Setting up a company in Switzerland is clearly regulated and easy to plan – as long as you know the order of the steps. This overview shows which legal form suits your plans, how incorporation works in seven steps, which documents you need, how long it takes and what to do after registration in the commercial register. For details on the AG, see our full guide.
Key facts
- The three most common legal forms are the sole proprietorship, the GmbH (limited liability company) and the AG (company limited by shares); they differ mainly in liability, capital and administrative effort.
- GmbH and AG require minimum capital (CHF 20,000 or CHF 100,000), notarised articles of association and registration in the commercial register.
- A sole proprietorship needs neither capital nor notarisation; registration in the commercial register is mandatory from CHF 100,000 annual turnover.
- With a digital process, forming a GmbH or AG takes hours rather than weeks, without appearing in person before a notary.
Which legal form is right for you?
| Sole proprietorship | GmbH | AG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | none | CHF 20,000, fully paid in | CHF 100,000, at least CHF 50,000 paid in |
| Liability | personal, with all private assets | company assets only | company assets only |
| Founders | one natural person | one or more persons | one or more persons |
| Notarisation | no | yes | yes |
| Commercial register | mandatory from CHF 100,000 turnover | always | always |
| Owners published | owner | members with their capital contributions | shareholders not published |
| Suited to | freelancers, small start | SMEs, self-employed with staff | growth, investors, groups |
Sole proprietorship: the simplest start – you trade under your own name (the business name must contain your surname) but are personally liable for all debts. More in our article on the sole proprietorship in Switzerland.
GmbH: the most frequently formed corporation – limited liability with moderate capital; members are listed in the commercial register. Step by step: setting up a GmbH in Switzerland.
AG: more capital, but anonymous shareholders, easily transferable shares and a structure investors know. Step by step: setting up an AG in Switzerland.
Undecided? The comparison sole proprietorship, GmbH or AG helps you decide.
Company formation in 7 steps
The following steps apply to the GmbH and AG; for a sole proprietorship, capital and notarisation are not required.
1. Decide on the legal form and key details
Legal form, company name, registered office, purpose, capital and shareholdings, management or board of directors and signing authorities. At least one person with signing authority must be resident in Switzerland.
2. Check the company name
The name must be clearly distinguishable from all names in the commercial register and contain the legal form. A prior check in the Central Business Name Index Zefix avoids rejections.
3. Draw up the articles and incorporation documents
Articles of association, deed of incorporation, declarations of acceptance and domicile, plus the Stampa and Lex Koller declarations. Exactly which documents you need is covered in our article on documents for company formation.
4. Open a capital deposit account and pay in the capital
The capital is paid into a blocked account with a Swiss bank; the bank issues the capital deposit confirmation and releases the funds after registration. With Hoop, the account with UBS or YAPEAL can be opened directly from the process – any other bank is also possible.
5. Notarisation
Forming a GmbH or AG requires notarisation. Traditionally this happens at an appointment with a notary; with a digital incorporation it is possible without appearing in person. More on the requirements: notarial requirements for company formation.
6. Application to the commercial register
The documents go to the commercial register office of the canton where the company has its seat – our overview of the commercial register offices in Switzerland shows which one is responsible. The office checks the documents formally and registers the company.
7. Registration, UID and first obligations
Registration brings the company into existence; it receives its UID, the entry appears in the SOGC and the capital is released. Then come the obligations after incorporation (see below).
How long does company formation take?
The traditional route takes two to four weeks for a GmbH or AG from the first notary appointment to registration – mainly because of appointments, opening the account and correspondence between bank, notary and office. With a fully digital process, every step up to the application is done in one day; the registration is then carried out by the commercial register office. A sole proprietorship, with no notarisation or capital, can be registered even faster.
What the costs are made up of
For the GmbH and AG the same types of cost apply: notarisation (cantonal notarial tariff), the commercial register fee (set under federal law) and SOGC publication, the bank fee for the capital deposit account and, where applicable, domicile or advisory services. The capital itself is not an expense – it remains available to the company after registration.
After incorporation: the first obligations
- Share register or register of members and register of beneficial owners – easiest digitally.
- Transparency register: from 1 October 2026, report beneficial owners (transparency register).
- Social security: register with an AHV compensation fund, take out accident insurance and occupational pension cover once you employ staff.
- VAT: register from CHF 100,000 annual turnover (voluntarily earlier).
- Accounting set up and business account in use.
Company formation checklist
- Legal form chosen
- Company name checked in Zefix
- Registered office and domicile clarified
- Capital, shareholdings and signing authorities defined; person resident in Switzerland appointed
- Auditor appointed or opt-out resolved
- Capital deposit account opened and capital paid in
- Articles and incorporation documents prepared, notarisation completed
- Commercial register application filed
- After registration: share register/register of members, transparency register, AHV, VAT, accounting
Company formation online with Hoop
With Hoop you set up your GmbH, AG or sole proprietorship in a guided online process: name check, automatically generated articles and documents, capital deposit account opened directly with UBS or YAPEAL (or with your own bank), notarisation without personal appearance, qualified electronic signature and filing with the competent commercial register office. Full details: company formation with Hoop.
Frequently asked questions about company formation in Switzerland
Which legal form is best?
It depends on liability, capital and your plans. For a low-risk freelancer a sole proprietorship is often enough; to limit liability, most people choose a GmbH; for investors and growth, an AG.
Can I set up a company on my own?
Yes – a sole proprietorship in any case, but a GmbH or AG can also be formed by a single person.
Do I have to live in Switzerland to set up a company?
Not as a member or shareholder. However, a GmbH or AG must be able to be represented by at least one person resident in Switzerland.
Do I need a notary?
Notarisation is mandatory for a GmbH or AG – with a digital process, without appearing in person. A sole proprietorship does not need a notary.
When does a sole proprietorship have to register in the commercial register?
Once annual turnover reaches CHF 100,000. Voluntary registration is possible earlier.
How long does company formation take?
Digitally, every step up to the commercial register application can be done in one day; the traditional route takes two to four weeks. The registration itself depends on the commercial register office.
Can I set up a company online?
Yes. With Hoop, identification, signature, capital deposit and filing are digital; notarisation is possible without personal appearance.
Next steps with Hoop
Incorporate your LLC, Ltd or sole proprietorship directly online – with digital identification, qualified signature and filing with the competent commercial register office.
Company incorporation online with Hoop · Commercial register offices · Digital share register for LLC and Ltd
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.