Switzerland Company Formation
Are you interested in Switzerland company formation procedures? We have everything you need to know.
Company formation in Switzerland is in the Sarl/GmbH limited liability company format with no corporate foreign ownership restrictions. The registration process takes approximately two weeks.
There must be at least two people to start a business and incorporate in Switzerland. One of the directors must be a resident, but that person does not need to be a Swiss citizen. As for shareholders, there are no nationality restrictions, and you may have nominee shareholders.
The commercial register must approve the company name. Once approved, the director(s) and shareholder(s) must submit their personal information to the authorities. This information includes their names, date of birth and, for the director, their address and nationality.
You may be required to establish proof of identity with an approved form of photo identification.
You must pay the stamp duty and register the company with both the Social Security Authority and the local tax authorities. Switzerland requires the establishment of a registered office but does not require you to hold annual meetings in Switzerland.
Initial details regarding the company must be handed over to the Commercial Register, but following initial publication, you do not need to disclose the sale of shares for public records.
Record-keeping requirements dictate that the Swiss resident keeps tax returns. An annual audit is not required; however, any bank that has company accounts needs to have information about the company’s beneficiaries.
The public deed for the company includes the voting rights of shareholders, the share capital, the purpose of the company, the number of shares, types and contributions and the calling of shareholder meetings.