Swiss company formation & registration in 2025 – start your business in Switzerland today

Swiss company formation is our core expertise — we’ve been helping international clients form Swiss companies for over 18 years. Whether you need anonymous company formation, a Swiss crypto company, or an efficient offshore company structure, we know the exact legal, tax, and banking steps required.

This 2025 guide covers the full Swiss company registration process: from choosing the right legal form (AG, GmbH, holding), to handling capital requirements, notary work, and post-incorporation duties. Before starting, founders should review Pitch deck: structure, content (Pitch Deck : structure, contenu) requirements to prepare for company registration. We’ll also walk you through the cost of Swiss company formation, the advantages of offshore or anonymous setups, and what’s needed to launch a crypto company in Switzerland — quickly and compliantly. You’ll also find examples and updates on such topics in our News and media section.

Goldblum & Partners provides end-to-end Swiss company formation and administration services trusted by founders, investors, and legal teams worldwide.

Establishing a company in Switzerland in 2025 offers unmatched advantages in stability, privacy, and global perception. As a Swiss law firm with over 18 years of experience, Goldblum & Partners provides tailored assistance for international clients seeking company registration in Switzerland — from choosing the right structure to full post-incorporation support. Whether your objective is asset protection, regulated activity, or crypto integration, we ensure full compliance with local law and maximum operational flexibility. We assist clients in selecting suitable options from our fields of practice (domaines de pratique) that align with their business model. For recruitment-focused companies, a SECO authorization for recruitment (Autorisation SECO pour le recrutement) may be necessary as part of the incorporation process.

We advise founders on all aspects of Swiss company formation, including tax optimisation, nominee directors, cross-border ownership, and banking strategy. Our firm works directly with notaries, cantonal authorities, auditors, and regulators in Zurich, Zug and other key jurisdictions. All services are delivered in-house with English-speaking Swiss-qualified lawyers.

You may be considering a Swiss company for holding, IP ownership, blockchain projects, or secure European market entry. Clients seeking advanced structuring often Open an SPV to meet specific investment or regulatory goals. Regardless of your goals, our priority is to structure your company in Switzerland in the most effective, lawful, and confidential way.

The two most common options for company formation in Switzerland are:

• Only the AG allows true shareholder anonymity, as only board members are disclosed in the commercial register.
• The GmbH is more affordable, but founders and shareholdings are publicly visible.
• Both structures allow 100% foreign ownership and do not require Swiss nationality.

Regardless of the entity selected, every Swiss company must appoint at least one director with residency in Switzerland, or engage a Swiss resident nominee director, especially in the case of offshore company formation in Switzerland. Learn how we support clients throughout this step from Our Firm, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.

Switzerland remains one of the most favourable jurisdictions for blockchain and digital asset businesses. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) recognises several token categories and provides clear guidelines for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), tokenised shares, and stablecoins.

A Swiss crypto company formation typically follows one of two legal paths:

The 2021 DLT Act remains in force, enabling ledger-based securities and secondary market infrastructure (DLT trading facilities). In 2025, FINMA has further streamlined onboarding for DeFi entities and introduced supervisory tech sandboxes for early-stage ventures.

This creates new pathways for Swiss crypto company formation 2025, especially in Zug and Zurich. For many founders, a GmbH found in Zug (GmbH gründen in Zug) is a preferred option due to the canton’s crypto-friendly ecosystem.

Opening a bank account remains one of the most challenging steps in the Swiss company formation process for blockchain firms. Traditional banks continue to apply strict AML/KYC criteria and risk-based pricing. However, specialised institutions offer onboarding for VASP and token issuers.

We assist our clients with banking introductions, pre-approval screening, and account structuring to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Swiss company formation procedure is clearly structured, whether you are incorporating a limited liability company (GmbH) or a joint-stock company (AG). While the legal formalities are predictable, the nuances of registration, banking, tax, and commercial structuring require careful legal execution. Our advisors are also available to guide you through setup, supported by Services tailored to Swiss finance. Special circumstances, such as changes to the broadcasting tax, are detailed in Serafe in Switzerland 2025 (Serafe en Suisse 2025).

Here is the standard roadmap for company registration in Switzerland:

Swiss law requires that the foundation deed be executed before a notary. However, foreign clients may complete the process remotely by issuing a legalised power of attorney. This enables fully remote company formation in Switzerland without travelling to the country.

Once the documents are submitted and approved, your entity will appear in the Swiss Commercial Register (ZEFIX). This entry is publicly searchable and forms the legal basis for your entity’s existence and liability.

Each Swiss canton has its own registry office, but the requirements are harmonised under federal law. We manage filings in all major jurisdictions, including Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, Geneva, and Ticino.

After the Swiss company is formed, several post-registration steps follow:

• Opening a permanent bank account
• Registration with the Federal Tax Administration
• Optional VAT registration
• Shareholder and director disclosure (UBO)
• Accounting setup and mandatory audit if required

If your company changes legal form, use Transform a sàrl into its (Transformer une Sàrl en SA) as a step-by-step resource.
These elements are part of our Swiss company formation and administration services, ensuring full compliance and operational readiness.

The total Swiss company formation cost depends on the legal form, canton, and specific service providers involved. Below is an overview of typical expenses for forming a Swiss GmbH or Swiss AG, inclusive of legal and administrative components.

For Swiss crypto company formation, enhanced due diligence and licensing guidance may increase the initial setup cost. Some international clients must also review the Additional agreement to DTA between Switzerland and their home jurisdiction to optimize tax status.

Swiss company law sets minimum capital thresholds:

This capital must be deposited into a special-purpose account before registration and is released once the company is entered into the Swiss commercial register.

Maintaining a Swiss company involves predictable but strict obligations:

• Annual financial statements
• VAT returns (if applicable)
• Salary declarations and social security filings (if employees)
• Annual general meeting (AGM) and corporate resolutions
• Renewal of registered office and local directorships

Failure to meet these duties may result in administrative penalties or deregistration.

We offer Swiss company formation and administration services as a complete package, ensuring your structure remains compliant with Swiss commercial, tax, and regulatory requirements.
Entrepreneurs may also Remove your LPP to create your business (Retirer sa LPP pour créer son entreprise) by using pension assets as initial share capital for a Swiss company.