Company Types
Swiss GmbH (LLC): Complete Guide to Formation, Capital & Requirements
Everything you need to know about registering a GmbH in Switzerland in 2026.
Everything You Need to Start a Company in Switzerland
From choosing the right legal structure to registering with the commercial register, understanding cantonal tax rates, and managing annual compliance — all 26 cantons, one definitive guide.
10+Company Types
26Cantons Covered
94In-Depth Guides
2026Fully Current
Most Popular
Swiss GmbH (LLC)
The most common company type for small and medium businesses in Switzerland.
CHF 20KMin. Capital
2–3 WksRegistration
1+Shareholders
Data sourced from
Zefix
ESTV
KMU Admin
Fedlex
SECO
FINMA
How It Works
Company Registration in Four Steps
01
Choose Your Structure
GmbH, AG, sole proprietorship, holding — each has different capital, liability, and tax implications.
Compare types →02
Prepare Documents
Articles of association, notarial deed, ID verification, proof of capital deposit. Requirements vary by type.
See checklist →03
Register & File
Submit to your cantonal commercial register. Open a bank account. Register for VAT if applicable.
Full process →04
Start Operating
Your company is entered in the register, published in SOGC, and assigned a UID number. You’re live.
Search register →
Explore by Topic
Six Pillars of Swiss Business Knowledge
All Swiss Legal Forms Compared
GmbH vs AG, sole proprietorship, partnerships, holding companies, foundations — capital requirements, liability, and tax differences.
Explore all types →
Step-by-Step Formation Guide
Complete registration process, costs, timelines, notary requirements, company name rules. Plus: shelf companies and liquidation.
Start here →
Commercial Register & Zefix
Search Swiss companies via Zefix, get register extracts, look up UID/CHE numbers, and understand SOGC publications.
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Corporate Tax, VAT & Banking
Corporate tax rates by canton, VAT registration, withholding tax, double taxation treaties, patent box, business banking.
See tax rates →
Every Canton, Individually Researched
Commercial register contacts, tax rates, business incentives, key industries, and registration specifics for each canton.
Compare cantons →
Non-Resident Company Formation
Can you register a Swiss company without living there? Work permits, remote formation, nominee directors, fintech & crypto.
Learn more →
Quick Comparison
GmbH vs AG at a Glance
The two most popular company types in Switzerland. Over 80% of new incorporations choose one of these structures. Here’s how they differ.
Full Comparison →| Feature | GmbH Popular | AG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Capital | CHF 20,000 | CHF 100,000 |
| Shareholders | 1+ (public) | 1+ (anonymous) |
| Management | Managing Director | Board of Directors |
| Swiss Resident | 1 director required | 1 board member |
| Formation Cost | CHF 3K – 5K | CHF 5K – 10K |
| Timeline | 2 – 3 weeks | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Audit | Opt-out if <10 FTE | Opt-out if <10 FTE |
| Best For | SMEs, startups | Larger cos, IPO track |
All 26 Cantons
Find the Right Canton for Your Business
Each canton has its own commercial register, tax rates, and incentives. Compare them all.
Free Tools
Practical Tools for Your Business
5,400 searches / month
Swiss Tax Calculator
Compare corporate tax rates across all 26 cantons using the official ESTV calculator. See effective rates, deductions, and year-over-year changes.
Open Calculator →
Estimate costs instantly
Formation Cost Calculator
Select your company type and canton to get a realistic estimate of total registration costs: notary fees, register fees, and capital requirements.
Calculate Costs →
Check before you register
Company Name Checker
Verify if your desired company name is available in the Swiss commercial register before you begin the formation process.
Check Name →
Free Consultation
Not Sure Which Company Type Is Right for You?
Our experts help entrepreneurs choose the optimal legal structure, canton, and tax setup for their Swiss company — every day.
- ✓ Personalised recommendation based on your situation
- ✓ Comparison of 2–3 best-fit structures
- ✓ Tax implications by canton
- ✓ Estimated costs and timeline
- ✓ No obligation, 100% confidential
Get Your Free Assessment
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What Our Readers Say
Trusted by Entrepreneurs Worldwide
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★★★★★
I was completely lost navigating Swiss company types until I found SwissGuide. The GmbH vs AG comparison alone saved me weeks of research and helped me make the right choice for my startup.
Thomas K.
Founder, SaaS startup • Berlin
★★★★★
As a US-based entrepreneur, setting up a Swiss subsidiary seemed impossible. The ‘For Foreigners’ section walked me through every step — permits, nominee directors, banking. Invaluable.
Sarah M.
CEO, fintech company • New York
★★★★★
The cantonal tax comparison is the best I’ve found online. We moved our holding from Zürich to Zug and saved over CHF 40,000 annually. The data is accurate and always up to date.
Marco R.
CFO, trading company • Lugano
★★★★★
We used the formation cost calculator to budget our AG setup in Basel. Every estimate matched reality — notary fees, register costs, everything. Wish I had found this site two years ago.
Daniel W.
Co-founder, medtech startup • Basel
★★★★★
Our accounting firm recommends SwissGuide to every international client asking about Swiss incorporation. The quality and accuracy of information is on par with paid legal databases.
Elena V.
Tax adviser, Treuhand • Zürich
★★★★★
The shelf company guide was exactly what I needed. Bought a Mantelgesellschaft in Zug, transferred shares in 10 days. The step-by-step process described here was spot on.
James L.
Investor • London
★★★★☆
Very thorough resource. The only thing missing was more detail on crypto-specific licensing in Zug, but for general company formation it’s the best English guide available by far.
Kenji T.
Blockchain founder • Singapore
All Content Reviewed & Verified
Expert Behind the Content
Florian Rosenberg
Senior Business Consultant • AI Solutions Switzerland
Every guide on SwissGuide is researched, written, and reviewed by Florian Rosenberg — a business formation specialist based in Switzerland. With a background in Treuhandkanzlei (fiduciary offices) and private banking in both Switzerland and the United States, Florian brings first-hand expertise in corporate structuring, cantonal regulations, and cross-border company setup.
All information is cross-referenced with the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), FINMA regulations, and official cantonal register data.
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