Creating a company in Switzerland is a process that requires several steps. Some are tedious and will cause you to waste precious time. Others call for the skills of a local expert. We can offer assistance each step of the way in function with your needs. Benefiting from our experience in setting up foreign businesses gives you the added advantage of having to deal with only one representative throughout the entire process.

Choosing a canton and the initial planning stages

Swiss cantons are very different in terms of language, culture and taxation. Besides considerations such as the proximity of airports and highways, there are many subtle distinctions that make the comparison of different areas in Switzerland indispensable before making a decision where to domicile the new Swiss company. We can draw up a multi-criteria analysis grid to help you choose an optimal location for your business.

Incorporating a Swiss company

You have the choice of forming a business corporation (CHF100'000 of registered capital, of which CHF50'000 must be released at the time of the incorporation) or a limited liability company (CH20'000 of registered capital, CHF10'000 paid-in required). Once we have checked that the company name is available, and the articles of incorporation, the administrators and the incorporators have been chosen, and the capital has been deposited, the company can generally be incorporated in less than two weeks.

Negotiating tax arrangements

You can obtain a number of tax exemptions in Switzerland, either as a base company (no activity in Switzerland), a service company (headquarters) or simply as a newly formed company. These exemptions can reduce the already modest tax burden in Switzerland to extremely attractive levels. We can negotiate these arrangements with the tax authorities to help you make the most of this unparalleled tax environment.

Finding staff

In Switzerland, like elsewhere, qualified personnel is extremely valuable. The overall level of the work force is very high, but with an unemployment rate at around 3.5%, finding the people you need can take some time. We are in constant contact with the Swiss job market and can help you find the specialists, laborers or secretaries you need as efficiently as possible.

Getting your office up and running

Once you have your premises, there are still a number of things to deal with before you can begin to work: telephone lines, fax, photocopiers, computers, furniture, Internet connections, cleaning services, etc. We can save you precious time by giving you the benefit of our experience to find the best suppliers and service providers for the best price.

Personal affairs

As the head of a business, you would no doubt rather concentrate on developing your new company than spend time running about after apartments, schools, cars, telephones, etc. Let us handle things, and that way you can get to work without delay.

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Corporate Legislation

Company Information

Procedure to Incorporate

Restrictions on Trading

Unless suitably licensed a company incorporated in Switzerland cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes or any other activity that would suggest an association with the banking or finance industries.

Powers of Company

A company incorporated in Switzerland has the same powers as a natural person.

Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

Swiss official language German, French, Italian; foreign language translations can be obtained.

Registered Office

Yes, must be maintained in the Canton of incorporation.

Time needed to Incorporate

Subject to the proposed name being approved by the Commercial Register, and the criteria for incorporation being strictly adhered to, a company can be established in ten working days.

Name Restrictions

A name that is identical or similar to an existing name. A major name that is known to exist elsewhere. A name that may imply government patronage. A name that in the opinion of the Registrar may be considered undesirable.

Language of Company Name

The name of a body corporate or trust entity may use any language using the Latin alphabet, but the Public Registry may require a translation in to an official Swiss language.

Company Names Requiring Consent or Special License

Bank, building society, savings, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, investment fund, Switzerland, state, country, municipality, principality, Red Cross and their foreign language equivalents.

Legal Company Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability

Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities

Authorized and Issued (paid-in) Share Capital

Permitted Classes of Shares

Permitted Bearer Shares

Corporate and Personal Taxation in Switzerland

The Cantons have preserved many of the rights they held as sovereign political bodies. Nevertheless, the constitution delegates considerable authority to the Federal Government, including the power to conclude treaties and alliances, to levy taxes and to regulate foreign trade. However, each Canton has its own taxation. There are many Cantons with favorable taxation levels and some Cantons with higher unemployment rates or small populations (mountain regions) have particularly low levels of taxation. 

Dual Taxation Agreements with Other Countries

Double tax agreements exist with Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA. 

Financial Statement Requirements

Companies are required to keep financial records. Although there is no requirement to file financial statements at the Registry, they must be presented to the shareholders and filed with the tax authorities.
 

Directors and Managers

Minimum of one who must be a Swiss citizen and resident in Switzerland. If more than one is appointed the majority must be Swiss citizens and resident in Switzerland. Corporate directors are not permitted. 

Company Secretary

There is no requirement under Swiss Law for a company secretary to be appointed.

Required Number of Shareholders

Required Minimum Share Capital