Company Formation · Europe
Switzerland
We form companies in Switzerland. The usual vehicles are a GmbH or an AG. A visit and a resident director are required. We also advise on business banking, payment gateways, and — where it applies — business immigration.
- Entity
- GmbH / AG
- Visit
- A visit is required to complete the setup
- Timeframe
- Typically 4–10 weeks, including notary and share capital
- Typical cost
- GmbH share capital of CHF 20,000, fully paid, plus notary and a resident director.
Country overview
About Switzerland
Switzerland is a federal republic in the Alps of Western Europe. It is made up of 26 cantons. Bern is the capital; Zurich is the largest city. About 8.9 million people live here. It borders Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. German, French, Italian and Romansh are national languages. The currency is the Swiss franc.
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union. It is in EFTA and in Schengen, and it has a dense set of bilateral agreements with the EU. The country is known for political stability, high living standards, and a sophisticated banking and industrial economy. Company law and tax vary by canton. Formation is a serious operating exercise, not a lightweight remote filing.
Brikseka forms Swiss companies. The usual vehicles are a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) or an Aktiengesellschaft (AG). A notary is required. A GmbH requires share capital of CHF 20,000, fully paid. A resident director is required, and a visit is part of a realistic setup. Identification and banking are completed in person.
We then advise on a Swiss business bank account and payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal. Swiss banks typically expect presence in Switzerland. Approvals are decided by the providers. If your aim is to live in Switzerland, company formation is not a residence permit — that is a separate immigration file, which we also advise on.
Company formation
We form a GmbH or AG with a Swiss notary, a resident director, and the commercial register. A visit is required.
Not in the EU
Switzerland is in EFTA and Schengen, with bilateral EU agreements. The currency is the Swiss franc, not the euro.
Banking and substance
Swiss banks typically expect presence. This is a prestige operating jurisdiction, not a remote starter company.
Tax setting
Corporate tax is a mix of federal and cantonal rates, so the effective burden depends on where the company is seated. We confirm the live cantonal position before you proceed.
How we work
From briefing to a registered company
Briefing
We review your business, the right entity for this country, costs, and whether a visit is likely.
Company formation
Local counsel, notary where required, and the commercial register. We coordinate the documents through to a registered company.
Banking and payments
After the company exists, we prepare applications for a business account and payment gateways.
After incorporation
Statutory records, a named contact, and introductions to accounting so the company can operate.
After the company exists
Payment gateways
- Stripe, subject to Stripe’s approval
- PayPal Business, subject to PayPal’s approval
Operating stack
Business banking
- Swiss banks typically expect presence in Switzerland
Provider lists are indicative. We confirm current availability, government fees, and account-opening requirements during consultation.
Business Tools covers payment gateways, business accounts, email, websites, and related tools after the company exists.
Consultation
Start a confidential conversation
Tell us what you are building or where you need to move. We respond within one business day.