Start a GmbH
in Switzerland.

The GmbH is Switzerland’s most popular company form — simple to set up, affordable to capitalise, and trusted by banks, clients, and regulators. We handle every legal step.

Zurich office interior — Start a GmbH in Switzerland
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Share Capital

CHF 20,000

Fully paid in at incorporation

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Timeline

2–3 Weeks

Engagement to register entry

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Founders

1+

Single-person GmbH permitted

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Jurisdiction

Any Canton

We advise on optimal location

Requirements

GmbH Formation Requirements.

Swiss company law (Code of Obligations, Art. 772–827) sets out clear requirements for forming a GmbH. Here is what you need to know before getting started:

Share Capital

Minimum CHF 20,000, fully paid in at incorporation. The capital is deposited into an escrow account at a Swiss bank and released after the company is entered in the Commercial Register. Contributions can be made in cash or, under certain conditions, in kind.

Founders

A GmbH can be founded by one or more natural persons or legal entities of any nationality. There is no requirement for Swiss founders. A single-person GmbH is perfectly valid.

Management

At least one managing director (Geschäftsführer) must be a Swiss resident with individual signatory authority. The managing director can also be a quota holder. Multiple managing directors are permitted.

Registered Office

The GmbH must have a physical business address in Switzerland. This can be your own office or a registered office provided by a service like ours. A P.O. box alone is not sufficient.

Company Name

The name must be unique in Switzerland (verified via the Central Business Names Index, Zefix) and must include “GmbH” as a suffix. Fantasy names, personal names, and descriptive names are all permissible.

Notarisation

The founding deed must be executed before a Swiss public notary. This includes the articles of association, the declaration of capital contribution, and the appointment of managing directors and auditors (if applicable).

Deliverables

What Is Included.

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Articles of Association

Custom-drafted articles tailored to your business purpose and governance needs

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Notarised Founding Deed

Full notarisation of the founding assembly and capital contribution

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Commercial Register Filing

Complete filing and follow-up until entry is confirmed

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Capital Deposit Coordination

Bank liaison for the escrow capital deposit and release

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UID & VAT Registration

Tax ID assignment and VAT registration if applicable

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Full Legal Support

Lawyer-managed process from consultation to handover

Protocol

Step-by-Step Formation Process.

Here is exactly what happens when you engage Rohrer Consulting to form your GmbH:

01

Consultation & Structure Design

We discuss your business goals, advise on the optimal canton, and define the company name, purpose, capital structure, and management composition. We verify the company name is available on Zefix.

02

Document Preparation

We draft the articles of association, any shareholder agreements, and the power of attorney (if you cannot attend the notarisation in person). All documents are reviewed with you before execution.

03

Capital Deposit

You transfer CHF 20,000 (or more) to a capital deposit account at a Swiss bank. The bank issues a confirmation of deposit, which is required for the notarisation. We coordinate with the bank to streamline this step.

04

Notarisation & Filing

The founding deed is executed before a notary. The notary then files the incorporation with the cantonal Commercial Register office. Processing typically takes 3–7 business days.

05

Activation

Once registered, the capital is released, and your GmbH is operational. We assist with VAT registration, social insurance enrolment, and opening the operational bank account. You receive the Commercial Register extract, UID number, and all founding documents.

Investment

Costs & Timeline.

GmbH formation costs are straightforward and predictable. Here is a general breakdown:

Component Amount Notes
Share Capital (minimum)CHF 20,000Deposited into escrow, released after registration.
Notary FeesCHF 1,000 - 2,000For founding deed execution.
Commercial Register FeesCHF 600 - 800Government fee. Varies by canton.
Legal Fees (Rohrer Consulting)From CHF 2,500Full-service formation management.
Bank Account OpeningVaries by bankCoordinated in parallel with formation.
Timeline2-3 weeksEngagement to Commercial Register entry.

All fees are communicated upfront. The share capital remains in the company after formation — it is not a cost but working capital for the business.

Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions.

How long does it take to form a GmbH? + −
The entire process typically takes 2-3 weeks from initial engagement to Commercial Register entry. The main variables are the speed of the capital deposit (which depends on the bank) and the processing time at the cantonal Commercial Register office. If you need a company faster, consider purchasing a shelf GmbH.
Can I form a GmbH remotely? + −
Yes. You can grant a power of attorney to our firm to represent you at the notarisation. The capital deposit can be made via international wire transfer. KYC documentation (passport copies, proof of address) can be submitted electronically with apostilled originals sent by post. Many of our clients form their GmbH without visiting Switzerland.
What are the ongoing compliance requirements? + −
A GmbH must maintain proper accounting records, prepare annual financial statements, file corporate and cantonal tax returns, hold an annual general assembly of quota holders, and register for VAT if revenue exceeds CHF 100,000 per year. Companies with fewer than 10 FTEs, turnover under CHF 40 million, and total assets under CHF 20 million can opt out of an external audit. Our accounting and tax service covers all of this.
What if I need a company faster? + −
If you cannot wait 2-3 weeks, we offer ready-made shelf GmbHs that can be transferred within 24-48 hours. The shelf company is already registered and comes with paid-in capital, a UID number, and clean history.
How much does it cost to form a GmbH in Switzerland? + −
Total costs include the share capital (minimum CHF 20,000), notary fees (CHF 1,000-2,000), Commercial Register fees (CHF 600-800), and our legal fees (from CHF 2,500). The share capital remains in the company as working capital — it is not a cost. All fees are communicated upfront with no hidden charges.
Can a single person form a GmbH? + −
Yes. Swiss law permits a single-founder GmbH with one quota holder and one managing director. However, at least one managing director must be a Swiss resident with individual signatory authority. If you are not based in Switzerland, our nominee director service fulfils this requirement.
What documents are needed to form a GmbH? + −
You need valid identification (passport or ID) for all founders and directors, proof of residential address, a bank confirmation of the capital deposit, and KYC documentation per Swiss anti-money laundering requirements. We draft the articles of association, founding deed, and all other legal documents on your behalf.
Do I need a Swiss address for the GmbH? + −
Yes. Every Swiss company must have a registered office address in Switzerland. A P.O. box alone is not sufficient. We offer a premium registered office at Seefeldstrasse 69, 8008 Zurich, or can arrange an address in any Swiss canton.
What is the difference between a GmbH and an AG? + −
The GmbH requires CHF 20,000 minimum capital (fully paid in) and publishes shareholder names publicly. The AG requires CHF 100,000 (50% paid in) but offers shareholder privacy. The GmbH is ideal for SMEs and startups; the AG suits larger enterprises, holdings, and situations requiring investor privacy. See our detailed comparison.
Can I choose any canton for my GmbH? + −
Yes. You can form a GmbH in any of the 26 Swiss cantons. The choice affects your corporate tax rate, which ranges from approximately 11% (Zug, Schwyz) to 21% (Geneva). We advise on the optimal canton based on your tax situation, industry, and operational needs.
What is the VAT registration threshold? + −
Swiss companies must register for VAT if their worldwide turnover exceeds CHF 100,000 per year. Voluntary registration is possible for companies below this threshold and can be beneficial for recovering input VAT on expenses.
What common mistakes should I avoid when forming a GmbH? + −
The most common mistakes include not verifying the company name on Zefix before proceeding, underestimating the time required for the bank capital deposit, choosing a canton based solely on tax rate without considering practical factors, and not appointing a Swiss-resident managing director from the outset. Working with a qualified lawyer prevents all of these.
Ecosystem

Add-On Services

Registered Office

Use our Zurich Seefeld address as your GmbH registered office.

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Accounting & Tax

Full bookkeeping, payroll, and tax compliance for your new GmbH.

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Bank Account Opening

Corporate bank account at a Swiss bank, set up in parallel with formation.

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Your Expert

ALEX ROHRER.

Founder & Managing Partner of Rohrer Consulting. Corporate and tax lawyer with Big Four experience. Alex personally oversees every client engagement, providing direct expert counsel from initial consultation through to completion.

Background

Corporate & Tax Law, Big Four International Consulting

Location

Seefeldstrasse 69, 8008 Zurich

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AR
Founder

Form Your Swiss GmbH.

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