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.
One-off formation fees
The headline number most founders ask about is the formation fee. In the Zug market, a standard GmbH forms from CHF 2,500 and a standard AG from CHF 4,500. These figures typically include drafting the articles of association, the notary appointment, opening the capital-deposit account, and filing with the Cantonal Commercial Register.
More complex structures — holding companies, token-issuing entities, or multi-shareholder groups — are quoted individually after a short structuring call, because they involve additional agreements and registry work.
Share capital is not a fee
The single biggest misunderstanding is treating share capital as a cost. It is not. A GmbH requires CHF 20,000 fully paid in; an AG requires CHF 100,000 with at least CHF 50,000 paid in on formation. This money is deposited into a blocked account during incorporation and then released into the company's operating account — it funds your business rather than disappearing in fees.
Recurring annual costs
Your real budget is driven by recurring services. Depending on your setup, plan for some combination of the following:
- Zug domiciliation (legal seat + mail handling): from CHF 1,800 per year.
- Resident director mandate (Art. 718 CO representation): from CHF 12,000 per year for standard, non-regulated activity.
- Bookkeeping: from CHF 350 per month for lean, low-transaction entities.
- VAT preparation and quarterly filing: from CHF 600 per quarter once VAT-registered.
- Annual accounts and corporate tax return: from CHF 1,800 per year.
Sample first-year budgets
A lean holding GmbH run by a Swiss-resident founder might spend around CHF 2,500 formation plus CHF 1,800 domiciliation and CHF 4,200 lean bookkeeping — roughly CHF 8,500 in year one, excluding capital.
An internationally-owned operating GmbH that needs a resident director will look very different: CHF 2,500 formation, CHF 1,800 domiciliation, CHF 12,000 resident director, and CHF 4,200+ bookkeeping — comfortably above CHF 20,000 in year one, again excluding the CHF 20,000 capital.
How to control the total
The best way to keep costs predictable is to scope only what you need. A Swiss-resident founder may not need a resident director; a dormant holding company needs minimal bookkeeping. We confirm the final quote after a 30-minute scoping call so you only pay for the services your structure actually requires.