Swiss Company Incorporation

Requirements of Swiss company incorporation

Swiss company incorporation must comply with Swiss law. Such requirements include the selection of legal form, appointment of directors, and the registration of the company with the authorities.

Legal form

One of the first requirements for incorporating a Swiss company is the selection of a legal form. Swiss law recognises several types of legal entities, including the Aktiengesellschaft (AG), the Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH), and the limited partnership. Each legal form has advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to choose the one that best suits the needs of the shareholders.

Director Requirement

Another requirement for forming a Swiss company is the appointment of directors. Swiss company law requires that a Swiss company have at least one director who is a resident of Switzerland. The director must be an individual, and cannot be another legal entity. Additionally, the company must appoint a registered agent who will act as a liaison between the company and the Swiss authorities.

Registration

Registering a Swiss company also requires the registration of the company with the appropriate authorities. This includes registering the company with the Swiss Commercial Register. Additionally, for certain types of business activity, it may be necessary to obtain the necessary permits or licenses.

Paid in Capital

In addition, Swiss company registration also requires the payment of incorporation fees, and the deposit of authorised capital. The authorised capital must be at least CHF 100,000 for an AG (half, or CHF 50,000 must be paid in) and CHF 20,000 for a GmbH.

Articles of Incorporation

Another requirement for Swiss company formation is the preparation of the company’s articles of incorporation. For example, it is required that the articles of incorporation be written in one of the official Swiss languages (German, French, Italian). Moreover, they must include certain information including as the company’s name, registered office, purpose of the company, authorised capital, and details of the shareholders and directors.

Conclusion

Incorporating a Swiss company requires compliance with Swiss laws and regulations. This includes the selection of a legal form, the appointment of directors, the registration of the company with the appropriate authorities, payment of incorporation fees, and deposit of authorised capital. It is important to seek the help of a professional advisor to ensure that all requirements for incorporation are met.

 

Contact Swiss AMF for more information about incorporating a company in Switzerland.