Companies evolve. Teams grow, offices move, and sometimes the registered seat of a company no longer reflects where the business actually operates.
If you run a Swiss GmbH or AG, changing the company’s registered address is a formal process that must be recorded in the Commercial Register. The good news is that the procedure is straightforward when you know the steps and requirements.
This guide explains how to change the registered address of a Swiss company and what founders, SMEs, and fiduciaries should keep in mind.
What Does “Registered Address” Mean in Switzerland?
The registered address is the official legal seat of a company. It determines which Commercial Register office is responsible for the company and where official correspondence is sent.
The registered seat includes two elements – the municipality (city) where the company is registered and the street address where it can be reached.
A company may change:
- its street address within the same municipality or
- its legal seat from one municipality or canton to another
Both cases must be recorded in the Commercial Register, although the process differs slightly.
When Do You Need to Change the Company Address?
Typical situations include relocating to a new office, moving to a coworking space, or transferring the company seat to another city or canton.
For startups and SMEs, this often happens during growth phases. Many young companies start with a registered address at a fiduciary or domiciliation service and later move to their own office.
Fiduciaries also frequently manage address changes on behalf of their clients as part of ongoing corporate administration.
Regardless of the reason, the new address becomes legally valid only once it is registered and published in the Commercial Register.
Step 1: Determine the Type of Address Change
The first step is to identify what type of change you are making.
If the company remains in the same municipality, only the street address changes. This is usually a simpler update.
If the company moves to a different municipality or canton, the official company seat changes. In this case, the articles of association must normally be amended, and additional documentation may be required.
Understanding the type of change is important because it determines the required documents and formalities.
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
Changing the registered address of a Swiss company typically requires several formal documents.
These may include a board resolution or shareholder resolution, a signed application to the Commercial Register, and, depending on the case, an updated version of the articles of association.
Signatures often need to be officially notarised. If the change involves moving to another municipality, a public deed prepared by a notary is usually required.
The exact requirements may vary depending on the canton and the nature of the change.
Step 3: Submit the Change to the Commercial Register
Once the documents are prepared and signed, the application must be submitted to the competent Commercial Register office.
The register reviews the documents and, if everything is correct, publishes the change in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB).
Only after this publication is the new address legally effective.
For traditional processes, this can involve several manual steps, coordination with a notary, and document exchanges between different parties.
Step 4: Update Related Information
After the change is registered, companies should ensure that the new address is reflected everywhere it appears. This includes the company website, invoices, contracts, banking information, and official communication channels.
Informing partners and authorities early helps avoid administrative issues and ensures business continuity.
A Faster Way to Update Your Company Address
For founders and fiduciaries, managing Commercial Register changes can be time-consuming.
Digital solutions now make it possible to prepare and submit company modifications online, reducing paperwork and administrative friction.
Platforms like Hoop simplify the process by guiding users through the required steps, generating the necessary documents, and coordinating the submission to the Commercial Register.
This makes address changes faster and easier for companies that want to keep their corporate information up to date without complex administrative work.
Conclusion
Changing the registered address of a Swiss GmbH or AG is a common corporate update, but it must follow formal legal procedures.
The key steps include identifying the type of change, preparing the required documents, submitting the request to the Commercial Register and updating related company information.
With the right preparation and digital tools, the process can be completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to your business.
If you are planning to relocate your company’s seat, choosing a streamlined digital approach can save time and reduce administrative complexity.
Update your company address quickly and securely.
Discover how Hoop helps you manage Commercial Register changes online.
This blog article does not constitute legal advice, it is made available “as is” and makes no claim to completeness or accuracy. Hoop makes no warranty or liability as to its content. This is excluded to the extent permitted by law. Use is at your own risk. Legal advice is recommended if necessary.