHF 100,000 (partly paid in).
- Zefix provides the national index of registered companies.
- 1
Choose a legal form
The GmbH/Sàrl (CHF 20,000 fully paid-in capital) and the AG/SA (CHF 100,000, at least CHF 50,000 paid) are the common companies; at least one signatory must be resident in Switzerland.
- 2
Draft the articles and notarise the deed
Prepare the articles of association and have a notary draw up the public deed of incorporation.
- 3
Deposit the capital
Pay the share capital into a blocked capital-contribution account and obtain the bank’s confirmation certificate.
- 4
Register with the cantonal Commercial Register
File the incorporation with the cantonal Commercial Register (Handelsregister); the entry is published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) and the company gains legal personality.
- 5
Register for VAT and social insurance
Register for VAT with the Federal Tax Administration if turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, and enrol with the AHV/AVS old-age insurance and other social insurances for staff.
- 6
Open an operating bank account
Convert the capital-contribution account into an operating business account and set up payroll and payments.
- Legal form chosen (GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA)
- At least one Switzerland-resident signatory
- Articles of association + notarised public deed
- Share capital paid into a blocked account + bank certificate
- Cantonal Commercial Register entry (published in SOGC)
- VAT registration if turnover > CHF 100,000
- AHV/AVS + social insurance for staff
- Operating business bank account
- Zefix
Central Swiss company index (Commercial Register).
Frequently asked questions
GmbH or AG?
A GmbH (like an LLC) suits smaller businesses with lower capital; an AG (stock company) needs more capital and suits larger or investor-backed ventures.
How much capital is required?
A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 fully paid; an AG needs CHF 100,000 with at least CHF 50,000 paid in.
Do I need a Swiss-resident representative?
At least one person able to represent the company must be resident in Switzerland.
Government portals
- ch.ch — Swiss Authorities Online — Official information portal for federal, cantonal and communal authorities
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) — Visas, residence permits (B/C), and naturalisation
- Federal Tax Administration (FTA) — Federal tax and VAT (cantonal taxes are levied separately)
- EasyGov.swiss — One-stop company registration and business admin