Company formation in Switzerland
GmbH / Sàrl
Legal minimum, year 1£2,790
Legal minimum, per year after£900
Typical year 1£9,180
Corporation tax14%Ease Banking
Every fee
Setting up
Government fee£540
About CHF 600 registryNotary and register handling£450 to 900
Required
Swiss-resident director£900 to 2,700
RequiredUsually via fiduciary
Capital deposit account£0 to 180
Required
Fiduciary formation service£0 to 1,350
Optional
Share capitalCHF 20,000 (Fully paid in)
Time to form2 to 4 weeks
Running it, per year
Swiss-resident director£900 to 2,700
Required
Fiduciary accounting£0 to 6,300
Practically needed
Registered address£0 to 900
Optional
Legal minimum after year 1£900
Audit: Opt-out possible for small companiesForeign ownersAt least one Swiss-resident person with signing authorityNotary deed; resident director usually provided by a fiduciary
TaxAbout 12% to 21% combined, by canton (Zug about 12%)Dividend withholding: 35% (largely refundable by treaty)VAT/GST: 8.1%
BankingCapital deposit account needed; strict KYC
Nominee resident director costs are in the indirect and running ranges.
Questions
- How much does it cost to set up a company in Switzerland?
- The legal minimum for the first year is £2,790, counting only what the law requires and doing every filing yourself. A typical first year, with an accountant, costs about £9,180. The government fee is £540 (About CHF 600 registry). Share capital is not included.
- How much does it cost per year to run a company in Switzerland?
- The legal minimum after the first year is £900 a year. Running costs including optional and practically needed services range from £900 to 9,900. Audit: Opt-out possible for small companies.
- Do I need a local director in Switzerland?
- Yes. At least one Swiss-resident person with signing authority.
- Can a non-resident form a company in Switzerland remotely?
- Not fully. Notary deed; resident director usually provided by a fiduciary.
- What is the corporation tax rate in Switzerland?
- About 12% to 21% combined, by canton (Zug about 12%). Dividend withholding: 35% (largely refundable by treaty). VAT/GST: 8.1%.
- How long does it take to form a company in Switzerland?
- 2 to 4 weeks.
Elsewhere in Europe
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