Written by FirmEU
Are you interested in registering a company in Switzerland? Registering a company in Switzerland can be seen as a complicated process, which in reality, it is not with the right legal consultancy. Read more below about how to register a company in Switzerland.
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Before launching a business in Switzerland, it’s important to evaluate the legal requirements and decide which legal form best suits your business. A limited liability company (GmbH) is the most popular type of company for medium and large firms, while sole proprietorships or partnerships are often chosen by smaller businesses. Carefully evaluate your interests, needs and financial resources to determine which legal structure best fits your needs. Legal consultancy for your specific business activities can be very important when starting a business in a new jurisdiction. Just to give you an example; if you are active in a high-risk industry like the adult industry, it is important to seek legal consultancy. The main reason for this is that legal consultants like FirmEU can guide you through Swiss regulations in regard to your business activities.
When registering a business in Switzerland, you must initially register with the Commercial Register either at the Cantonal or Federal level. It’s recommended that companies consult with a lawyer to properly register their company as there are specific legal obligations and costs associated with forming and managing a company in Switzerland. Additionally, certain acts must be officially documented such as naming the board of directors and appointing an auditor. Furthermore, businesses may need to adhere to particular accounting regulations, obtain necessary permits, pay social insurance contributions and taxes, employ personnel, etc. Ultimately, these steps will ensure that your business is legitimate and legally compliant.
The commercial register in Switzerland is handled at a cantonal level. The form or structure that your company will take must be decided upon before registering; these form types include sole proprietorship, public limited company (AG), private limited companies (GmbH or SARL), branch office, and representative office. Evaluation of the benefits associated with each type of business form should be conducted prior to making any decisions. Additionally, you’ll need to pick a body conciliation as well as appoint an auditor and honorary board of directors. Lastly, documents such as the articles of incorporation and partnership agreements are needed so make sure that you’ve acquired certified originals signed by all parties involved.
For Switzerland business registration, you need to first decide on the type of company you want to register. Then you will have to pick the company name, the shareholders, and appoint your company directors. Once these steps are complete, you can then begin the official registration process which involves preparing necessary documents and filing them with relevant agencies in Switzerland.
The documents you need to register a company in Switzerland will vary depending on the type of company and the canton where it is located. Typically, this includes documents related to the legal form of your business, such as the Articles of Association, draft bylaws, a statement from the founders or directors of the company, and its founding capital. Additionally, you may be required to submit other forms or documents specific to foreign businesses. You must also ensure that you pay all relevant fees upon registration. Once your registration application is accepted and approved, you can officially begin operating your business in Switzerland.
The registered office address is the official location of the company. It must be a physical address located within Switzerland, and it must be able to receive legal documents. This will be the company’s main address appearing in all official records, so choose carefully. Your registered office address doesn’t have to match your business’s operations location; for example, you can use a virtual office service in Switzerland.
In order to officially register and run your company in Switzerland, it is necessary to open a dedicated business banking account. This is required as Swiss law requires all companies to have their own bank accounts for financial transactions. It is also essential in order to register with the Value Added Tax Authority, as business owners will need to provide a certificate of registration from their bank to do so. Opening a corporate banking account can be completed online or in person, with some banks offering the option of free business accounts for registered companies. These banks are mainly local traditional banks you will have to visit during the application or a bank with online account opening solutions.
There are a number of banking solutions available for Swiss companies, offering a range of features designed to assist businesses with cash flow, payroll, and VAT tax payments. Most Swiss banks will provide advice on setting up business accounts as well as providing tailored business banking services and online banking applications which enable companies to monitor financial activity in real-time. There is also a range of specialized business loans available to Swiss companies to support their expansion, ranging from small finance all the way up to multi-million euro investments.
FirmEU is specialized in assisting our clients with opening bank accounts for their Swiss companies, as well as any other foreign companies you may have. Bank account opening will have to be done either face-to-face or online. If you are looking for a bank with online account opening solutions, then feel free to consult FirmEU, as one of our many banking partners will onboard you.
Are you in an industry that is considered to be high-risk? Then check out our High-risk banking page, where we explain which high-risk industries we can serve.
If you are interested in learning more about Switzerland business registration, then feel free to take a look at our Company incorporation in Switzerland page or contact us now for a free quote.
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