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Knowledgebase
Handelsregister: the legal core of Swiss company registration
Alex Buri, Off-Counsel
28.07.2025
Introduction
The Handelsregister is Switzerland’s official trade register where every business must be listed to be legally recognised. If a company is not registered in the Swiss company register, it does not exist in the eyes of the law. Registration is mandatory for all incorporated entities — including AGs, GmbHs, cooperatives, associations, and Swiss branches of foreign firms.
Each Handelsregister entry creates a binding legal effect: the company acquires rights, assumes liabilities, and can act in commerce. This public registry is not just a database — it is the legal proof of a company’s existence, structure, and authority.
Each Handelsregister entry creates a binding legal effect: the company acquires rights, assumes liabilities, and can act in commerce. This public registry is not just a database — it is the legal proof of a company’s existence, structure, and authority.
Table of Contents
1. What information is recorded
2. Who must register
3. Accessing official company data
4. Where to find Handelsregister information
5. Handelsregister Zurich, Bern, Zug: cantonal differences
6. How companies are registered in the Handelsregister
7. Timelines and registration costs
8. Cantonal Handelsregister contact list
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2. Who must register
3. Accessing official company data
4. Where to find Handelsregister information
5. Handelsregister Zurich, Bern, Zug: cantonal differences
6. How companies are registered in the Handelsregister
7. Timelines and registration costs
8. Cantonal Handelsregister contact list
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What information is recorded
Each company entry includes specific data required by Swiss corporate law:
- Legal name of the entity (Firma)
- Company type (AG, GmbH, etc.)
- UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer)
- Registered office and legal domicile (canton and municipality)
- Purpose of business (Zweck)
- Share capital or nominal value
- Names of directors, managers, and authorised signatories
- Type of signing authority (individual or collective)
- Registration date, changes, and historical amendments
Book design is the art of incorporating the content, style, format, design, and sequence of the various components of a book into a coherent whole. In the words of Jan Tschichold, "Methods and rules that cannot be improved upon have been developed over centuries. To produce perfect books, these rules must be revived and applied." The front matter, or preliminaries, is the first section of a book and typically has the fewest pages. While all pages are counted, page numbers are generally not printed, whether the pages are blank or contain content.
Who must register
Swiss company law requires Handelsregister registration for:
- All corporations (AG, GmbH)
- Foundations, cooperatives, and associations
- Foreign companies with a branch in Switzerland
- Sole proprietorships with annual revenue over CHF 100’000
- Fiduciaries and agents acting commercially on behalf of clients
Accessing official company data
The Handelsregister is a public register. Anyone can verify whether a company is officially registered, retrieve its legal details, and download an official registry extract (Handelsregisterauszug). This extract serves as proof of existence and status — and is commonly required by:
1. Banks
(to open corporate accounts)
(to open corporate accounts)
2. Authorities
(tax, customs, migration)
(tax, customs, migration)
3. Notaries
(during transactions or M&A)
(during transactions or M&A)
4. Courts
(to confirm legal personality or authority)
(to confirm legal personality or authority)
These extracts include registration number, legal form, domicile, UID number, authorised signatories, and recent changes.
A separate registration certificate (Bestätigung der Eintragung) can also be requested for official uses, such as applying for a VAT number or signing a commercial lease.
All documents are available digitally and carry the same legal validity as paper forms.
A separate registration certificate (Bestätigung der Eintragung) can also be requested for official uses, such as applying for a VAT number or signing a commercial lease.
All documents are available digitally and carry the same legal validity as paper forms.
Where to find Handelsregister information
There are three official sources for accessing company registration data in Switzerland:
- Zefix (www.zefix.ch)The federal platform consolidates all cantonal Handelsregister data and provides a full-text search by name, UID, or location.
- SHAB (www.shab.ch)The Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce publishes every legal change, registration, deletion or merger involving a Swiss entity. Entries here have legal force and a timestamp.
- Cantonal Handelsregister websitesSome cantons offer direct PDF downloads of registration extracts, often with an online payment system.
Handelsregister Zurich, Bern, Zug: cantonal differences
Handelsregister Zurich
Canton Zurich operates one of the most efficient digital registries in Switzerland. Company registration and updates are usually processed within 2–3 business days. Extracts can be ordered online, and the registry cooperates closely with local notaries and commercial banks.
Handelsregister Bern
The Bernese registry covers not only the city of Bern, but also many rural and bilingual areas. Processing times are moderate, and most services require in-person notarial certification before submission. Extracts are bilingual (German/French).
Handelsregister Zug
Zug is known for hosting many holding companies, crypto startups, and international structures. The Handelsregister in Zug processes company formations swiftly — often within 24–48 hours. The office supports digital filings and is tightly integrated with legal and fiduciary service providers.
How companies are registered in the Handelsregister
Company registration in the Handelsregister follows a formal process governed by Swiss law. It is mandatory for corporations (AG), limited liability companies (GmbH), and other legal entities. Here’s how the registration process typically works:
- Preparation of founding documentsThis includes the articles of association (Statuten), declaration of purpose, and designation of directors or managers.
- Notarial certificationA licensed notary verifies the foundation act, confirms the capital payment (for AGs and GmbHs), and certifies the identity of founders.
- Submission to HandelsregisterThe notary sends the certified documents to the relevant cantonal registry office. The company is reviewed and entered into the Swiss company register.
- SHAB publicationThe entry is legally effective only once published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB).
Once these steps are completed, the company receives an official UID number and may commence business activity.
Timelines and registration costs
The processing time for a Handelsregister entry varies by canton. In general:
Zurich
2–3 business days
Zug
1–2 business days
Bern
4–6 business days
GenevE
5–7 business days
Vaud
5–8 business days
Estimated costs (excluding legal fees):
- Handelsregister fee: CHF 600–800
- Notary fees: CHF 300–1’500
- SHAB publication: included in registry fee
- Optional express handling: CHF 100–200 extra
Cantonal Handelsregister contact list
Canton
Registry Office
Address
Website
All registry offices issue certified extracts, accept amendments, and coordinate with SHAB for public announcements.
The Handelsregister is more than an administrative tool — it is the legal infrastructure behind every business entity in Switzerland. From corporate governance to cross-border verification, the Swiss company register ensures transparency, continuity, and public trust. Whether accessing an official extract, confirming a company’s directors, or tracing historical changes via SHAB, every step in the life of a Swiss company leaves a verifiable trace in this register.
Understanding the legal role of the Handelsregister is essential for founders, investors, notaries, and fiduciaries. It is the definitive source of corporate truth — and the first place any due diligence begins.
Understanding the legal role of the Handelsregister is essential for founders, investors, notaries, and fiduciaries. It is the definitive source of corporate truth — and the first place any due diligence begins.
Get in touch
Please contact us directly or via email if you require assistance. We are here to help you move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Handelsregister is Switzerland’s official commercial register for all businesses. It confirms the legal existence, structure, and status of companies.
All corporations (AG, GmbH), foundations, cooperatives, and foreign companies with a Swiss branch must register. Sole proprietors must register once they exceed CHF 100’000 annual revenue.
Each entry includes the company name, legal form, UID number, registered office, purpose, signatories, and founding date. All changes are recorded and publicly accessible.
The UID is a unique company identification number assigned upon registration. It is used across tax, banking, and regulatory systems.
You can search the Swiss company register at www.zefix.ch. It includes data from Zurich, Bern, Zug, Geneva, and all other cantons.
The Trade Register is the English term for Handelsregister. It is a legal register where businesses must be listed to operate officially.
You can order a digital registry extract from the cantonal Handelsregister or download it from Zefix. Extracts are often required by banks, notaries, and courts.
SHAB is the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. It publishes all legal company changes and validates registry entries.
Yes. For AG, GmbH, and branches, a licensed Swiss notary must certify documents and submit the registration request to the Handelsregister.
In Zurich and Zug, Handelsregister entries are typically processed within 2–3 business days if documents are complete.
Typical costs range from CHF 600–800 for registry fees and CHF 800–1’500 for notary services, plus optional express fees.
You can prepare documents digitally, but notarisation and final submission to the Handelsregister must comply with cantonal procedures. Some cantons offer partial online registration.
Yes. Foreign companies can register a Swiss branch office by submitting certified documents and appointing a local authorised signatory.
You must submit a liquidation protocol and closure documents to the cantonal office. The final deletion is published in SHAB after settlement.
Yes. All entries in the Swiss company register are public and can be searched, verified, and downloaded without restrictions.