VAT in Switzerland: Rates, Registration and Obligations

What is VAT in Switzerland and how does it work?

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Switzerland is a consumption tax paid by the final consumer. Applied at each stage of the production and distribution of goods and services, VAT allows companies to recover the tax paid on their professional purchases by deducting it from the VAT collected on their sales. This ensures that only the value added at each stage is effectively taxed.

In Switzerland, services provided abroad are not subject to Swiss VAT, allowing only consumption within the national territory to be taxed. However, upon importation, VAT is levied, and Swiss companies often have to pay VAT on services purchased from foreign companies in accordance with Article 45 of the Federal Law on Value Added Tax (LTVA) — the reverse-charge mechanism.

VAT rates in Switzerland

Since 1 January 2024, three VAT rates apply: 8.1% (standard rate, most goods and services), 2.6% (reduced rate — foodstuffs, medicines, books, newspapers) and 3.8% (special rate for accommodation). These rates remain in force and are among the lowest in Europe. Some transactions are exempt, including medical and educational services, insurance and banking services, and certain agricultural activities.

To convert a net amount to a gross amount (or the reverse) and see worked examples, use our dedicated guide on how to calculate VAT in Switzerland, which includes an online calculator.

Who must register? The CHF 100,000 threshold

Companies must register for VAT in Switzerland once their annual worldwide taxable turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. This also applies to foreign companies providing services in Switzerland, unless their services are exclusively exempt from VAT. Non-profit sports and cultural associations and public-utility institutions benefit from a raised threshold of CHF 250,000.

Companies below the threshold can opt for voluntary registration to recover the VAT paid on their purchases — often worthwhile when input tax is significant (imports, large domestic purchases). Registration is completed online with the FTA; step by step, see our guide on how to get a Swiss VAT number.

The Swiss VAT number

The Swiss VAT number is built on the company identification number (UID/IDE): it consists of “CHE”, nine digits and the suffix “VAT”, in the form CHE-123.456.789 VAT (the variants are MWST in German and IVA in Italian). It is assigned upon confirmation of VAT registration and must appear on invoices and correspondence with the FTA. For the full procedure to obtain or verify one, see our guide on the Swiss VAT number.

Filing methods, periodicity and deadlines

Two main accounting methods coexist. The effective method (Art. 36 LTVA) is the standard: VAT due equals the VAT collected on sales minus the input tax paid on purchases, and it is filed quarterly. The net tax debt rate (NTDR) method (Art. 37 LTVA) is a simplified, flat-rate regime reserved for SMEs (turnover up to CHF 5,005,000): a sector-specific rate is applied to gross turnover, removing the need to track input tax in detail, and filing is semi-annual.

The return and payment are due within 60 days of the end of the period (Art. 86 LTVA); late filing triggers automatic default interest. Since 1 January 2025, eligible SMEs can also opt for annual filing (taxable turnover up to CHF 5,005,000 and a clean three-year compliance record, with instalment payments). Since the same date, all returns are filed online through the FTA portal. For method selection and worked calculations, see our VAT calculation guide.

Input tax (prepaid tax) and corrections

Input tax lets a company deduct the VAT paid on its professional purchases from the VAT collected on its sales. Because VAT is a tax on consumption rather than on businesses, the company acts as an intermediary: if the VAT paid on purchases exceeds the VAT collected during a period, it can request a refund of the difference from the FTA.

Corrections for private use (self-supply). Both self-employed individuals and legal entities must adjust the input tax initially deducted for expenses later used for private purposes. This correction is reported under item 415 of the VAT return and must be made at least once a year.

Subsequent relief of input tax (Art. 32 LTVA) allows a company to claim deductions it could not make initially — for instance because it was not yet VAT-registered when the purchase was made. It requires proof that the deduction conditions became applicable later, proper documentation under item 410, and that the goods or services still have a current value. Certain services, such as consultancy, are presumed consumed immediately and are generally not eligible.

Foreign companies and the fiscal representative

International companies must register for VAT in Switzerland once they provide services on Swiss territory and reach a worldwide taxable turnover of at least CHF 100,000. Swiss territory for VAT purposes also includes the Principality of Liechtenstein, the municipality of Büsingen (Germany) and the Swiss part of Basel-Mulhouse airport. The registration obligation begins from the first taxable service provided in Switzerland.

A foreign company without a seat in Switzerland must appoint a fiscal representative domiciled or headquartered in Switzerland (Art. 67, para. 1, LTVA) to handle its administrative obligations. This appointment does not create a permanent establishment (Art. 67, para. 3, LTVA). All documents required for the VAT calculation must remain accessible at the representative’s place of business (Art. 42 LTVA). Our fiscal representative service for VAT in Switzerland takes care of registration, returns and dealings with the FTA.

Exemption from registration. Under Article 10, para. 2, let. b LTVA and Article 121a OTVA, a foreign company is not required to register — regardless of turnover — if it only provides services outside the scope of VAT (Art. 21, para. 2), VAT-exempt services (Art. 23), or supplies certain energies (electricity, gas, heat) through a network. Exempt companies that do not register voluntarily are nonetheless entitled to a VAT refund on their imports and services received in Switzerland (Art. 107 LTVA; Art. 151 OTVA).

Record-keeping requirements

Accounting documents — books, receipts, management and audit reports, and annual accounts (balance sheet, income statement, notes) — must be retained for ten years under Article 958f, para. 1, of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). For documents relating to real estate, the retention period is twenty years (supplier invoices, VAT statements, purchase contracts, construction cost breakdowns and plans), as stipulated by Article 70, para. 3, referring to Article 42 LTVA. Records may be kept in paper, electronic or any other format ensuring reliable access and readability.