Buy a Shelf GmbH
in Switzerland.

The GmbH is Switzerland’s most popular business form. Acquire a ready-made one and be operational within days — no formation delays, no hidden liabilities.

Zurich Bahnhofstrasse business district — Buy a Shelf GmbH in Switzerland
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Share Capital

CHF 20,000

Minimum, fully paid in at incorporation

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Operational

1–3 Days

From agreement to Commercial Register update

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Popularity

No. 1

Most popular legal form in Switzerland

Overview

The Swiss GmbH: Switzerland’s Workhorse

The Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) is the Swiss equivalent of a limited liability company (LLC). It is the most commonly formed entity type in Switzerland, accounting for roughly 40% of all new company registrations each year. With a minimum capital requirement of just CHF 20,000 (fully paid in), the GmbH is accessible to entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises, and international groups establishing a Swiss subsidiary.

A shelf GmbH is one that has already been incorporated and entered into the Commercial Register but has never engaged in business activity. When you buy it, we transfer the quota shares (Stammanteile) to you and update the management to your chosen directors. The result is a fully operational Swiss company in your hands within 24–48 hours.

Deliverables

What Is Included.

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Corporate Documents

Articles of association, founding deed, quota register

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Quota Register

Updated register reflecting new ownership structure

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Commercial Register Extract

Current extract confirming company details and directors

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Debt-Free Certificate

Legal representation of zero liabilities, tax clearance

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Paid-In Capital

CHF 20,000 share capital already deposited

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Full Legal Support

Lawyer-managed transfer from consultation to handover

Comparison

Why Choose a GmbH Over an AG?

Both the GmbH and the AG offer limited liability, but they serve different purposes. Here is when the GmbH is the better fit:

Criterion GmbH AG
Minimum capital CHF 20,000 CHF 100,000 (50% paid in)
Shareholder transparency Quota holders listed in Commercial Register Shareholders not public
Transfer of shares Requires public deed (notarisation) Simple written assignment
Typical use SMEs, subsidiaries, consulting firms Holdings, capital-raising, larger enterprises
Audit requirement Can opt out if <10 FTE Can opt out if <10 FTE

The GmbH’s lower capital requirement and simpler governance make it the go-to choice for most entrepreneurs entering the Swiss market. The only notable trade-off is that quota holders’ names are publicly visible in the Commercial Register.

Not sure which form suits you? Read our detailed AG vs. GmbH comparison or view shelf AG options.

Investment

Costs & Timeline.

Component Amount Notes
Share Capital (paid-in)CHF 20,000Included in company. Yours upon transfer.
Legal & Transfer FeesCHF 2,500 - 5,000Depends on complexity, name change, canton.
Notary FeesCHF 800 - 1,500Required for GmbH quota transfer deed.
Commercial RegisterCHF 600 - 800Government fee. Varies by canton.
Timeline24-48 hoursQuota transfer. Register update: +3-7 days.
Deliverables

What You Receive.

Every shelf GmbH purchase from Rohrer Consulting includes:

check Debt-free GmbH with CHF 20,000 paid-in share capital
check Due diligence report confirming no liabilities, contracts, or pending disputes
check Notarised share transfer deed (required by law for GmbH quota transfers)
check Updated articles of association with your company name and purpose
check Commercial Register extract confirming the new ownership and management
check Tax ID (UID) number — already assigned at incorporation
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I need to visit Switzerland to buy a shelf GmbH? + −
Not necessarily. The share transfer deed must be notarised, but this can be done at a Swiss consulate in your country or through a power of attorney granted to our firm. Many of our clients complete the entire process remotely.
Are GmbH shareholders public? + −
Yes. Unlike the AG, the GmbH publishes the names and quota amounts of all shareholders in the Commercial Register. This is a key difference to consider. If shareholder privacy is important, the AG may be a better option, or you can hold the GmbH through a holding company.
What ongoing obligations does a GmbH have? + −
A Swiss GmbH must maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements with the tax authorities, hold an annual general assembly, and register for VAT if turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. Companies with fewer than 10 full-time employees can opt out of an external audit. We offer accounting and tax packages to cover all ongoing compliance.
Can a single person own and manage a GmbH? + −
Yes. Swiss law permits a single-shareholder GmbH with one managing director. However, at least one managing director (Geschäftsführer) must be a Swiss resident. If you are not based in Switzerland, our nominee director service satisfies this requirement.
How much does a shelf GmbH cost in Switzerland? + −
The total cost includes the paid-in share capital (CHF 20,000), legal and transfer fees (typically CHF 2,500-5,000), notary fees for the quota transfer deed (CHF 800-1,500), and Commercial Register fees (CHF 600-800). Contact us for a detailed quote based on available inventory.
How long does the shelf GmbH transfer take? + −
The quota transfer itself is completed within 24-48 hours once all documents are signed. The Commercial Register update reflecting the new shareholders and management takes an additional 3-7 business days depending on the canton. Total timeline: typically under two weeks.
What documents do I need to buy a shelf GmbH? + −
You need a valid passport or ID, proof of residential address, a brief description of the intended business activity (for KYC compliance), and if applicable, corporate documents of any parent company. For remote transactions, a notarised power of attorney is also required.
Can I change the company name of the shelf GmbH? + −
Yes. The company name and business purpose can be amended as part of the transfer. This requires a notarised general assembly resolution and an amendment to the articles of association. The change is effective upon Commercial Register entry, typically 3-7 business days.
Is the shelf GmbH truly debt-free? + −
Yes. Every shelf GmbH in our portfolio has been dormant since incorporation — no trading, no employees, no contracts, no tax liabilities. We provide financial statements and tax clearance confirmation before sale. Our debt-free guarantee is backed by full legal due diligence.
What is the difference between buying a shelf GmbH and forming a new one? + −
A shelf GmbH is already registered and can be transferred within 24-48 hours. Forming a new GmbH takes 2-3 weeks. If speed is your priority, the shelf GmbH is the better choice. If you want full control over articles of association and canton from the start, a new formation offers more flexibility.
Can I open a bank account for the shelf GmbH? + −
Yes. We assist with corporate bank account opening at leading Swiss banks including UBS, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and specialised business banks. This can be arranged in parallel with the quota transfer so you are operationally ready as soon as the transfer completes.
What are common mistakes when buying a shelf GmbH? + −
The most common mistakes include not verifying the company is truly debt-free, overlooking the notarisation requirement for GmbH quota transfers, failing to appoint a Swiss-resident managing director, and not budgeting for the Commercial Register update fees. Working with a qualified lawyer eliminates these risks entirely.
Ecosystem

Complementary Services

Registered Office

Premium Zurich address for your GmbH registered office.

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Accounting & Tax

Bookkeeping, VAT filings, and annual tax returns for your GmbH.

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Bank Account Opening

Swiss corporate bank account setup with remote onboarding.

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Nominee Director

Swiss-resident managing director to satisfy domicile requirements.

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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

Your GmbH, Ready to Go.

Speak with Alex Rohrer about available shelf GmbHs and get a transparent quote. No obligation.

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