Swiss Company Formation
Register a company in Switzerland.
AG or GmbH, fully remote.
Foreign nationals can own 100% of a Swiss AG or GmbH. Our Zug-based team manages the entire incorporation — articles of association, notary appointment, capital deposit, and ZEFIX registration — via notarised power of attorney. No travel to Switzerland required at any stage.
2–4 wks
GmbH formation time
CHF 20K
GmbH minimum capital
11.85%
Zug corporate tax
19 yrs
Zug-based practice
Key Data
Swiss Company Formation at a Glance
Key figures for incorporating in Switzerland
3–6 wks
Typical formation time
AG/GmbH via notary + commercial register
11.85%
Corporate tax — Zug
Lowest combined rate in Switzerland (federal + cantonal)
100+
Double tax treaties
Switzerland's DTT network, one of the largest globally
CHF 20K
Min. GmbH capital
CHF 100K for AG. Both types eligible for remote formation via POA
Legal Entities
Swiss legal entities:
which company type is right for you?
Switzerland offers seven principal legal forms. The AG and GmbH account for over 95% of foreign-owned structures. The choice affects capital requirements, shareholder privacy, share transferability, and ongoing compliance burden.
| Entity | Min. Capital | Liability | Public Register | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGAktiengesellschaft | CHF 100K (CHF 50K paid-in) | Shareholders limited to capital | Directors only; shareholders private | International holding, IPO, regulated business |
| GmbHGesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | CHF 20K (fully paid-in) | Members limited to capital | Members named publicly (ZEFIX) | SME, single-founder, family business |
| EinzelfirmaSole proprietorship | None | Unlimited personal liability | Required if revenue ≥CHF 100K | Freelancer, sole trader, low-risk activity |
| KGKommanditgesellschaft | None | General partner unlimited; limited partners to contribution | Both partners listed | Private equity, fund structures |
| BranchZweigniederlassung | None (foreign parent capital applies) | Parent company fully liable | Registered with parent entity reference | Market entry, regulatory presence |
| StiftungFoundation | CHF 50K typical (no statutory minimum) | Foundation assets only | Foundation board listed | Philanthropy, family wealth, asset holding |
| VereinAssociation | None | Association assets only | Optional registration | Non-profit, sports clubs, industry bodies |
AG
Aktiengesellschaft
Min. CHF 50,000 paid-in at incorporation; remainder callable later by board resolution
OR Art. 621.2 — USD, EUR, GBP etc. accepted since 2023 OR revision
Single-member AG permitted under revised OR
Only directors filed with ZEFIX; no public share register for AG
No notarisation required for ordinary shares; bearer shares abolished since 2019
General Meeting + Board of Directors + Audit Committee (OR Art. 698, 707, 727)
GmbH
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
100% must be paid-in at incorporation; min CHF 100 per share (Stammanteil)
Single-member GmbH permitted
All Gesellschafter named publicly in ZEFIX commercial register
Public notary involvement for every transfer of shares
At least one Swiss-domiciled signatory required (OR Art. 814(3))
Full audit only if balance ≥ CHF 20M or revenue ≥ CHF 40M
Online registration approx. CHF 2,000; traditional notary route up to CHF 8,000
24h
Shelf companies — operational entity today
When speed matters, a shelf AG or GmbH bypasses the 2–6 week formation process entirely. We maintain 20 pre-incorporated shelf units with clean corporate history and no liabilities. Transfer is executed by notarised share assignment — you control the entity within 24 hours.
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.
Requirements
Requirements for Swiss
company formation
Three requirements apply universally: a Swiss-domiciled authorised representative, a Swiss registered office, and minimum paid-in capital. All other steps are handled by our team.
At least one member of the board of directors authorised to represent the company must be domiciled in Switzerland.
Swiss citizenship is NOT required — any person (EU national, foreign national with Swiss C permit) can qualify.
At least one managing director (Geschäftsführer) authorised to represent the company must be domiciled in Switzerland.
Same rule as AG — domicile in Switzerland, not nationality. Virtual office address is insufficient; personal domicile required.
Registered office: Any Swiss canton. A virtual office address is legally sufficient — a physical presence is not required. We provide a registered domicile at Baarerstrasse 25, 6300 Zug for CHF 95/month, in the same building as the cantonal registry.
Document checklist
Passport copy
Notarised copy for each beneficial owner and director; must be valid
Proof of domicile
Utility bill or bank statement, not older than 3 months, in Latin script or translated
Articles of association (AOA)
Prepared by our advisors — reviewed and signed by founders at the Swiss notary
Capital deposit certificate
Swiss bank confirmation of capital deposit (Einzahlungsbestätigung) prior to notarisation
Power of attorney (POA)
Required if founders sign remotely — notarised and apostilled in country of residence
Corporate extract (if legal entity founder)
Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent, apostilled, dated within 6 months
Beneficial ownership declaration
CDB 20 Form A (for individuals) or Form K (for legal entities) — required by Swiss banks (VSB 20)
Capital requirements
| Entity | Total Capital | Paid-in at Incorporation |
|---|---|---|
| AGAktiengesellschaft | CHF 100,000 | CHF 50,000 |
| GmbHGesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | CHF 20,000 | CHF 20,000 |
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.
Standard route — 3–6 weeks
New AG or GmbH, built to your exact requirements
Custom articles, chosen shareholders, any canton. Full notary process via remote POA.
Fast route — 1 business day
Ready-made Swiss AG — from CHF 17,000
29 pre-registered AGs across 13 cantons. Share capital already paid-in. Transfer after KYC only.
Other Swiss legal structures
Beyond AG & GmbH
Not every venture fits an AG or GmbH. Swiss law offers branch registration for foreign parent companies, sole proprietorships for solo entrepreneurs, foundations for asset protection and philanthropy, holding companies for participation exemption, and the Swiss Verein for international professional service networks.
Swiss branch registration
For foreign companies opening a Zweigniederlassung under OR Art. 935.
Sole proprietorship (Einzelfirma)
Fastest route — no minimum capital, but unlimited personal liability.
Swiss foundation (Stiftung)
Asset protection, charity, or family-purpose structures under ZGB Art. 80–89.
Holding company
Participation exemption on dividends and capital gains for international groups.
Swiss Verein
Used by global law and accounting networks (Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, KPMG).
Crypto company in Switzerland
Crypto Valley Zug structures — DLT, VASP, and FINMA-licensed entities.
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 consultationOfficial Sources
- Swiss Commercial Register (ZEFIX)
Federal commercial register — search any Swiss company
- OR Art. 620–763 — AG (Aktiengesellschaft)
Federal law governing Swiss AG corporations
- OR Art. 772–827 — GmbH
Federal law governing Swiss GmbH structures
- Canton Zug — Business & Formation
Official Zug cantonal authority for business registration
- SECO — Start-ups and SMEs
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs — SME guidance
- Swiss Online Company Registration (EasyGov)
Official portal for online company registration in Switzerland
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