Starting a GmbH in Switzerland: The Complete Process

The GmbH is Switzerland’s most popular limited-liability vehicle. Setting one up follows a defined legal process.

The requirements

You need CHF 20,000 in share capital, one or more founders, articles of association, and a registered office in Switzerland. The capital must be paid in before registration.

At least one founder must be a natural or legal person. The founder does not need to be Swiss, but the company must have a Swiss registered office.

The articles of association set out the company’s name, purpose, capital and governance. They are a legal document, not a formality.

The CHF 20,000 capital must be paid into a blocked account or held until the company is registered, at which point it becomes available to the company.

• CHF 20,000 share capital.
• One or more founders.
• Articles of association.
• Registered Swiss office.

The steps

Draft the articles, deposit the capital, notarise the deed, and register in the commercial register. The company legally exists only once it is registered.

Open a bank account and deposit the capital so the bank can confirm the funds are available. The bank issues a confirmation for the notary.

Have the founding deed notarised by a Swiss notary. Notarisation is mandatory and confirms the identity and intention of the founders.

File for registration in the commercial register, usually through the notary or online. Once the entry is published, the GmbH exists as a legal entity.

• Draft articles and deposit capital.
• Notarise the founding deed.
• Register in the commercial register.
• The company exists only after registration.

What it costs

Beyond the CHF 20,000 capital, you pay notary fees, commercial register fees and possibly fiduciary or legal advice. Budget several hundred to a few thousand francs for these.

The capital itself is not a fee. It stays in the company as working capital and is not spent on formation.

Notary fees vary by canton and complexity. A standard single-founder GmbH is cheaper to notarise than a complex multi-party structure.

If you use a fiduciary to handle the whole process, expect a fixed package fee that often works out cheaper than handling each step separately.

• Notary and registry fees apply.
• Capital is not a fee.
• Fees vary by canton and complexity.
• A fixed fiduciary package can be cheaper.

Planning the capital

The CHF 20,000 is not a fee — it stays in the company as working capital. Budget for the notary and registration fees on top of the capital requirement.

Think about whether CHF 20,000 is enough working capital for your plans. The minimum is a floor, not a recommended amount.

The capital can be paid in cash or in kind under certain conditions, but a cash payment is by far the simplest route for a new company.