Company registration · Switzerland
Company registration in Switzerland reputation that opens doors and a cantonal tax rate
- Support
- from CHF 6 500
- Registration time
- 2-4 weeks
A Swiss company is chosen for standing, not for savings.
The tax burden is made up of federal, cantonal and communal layers, so the canton decides the final figure.
Registration
from CHF 6 500
Turnkey work by BRIDGES. Government fees and duties appear as a separate line in the estimate at actual rates.
See packages2-4 weeks
Incorporation from notarisation to the registry
Canton decides
The effective rate depends on the location
Resident director
A person with signing rights in the country
Who it suitsSwitzerland
Who Switzerland suits
Working on the company structure- 01Holdings and structures for owning capital
- 02Commodity trading and international distribution
- 03Wealth management and family offices
- 04Pharmaceutical, precision and technology businesses
- 05Companies for whom the counterparty’s trust is the product
Does not suit
- Minimum budget: upkeep here is expensive
- You need a company without real substance
- A quick start: notarisation and capital take time
- You are counting on anonymity: the registry is public
Company forms4
Which company to open
The choice is between a company limited by shares and a limited liability company.
- 01Aktiengesellschaft · AG / SA — company limited by shares
Holdings, trading, capital-intensive businesses.
The highest standing; shareholders are not listed in the public registry.
Higher capital requirement and heavier administration.
- 02Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung · GmbH / Sarl — limited liability company
Services, consulting, small and medium businesses.
Lower entry cost and simpler management.
Members are listed in the public registry.
- 03Branch · branch of a foreign company
An existing group entering the Swiss market.
No share capital is required.
The parent company carries the liability.
- 04Holding structure · AG or GmbH in a holding role
Groups holding international subsidiaries.
Participation relief on dividends and capital gains.
Requires genuine management in the country.
Packagesfrom CHF 6 500
Three ways to launch
The scope is built from real scenarios. The amount depends on the canton, the form and the substance required.
01 · 3-5 weeks
Company
from $8 500
A structure for ownership and contracts
- Choice of canton and form based on the tax calculation
- Preparation of the constitution and notarisation
- Opening of the capital deposit account
- Registration in the commercial registry
- Registered address for the first year
02 · 6-12 weeks
Company and account
from $13 000
An operating business with real settlements
- Everything in the Company package
- Resident person with signing rights for the first year
- Bank file and submission to suitable banks
- VAT registration where the model requires it
- Accounting set-up and a reporting schedule
03 · from 3 months
Turnkey with substance
by project
A company with an office, staff and full reporting
- Everything in the Company and account package
- Office and hiring support
- Payroll and social contributions administration
- Monthly bookkeeping and VAT returns
- Annual accounts and the tax return
Notary fees, registry fees and social contributions appear as separate lines in the quote. Share capital is the client’s own money and stays in the company.
TaxesSwitzerland
Taxes in Switzerland
Three layers of tax and a rate that depends on where the company sits.
Taxes in Switzerland
Switzerland
- 2-4 weeks
- Incorporation from notarisation to the registry
- from $8 500
- BRIDGES fee
- Canton decides
- The effective rate depends on the location
- Resident director
- A person with signing rights in the country
- Federal corporate tax
- Applies uniformly across the country.
- Cantonal and communal tax
- Set locally; the combination determines the effective rate.
- Participation relief
- Dividends and gains from qualifying participations are effectively relieved.
- Patent box and research incentives
- Available in cantons that have implemented them.
- VAT
- One of the lowest standard rates in Europe; registration depends on turnover.
- Capital tax
- Levied at cantonal level on equity.
Annual upkeep
- Registered address
- Resident signatory
- Annual accounts
- Tax returns
- VAT returns
- Social contributions
- Audit
- Bank compliance
Notary fees, registry fees and social contributions appear as separate lines in the quote. Share capital is the client’s own money and stays in the company.
Bank
The bank account after incorporation
The capital deposit account comes first; the operating account is opened separately and takes longer.
- 01What the bank looks at
The source of capital, the beneficial owners, the business model and the connection to Switzerland.
- 02Which documents are needed
The corporate set, evidence of the source of funds, contracts and beneficiary tax history.
- 03Where the account is opened
With Swiss banks, and with payment institutions for day-to-day settlements.
- 04What we do
We prepare the file, arrange the meetings and run the submission through to the result.
Swiss banks work slowly and ask a great deal. Without a documented source of capital and a real presence, the operating account will not open.
Stages3-5 weeks
How the work runs
Timelines are split by who is responsible.
- 01Consultation and canton selection
Activity, form, tax calculation, substance.
One meeting - 02Quote and contract
We fix the scope of work and the amount.
2-3 days - 03Capital deposit account
Opening the account and depositing the share capital.
1-3 weeks - 04Notarisation
Signing of the constitutional documents before a notary.
1-3 days - 05Registration
Entry in the commercial registry and publication.
1-2 weeks - 06Operating account and launch
Bank file, meetings and account opening.
The bank sets the timing
Result: The outcome is a Swiss company with paid-up capital, a resident signatory, a bank account and accounting in place.
ComparisonSwitzerland
Switzerland or Liechtenstein
| Switzerland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | federal, cantonal and communal layers | 12.5% flat |
| Minimum annual tax | none, depends on the canton | yes |
| Single market | bilateral agreements | EEA membership |
| Structures for private wealth | available but narrower | foundations, establishments, trusts |
| Reputation | the strongest | high |
| Upkeep cost | high | high |
| Who it suits better | operating business and reputation | family capital and EEA access |
Switzerland wins on scale and brand, Liechtenstein on a predictable rate and dedicated ownership vehicles.
TeamBRIDGES
Company team
Questions
Registration questions
How much tax will the company pay?+
The burden is the sum of federal, cantonal and communal tax, so the effective rate depends on the canton. We calculate it for your profile before choosing.
How much capital is required?+
At least 100,000 francs for an AG, with part paid up at incorporation, and 20,000 francs fully paid up for a GmbH.
Do I need a resident director?+
At least one person with signing rights must be resident in Switzerland.
How long does incorporation take?+
Two to four weeks from the capital deposit to the registry entry.
Can a foreigner own 100% of the company?+
Yes, there are no restrictions on foreign ownership.
How hard is it to open a bank account?+
The capital account is straightforward; the operating account requires a documented source of capital and real substance.
Is an audit mandatory?+
A full audit applies above the statutory thresholds; a limited audit applies below them and can be waived in small companies.
Is share capital an expense?+
No. It is your own money and remains available to the company after incorporation.
What is participation relief?+
A mechanism that effectively relieves dividends and gains from qualifying participations.
Does the company give a residence permit?+
Not automatically. A permit is a separate process with its own requirements.
Do I have to declare the company at home?+
As a rule yes: owning a foreign company creates obligations in your country of residence.
What does upkeep cost?+
Address, signatory, accounting, tax returns and, where staff are employed, payroll. We set it out three years ahead.
A company for your task
Tell us what the company will do: we will check whether the country fits and show the launch and upkeep budget before the contract.
- Other jurisdictionsA comparison of countries for company registration.
- A company in LiechtensteinThe neighbouring centre with a flat rate.
- Corporate accountsHow an account is opened and what the bank checks.
- Isle of ManRegistration: 1-2 weeks · from $3 200
- JerseyRegistration: 1-2 weeks · from $4 200
- LiechtensteinRegistration: 3-5 weeks · from $6 500
Company registration
Want a company in Switzerland?
Write to us, we will set it up. We will choose the form, calculate the launch and the annual upkeep, register the company and help open the account.
