Switzerland is a unique European country which managed to achieve prosperity taking into account absolute paucity of minerals and other resources. Lack of inflation and low unemployment, hard national currency and reliable banking sector are attractive for doing business in this country.

Business in Switzerland

Switzerland has rich and developed market of services. In addition to the banking sector and tourism, special attention is paid to the government medicine and industry, at the level of modern advanced technologies. Practically in any sphere of entrepreneurial activity participation of capital from all over the world takes place.

Attractiveness of business in Switzerland is characterized by the following factors:

  1. International authority of the state,
  2. Lack of currency control,
  3. Developed infrastructure,
  4. Optimized taxation system,
  5. Absence of corruption,
  6. Simplicity of registering a company,
  7. Transparent working conditions,
  8. Non-disclosure,
  9. Unlimited access to the EU market,
  10. Possibility to obtain residence permit.

Starting a business in Switzerland is considered among businessmen a very honourable opportunity, which forms a positive image of the founder and of his entire business in general.

Establishing Business in Switzerland

Depending on the type of business and taxation system, you can start a business in Switzerland in the following company forms:

  1. Individual entrepreneur.
    Entrepreneur has the status of an individual. The founder is responsible for liabilities of the company with all its assets.
  2. Limited liability company.
    The most popular form of company. At least two founders are required. There is a requirement for the residency of one of the managers. The state declares open access to information about the beneficiaries. The transfer of capital must be made before the company is registered.
  3. Joint-stock Company.
    Appropriate for organizing large forms of business in Switzerland. At least three founders are required, plus one of the managers must be a resident. Access to information about the beneficiaries is closed to the public. Liability of participants is limited to the amount of authorized capital. The consent of other shareholders to sell one of their shares is not required. The authorized capital is paid immediately after registration of the company.

Features of a limited liability company:

  • Requirement to hold an annual general meeting of shareholders,
  • Obligation to submit financial reporting,
  • Registration of a Swiss office.

Registration of Business in Switzerland

Registration and sale of business in Switzerland are quite widespread. Buying a ready-made business is not difficult, while registering business in Switzerland requires strict phasing:

  1. Verification of the uniqueness of the company name, approval and registration,
  2. Preparation of documents required for registration,
  3. Depositing funds to an account in a local bank, with subsequent confirmation from the bank that the capital has been paid in,
  4. Compilation and approbation of constituent documents in the auditing body,
  5. Notarization of constituent documents,6. Registration in the relevant registries: commercial and land,
  6. Registration in the tax authority,
  7. Registration in the social security authorities,
  8. Publication of notification on the establishment of the company in the state official bulletin.

In some cases license may be required. Thus, registration of business in Switzerland in the field of banking, transport, sale of alcohol and some others requires compulsory licensing. To this end, the responsible authorities may ask for confirmation of the experience in a particular area.

Registration deadlines are determined by the state and usually do not exceed 14 days. In exceptional cases investor always has the opportunity to buy a business in Switzerland, which will allow entering the country’s market as soon as possible.

Important information:

  • Given the administrative structure of the country into cantons, each of them has different tax rates.
  • In connection with international pressure, there is  likelihood of imposing a tax on deposits of foreign citizens in Switzerland.
  • For legal stay in the territory for more than 90 days and conducting business, you need a  business visa of type D.
  • Depending on the type of activity and the number of employees, the company may be granted tax leave.
  • Switzerland signed a number of international agreements that exclude double taxation.
  • Taxes have a three-tier system at the level of the state budget, at the level of the canton and at the level of the commune.

If you contact our company, you will receive a free initial consultation and detailed analysis of your company. The qualified assistance of our experts, specializing in establishing companies in Switzerland, will reduce financial risks by minimizing the time necessary to form a business in this country.

Please select interests you the legal form of the company:

Switzerland (Zug)-AG

Switzerland (Zug)-GmbH

For reference:

  • Joint-Stock Company (JSC / AG)
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC / GmbH).

These legal structures are comparable with the same name German ones (AG / GmbH), with French - S.A./ S.A.R.L., as well as with the U.S. "Limited Liability Company".    

Joint-Stock Company or Corporation (German abbreviation - AG) is the most prevalent form of business in Switzerland. Foreign companies prefer this form when registering its branches or subsidiaries.

Minimum share capital of the Joint-Stock Company equals to 100,000 Swiss francs, of which 50,000 are to be paid at the time of registration of the company as legal entity.

Limited Liability Company (German abbreviation - GmbH) is legal entity consisting of one or more natural persons or companies.

The company's liability is limited to the amount of its authorized capital, which can not be less than 20,000 Swiss francs.

Recent changes in Swiss legislation has significantly simplified the procedure of registration of limited liability companies, compared with the Joint-Stock Company.  The cost of registration has also been reduced. That's why the owners of small and medium-sized businesses prefer to register their companies in the form of GmbH. Moreover, the administrative costs for the maintenance of limited liability company is significantly lower in comparison to the Joint-Stock Company.