Company Formation Switzerland

The Swiss AG is the most prestigious & flexible company form in Switzerland — perfect for international investors, scalable businesses, and ventures seeking credibility in the global market. Its structure allows easy transfer of shares, which makes selling or onboarding new investors straightforward.

Key facts: minimum capital CHF 100,000 (at least CHF 50,000 paid in). Only directors appear publicly, while shareholders remain private. At least one board member with signing authority must be resident in Switzerland. Strong governance rules apply, but the AG’s prestige and flexibility make it the preferred vehicle for larger enterprises.

The GmbH is the perfect workhorse for small and medium enterprises. It combines liability protection with approachable costs and is highly trusted by Swiss partners, suppliers, and banks.

Key facts: minimum capital CHF 20,000, fully paid in. Owners are listed publicly, which increases transparency but reduces privacy. At least one managing director with signing authority must be resident in Switzerland. Best for entrepreneurs who want a lean but credible structure to build long-term business operations in Switzerland.

The simplest and fastest way to start a business in Switzerland. Perfect for freelancers, consultants, and micro-entrepreneurs who want to operate under their own name.

Key facts: no capital requirement, no separation of assets. The owner has unlimited liability, meaning personal wealth is fully exposed. Crucially, the proprietor must be a Swiss resident. Works well for small-scale activity, but risk grows quickly as the business expands.

Built for collaboration between two or more individuals who want to run a business together without corporate formality. It is tax-transparent and simple to operate.

Key facts: no minimum capital. All partners share unlimited liability, meaning personal assets are on the line. In practice, at least one partner must be resident in Switzerland to represent the partnership officially. Works best for small professional practices or businesses where trust and agility outweigh the need for formal corporate shields.

A structure that blends active management with passive investment. Active partners manage the business, while limited partners provide capital with reduced liability.

Key facts: no minimum capital. General partners (Komplementäre) must be individuals with unlimited liability, and at least one typically needs to be Swiss resident for representation. Limited partners (Kommanditäre) can be individuals or legal entities and risk only their contribution. This model is often chosen for family ventures, investment vehicles, or projects with mixed roles.

A Swiss holding company is not a separate legal form, but a special tax status that can be granted to an AG or GmbH. The status is designed for entities whose primary purpose is to own and manage participations rather than run day-to-day commercial operations.

Key facts: to qualify, at least two-thirds of income or assets must come from participations. Holding companies benefit from powerful tax advantages such as reduced or zero tax on dividends and capital gains, plus Switzerland’s extensive double tax treaty network. This makes them a preferred setup for managing international subsidiaries, investments, or family wealth structures.

A quick way for international companies to establish a Swiss presence. A branch ties directly to the foreign parent, while a subsidiary is its own legal entity (usually an AG or GmbH).

Key facts: both models enhance credibility and market access. A branch is simpler and cheaper but keeps liability at the parent level, while a subsidiary offers independence, liability limitation, and greater trust from local banks and authorities. Branches must be registered in the Swiss commercial register and require a Swiss-resident representative (Swiss or EU/EFTA)

Ideal for NGOs, clubs, professional alliances, and global networks. A Swiss Verein offers unique flexibility: members share branding and governance while keeping assets and liabilities separate.

Key facts: no minimum capital. Governance can be structured very freely. Used by some of the world’s largest law and consulting firms, this model enables collaboration without merging finances or exposing members’ assets.

A Swiss foundation provides stability, continuity, and purpose-driven management. Popular for philanthropy, family wealth planning, and long-term corporate goals, foundations are seen as highly credible and secure.

Key facts: minimum capital CHF 50,000. Once assets are transferred, they are independently managed for the foundation’s purpose. Foundations offer tax benefits, strict governance, and continuity that can span generations. Foundations are subject to oversight by a federal or cantonal authority, ensuring compliance with their stated purpose