Swiss Shelf Companies
Swiss shelf company — ready in 1 day.
29 AGs available. Registered since 1933.
A Vorratsgesellschaft is a fully incorporated Swiss AG that has never traded. Share capital is already paid in. After your KYC documentation is complete, our Zug team executes the share transfer, director change, and name change — your company is operational within 1 business day.
29
Companies available
From CHF 17K
Starting price
1 day
Ownership transfer
1933
Oldest vintage
Shelf Company Specifications
Swiss shelf company — key facts
and transfer requirements
Vorratsgesellschaft — specifications
Pre-incorporated under OR Art. 620 (AG) or OR Art. 772 (GmbH). Never traded, no employees, no liabilities.
Of which CHF 50,000 is already paid-in at the time of sale. Remainder callable by board resolution (OR Art. 621).
Fully paid-in at incorporation (OR Art. 773). Included in the purchase — buyer receives a fully capitalised entity.
After KYC completion. Compared to 3–6 weeks for new AG formation and 2–4 weeks for new GmbH. Commercial register update: 5–10 days.
AG shareholders are not listed in ZEFIX. GmbH partners are publicly named. Choose AG if discretion is required.
No notarial deed required for registered shares (OR Art. 684). Simpler and faster than GmbH quota transfer.
Every GmbH quota transfer requires a notarised deed (OR Art. 785). Adds 1–3 days and notary cost to the process.
Prior registration date provides no regulatory head start. FINMA assesses applicants at the date of application — not the corporate formation date.
Shelf AG
Recommended when speed is criticalA Swiss shelf company (Vorratsgesellschaft) is a fully incorporated AG or GmbH that has never conducted any commercial activity. Registered, capitalised, and held by a formation agent until sold. The company is ready to use within 1 business day of completed KYC verification — faster than any new formation process.
- Operational in 1 business day after KYC — vs. 3–6 weeks for a new AG
- Existing ZEFIX registration date — visible to counterparties and Swiss banks
- Share capital already paid in — no capital deposit process required
- Companies available in Zug (ZG) — 11.85% combined corporate tax, lowest in Switzerland
- AG form available: shareholders remain private, transfer without notarial deed
- Company can enter contracts immediately once share register is updated
- Goldblum & Partner manages KYC, transfer, director change, and name change end-to-end
- Nominee director available from day one — OR Art. 718a Swiss-resident requirement covered
FINMA licensing — important limitation
A shelf company's prior registration date provides no regulatory advantage for FINMA authorisation applications. FINMA assesses banking, asset management, and FinTech licence applications as of the date of submission — not the corporate formation date. If your business requires a FINMA licence, a tailored new AG formation is preferable, allowing articles and governance structure to be configured for FINMA requirements from inception.
Swiss AG formation — custom structure →Live Inventory
29 ready-made Swiss companies
registered since 1933 — available now
All companies are Swiss AG form, inactive, with no assets, liabilities, or pending obligations. Share capital is fully (or partially) paid-in as shown. Ownership transfer completes within 1 business day after KYC clearance. Companies sell on a first-confirmed-KYC basis — enquire to reserve.
| Form | Canton | Year | Share Capital | Paid-in | Price (CHF) | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AG | Nidwalden (NW) | 2012 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 17'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zug (ZG) | 2023 | CHF 100'000 | 50% | 17'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Geneva (GE) | 2022 | CHF 100'000 | 50% | 18'000 | 1 day |
| AG | St. Gallen (SG) | 1999 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 19'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Lucerne (LU) | 1990 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 19'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Zug (ZG) | 2017 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 20'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zug (ZG) | 1994 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 20'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1987 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 20'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1982 | CHF 50'000 | 100% | 21'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Thurgau (TG) | 1978 | CHF 50'000 | 100% | 22'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Solothurn (SO) | 2004 | CHF 200'000 | 100% | 22'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Nidwalden (NW) | 2008 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 22'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1964 | CHF 50'000 | 100% | 22'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) | 1998 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 22'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1998 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 22'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Thurgau (TG) | 1974 | CHF 50'000 | 100% | 23'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1988 | CHF 150'000 | 100% | 24'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) | 1985 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 24'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Graubünden (GR) | 1992 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 26'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zug (ZG) | 2006 | CHF 250'000 | 100% | 30'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1991 | CHF 250'000 | 100% | 31'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Schwyz (SZ) | 1975 | CHF 100'000 | 100% | 31'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1986 | CHF 250'000 | 100% | 31'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Basel-Stadt (BS) | 1953 | CHF 300'000 | 33% | 33'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1952 | CHF 50'000 | 100% | 36'500 | 1 day |
| AG | St. Gallen (SG) | 1966 | CHF 200'000 | 100% | 38'000 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1933 | CHF 50'000 | 100% | 42'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Zurich (ZH) | 1986 | CHF 500'000 | 100% | 43'500 | 1 day |
| AG | Zug (ZG) | 2011 | CHF 1'300'000 | 100% | 69'900 | 1 day |
Inventory current as of May 2026
Companies are sold on a first-confirmed-KYC basis. Availability changes without notice. Prefer a custom new AG? →
Canton tax highlight
Zug (ZG) companies carry a combined corporate tax rate of 11.85% — the lowest of any major Swiss canton. We have 5 Zug-registered shelf companies in current inventory.
Vintage companies
Our oldest available AG dates to 1933. Companies registered before 1970 provide a demonstrably established corporate history visible to any counterparty in ZEFIX.
High-capital options
Need a company with substantial pre-existing capital? We have options with CHF 250,000–1,300,000 fully paid-in share capital — ready for bank introductions or institutional counterparties. Bank account assistance →
Key Data
Swiss Shelf Companies — Ready to Trade
Pre-incorporated companies available for immediate transfer
1 day
Transfer completion time
Share transfer + commercial register amendment executed same business day after KYC.
CHF 100K+
AG shelf capital (paid-in)
Fully or partially paid share capital already deposited and verified.
1933
Oldest available vintage
Shelf companies carry an established ZEFIX registration date visible to all counterparties.
Immediate
Trading commencement
Company can open bank accounts and sign contracts from day of transfer.
Buyer Protection
Five-step due diligence
before you transfer
The buyer of a shelf company inherits all legal characteristics of the entity — including any undisclosed liability. A formation agent's "clean history" representation is not a legal warranty unless explicitly backed by a contractual indemnity. These five steps are mandatory before executing the transfer.
01
ZEFIX commercial register extract
Download the current extract from zefix.ch. Verify: active status, no liquidation notation, no pending entry changes, registration date as represented, correct registered address, share capital amount.
02
Betreibungsregister — debt enforcement registry
Request a cantonal Betreibungsregister search for the company. A clean shelf has no enforcement proceedings, no debt calls, and no garnishments outstanding.
03
Tax authority confirmation
Obtain written confirmation from ESTV (MWST) and the cantonal tax authority that the company has no outstanding tax liabilities and no VAT registration (MWSTG Art. 10).
04
AHV/IV social insurance
Obtain a declaration from the cantonal AHV compensation office confirming no AHV, IV, or UVG registrations. A clean shelf has never had an employee or salaried director.
05
Seller's clean-history warranty
Include a written representation and indemnity clause in the share transfer agreement. The seller declares no undisclosed liabilities, contracts, or obligations exist. Not a substitute for steps 1–4.
Shelf company vs. new formation — comparison
| Factor | Shelf Company | New Formation |
|---|---|---|
| Time to operational | 1 business day (post-KYC) | 2–4 wks (GmbH) / 3–6 wks (AG) |
| Share capital | Already paid-in at acquisition | Deposit required before notary |
| Custom articles | Generic — amendment needed | Tailored from inception |
| Shareholder privacy (AG) | Private — not in ZEFIX | Private — not in ZEFIX |
| FINMA licensing | No advantage — assessed at application date | No advantage — assessed at application date |
| Bank account KYC | Full KYC applies to new owner | Full KYC applies to new entity |
| Undisclosed liability risk | Residual risk — mitigated by DD | None — clean from formation |
| Indicative cost premium | Formation-agent fee above share capital | Notary + registry fees only |
Need a custom structure from the ground up? Compare AG vs GmbH → or start a new Swiss AG formation →
Process
How incorporation works.
Step by step.
Free Consultation
Speak with a Zug advisor. We review your structure goals, recommend the optimal entity type (AG or GmbH), canton, and incorporation strategy. No commitment required.
Document Collection
We send a tailored checklist. Typical requirements: passport copy, proof of address, beneficial ownership declaration (CDB 20 Form A/K). All handled digitally.
Notary & ZEFIX Registration
We prepare articles of association, arrange the notary appointment, deposit share capital at a Swiss bank, and submit to ZEFIX (commercial register). You sign by notarised POA — no travel required.
Post-Incorporation Setup
Banking introduction, VAT registration if applicable, AHV registration for payroll, virtual office activation, nominee director appointment if required. One team handles everything.
Shelf companies skip steps 03 — operational entity within 24 hours via share transfer. 20 AG and GmbH units currently available.
Costs & Timeline
Swiss company formation
costs and timeline
Government and third-party fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Handelsregisteramt (commercial register) | ~CHF 600 |
| Notary fee | CHF 600–1,000 |
| Capital deposit bank | CHF 200–500 |
| ZEFIX UID registration | Included |
| VAT registration (MWSTG) | Free |
Professional advisory fees quoted separately on request. All CHF amounts are indicative — verify with cantonal registry.
Formation timeline
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Company name reservation / check | 1 business day |
| Articles of association drafting | 3–7 days |
| Bank account (capital deposit) | 1–30 days |
| Notary appointment | 1 day |
| Handelsregisteramt filing | 7–21 days |
| End-to-end — GmbH | 2–4 weeks |
| End-to-end — AG | 3–6 weeks |
| Shelf company transfer | 24 hours |
Ongoing compliance obligations
Annual accounts
OR Art. 957Every Swiss company must prepare annual financial statements in CHF. AG and GmbH with revenue ≥CHF 500K require ordinary bookkeeping. Audit required if ≥2 of: 250+ FTE, CHF 40M+ revenue, CHF 20M+ balance sheet.
Annual general meeting (AGM)
OR Art. 699AGM must be held within 6 months of year-end for AG; GmbH requires annual Gesellschafterversammlung. Agenda must include approval of accounts and discharge of the board.
VAT filing
MWSTGStandard rate 8.1% (from 1 January 2024). Quarterly or semi-annual filing depending on method (effective or flat-rate). Mandatory registration threshold CHF 100,000 annual revenue.
AHV / social insurance
AHVGEmployers must register with a Swiss compensation office (Ausgleichskasse) and withhold AHV (8.7%), IV (1.4%), EO (0.5%). Employee contribution matched by employer. Applies from first employee.
Corporate tax filing
DBG / StHGAnnual corporate tax return filed with cantonal tax authority. Due date varies by canton — typically 6–9 months after year-end. Zug is known for responsive tax authority and efficient processing.
FAQ
Frequently asked
questions
Precise answers to the most common questions about forming a company in Switzerland. For specific advice on your structure, book a free consultation.
Free consultation
Free Consultation
Ready to incorporate
in Switzerland?
Speak with a Zug advisor. We'll review your structure, recommend the optimal entity type, and outline the timeline. No commitment — no pricing barrier at entry.
Baarerstrasse 25 · 6300 Zug · Switzerland · Est. 2007