Quick and easy business establishment

Setting up a business is quick and easy in the Greater Zurich Area. In some cases it is even possible online. Basically, anyone in Switzerland can found a company. Depending on the type of company different preconditions apply. Fundamentally, an authorized signatory (for example, an executive director) is required to be resident in Switzerland. If it is a sole proprietorship the owner needs to be resident in Switzerland.

Legal Structures of Companies – Overview

The entire process of founding the company, including the preparatory work, generally takes about one month to complete. The registration itself is possible in about seven working days, provided all of the necessary documents are correct and have been completed in full. It is advisable to have an experienced attorney or trustee to assist you with the process of founding the company. They help with completing the necessary documents, in particular the statutes, accompaning the founder of the company to the notary public, and with making time-saving arrangements at the commercial register office in advance.

Checklist – Formation of a Sole Enterprise, L.L.C, plc./corp.

Main steps in establishing a company

Preparations
	Clarify whether there are any authorizations, permits or licenses required for your business activity (e.g., for companies active in the health care sector or the catering and hotel industry)
	Check whether there is any obligatory factory insurance (e.g. for the construction industry)
	Select the legal structure of organization
	Clarify any opportunities for tax optimization
	Decide on the location of the company headquarters
	Decide on a name for the company and checking its availability
	Pay the initial capital in to a blocked account at a bank

Recording the foundation of the company at a notary's office
The founding documents need to be certified by a notary public.
Entry in the commercial register
The certified founding documents are sent to the canton’s commercial register. The documents are checked and the foundation of the company is published in the Swiss Official Trade Journal (Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt).
Miscellaneous mandatory notifications and registrations
Once the company has been legally founded, it has to register with the canton’s social security authority and clarify the VAT liability with the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.

Permits and Licenses Directory for Switzerland
SUVA – Compulsory Accident Insurance in Switzerland
Central Business Names Index – Commercial Registers
Swiss Official Trade Journal
Cantonal Authorities for Social Security
FTA – Swiss Federal Tax Administration

The cost of setting up a business

The fixed costs involved in setting up a business are approx. CHF 7'000. The total cost of setting up a business (determined by the stamp duty) depends on the amount of original capital and the amounts paid for other advice (e.g. tax consultancy). For some specific tax models it is worthwhile obtaining a so called «Tax Ruling» via an attorney (cost: approx. CHF 4'000 ).

Costs of establishing an AG
	Fees for the notary public and the entry in the commercial register: approx. CHF 2'000
	Advice and assistance from an attorney or trustee: approx. CHF 2'000-5'000
	If the original capital exceeds CHF 1 million, then stamp duty, also known as the «Emissionsausgabe», amounting to 1% of the corporate capital is payable