🇨🇭 Switzerland · Company Registration

Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.

Quick answer

Companies register in the cantonal Commercial Register (indexed nationally on Zefix). A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 capital and an AG needs CHF 100,000 (partly paid in); both require a notarised deed.

Companies in Switzerland register in the cantonal Commercial Register, searchable nationally via Zefix. A GmbH or AG requires a notarised deed and minimum capital.

  • Companies (GmbH/AG) are entered in the cantonal Commercial Register.
  • A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 capital; an AG needs CHF 100,000 (partly paid in).
  • Zefix provides the national index of registered companies.

Official authorities

  • Zefix

    Central Swiss company index (Commercial Register).

Frequently asked questions

GmbH or AG?

A GmbH (like an LLC) suits smaller businesses with lower capital; an AG (stock company) needs more capital and suits larger or investor-backed ventures.

How much capital is required?

A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 fully paid; an AG needs CHF 100,000 with at least CHF 50,000 paid in.

Do I need a Swiss-resident representative?

At least one person able to represent the company must be resident in Switzerland.

Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.

This topic in other countries

← Back to Switzerland