🇨🇭 Switzerland · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
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.
Step-by-step
- 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.
Checklist
- 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
Official authorities
- 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.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
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