Company registration In Switzerland
Switzerland offers and wide range of investment opportunities to foreign investors. In fact, it has ranked number one in the Global Innovation Index several times, making it highly competitive and stable. Switzerland is also the third most prosperous landlocked country in the world. Investing in Switzerland is extremely safe and the government provides the support new businesses need. All financial transactions in Switzerland are now carried out digitally.
The famous Swiss banking industry is worth mentioning. Due to the country’s politically neutral stance throughout historical events that swept across Europe, it enjoys nearly 30% of the world’s offshore transactions. Considering the natural beauty of Switzerland, another obvious investment choice would be tourism. Switzerland has something to offer throughout the seasons of the year, and real estate is a highly-profitable investment opportunity. This holds true despite the limits put in place by the government regarding property acquisition by foreigners.
Let’s not forget to mention the world-famous Swiss watch or dairy industries. Switzerland is also a very powerful trading force on the global market and a competitive manufacturer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment, making it an attractive hub for company formation in Switzerland.
Forms Of Companies In Switzerland
- GmbH “Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung”—Private Limited Liability Company
- AG “Aktiengesellschaft”—Public Limited Company
- KG “Kommanditgesellschaft”—Limited Partnership
- KoIG “Kollektivgesellschaft”—General partnership
- “Einzelunternehmen”—Sole proprietership
What is the difference between AG and GmbH companies in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, most foreign investors opt for one of the limited company types—GmbH and AG.
If you opt for GmbH, your limited liability company must have at least one director with a Swiss address. CompyCo will provide you with a local Nominee directorship service to make the process easier for you, even outside your jurisdiction. Even though the share capital is 20,000 CHF, you can deposit a minimum of 10 000 CHF into your bank account to get started.
For business owners who opt for AG companies, you must have at least 100 000 CHF of share value and the minimum amount to deposit in your bank account is 50,000 CHF. Each share must be worth at least 0.01 CHF.
Fundamentals Of A Limited Liability Company
Corporate Tax in Switzerland | VAT in Switzerland |
|---|---|
Starts at 8.5% | 7.7% |
Fundamentals of limited liability companies in Switzerland
| Limited liability company | GmbH |
| Minimum Share capital | 20 000 CHF |
| Registered office required | No |
| Physical office required | Yes |
| Min. number of Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. number of Directors | 1 |
| Local directors required | Yes |
| Other requirements | No |
| Bank signatory must travel | Yes |
| Timescale for company formation | 4 weeks |
| Timescale for bank account opening | 14 days |
| Timescale for obtaining VAT number | 2 weeks |
| Statutory audit requirements | Only for companies with 10 and more employees |
| Shelf companies available | No |
Company registration process Switzerland
Company registration in Switzerland can be straightforward when all requirements are met and the correct documentation is submitted. CompyCo works with trusted Swiss professionals to guide you through every stage, ensuring you comply with local regulations.
Step 1: Collecting Documents and Reserving the Company Name
We coordinate the collection of all necessary documents and information from you. Our local partners then reserve your company name to prevent legal conflicts later.
Step 2: Preparing and Notarizing Articles of Incorporation
Through our Swiss partners, we help you prepare and notarize the Articles of Incorporation and open a special bank account in your company’s name for the share capital deposit.
Step 3: Filing with the Commercial Registry
We assist with submitting documents to the Commercial Registry. Once the company is formed, the bank account will be activated. In some cases, a bank account can be opened without your physical presence — depending on your country of residence and business activity.
Shelf Companies as an Alternative
We can also arrange the purchase of an existing shelf company in Switzerland. This is a faster alternative to incorporation, as it involves a transfer of shares rather than a full new registration. Ask CompyCo’s advisors for details about shelf companies.
VAT and Tax Compliance
Our network helps register your company for VAT with the Federal Tax Administration when required (minimum turnover CHF 100,000). We also guide you in obtaining all necessary certifications to remain fully compliant with Swiss laws.
Employment and Social Insurance
If you plan to employ staff in Switzerland, our local experts ensure proper registration with federal and cantonal social insurance systems and compliance with Swiss employment requirements.
There’s a lot to consider before launching your business in any foreign country. Gathering information, evaluating your goals, and understanding the country’s legal and financial requirements are all crucial first steps.
With so much at stake, it’s essential to work with incorporation experts familiar with the Swiss business environment. CompyCo connects you with a trusted network of local Swiss professionals — legal, financial, and business — who have extensive experience helping international clients establish their operations.
Rather than navigating multiple contacts yourself, CompyCo acts as your single point of coordination. We help you clarify your business goals, guide you through each stage of the process, and ensure you’re always speaking to the right expert. This hassle-free approach allows you to leverage Swiss expertise while staying focused on your core business.
Bank Account Opening
As a world leader in the financial sector, Swiss banking services have garnered a stellar reputation throughout the years. The top-notch banking facilities have a lot to offer new businesses whether they’re locally owned or backed by foreign investors. The low levels of financial risk, stability against currency fluctuations, and high confidentiality levels make Swiss banks ideal for business-related purposes.
From depositing the financial capital to financing loans, banking solutions are essential to setting up and running a business in any country. CompyCo’s broad range of banking services begins with helping you open a bank account in Switzerland.
We’ve maintained close relationships with experts in Switzerland who’ll provide guidance and insight that’ll ensure the process is hassle-free for you. From gathering documents to finding a bank that’ll approve your request, we’ll communicate with Swiss professionals on your behalf and complete the processes for you. Some of the documentation required includes proof of identity, proof of address, and any indicator of your residence status in Switzerland.
In some cases, you can open a bank account remotely depending on your country of residence or business activities.
Learn more about opening a bank account here.
Accounting & Taxation
The accounting and taxation obligations to take into consideration are:
- The tax year is the calendar year in Switzerland
- Taxable profits include trading profits, investments and selling assets for more than their original cost
- All businesses must maintain accounting books
- The corporate income tax is levied at 8.5%. However, cantonal, communal and federal taxes are added onto the standard tax rate, making the effective tax rate between 11.9% and 21.6%
- The current VAT rate is 8% on most goods and services. Some exceptions apply. Accommodation is taxed with 3.8%, food with only 2.5%
How can you employ staff in Switzerland?
Setting up a company outside your jurisdiction often requires hiring employees to manage day-to-day operations. Hiring the right people from the outset increases productivity, efficiency, and long-term success.
Switzerland’s workforce is renowned for its discipline, high level of education, and exceptional skills. With CompyCo’s guidance, you can tap into this talent pool while navigating Swiss employment regulations confidently.
We coordinate with trusted local Swiss HR and legal professionals to give you clear advice on recruitment, compliance, and payroll. Our full-service approach covers everything from registering your non-resident company as an employer to ongoing HR support, including payroll management, employee onboarding, and post-incorporation assistance.
In certain cases, if you only plan to hire a single employee working remotely, we can explore alternatives to full employer registration. Our team can advise you on whether this is an option for your specific situation.
Have any questions? Take a look at our HR services page for more information about our International HR services!
Next: Find out how can CompyCo help you set up a company in Iceland, Liechtenstein, UK and Luxembourg