Services of formation
and setting up of Swiss companies

Swiss Company Formation Services: Your Gateway to Business Excellence

My Swiss Company SA offers comprehensive Swiss company formation services, encompassing the full setup and ongoing administration of your business across key cantons including Lucerne, Zug, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Lausanne, and Zurich. Beyond initial setup, our expertise extends to financial advisory, and specialized tax and legal advisory services in Switzerland, providing holistic support for your venture.

We specialize in the formation and administration of a diverse range of Swiss company types, including:

• Financial and Trading Companies
• Swiss Public Limited Companies (SA/AG)
• Swiss Limited Liability Companies (Sàrl/GmbH)
• Swiss Holding Companies
• Associations and Swiss Foundations
• Setting up and Domiciliation Services in strategic locations like Lucerne, Zug, and Geneva.

Why Choose Switzerland for Your Company Formation?

Switzerland consistently ranks among the world’s premier destinations for establishing a company, thanks to its exceptionally favorable framework conditions. The nation’s appeal stems from a powerful combination of advantages:

• Robust Legal and Tax System: Offering numerous benefits and a clear regulatory environment.
• Recognized Political Stability: A cornerstone of trust and long-term security for businesses.
• Low Corporate Taxation: Generally lighter tax burdens compared to many direct neighbors, enhancing profitability.
• Exceptional Quality of Life: Swiss cities are frequently cited among the world’s most pleasant, attracting top talent.
• High Productivity and Modern Infrastructure: A highly skilled workforce complemented by advanced, high-performance infrastructure.
• Flexible Labor Laws: Facilitating efficient human resource management.
• Strategic Central European Location: Providing unparalleled access to major European and international markets.

As a federal state comprising distinct cantons, Switzerland’s decentralized structure offers diverse opportunities, attracting a significant number of entrepreneurs from France, Europe, and globally. This unique setup allows for tailored solutions to meet specific business needs.

Navigating Swiss Company Structures: Choosing the Right Legal Form

While setting up a business in Switzerland may seem intricate, it becomes a feasible and rewarding endeavor with the right guidance and information. One of the most pivotal decisions for entrepreneurs is the choice of legal structure. In Switzerland, the four most common company types are the Sàrl/GmbH (Limited Liability Company), the SA/AG (Public Limited Company), the Holding Company, and the Branch Office. Each structure presents distinct advantages and disadvantages, making a thorough understanding of their differences essential before committing to a decision.

Let’s explore the primary options:

The Sàrl/GmbH (Swiss Limited Liability Company)

The Sàrl/GmbH is a highly favored business structure for entrepreneurs due to its simplicity, flexibility, and strong protection. It provides limited liability protection for its owners, meaning personal assets are shielded from business debts. A significant advantage is its lower minimum paid-up capital requirement of CHF 20,000, making it accessible for a wider range of ventures. Furthermore, establishing a Sàrl/GmbH is generally quicker and less expensive than a larger corporate entity.

The SA/AG (Swiss Public Limited Company / Swiss Corporation)

The SA/AG, or Swiss joint-stock company, is often the preferred choice for larger-scale businesses requiring substantial capital or anticipating public share offerings. Its structure allows for shares to be publicly traded, facilitating significant fundraising. While also offering limited liability protection to its owners, the SA/AG is more complex to set up and administer than a Sàrl/GmbH. It mandates a higher minimum paid-up capital of CHF 100,000, reflecting its suitability for more extensive operations.

The Swiss Holding Company

A Swiss Holding Company is a specialized legal structure primarily used to hold shares in other companies. Its key benefit lies in enabling a single entity to manage stakes in multiple subsidiaries without the need for numerous separate legal structures. The advantages of a holding company are directly linked to optimized asset and risk management. Owners of a Swiss holding company benefit from limited liability concerning the activities of their subsidiaries, meaning the subsidiaries’ debts do not extend to the holding company’s owners. Additionally, Swiss holding companies can benefit from significant tax advantages, particularly in terms of participation exemptions on dividend income and capital gains.

The Swiss Branch Office: An Extension of Your Global Reach

The Swiss branch office presents a distinct option for entrepreneurs looking to establish a physical presence in Switzerland without creating a separate legal entity. A branch office is fundamentally an extension of its foreign parent company, sharing its legal personality and liability.

This structure offers several compelling advantages:

• Brand Continuity: The foreign company can operate directly under its established name in Switzerland, leveraging existing brand recognition and reputation.
• Cost Efficiency: Setup costs are generally lower compared to forming a new, independent Swiss company, as there’s no need for separate share capital or full incorporation procedures.
• Direct Profit Repatriation: Profits generated by the branch can often be repatriated to the foreign parent company without being subject to double taxation at the branch level, though Swiss corporate tax on profits will apply.
• Market Entry Facilitation: A branch office provides a tangible local presence, simplifying business transactions with Swiss clients and facilitating direct entry into the Swiss market.
• Regulatory Compliance: It can streamline the process of complying with certain Swiss regulatory and legal requirements, as the parent company’s existing framework often extends.

However, it’s crucial to understand the inherent trade-offs. Since the branch office is not a separate legal entity, the foreign parent company remains fully responsible for all legal and financial obligations of the Swiss branch. This means the parent company bears unlimited liability for the branch’s debts and activities, unlike the limited liability offered by a SA/AG or Sàrl/GmbH.

Despite these considerations, the branch office is a viable and often efficient option for foreign companies aiming to establish a direct presence in Switzerland. Entrepreneurs must carefully weigh its advantages, such as lower setup costs and local presence, against the challenge of the parent company’s extended legal and financial liability.

Swiss Financial Companies and Finncial Intermediaries: A Gateway to Specialized Services

Switzerland is a world-renowned hub for financial services, home to a diverse ecosystem of Swiss financial companiesand financial intermediaries. These entities are highly active and provide a wide array of specialized services, including:

• Wealth Management: Tailored solutions for managing and growing assets for individuals and institutions.
• Trusteeship Services: Professional administration of trusts and fiduciary structures.
• Financial Advisory: Comprehensive advice for both businesses and private individuals across various financial matters.
• Insurance and Pension Fund Advisory: Expert guidance on insurance solutions and optimizing pension provisions.
• Factoring, Credit, and Leasing Services: Facilitating financing solutions for businesses.
• Securitization Services: Structuring and issuance of securities backed by assets.
• Creation of Structured Products: Designing complex financial instruments to meet specific investment needs.
• Blockchain Financial Technologies: Specializing in innovative areas such as cryptocurrencies, crypto-assets, and decentralized finance solutions.
• Para-banking Services: Services typically provided by non-bank financial institutions.
• Private Banking Services: Exclusive financial services for high-net-worth individuals.
• Mortgage/Real Property Loan Advisory: Expert consultation on real estate financing.
• Precious Metals Trading: Facilitating the negotiation and trading of gold, silver, and other precious metals.
• Currency Exchange/Negotiation: Providing services for foreign exchange transactions.
• Credit Card Services: Offering and managing credit card solutions.

Establishing a Financial Company in Switzerland: A Highly Regulated Process

The procedure for incorporating a financial company in Switzerland is inherently more complex and strictly regulated than for other business types, reflecting the stringent requirements governing financial activities. While a Swiss financial company, if established as a Public Limited Company (SA/AG), requires a minimum initial capital of CHF 100,000 and a deed executed by a public notary, these are just foundational steps.

Beyond standard registration in the Trade Register, financial companies must adhere to rigorous oversight and regulatory frameworks established by Swiss financial authorities, most notably the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), or by recognized Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs). This compliance includes:

• Licensing Requirements: Depending on the specific financial activities (e.g., banking, securities dealing, collective asset management), a formal license from FINMA may be mandatory.
• Ongoing Reporting Requirements: Financial companies are subject to continuous reporting obligations to maintain transparency and regulatory oversight.
• Robust Governance & Internal Controls: Strict rules apply to their organizational structure, risk management, and internal control systems.

The liability of financial institutions and their governing bodies (directors, managers) is particularly stringent under the provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations and specific financial market laws, imposing an additional and significant layer of accountability and governance.

FinSA Law (Financial Services Act): Client Protection & Professional Standards

The Financial Services Act (FinSA), effective from January 1, 2020 (with a transitional period), plays a crucial role in regulating client-facing financial services in Switzerland. Inspired by European regulations like MiFID II, FinSA introduces comprehensive rules of conduct that financial service providers must observe when dealing with their clients. This includes strict requirements for providing appropriate information, delivering suitable advice, and ensuring transparency.

Specifically, for individuals involved in providing financial services covered by FinSA:

• Professional Qualifications: Members of management and client advisors must possess the necessary professional qualifications and expertise for their specific financial activities.
• Advisor Register & Liability Insurance: Financial advisors (unless supervised directly by FINMA) can only exercise their activity in Switzerland if they are registered in a FINMA-approved Register of Advisors. Furthermore, they must either maintain adequate professional civil liability insurance or provide equivalent financial guarantees to cover potential claims arising from their advisory activities.

Swiss Formation Company Services by My Swiss Company SA: Your Partner for Business Establishment in Switzerland

Switzerland is home to a dynamic and diverse commercial real estate market, making it an ideal destination for establishing businesses and companies. Whether you’re seeking modern office spaces, industrial facilities, or strategically located plots, Switzerland offers a wide range of options for rent or purchase, supported by Swiss formation company services that simplify the process.

Investor-Friendly Legislation for Foreign Businesses

Swiss legislation is highly favorable to foreign investors. The Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (LFAIE), commonly referred to as the “Lex Koller,” permits foreign companies to acquire commercial properties without requiring special authorization. This streamlined process, combined with expert Swiss formation company services, enables smooth business setup and supports the expansion of international enterprises.

World-Class Accessibility and Infrastructure

Swiss cities like Geneva, Zurich, and Lausanne feature exceptional transportation infrastructure, enhancing their appeal for business establishments. International airports such as Geneva-Cointrin and an efficient network of roads and railways provide seamless connectivity, which is essential for companies leveraging Swiss formation company services to ensure operational success.