Form a Company in Switzerland
Set up a Swiss GmbH or AG as a resident or non-resident. We explain the process and connect you with a Swiss provider for notarisation, commercial register entry and ongoing compliance. Remote steps are often possible, subject to acceptance.
Stability & Reputation
Switzerland is known for political and economic stability and a strong international standing, which can support credibility with clients and banks.
Clear Legal Framework
A mature, well-documented company-law framework under the Swiss Code of Obligations, with predictable commercial-register procedures.
Company Formation Support
Get guidance on the company formation process, required documents and next steps for setting up your business in this jurisdiction.
Financial Centre
Access to an established banking and finance ecosystem, subject to each bank's onboarding and due-diligence requirements.
Why Form a Company in Switzerland?
Switzerland is a long-established base for international business. The points below are general commercial considerations, not guarantees, and your own circumstances should be checked with a qualified adviser.
Reputation & Stability
A Swiss company benefits from the country's reputation for stability, neutrality and reliable institutions, which many international businesses value.
Central European Location
Switzerland sits at the heart of Europe with excellent connectivity, though it is not an EU member and trades with the EU under bilateral agreements.
Skilled, Multilingual Workforce
The labour market is highly skilled and multilingual, with German, French, Italian and English all widely used in business.
Competitive Tax Environment
Combined federal, cantonal and communal tax rates vary by canton and can be competitive, though effective rates depend on location and activity.
Strong Banking Sector
An established financial centre, though account opening is a separate process with its own due-diligence and substance expectations.
Extensive Treaty Network
Switzerland has a broad double-tax treaty network, which may help reduce withholding taxes in cross-border situations. Eligibility should be confirmed case by case.
Formation Packages
Choose the structure that fits your business. Every engagement is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need.
- Swiss GmbH formation & name check
- CHF 20,000 capital, generally fully paid at incorporation
- Notarised deed of incorporation
- Commercial register entry
- Assistance with tax and VAT registration, where applicable.
- Corporate document set
- Everything in Self-Managed GmbH
- Registered office address (first year available, subject to final provider quote)
- Bookkeeping & annual accounts support
- Bank account introduction
- Ongoing compliance reminders
- Swiss AG formation
- CHF 100,000 share capital; at least CHF 50,000 normally paid up
- Board and statutory setup
- Registered office for the entity
- Accounting for the structure
Statutory costs such as notary, registry and government fees are set by third parties and quoted separately. A federal issuance stamp duty can apply to equity contributions exceeding the applicable exemption, generally where contributed equity exceeds CHF 1 million, so it does not usually affect an ordinary CHF 20,000 GmbH formation. Figures are confirmed in writing before you commit.
Switzerland Formation Services
Everything you need to form, register and run a Swiss company, handled with an in-country service provider.
Company Formation
Full Swiss GmbH or AG registration: name check, notarised deed of incorporation and entry in the commercial register, with the corporate document set.
Registered Office & Substance
A Swiss company must maintain a valid registered office in Switzerland. We can arrange registered-office services and provide general guidance on the substance and effective management that genuine tax residence requires. Services are subject to banking and substance requirements, and to acceptance by the provider.
Directors & Shareholders
Foreign individuals and corporate entities can generally own a Swiss company. The company must generally be represented by at least one authorised person resident in Switzerland, which may be a managing director, a board member or another authorised representative with signatory authority. This person does not necessarily need to own shares, and a local provider may be able to arrange the role.
Banking
Introductions to Swiss banks. Account approval always rests with the bank after its own KYC and due-diligence process.
Accounting & Compliance
Bookkeeping, annual accounts, commercial-register and tax filings, kept on schedule against Swiss deadlines.
Tax & Treaty Guidance
An overview of Swiss federal and cantonal tax, VAT and the treaty network, so the structure fits your plans.
How to Form a Swiss Company
- 1
Tell Us Your Plans
Send your details through the quote form. We explain the options and, where appropriate, connect you with a Swiss service provider.
- 2
KYC & Documents
The provider verifies identity and collects the usual documents: passport and proof of address for individuals, and incorporation documents for corporate shareholders.
- 3
Notary & Capital
The deed of incorporation is notarised and the share capital is paid into a blocked account before registration.
- 4
Register & Bank
The company is entered in the commercial register, applicable tax and VAT registrations are coordinated, and assistance may be provided with opening a corporate account.
What You Receive
- Notarised deed & articles
- Commercial register entry & company number
- Assistance with tax and VAT registration, where applicable.
- Share capital confirmation
- Corporate document set
Timelines depend on notary scheduling, capital payment and bank onboarding. We confirm expected turnaround with your quote.
Swiss Tax & Annual Compliance: General Overview
A plain-language summary of the main Swiss tax and filing points for a company in 2026. This is general information to help you plan, not tax or legal advice. Your Swiss provider or adviser confirms what applies to your situation.
Corporate Income Tax (2026)
Company profits are taxed at federal, cantonal and communal level. The federal rate is modest, but combined effective rates vary significantly by canton, so current figures for your chosen location should be confirmed.
VAT (MWST/TVA)
The standard Swiss VAT rate is 8.1%, with reduced rates for certain goods and services. VAT registration is generally required where relevant worldwide taxable turnover reaches CHF 100,000, subject to exemptions and special rules. Not every company is automatically registered.
Withholding Tax
Switzerland levies a federal withholding tax of 35% on dividends, though reductions or refunds may apply under domestic rules or an applicable tax treaty. Eligibility should be checked case by case.
Annual Accounts & Filing
Swiss companies prepare annual financial statements and file annual federal and cantonal tax returns. VAT returns are required where registered. Financial statements are not ordinarily filed publicly with the Commercial Register merely because a company has completed a financial year, although Commercial Register updates apply when company details change, and audit obligations may apply Companies are generally subject to either an ordinary or limited audit; a company with no more than ten full-time-equivalent employees may generally opt out of the limited audit if all shareholders consent.
Corporate Tax Returns
A company files annual tax returns at federal and cantonal level. Bookkeeping should be kept up to date so returns and accounts can be prepared accurately and on time.
Payroll Obligations
Where a company employs staff or pays salaries, social-security contributions and payroll obligations generally apply. This only applies where there is actual employment or remuneration.
Switzerland Company Formation FAQ
Common questions about forming a company in Switzerland. General information only, not legal or tax advice.
Yes. Shareholders do not need to be Swiss nationals or residents, and non-residents can generally own a GmbH or AG, subject to the provider's KYC checks.
A Swiss company must generally be represented by at least one authorised person resident in Switzerland. This may be a managing director, a board member or another authorised representative with signatory authority. This person does not necessarily need to own shares, and a local provider may be able to arrange the role.
Incorporation of a GmbH or AG requires notarisation. In many cases the process can be handled largely remotely through powers of attorney and coordinated notarisation, though it cannot be guaranteed that every step is always completed remotely. We confirm what is possible in your case.
A GmbH generally requires CHF 20,000. An AG requires minimum share capital of CHF 100,000. At least CHF 50,000, or 20% of each share’s nominal value if higher, must generally be paid in at incorporation. Current requirements should be confirmed before you commit.
It depends on KYC, notarisation, capital payment and banking. Registration itself can be relatively quick once documents and capital are in place.
A capital-payment account is normally needed for incorporation, and a corporate account is normal in practice. Account opening is a separate process with its own checks.
Yes. A corporate shareholder, including a foreign company, can own a Swiss company. Its constitutional documents and beneficial owners will be needed for KYC.
Mainly corporate income tax (federal plus cantonal and communal, varying by canton), VAT (standard 8.1%), and withholding tax on dividends (federal 35%, subject to relief). This is general information, not tax advice.
Companies prepare annual financial statements and file federal and cantonal tax returns, with VAT returns where registered. Financial statements are not ordinarily filed publicly with the Commercial Register merely because a financial year has ended, though register updates apply when details change and an ordinary or limited audit may be required depending on size.
Swiss companies may benefit from a participation deduction on qualifying dividend income and capital gains. The effective result depends on the size, holding period and nature of the participation and should be reviewed by a Swiss tax adviser. There is no longer a special cantonal holding-company status.
For individuals, generally a passport, proof of address, business-activity and source-of-funds information and tax-residency details. For corporate shareholders, incorporation and constitutional documents, registers, an ownership chart and UBO information.
Still Have Questions?
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