Contact Goldblum und Partner AG in Zug for a free initial consultation on Swiss company formation, tax structuring and ongoing compliance.
- 1 What Does Swiss Company Formation Actually Cost?
- 2 Share Capital: Your Money, Not a Fee
- 3 Cantonal Notary Fees
- 4 Commercial Register and SHAB Fees
- 5 Legal and Advisory Fees
- 6 Bank Account, Domicile, and Virtual Office
- 7 First-Year Running Costs
- 8 Total 12-Month Cost: AG vs GmbH
- 9 How Switzerland Compares with Other Countries
- 10 FAQs
What Does Swiss Company Formation Actually Cost?
Forming a Swiss AG costs approximately CHF 105’000 in the first year (CHF 100’000 of which is share capital that stays in the company). A GmbH starts at CHF 22’000. The real out-of-pocket expense — notary, commercial register, legal counsel, domicile address — ranges from CHF 2’000 to CHF 8’000 depending on the canton and complexity. The rest is capital you own and can use for business operations from day one.
Many websites quote formation fees without separating capital from actual costs. The table below breaks every item into capital and fees so you can budget accurately before choosing an AG (Aktiengesellschaft) or a GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung).
Cost Item | AG (Aktiengesellschaft) | GmbH |
| Share capital (minimum) | CHF 100’000 | CHF 20’000 |
| Notary + register + SHAB | CHF 1’500–3’500 | CHF 1’200–2’800 |
| Legal / formation agent | CHF 1’500–4’000 | CHF 1’000–3’000 |
| Domicile + bank account | CHF 300–600 | CHF 300–600 |
| First-year total | ~CHF 105’000 | ~CHF 22’000 |
Every figure in this article uses 2026 fee schedules. For a broader overview of the formation process, see our guide to Swiss company formation.
Share Capital: Your Money, Not a Fee
The single largest number in a Swiss formation budget is share capital — and it is not a cost you lose. Under Art. 632 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), an AG must have minimum share capital of CHF 100’000, with at least CHF 50’000 (50%) paid in at incorporation. A GmbH requires CHF 20’000, fully paid in at formation (Art. 777c OR).
Paid-in capital sits in a blocked bank account (Kapitalsperrkonto) until the commercial register confirms the entry. After registration, the funds transfer to the company’s operating account and become working capital. You can pay rent, buy inventory, cover salaries — it is your company’s money.
Entity | Minimum Capital | Minimum Paid-In | Legal Basis |
| AG | CHF 100’000 | CHF 50’000 (50%) | Art. 632 OR |
| GmbH | CHF 20’000 | CHF 20’000 (100%) | Art. 777c OR |
An AG founder who pays only CHF 50’000 at incorporation owes the remaining CHF 50’000 as a callable obligation. Most founders pay the full amount upfront. For a detailed comparison, read our guide to the Swiss AG.
Cantonal Notary Fees
Swiss company formation requires a notarial deed (öffentliche Beurkundung). Notary fees vary by canton because each canton sets its own tariff. The deed covers authentication of the articles of association, the founders’ declaration, and the board’s acceptance of office. Expect to pay between CHF 800 and CHF 2’500 depending on location and capital amount.
Canton | AG (CHF 100’000 capital) | GmbH (CHF 20’000 capital) | Notes |
| Zug | CHF 800–1’200 | CHF 600–900 | Flat-rate model, among the lowest |
| Zurich | CHF 1’200–2’000 | CHF 900–1’500 | Fee scales with capital and document length |
| Geneva | CHF 1’500–2’500 | CHF 1’000–1’800 | Higher base tariff, bilingual drafting common |
| Bern | CHF 1’000–1’800 | CHF 800–1’300 | Mid-range, slightly above Zug |
Cantons with official notaries (Amtsnotariat) — such as Zurich — tend to charge lower fees than cantons with private notaries (freies Notariat) — such as Geneva. In Zug, competition among private notaries keeps prices moderate. The notary fee is a one-time cost paid before filing with the commercial register.
Commercial Register and SHAB Publication Fees
After notarisation, the formation documents are filed with the cantonal commercial register (Handelsregisteramt). The register charges a filing fee set by the federal Handelsregisterverordnung (HRegV, SR 221.411). Every new entry must also be published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt, SHAB).
Fee Component | Amount | Basis |
| Commercial register entry (AG) | CHF 600 | Art. 181 HRegV |
| Commercial register entry (GmbH) | CHF 600 | Art. 181 HRegV |
| SHAB publication | CHF 30–60 | Per entry, based on text length |
| Certified extract | CHF 20–40 | Per copy |
The register entry confirms the company’s legal existence and assigns a UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer). From that moment the entity can open bank accounts, sign contracts, and employ staff. You can verify any Swiss company’s registration on Zefix, the free federal company search portal. The total register cost — filing plus publication — sits between CHF 630 and CHF 700 regardless of canton.
Legal and Advisory Fees
Most foreign founders engage a Swiss law firm or formation agent to handle the paperwork. Legal fees cover drafting the articles of association, coordinating with the notary, filing with the commercial register, and obtaining the initial bank account. Expect the following costs:
Service | Typical Cost | When Needed |
| Formation package (all-inclusive) | CHF 1’500–4’000 | Always — articles, register filing, coordination |
| Power of attorney (Vollmacht) | CHF 100–300 | If founder cannot attend notary appointment |
| Certified translation | CHF 200–500 | For non-German/French/Italian documents |
| Resident director (Verwaltungsrat) | CHF 2’000–5’000/year | Required if no founder resides in Switzerland |
Swiss law requires at least one member of the board of directors (AG) or one managing director (GmbH) to be resident in Switzerland (Art. 718 para. 4 OR for AG, Art. 814 para. 3 OR for GmbH). If you live abroad, a Swiss-resident nominee director fulfils this requirement. Goldblum und Partner AG at Baarerstrasse 25 in Zug provides both legal formation and resident director services.
For a full walkthrough of the registration steps, see our article on how to register a company in Switzerland.
Bank Account, Domicile, and Virtual Office
Every Swiss company needs a registered office address (Sitz) and a bank account. These are not formation fees per se — they are recurring operational costs that begin at incorporation.
Bank account opening: Most Swiss banks do not charge a fee to open a corporate account, but some require a minimum deposit of CHF 1’000–5’000 and charge monthly maintenance fees of CHF 20–50. The capital deposit account (Kapitalsperrkonto) used during formation is typically free, with a small fee when the funds are released.
Registered office / domicile address: If you do not have physical office space in Switzerland, a domicile service provides a legal address for the commercial register. Costs range from CHF 100 to CHF 300 per month depending on the canton and provider. This includes mail forwarding, the registered address, and basic administrative support.
Service | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Domicile address only | CHF 100–300 | CHF 1’200–3’600 |
| Virtual office (phone + meetings) | CHF 200–500 | CHF 2’400–6’000 |
| Bank account maintenance | CHF 20–50 | CHF 240–600 |
First-Year Running Costs
Formation is a one-off event, but every Swiss company carries annual obligations from the day it enters the commercial register. Budget for these recurring costs in your first twelve months:
Accounting and bookkeeping: Swiss law requires every company to maintain proper accounts (Art. 957 OR). A small GmbH or AG with straightforward transactions pays CHF 2’000–5’000 per year for an external accountant. Complex structures (multiple currencies, intercompany transactions, VAT-registered) cost more. See our accountants page for service details.
Annual financial statements and audit: Companies exceeding two of three thresholds — CHF 20 million turnover, CHF 40 million total assets, 250 employees — must engage a licensed auditor (ordentliche Revision). Smaller entities may opt out (Art. 727a OR) if all shareholders agree. An opt-out audit costs CHF 2’000–4’000.
VAT registration: If annual turnover exceeds CHF 100’000, VAT registration is mandatory. Registration itself is free; quarterly filing costs are included in the accountant fee above.
Cantonal and federal tax filing: Corporate income tax returns are due annually. The accountant typically prepares these as part of the year-end package. Cantonal tax rates differ — Zug charges around 11.9% effective corporate tax, while Zurich charges roughly 19.7%.
Social insurance (AHV/IV/EO): Employer contributions total approximately 6.4% of gross wages, matched by the employee. Social contributions apply from month one, even for a sole director with a modest salary.
Total 12-Month Cost: AG vs GmbH Side-by-Side
The following table combines all formation and first-year costs. The “capital” column shows money that remains in the company; the “fees” column shows actual expenditure.
Item | AG Capital | AG Fees | GmbH Capital | GmbH Fees |
| Share capital | CHF 100’000 | — | CHF 20’000 | — |
| Notary deed | — | CHF 1’200 | — | CHF 900 |
| Commercial register + SHAB | — | CHF 660 | — | CHF 660 |
| Legal / formation agent | — | CHF 2’500 | — | CHF 1’500 |
| Domicile (12 months) | — | CHF 2’400 | — | CHF 2’400 |
| Accountant (year 1) | — | CHF 3’500 | — | CHF 2’500 |
| Bank maintenance (12 months) | — | CHF 360 | — | CHF 360 |
| Total | CHF 100’000 | ~CHF 10’620 | CHF 20’000 | ~CHF 8’320 |
| Grand total (capital + fees) | ~CHF 110’620 | ~CHF 28’320 | ||
These figures assume a Zug-based company using a domicile address and external accounting. Zurich or Geneva would add CHF 500–1’500 in higher notary fees. For further reading on which entity fits your situation, consult our GmbH formation guide.
How Switzerland Compares with Other Countries
Switzerland’s minimum capital requirements are higher than in most European jurisdictions, but the capital is retained as company assets. Here is how the first-year total (capital plus fees) compares for a standard limited liability entity:
Country | Entity | Minimum Capital | Formation Fees | First-Year Total |
| Switzerland (GmbH) | GmbH | CHF 20’000 | ~CHF 5’000–8’000 | ~CHF 25’000–28’000 |
| Switzerland (AG) | AG | CHF 100’000 | ~CHF 7’000–11’000 | ~CHF 107’000–111’000 |
| Germany | GmbH | EUR 25’000 | ~EUR 1’500–3’000 | ~EUR 26’500–28’000 |
| Austria | GmbH | EUR 35’000 | ~EUR 2’000–4’000 | ~EUR 37’000–39’000 |
| Luxembourg | S.à r.l. | EUR 12’000 | ~EUR 3’000–5’000 | ~EUR 15’000–17’000 |
| United Kingdom | Ltd | GBP 1 | ~GBP 500–2’000 | ~GBP 501–2’001 |
A UK Ltd is cheaper to set up, but it offers none of Switzerland’s tax treaty network, political stability, or banking reputation. Germany and Austria require comparable capital but carry higher corporate tax rates (roughly 30% in Germany versus 11–15% in low-tax Swiss cantons). Luxembourg’s S.à r.l. has a lower capital threshold but higher annual compliance costs. When judging formation costs, consider the long-term operating environment alongside the upfront numbers.
FAQs
Approximately CHF 105’000–111’000 in the first year. This includes CHF 100’000 minimum share capital (which remains in the company), plus CHF 5’000–11’000 in notary, register, legal, domicile, and accounting fees. The exact figure depends on the canton and whether you need a resident director.
A Swiss GmbH costs approximately CHF 25’000–28’000 in its first year. CHF 20’000 is share capital retained by the company. Actual fees — notary, register, legal counsel, domicile, and accounting — amount to roughly CHF 5’000–8’000.
No hidden fees exist if you work with a transparent formation agent. The main cost items are notary deed, commercial register filing, SHAB publication, and legal counsel. Some providers bundle these into a fixed-price package. Additional costs may arise for certified translations, apostilles, or a nominee director — but a reputable firm discloses all items upfront.
Zug offers among the lowest combined costs: moderate notary fees, a competitive corporate tax rate of approximately 11.9%, and an efficient commercial register. Schwyz and Nidwalden are also low-cost options. The differences in formation fees between cantons are typically CHF 500–1’500; the bigger savings come from lower annual tax rates over the company’s lifetime.
Yes. Once the commercial register confirms the company’s entry, the blocked capital account is released and the funds transfer to the company’s operating account. You can use the capital for rent, salaries, inventory, or any legitimate business expense. The capital is not a fee paid to the government — it belongs to the company and its shareholders.
A basic domicile address (registered office without physical workspace) costs CHF 100–300 per month, or CHF 1’200–3’600 per year. A virtual office with phone answering and meeting room access runs CHF 200–500 per month. Prices depend on the canton and provider.
Typical annual costs include accounting (CHF 2’000–5’000), domicile or office rent (CHF 1’200–3’600 for a domicile address), bank fees (CHF 240–600), and corporate tax. A small company in Zug might spend CHF 5’000–10’000 per year on administration before salaries and business expenses.
External accounting for a small GmbH or AG with straightforward transactions costs CHF 2’000–5’000 per year. This typically includes monthly bookkeeping, quarterly VAT returns (if applicable), annual financial statements, and corporate tax filing. Complex structures with multiple currencies or intercompany transactions cost CHF 5’000–10’000 or more.
Yes, remaining assets — including any unspent share capital — are distributed to shareholders during liquidation after settling all debts and liabilities. The liquidation process takes six to twelve months and requires three public calls to creditors in the SHAB. Whatever remains after creditor claims goes back to the owners.
A nominee resident director (required if no founder lives in Switzerland) typically costs CHF 2’000–5’000 per year. This covers the legal residence requirement under Art. 718 para. 4 OR (AG) or Art. 814 para. 3 OR (GmbH). The director must be genuinely involved in management — a purely passive arrangement risks rejection by the commercial register.
Registration with the Federal Tax Administration is free. You file online via the FTA portal and receive a VAT number (UID with MWST suffix) within about two weeks. However, maintaining VAT compliance — quarterly returns and accurate bookkeeping — adds to your accountant’s workload and is typically included in the annual accounting fee.
A UK Ltd can be formed for under GBP 500 with only GBP 1 in share capital. A Swiss GmbH requires CHF 20’000 in capital plus roughly CHF 5’000–8’000 in fees. However, the Swiss GmbH offers access to Switzerland’s double taxation treaty network, political stability, a strong banking system, and corporate tax rates as low as 11.9% in cantons like Zug — benefits that a UK Ltd cannot match.
Call us now at +41 44 500 22 50 to set up an appointment with our experts in Zug, Switzerland. As our client, you will benefit from the expertise of our local consultants for opening a company in Switzerland.
We offer:
- cost-efficiency: competitive company formation prices;
- prompt response to your inquiry (maxim 24 hours);
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Lucas Schmid
Working with swisscompanyformation.com has been an exceptional experience. Their team provides comprehensive support for all legal aspects of company formation in Switzerland, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
