Guided path
Start your company in Switzerland
Tell us what you want to set up: we analyse your needs and identify the most suitable fiduciary solutions for you.
Section 1 of 10
Project
Goal and legal form
Complete guide
Setting up a company in Switzerland: how it works with Confedera
GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA, capital, notary, Commercial Register, VAT and social security: the full Swiss incorporation journey explained step by step. With Confedera you fill in one form: we analyse your case and contact you directly with the most suitable trustee solution.
- 26
- Cantons covered
- 10–15 days
- Average registration
- CHF 20,000
- Minimum GmbH capital
- 0%
- Confedera commission
How the Confedera system works
We are not a trustee firm, and you never have to search or compare firms: you fill in one form, the Confedera team analyses the case and contacts you with the most suitable solutions. No obligation, no commission.
- 1
You complete the guided form
Ten technical sections: legal form, canton and seat, capital and contributions, bodies and directors, corporate purpose, VAT, pensions, domiciliation and accounting. Every field is a guided choice, with no notarial jargon.
- 2
You get the incorporation dossier as a PDF
The system builds a full dossier with a cost estimate (notary, Commercial Register, trustee fees) and the document checklist required by your canton. It is yours, downloadable and reusable.
- 3
Confedera analyses your request
We internally assess legal form, canton, timing, complexity and your specific needs, then identify the right trustee solution. Nothing to search for, nothing to compare.
- 4
We contact you directly
We present the recommended options and support you through to incorporation. You sign the mandate yourself, with no Confedera commission.
GmbH or AG: choosing the legal form
Over 90% of new Swiss companies start as a GmbH/Sàrl or an AG/SA. The choice depends on available capital, owner privacy and plans to bring in investors.
| GmbH / Sàrl | AG / SA | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | CHF 20,000, fully paid in | CHF 100,000, at least 50,000 paid in |
| Owners in the register | Publicly registered | Shareholders not public |
| Best for | SMEs, services, family businesses | Growth companies, investment rounds |
| Liability | Limited to share capital | Limited to share capital |
| Transfer of shares | Formal, with owners' approval | Simple share transfer |
Real costs and timelines
Amounts vary by canton and by the complexity of the articles. The Confedera dossier shows a personalised estimate before you contact any firm.
- Notarial deedCHF 600 – 1,800
Public notarisation of the articles and deed of incorporation.
- Commercial RegisterCHF 600 – 1,000
Cantonal registration fees for the new company.
- Capital accountCHF 0 – 300
Deposit of the capital with a Swiss bank.
- Trustee feeCHF 900 – 2,500
Full filing, articles, domiciliation and first year.
Requirements to meet
- At least one person resident in Switzerland with signing authority (manager or director).
- Registered office in a Swiss canton, with a real address or domiciliation at a trustee firm.
- Capital paid into an escrow account before the notarial deed.
- Articles compliant with the Code of Obligations and a defined corporate purpose.
- VAT registration above CHF 100,000 of annual Swiss turnover.
- Social security and pension affiliation as soon as salaries are paid.
After registration: what remains
- 1Accounting and closingChart of accounts, annual bookkeeping and first statutory accounts.
- 2VAT and taxesVAT registration, cantonal and federal instalments, annual return.
- 3EmployeesSocial insurance, pension fund, accident cover and compliant contracts.
- 4GrowthCapital increases, investor entry, acquisitions through the marketplace.
Incorporate in Zug, Zurich, Geneva or Ticino?
The seat determines profit taxation, the language of the filing and Commercial Register timelines. Confedera works in English, German, French and Italian and selects firms familiar with your canton's practice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to incorporate in Switzerland?
With complete documents and paid-in capital, it takes on average 10–15 working days from the notarial deed to registration in the Commercial Register, varying by canton.
Do I need a Swiss partner or director?
Nationality is not required, but at least one person with signing authority must be resident in Switzerland. Many trustee firms offer this together with domiciliation.
Does Confedera incorporate the company for me?
No. Confedera is a publishing and comparison platform: we structure the dossier and connect you with verified trustees. You sign the mandate directly with the firm you choose.
What does Confedera cost?
Filling in the form, generating the PDF dossier and sending the request are free. We take no commission on the trustee mandate.
Can I incorporate from abroad?
Yes. The journey is designed for foreign entrepreneurs and investors too: we handle the request in four languages and flag firms used to international clients.
Ready to set up your company?
Fill in the form above: we analyse your needs and contact you with the most suitable fiduciary solutions.