Company Formation · Switzerland

Company Formation in Switzerland, Done Right

Incorporate a Swiss GmbH or AG in one of the world's most stable and prestigious jurisdictions. One team handles structure and canton selection, the capital deposit, notarization and commercial register entry, the mandatory Swiss-resident representation, and tax and VAT setup end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Setup time: 2-3 weeks (indicative)
Foreign ownership: 100%
Min. capital (GmbH): CHF 20,000 fully paid
Min. capital (AG): CHF 100,000 (CHF 50,000 paid)
Corporate tax: ~12-21% (canton-dependent)
Local representation: Swiss-resident director required

Why Choose Switzerland for Company Formation?

Switzerland is one of the world's most stable and prestigious jurisdictions, long established as a centre for holding companies, wealth structuring, international trading, and corporate headquarters. It offers a compelling combination of advantages:

Global Prestige and Stability. A AAA-rated economy with deep political and legal stability and a worldwide reputation for quality

Holding and Wealth Hub. A long-established centre for holding companies, wealth structuring, and family offices

Competitive Cantonal Tax. Combined federal and cantonal effective corporate tax rates are competitive, though they vary materially by canton

Strategic European Location. A central European base with access to EU markets through bilateral agreements, without EU membership

World-Class Banking. A sophisticated banking and financial-services ecosystem trusted by international clients

Strong Legal Framework. A predictable civil-law system with robust protection of property and contractual rights

Skilled Multilingual Workforce. A highly educated, multilingual talent pool across German, French, and Italian regions

Treaty Network. An extensive network of double tax treaties supporting cross-border structures

Swiss Company Types

GmbH / Sarl (Limited Liability Company)

Min. capital: CHF 20,000 fully paid
Shareholders: 1 minimum
Best for: SMEs, holding, and owner-managed businesses

AG / SA (Joint-Stock Company)

Min. capital: CHF 100,000 (CHF 50,000 paid)
Shareholders: 1 minimum
Best for: Larger operations, capital raising, and prestige

Branch Office

Min. capital: None required
Shareholders: Parent-owned
Best for: Foreign companies establishing a Swiss presence

Common Uses for Swiss Companies

Holding Companies

A long-established jurisdiction for European holding structures, benefiting from a wide treaty network and a stable legal environment.

Wealth and Family Offices

A trusted base for wealth preservation, family-office structures, and succession planning supported by world-class banking.

Trading and Commodities

A global centre for international trading and commodities operations, with deep financing and service infrastructure.

European Headquarters

A prestigious, centrally located base for regional or group headquarters serving European and global markets.

Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.

How Swiss Incorporation Works

Swiss companies are incorporated under the Swiss Code of Obligations and gain legal personality on entry into the cantonal commercial register. The two main vehicles are the GmbH (limited liability company, requiring CHF 20,000 of fully paid capital) and the AG (joint-stock company, requiring CHF 100,000 of nominal capital with at least CHF 50,000 paid up). The share capital is first deposited into a blocked account at a Swiss bank, the articles of association are notarized, and the company is then filed with the register. Swiss law also requires that the company be represented by at least one person resident in Switzerland with signing authority. Tax is levied at federal, cantonal, and communal levels, so the combined effective corporate tax rate depends on the chosen canton.

Main Company Types

GmbH / Sarl. The most common vehicle for SMEs and holding companies, requiring CHF 20,000 of fully paid capital.

AG / SA. The joint-stock company for larger operations and capital raising, requiring CHF 100,000 of nominal capital with at least CHF 50,000 paid up.

Branch Office. A way for a foreign company to operate in Switzerland without forming a separate legal entity.

Resident representation. Every Swiss company needs at least one Switzerland-resident signatory, which we arrange where required.

Core Requirements and Documents

Shareholder and director documents: passport copies and proof of address for each individual, plus corporate documents for any corporate shareholder
Share capital deposit: CHF 20,000 (GmbH) fully paid, or CHF 100,000 (AG) with at least CHF 50,000 paid up, held in a blocked Swiss bank account with a confirmation for the register
Notarized articles of association: publicly deeded by a Swiss notary before filing with the cantonal commercial register
Swiss-resident representation: at least one person resident in Switzerland with signing authority, arranged by us where you do not have one

Last reviewed: June 2026. Reflects current Swiss Code of Obligations capital, commercial register, and resident-representation requirements. Cantonal tax rates vary.

Swiss Company Formation Process

From confirming the right structure and canton to the capital deposit, notarization, register entry, and tax setup, here is the step-by-step path.

Confirm the Right Structure and Canton

We begin with a consultation to understand your objectives, whether holding, wealth preservation, trading, or a European headquarters. Our advisors recommend the vehicle (GmbH or AG) and a canton, weighing the combined federal and cantonal tax position, which varies materially across cantons.

Reserve the Name and Prepare Documents

We check name availability with the commercial register, prepare the articles of association, and gather shareholder and director identification, proof of address, and corporate documents, completing the required due diligence.

Deposit the Share Capital

We arrange a capital deposit account with a Swiss bank and deposit the required share capital: CHF 20,000 fully paid for a GmbH, or at least CHF 50,000 of the CHF 100,000 nominal capital for an AG. The bank issues a confirmation needed for registration.

Notarize and Incorporate

A Swiss notary publicly deeds the incorporation and the articles of association. We then file the entry with the cantonal commercial register, which gives the company its legal personality once published.

Appoint Swiss-Resident Representation

Swiss law requires at least one person resident in Switzerland with signing authority to represent the company. We arrange a qualifying resident director or managing officer where you do not have one, satisfying this mandatory requirement.

Register for Tax, VAT, and Compliance

We register the company with the cantonal tax authority, arrange VAT registration with the Federal Tax Administration where turnover thresholds apply (standard VAT rate 8.1%), and set up the social security and accounting framework so the company is fully operational.

Total time2-3 weeks (indicative)

Have questions about the process?

Our experts are here to guide you through each step and answer your questions.

Why Choose AURNÉ for Swiss Company Formation?

Our team combines cross-border structuring expertise with efficient service delivery:

Cross-Border Expertise. Experience structuring Swiss holding, wealth, and headquarters entities for international clients

Canton Selection. Guidance on choosing the canton that fits your tax position and operational needs

Resident Representation. We arrange the mandatory Swiss-resident director or signatory where you need one

Comprehensive Service. End-to-end support from incorporation to ongoing tax, VAT, and accounting compliance

Multi-Jurisdiction Experience. Able to coordinate Swiss structures with UAE, offshore, and other jurisdictions

Banking Support. Support with capital deposit accounts and operational bank account introductions

Swiss Company Formation - Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about forming a company in Switzerland, the GmbH and AG, capital and tax, the resident-director requirement, and compliance.

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Company Formation in Switzerland, Done Right

Licensed CSP

50+ yrs combined experience

15+ jurisdictions