Trading · family holdings · wealth
Switzerland Company Formation (GmbH & AG)
Switzerland is chosen for its stability, reputation and financial expertise. Companies are formed with notarised documents, and a Swiss-resident authorised signatory is required.
Overview
GmbH (limited liability company)
For trading and service companies.
AG (company limited by shares)
For larger operations, holdings and investors.
Holding company
For participations and family structures.
Good fit for
- Commodity and trading companies
- Family holdings and wealth structures
- Businesses that benefit from a Swiss address and reputation
Limitations to plan for
- At least one Swiss-resident person with signing authority
- Minimum share capital paid in before registration
- Cantonal differences in tax and procedures
Banking
Swiss banks apply strict KYC and expect a clear source of wealth; preparation of the file decides the timeline.
Package and price
An independent licensed provider files the company; BDA coordinates. Final inclusions are confirmed in the written offer after KYC.
Switzerland formation
From €6,090
Switzerland wealth and residence mandate
From €43,290
GmbH and AG differ in minimum capital and governance; the form is chosen first and quoted for that form.
Usually part of formation
- Notarised articles and public deed of incorporation
- Minimum share capital deposited in a blocked capital account
- At least one authorised signatory resident in Switzerland
- Entry in the cantonal commercial register
Optional, quoted separately
- Local address or registered office, to be confirmed in the offer
- Tax and VAT registrations, as the activity requires
- Bank-account application support (KYC and application, no guaranteed approval)
- Bookkeeping and accounting
Every year
- Annual accounts and tax returns
- Audit or opting-out, as the law allows
- Resident signatory and domicile renewal
Government fee, registered agent and office, annual return and any accounting or audit. These are separate from formation and quoted before the due date.
Whether a resident signatory and a Swiss domicile are included in the quoted price is confirmed in the written offer.
Corporate services after formationSteps and documents
How formation runs
- 01
Review
Your activity, owners and goals are checked against this jurisdiction.
- 02
Proposal
Written scope with fees, exclusions and annual costs.
- 03
KYC and filing
Documents are collected and the provider files with the registry.
- 04
Handover
Company documents, then renewals and maintenance if you need them.
Documents and requirements
- Passport and proof of address for every owner, director and beneficial owner
- Short CV or business background
- Description of the activity, countries and expected flows
- Evidence of source of funds
Separate scope · not included by default
Optional corporate services
Nominee director
An appointed director serves on the company's governing body and has real statutory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not simply a name on a register: decision-making powers, signing authority and reporting duties must be agreed lawfully.
Availability and price on request
Nominee shareholder
A nominee shareholder holds registered legal title to shares for an identified beneficial owner under a lawful, documented arrangement. Voting, dividends, instructions and transfer rights must be defined; this is a different role from a director.
Availability and price on request
Beneficial-owner identification and bank/registered-agent KYC still apply. Nominee arrangements do not guarantee anonymity, an account, residence or a tax result. Availability, approvals and duties depend on local law and the provider's acceptance; some arrangements are unavailable or prohibited.
Banking application assistance
Business profile, ownership documents and application coordination. The bank makes its own decision; opening fees and ongoing bank charges are separate.
Registered office & company administration
Address, agent or secretary arrangements where required, corporate amendments and annual compliance coordination. The quote must state each service and period covered.
Incorporation is the easy part.
Most structures run into trouble later — at the bank, or with tax authorities. We plan for these from day one.
The bank says no
A company without a clear activity, substance or source-of-funds story is hard to bank. The account route is assessed before incorporation, not after.
Tax residence follows management
Where a company is managed and where its owners live can matter more than where it is registered. This is reviewed with qualified tax advisers.
Permanent establishment
Staff, offices or decision-making in another country can create a taxable presence there. The operating model is mapped early.
Automatic exchange of information
Under CRS and FATCA, account information is shared between many countries. Structures are designed to be transparent and compliant.
Questions
Which company type is used in Switzerland?
GmbH (limited liability company): For trading and service companies. AG (company limited by shares): For larger operations, holdings and investors. Holding company: For participations and family structures.
Can a Switzerland company open a bank account?
Swiss banks apply strict KYC and expect a clear source of wealth; preparation of the file decides the timeline. Banks decide independently. We prepare the application and explain likely options; no account is guaranteed.
Is the local tax rate my total tax?
No. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. A qualified tax adviser reviews this before incorporation.
Is the starting price final?
No. It covers the simplest eligible case. Government fees, annual charges, VAT and third-party costs are confirmed in a written scope before payment.
Low or zero local tax is conditional
A local rate is not your total tax. Where the company is managed, where income arises, reporting rules and the owners’ own tax residence can create tax elsewhere. Your position is reviewed with a qualified tax adviser before incorporation.
Who files the company and how long does it take?
An independent local registered agent or corporate service provider, where required and suitably qualified. BDA coordinates. Timeline: Given after KYC review; depends on the registry and the provider.
Can ownership stay anonymous?
No. Beneficial owners are identified to providers and banks, and to registries where the law requires. Nominee services, where lawful, do not replace this disclosure.
Can a nominee replace beneficial-owner disclosure?
No. The director and shareholder roles are separate legal appointments. Beneficial owners must still be identified for applicable registry, agent and bank checks. Neither service is automatically available or included in formation.
Discuss a Switzerland company
Tell us the activity, owners and where you live. We reply with a first view and the next step.