Guides
Swiss Company Guides
Practical, up-to-date guides on forming and running a Swiss company — company types, costs, taxes, governance, and banking, written for international founders.
SRO Membership
How to Compare Swiss SRO Requirements
There is no universal ranking of Swiss self-regulatory organisations. An applicant can instead compare the same documented facts across the organisations that may be relevant to its circumstances, using only each organisation's current official materials. This guide provides a neutral comparison method; it does not assess regulatory status, eligibility, or which SRO an applicant should select.
AML & SRO Membership
VQF Application Guide: From AMLA Assessment to Admission
A strong VQF application starts before the form is completed. First map the activities that may bring the business within the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), then make the operating model, ownership, responsible persons, and AML organisation consistent across the application and its enclosures. This guide explains that preparation journey; VQF alone assesses the application and decides whether to admit an applicant.
Company Formation
How to Register a GmbH in Switzerland
To register a GmbH (limited liability company) in Switzerland you need at least CHF 20,000 in share capital, notarised articles of association, a Swiss capital-deposit account, and an entry in the Cantonal Commercial Register. With a complete onboarding pack the process typically takes two to four weeks and costs from CHF 2,500 in professional fees for a standard structure in Zug.
Pricing
Swiss Company Formation Costs Explained
Forming a Swiss company involves two very different types of cost: one-off formation fees and the share capital you must deposit. In Zug, professional GmbH formation starts from CHF 2,500 and AG formation from CHF 4,500, on top of CHF 20,000 (GmbH) or CHF 100,000 (AG, half paid in) of share capital that remains yours inside the company. Recurring costs — domiciliation, a resident director, and bookkeeping — are what shape your true annual budget.
Company Formation
AG vs GmbH: Which Swiss Company Type Is Right for You?
Choose a GmbH if you want the lowest capital requirement (CHF 20,000) and cost, and a public shareholder register is acceptable. Choose an AG if you need CHF 100,000 capital anyway, value shareholder confidentiality, or plan to raise investment or transfer shares easily. Both are taxed identically in Zug — at an effective corporate rate of roughly 11–12% — so the decision is about capital, privacy, and how you plan to grow.
Tax
Corporate Taxes in Zug: A Practical Guide
Companies based in Zug benefit from one of the lowest effective corporate tax rates in Switzerland — roughly 11–12% combining federal, cantonal, and communal tax. On top of corporate tax, VAT-registered businesses charge the 8.1% standard rate and file quarterly. This guide explains how the layers fit together and what your filing calendar looks like.
Governance
The Swiss Resident Director Requirement Explained
Every Swiss AG and GmbH must be represented by at least one person resident in Switzerland who holds single signatory authority — this is set out in Article 718 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. For founders based abroad, this is a structural requirement, not a formality. A professional resident director mandate satisfies it and typically starts from CHF 12,000 per year for standard, non-regulated activity.
Banking
Opening a Swiss Business Bank Account
Opening a Swiss business bank account happens in two stages: first a temporary capital-deposit (Sperrkonto) account to pay in your share capital during formation, then a full operating account once the company is registered. Fintech Office can support an application with any Swiss bank of your choice. Approval depends heavily on clear beneficial-ownership documentation, a credible business rationale, and a genuine Swiss presence — which is where a resident director and clean AML framework make the difference.
Exit & Restructuring
Liquidating or Selling a Swiss Company
There are two main ways to exit a Swiss company: an ordinary liquidation, which formally winds the entity down over roughly six to twelve months, or a sale of the shares, which transfers the company to a new owner and is often faster and more value-preserving. Liquidation involves a notarised dissolution resolution, a public creditor call, final tax clearance, and — for corporate profits distributed as a liquidation surplus — Swiss withholding tax of 35% that shareholders reclaim or credit depending on residence and treaty.