Form

Company formation

Enter all the details for your company formation directly online – for any legal form. Once you have chosen the legal form, you will only see the fields it requires. We check everything, clarify the company name and get back to you with the next steps.

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* Required fields. Leave blank anything you do not know yet, or select “Not decided yet” – we will clarify it with you.

1Legal form

Choose the legal form

Sole proprietorshipOne person runs the business and is liable with all of their personal assets.GmbH (limited liability company)Nominal capital of at least CHF 20'000. Liability is limited to the company’s assets.AG (company limited by shares)Share capital of at least CHF 100'000. Liability is limited to the company’s assets.General partnershipTwo or more people run the business together and are personally liable.Limited partnershipAt least one person has unlimited liability, at least one is liable only up to the limited partner’s contribution.CooperativeAt least 7 members jointly promote their common interests. No minimum capital.AssociationFor a non-commercial purpose, e.g. sport, culture or social causes. At least 2 members.FoundationAssets are permanently dedicated to a specific purpose.Branch of a Swiss companyAn additional location of an existing company with its registered office in Switzerland.Branch of a foreign companyA location in Switzerland for a company with its registered office abroad.Not sure yet – I would like adviceDescribe your plans. We will recommend the right legal form for you.

What is required

Entry in the commercial register is mandatory from CHF 100'000 in turnover per year and voluntary below that.
No minimum capital.
The business name must include your surname.
Registration as self-employed with the AHV compensation office.

What is required

Nominal capital of at least CHF 20'000, fully paid in at formation.
One or more individuals or companies as members (shareholders).
The articles of association and the formation are recorded in a public deed by a notary, followed by entry in the commercial register.
At least one person resident in Switzerland must be able to represent the GmbH (managing director or executive officer).

What is required

Share capital of at least CHF 100'000. At formation, at least 20% of each share and at least CHF 50'000 in total must be paid in.
One or more individuals or companies as shareholders.
Board of directors with at least one member.
The articles of association and the formation are recorded in a public deed by a notary, followed by entry in the commercial register.
At least one person resident in Switzerland must be able to represent the AG (member of the board of directors or executive officer).

What is required

At least two natural persons; companies cannot be partners.
All partners have personal and unlimited liability.
No minimum capital. A written partnership agreement is recommended.
The company name must include the legal form (e.g. “KlG”).

What is required

At least one natural person has unlimited liability (general partner).
At least one individual or company is liable only up to the limited partner’s contribution (limited partner). This contribution is entered in the commercial register.
No minimum capital.
The company name must include the legal form (e.g. “KmG”).

What is required

At least 7 founding members.
No minimum capital; share certificates may be issued.
The board of directors consists of at least 3 people, the majority of whom are members of the cooperative.
Written articles of association and a founding meeting, followed by entry in the commercial register.
At least one person resident in Switzerland must be able to represent the cooperative.

What is required

At least 2 members and written articles of association setting out the purpose, resources and organisation.
The committee manages the association.
Entry in the commercial register is only mandatory if the association runs a commercial business, is subject to audit or mainly collects or distributes funds for purposes abroad.
No minimum capital.

What is required

Established by public deed before a notary, followed by entry in the commercial register.
Legally, there is no minimum amount of assets; the supervisory authorities usually expect at least CHF 50'000.
The foundation board is the supreme governing body. In practice, at least one authorised signatory resident in Switzerland is required.
An auditor is required; small foundations can apply to the supervisory authority for an exemption.

What is required

Entry in the commercial register at the location of the branch.
Same company name as the head office; an addition such as the location is permitted.
At least one person who can represent the branch.

What is required

Entry in the commercial register at the location of the branch.
At least one person resident in Switzerland must be able to represent the branch.
The company name states the head office’s company name, the location of the head office, the location of the branch and the addition “Zweigniederlassung” (branch).
Required: a certified extract from the register and the articles of association of the head office (usually with an apostille), as well as the resolution to establish the branch.

What is required

Together with you, we compare the liability, costs, taxes and social insurance of the suitable legal forms.
You can already enter people and capital, but you do not have to.

2Company name and registered office

Preferred company name (optional) *

Must include your surname, e.g. “Muster Malerei”. Additions such as “AG” or “GmbH” are not permitted.

Can be chosen freely; must include “GmbH” and be clearly distinguishable from existing companies.

Can be chosen freely; must include “AG” and be clearly distinguishable from existing companies.

Can be chosen freely; the legal form must appear in the name (e.g. “Muster & Partner KlG”).

Can be chosen freely; the legal form must appear in the name (e.g. “Muster KmG”).

Can be chosen freely; “Genossenschaft” must appear in the name.

The name of the association can be chosen freely.

The name of the foundation can be chosen freely.

Same name as the head office, with an addition such as the location, e.g. “Muster AG, Zweigniederlassung Basel”.

Company name and location of the head office, location of the branch and “Zweigniederlassung”, e.g. “Muster GmbH, München, Zweigniederlassung Basel”.

If you already have an idea, we will check whether the name is available.

Alternative 1 (optional)

Alternative 2 (optional)

Head office

Company name of the head office *

Legal form of the head office *

Location of the head office (town or city) *

Country of the head office *

UID of the head office *

Registration number of the head office (optional)

Capital of the head office, including currency (optional)

Registered office (municipality)Location of the branch *

Canton *

Business address (domicile) *Own business address (rented or owned)c/o address with another person or companyI would like a domicile address – please arrange oneNot decided yet

The company needs an address in the municipality of its registered office. Without its own premises, a c/o address is also possible; this requires written confirmation from the person or company providing the address.

c/o: name of the person or company providing the address *

Street / no. *

Postcode / town *

Purpose: what does the company do?Your plans: what would you like to do? *

Brief and specific, e.g. “Painting and plastering work for private clients and companies”. We will use this to word the purpose for the articles of association and the commercial register.

3Capital and contributions

Nominal or share capital in CHF *

At least CHF 20'000; fully paid in at formation.At least CHF 100'000.

Of which paid in at formation, in CHF *

At least 20% of the share capital and at least CHF 50'000.

Number of shares (optional)

Registered shares; we will calculate the nominal value per share from this.

Type of contribution *Cash contribution (payment into a capital deposit account)Contribution in kind (e.g. vehicles, machinery, an existing business)Cash contribution and contribution in kind

A contribution in kind requires a contribution-in-kind agreement, a formation report and an audit confirmation from a licensed auditor.

Contribution in kind: what is being contributed and at what value? *

Bank for the capital deposit (blocked account) *Bank already chosenPlease put me in touch with a bankNot decided yet

Before the notary appointment, the capital is paid into a capital deposit account (blocked account) at a bank in Switzerland. The bank releases it after entry in the commercial register.

Name of the bank *

Nominal value of one share certificate in CHF (optional)

Leave blank if no share certificates are planned.

Foundation assets in CHF *

Legally, there is no minimum amount of assets; the supervisory authorities usually expect at least CHF 50'000.

Type of foundation *

Apply for tax exemption on the grounds of charitable status

4People involved

Enter yourself as the owner and, if required, other authorised signatories.

Enter all members with their shares and the people in the management. One person can have several roles.

Enter all founding shareholders with their shares and the members of the board of directors. One person can have several roles.

Enter all partners, at least two.

Enter all general partners and limited partners, with each limited partner’s contribution.

Enter all founding members (at least 7) and the members of the board of directors (at least 3). For people who are only members, name and place of residence are sufficient.

Enter the founding members (at least 2) and the committee. For people who are only members, name and place of residence are sufficient.

Enter the founders and the members of the foundation board.

Enter the branch management and any other authorised signatories.

Enter the branch management; at least one authorised signatory must be resident in Switzerland.

Optional: who is involved in the formation?

Person 1

Individual or company *

Role(s) *

OwnerAuthorised officer (Prokurist)Other authorised signatory

Member (shareholder)Chair of the management boardManaging directorExecutive officer (Direktor/in)Authorised officer (Prokurist)

ShareholderChair of the board of directorsMember of the board of directorsManaging director / executive officerAuthorised officer (Prokurist)

Partner (unlimited liability)Authorised officer (Prokurist)

General partner (unlimited liability)Limited partner (liable up to their contribution)Authorised officer (Prokurist)

Founding memberChair of the board of directorsMember of the board of directorsManaging director

Founding memberPresidentCommittee memberTreasurer

Founder (Stifter/in)Chair of the foundation boardMember of the foundation boardManaging director

Branch managerOther authorised signatory

FounderFinancial backerPlanned management

First name *

Last name *

Company name *

UID / registration number (optional)

Street / no. *

Postcode / town *

Place of residence or registered office *

Country *

Date of birth *

Nationality *

Place of origin (shown in the Swiss passport or ID card) *

Nationality (country) *

Shares (Stammanteile) in CHF *

Shares: nominal value in CHF *

Contribution in CHF (optional)

Limited partner’s contribution in CHF *

Contribution in CHF (optional)

Number of share certificates (optional)

Endowment in CHF (optional)

Signing authority *

5Organisation

Auditor *Waiver of audit (Opting-out)Limited auditOrdinary auditNot sure yet – please advise

The audit can be waived if the company has an annual average of no more than 10 full-time positions and all those involved agree.

Auditor, if already known (optional)

Auditor *Appoint an auditorApply to the supervisory authority for an exemption (small foundation)Not sure yet – please advise

An exemption is possible if the balance sheet total is below CHF 200'000 in two consecutive years and the foundation does not publicly solicit donations.

Auditor, if already known (optional)

Do all those involved hold their shares on their own account? *Yes, all on their own accountNo, someone holds shares on behalf of another person

The bank and the law require information on the beneficial owners.

On whose behalf are the shares held? *

Should the association be entered in the commercial register? *YesNoNot sure yet

Planned annual membership fee (optional)

6Business

Planned start (optional)

Industry *

Employees in the first year (optional)

Turnover in the first year (estimated) *

Do you expect to be liable for VAT? *YesNoNot sure yet

Mandatory from CHF 100'000 in turnover per year; for non-profit sports and cultural associations and charitable institutions, from CHF 250'000. Voluntary registration is possible.

7Services required

What can we help you with? *Complete formation: articles of association, notary, commercial registerAdvice on the legal formAccounting / fiduciary servicesTaxesVAT registration and returnsPayroll accounting and personnel administrationRegistration with the AHV compensation officeInsurance (business liability, accident, pension fund, daily sickness benefits)Domicile addressWebsite and IT

8Contact

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

9Documents and comments

Select files (optional)

Photograph document

Helpful: passport or ID card of all persons, draft articles of association or partnership agreement, business plan, lease or confirmation of the c/o address and, for a branch, the register extract of the head office. Photo or PDF, no more than 9 files, up to 10 MB each and 20 MB in total.

Comments (optional)

10ConsentI ask VFR to review my details and contact me about the formation. This is not yet a binding order.I consent to VFR processing my details and those of the other persons for the formation. I confirm that the other persons agree to this. I have read the privacy notice. Open the privacy notice

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