How to Register a Company in Switzerland: Options and Timeline

Foreign founders often ask how to register a company in Switzerland. The short answer is that you choose a legal structure, register it with the official registry, and then complete your tax registration and any licences your activity needs. Below are the registration routes ORBIZLY lists for Switzerland, with their typical timeline.

How do you register a company in Switzerland?

GmbH / AG Company Registration (Commercial Register). Typical time: About 1 to 8 weeks, depending on the canton. Where this comes from: Adviser guides, because the office does not publish an official figure. Cantonal commercial registers differ. Official page: https://www.zefix.ch/

Association (Verein) / Foundation Registration. Typical time: Varies. Confirm with the registry. Official page: https://www.zefix.ch/

Pick the route that matches what you plan to do. If you are unsure which structure suits a business that will hire staff, sell abroad or take investment, ask an expert before you file.

What do you need after the company is registered?

A registered company usually still has to complete tax registration and, in some industries, extra permits. In Switzerland these are handled by the following bodies.

Tax and goods and services registration: the Federal Tax Administration (VAT registration). Official source: estv.admin.ch

Sector-specific permits: the sector regulator and your canton. Official source: kmu.admin.ch

Importing goods: the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. Official source: bazg.admin.ch

Exporting controlled goods: the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Official source: seco.admin.ch

Should you protect your brand when you register?

Registering a company does not protect your brand name. A trademark does. Filing early stops someone else from taking your name in Switzerland.

Trademark Filing (Swiss Federal Institute of IP). Typical time: About 2 months to examination, and about 6 working days for straightforward filings. Where this comes from: Official source: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, duration of procedure. Official page: https://www.ige.ch/

What is the next step?

Take the free ORBIZLY eligibility assessment to see which countries and programs fit your business, or book a consulting session to talk through company registration in Switzerland with an expert.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Timelines change and depend on your business. Ask for a quote for your case. Confirm the details with the official source linked above or with an expert before you apply.