Incorporating in Switzerland offers a combination of political, economic stability and relatively low personal and company tax rates. However, the Swiss tax regime is quite complicated due to differences in law in each Canton.

Company Name

Any name can be chosen provided not already in use according to Switzerland commercial register. References to commercial activities must reflect the actual business of the company.

Incorporating a Company in Switzerland

Before the company is ready to trade: Presenting documents to the Commercial Registry Payment of stamp duty Register with the tax and social security authorities There are no restrictions on your company name (the uniqueness of your name must be verified by the Federal Commercial Register) The time it takes to incorporate once we have received correct documentation is 10 – 14 days

Directors

At least one of the directors must be resident in Switzerland and have single signatory power to bind the company or must be empowered to sign jointly. A resident director is required, not necessarily a Swiss national. We can provide your company with the Swiss resident director if needed.

Shareholders

There are no restrictions with respect to the nationality or residency of the shareholders. A Switzerland resident director is required, not necessarily a Swiss national. Annual meetings can be held anywhere in the world

Registered Office

All Swiss Sàrl/GmbH must have a registered office. The registered office is where documents may be legally served on the company. The registered office must be a physical address in Switzerland.

Share Capital

The share capital is CHF 20,000 and has to be fully paid up. On the day of incorporation the capital must be paid into a Swiss depository bank. The notary needs to see the certificate of deposit. Once the company is registered, this money is free to be used. The issued shares are CHF 100 each.

Company Records

All the initial details need to be given to the Switzerland Commercial Register, and this will include details about the shareholders and directors. Any subsequent transfer of shares is not necessarily disclosed in a public record: Information about the beneficiaries of any company need to be disclosed to banks which hold company accounts No audit is required of GmbH/Sàrl annual accounts Should the company be audited; the interest of the company administrators in the shares of the company will need to be disclosed to the auditors For the cantonal tax returns; any Swiss resident will need to disclose their interest in the company Any purchase or sale of shares made through a notarial deed, through a Swiss notary, while not public, will remain in the record of the notary's protocol. In general, only in cases involving criminal activity, will any authority be allowed to look at notarial records

Swiss Confidentiality

All the initial details need to be given to the Commercial Register, and this will include details about the shareholders and directors. Any subsequent transfer of shares is not necessarily disclosed in a public record: Information about the beneficiaries of any company need to be disclosed to banks which hold company accounts Should the company be audited; the interest of the company administrators in the shares of the company will need to be disclosed to the auditors For the cantonal tax returns; any Swiss resident will need to disclose their interest in the company Any purchase or sale of shares made through a notarial deed, through a Swiss notary, while not public, will remain in the record of the notary's protocol. In general, only in cases involving criminal activity, will any authority be allowed to look at notarial records

Directors' Acceptance Letters

If there are members of the Board who were not present at the initial formation meeting, their original letters of acceptance of their positions must be submitted as part of the application. Bank confirmation of the deposit of capital.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.