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Swiss shelf company —
list of the ready-made Swiss companies
for sale
03.07.2025
A Swiss Shelf Company is the ideal solution for quickly launching business activities or establishing your presence in Switzerland.
Several times a week, we receive inquiries regarding "urgent," "very urgent," and other degrees of urgency for acquiring a Swiss shelf company.
Clients typically cannot or do not want to wait for the opening of a blocked company account, depositing share capital (minimum CHF 20,000 for GmbH and CHF 50,000 for AG), publication in the commercial register, and opening a business account. Many prefer a ready-made legal entity over registration delays — see Create a company being an employee (French version — Créer une entreprise en étant salarié) for blended approaches.
Clients typically cannot or do not want to wait for the opening of a blocked company account, depositing share capital (minimum CHF 20,000 for GmbH and CHF 50,000 for AG), publication in the commercial register, and opening a business account. Many prefer a ready-made legal entity over registration delays — see Create a company being an employee (French version — Créer une entreprise en étant salarié) for blended approaches.
Swiss Shelf Companies list — 03.07.2025
Reasons for acquiring a shelf company in Switzerland may vary:
- Accelerating the creation of a fully independent legal entity for planned activities within a holding structure.
- Tax optimization (usually acquiring an AG without changing the director to declare expenses).
- Using the company for international marketing activities. Consider also how to Record your business name as a brand (enregistrer son nom d’entreprise comme marque) to strengthen identity.
- Investors sometimes require establishing a Swiss company as a condition for investment tranches.
What can be changed in a shelf company offered for sale?
You can modify the company name, business activities, and registered office.
Goldblum and Partners can appoint a Swiss managing director at a reasonable cost, as required by Swiss law.
All companies are free of debts and legal disputes and audited by Goldblum and Partners. We also recommend Output bookkeeping Switzerland (Buchhaltung auslagern Schweiz) to reduce administrative burden.
If you have doubts about acquiring a shelf company — please contact us to arrange an online meeting with our attorney, where you will get answers to all your questions.
This consultation is free and will give you confidence in making the right choice.
To proceed, you will need to provide passport copies and utility bills for all new shareholders and managing directors. If you are interested in establishing a new company, foundation, trust, or asset management company, please contact us for further details.
Goldblum and Partners can appoint a Swiss managing director at a reasonable cost, as required by Swiss law.
All companies are free of debts and legal disputes and audited by Goldblum and Partners. We also recommend Output bookkeeping Switzerland (Buchhaltung auslagern Schweiz) to reduce administrative burden.
If you have doubts about acquiring a shelf company — please contact us to arrange an online meeting with our attorney, where you will get answers to all your questions.
This consultation is free and will give you confidence in making the right choice.
To proceed, you will need to provide passport copies and utility bills for all new shareholders and managing directors. If you are interested in establishing a new company, foundation, trust, or asset management company, please contact us for further details.
Below, you will find key questions and answers regarding the purchase of a shelf company in Switzerland — compiled from our extensive experience of over 15 years.
By the way, do you know how to verify the reliability of a company offering corporate services? Contact us, and we will gladly inform you about it.
Important! Starting from 2025, new legislative amendments come into force, potentially making it impossible to re-register a sold company.
You can read more details about this in our Legal Alert here. And for legal tech developments, see FINMA’s New AI Guidance.
Beware of purchasing companies from "friends," "acquaintances," "former partners," etc.
Important! Starting from 2025, new legislative amendments come into force, potentially making it impossible to re-register a sold company.
You can read more details about this in our Legal Alert here. And for legal tech developments, see FINMA’s New AI Guidance.
Beware of purchasing companies from "friends," "acquaintances," "former partners," etc.
Main Questions and Answers Regarding Guarantees, Acquisition Procedures, and Conditions:
This is particularly important. Over the past ten years, Goldblum and Partners has consistently received recognition in international legal rankings for our expertise, client-oriented approach, and innovative solutions.
Our sustained presence in these rankings demonstrates the hard work and high qualification of our team.
Since we usually manage companies for our clients (whose geography ranges from Singapore to Sacramento), it is natural for us to aim for hassle-free operations and minimal time expenditure. Check out the latest Consultation on tax proposal that may affect holdings.
Our sustained presence in these rankings demonstrates the hard work and high qualification of our team.
Since we usually manage companies for our clients (whose geography ranges from Singapore to Sacramento), it is natural for us to aim for hassle-free operations and minimal time expenditure. Check out the latest Consultation on tax proposal that may affect holdings.
Why is Goldblum and Partners the Best Choice?
We have operated for more than 15 years, serving over 1,000 companies. Annually, we sell more than 300 shelf companies in Switzerland and know practically all potential issues you might encounter when dealing with competitors.
We have operated for more than 15 years, serving over 1,000 companies. Annually, we sell more than 300 shelf companies in Switzerland and know practically all potential issues you might encounter when dealing with competitors.
What Makes Acquiring a Swiss Shelf Company Different from Incorporating a New One?
The main advantages include rapid acquisition of a Swiss shelf company and eliminating the need to pay share capital (CHF 20,000 for GmbH and CHF 50,000 for AG). Starting lean? Learn how to Become independent (Devenir indépendant) while structuring legally. Additionally, the marketing advantage is significant: partners trust established companies more.
The main advantages include rapid acquisition of a Swiss shelf company and eliminating the need to pay share capital (CHF 20,000 for GmbH and CHF 50,000 for AG). Starting lean? Learn how to Become independent (Devenir indépendant) while structuring legally. Additionally, the marketing advantage is significant: partners trust established companies more.
Is Buying a Shelf Company Safe?
Purchasing a Swiss shelf company through Goldblum and Partners is entirely secure. You will receive all necessary documents, confirmations, and appointments. Additionally, we have professional indemnity insurance coverage of CHF 1 million, protecting you against all risks. The previous shareholder provides a letter of guarantee covering all expenses and a debt collection certificate (Betreibungsamt), and we perform an in-depth due diligence process. To maintain compliance, consider expert help with Accounting in Switzerland (Comptabilité en Suisse).
Purchasing a Swiss shelf company through Goldblum and Partners is entirely secure. You will receive all necessary documents, confirmations, and appointments. Additionally, we have professional indemnity insurance coverage of CHF 1 million, protecting you against all risks. The previous shareholder provides a letter of guarantee covering all expenses and a debt collection certificate (Betreibungsamt), and we perform an in-depth due diligence process. To maintain compliance, consider expert help with Accounting in Switzerland (Comptabilité en Suisse).
What Determines the Price of a Shelf Company?
The price depends on the company's incorporation year (annual maintenance expenses continue), previous business activity (some companies had significant turnovers and completed banking relationships), and the availability or absence of a bank account. A Swiss bank account (if present) will still require re-registration for new shareholders, including passing a due diligence procedure. For shared responsibilities, understand your Duties (Schuldanerkennung) under Swiss law.
The price depends on the company's incorporation year (annual maintenance expenses continue), previous business activity (some companies had significant turnovers and completed banking relationships), and the availability or absence of a bank account. A Swiss bank account (if present) will still require re-registration for new shareholders, including passing a due diligence procedure. For shared responsibilities, understand your Duties (Schuldanerkennung) under Swiss law.
Why Are These Companies for Sale?
Reasons vary, ranging from owners' retirement to failure in achieving planned business outcomes (investments without returns). Simply put, previous owners completed the registration steps, exhausted project budgets, and faced choosing between liquidation in Switzerland (an expensive process) or selling the company. After thorough due diligence, these companies come to us, and we offer them for sale.
Reasons vary, ranging from owners' retirement to failure in achieving planned business outcomes (investments without returns). Simply put, previous owners completed the registration steps, exhausted project budgets, and faced choosing between liquidation in Switzerland (an expensive process) or selling the company. After thorough due diligence, these companies come to us, and we offer them for sale.
Are These Companies Free from Debts and Legal Disputes?
The companies have no employees, debts, or other issues. We meticulously inspect all aspects, including the previous owners' social media activities. In some cases, these are our own clients with our nominee directors.
The companies have no employees, debts, or other issues. We meticulously inspect all aspects, including the previous owners' social media activities. In some cases, these are our own clients with our nominee directors.
A shelf company
is the right choice
We don't simply sell you a company—we care about your acquisition's success. Simplify your operations using Special apps Switzerland (Spesen-Apps Schweiz). We support you from the initial consultation with our lawyer, where you'll discuss all your questions, through nominee services and handling formalities with Swiss banks. Simply compare us with our competitors and make the right choice! Need a license for your activity? Here's how to get a FINMA License in Switzerland.
is the right choice
We don't simply sell you a company—we care about your acquisition's success. Simplify your operations using Special apps Switzerland (Spesen-Apps Schweiz). We support you from the initial consultation with our lawyer, where you'll discuss all your questions, through nominee services and handling formalities with Swiss banks. Simply compare us with our competitors and make the right choice! Need a license for your activity? Here's how to get a FINMA License in Switzerland.
Swiss shelf companies:
Frequently Asked Questions
A Swiss shelf company is a pre-registered legal entity in Switzerland, available for immediate acquisition. It allows entrepreneurs to quickly launch their business activities without undergoing the entire incorporation process.
Purchasing a shelf company in Switzerland saves time, eliminates the need for depositing initial share capital, and offers instant credibility due to the company's established history.
Acquiring a shelf company in Zug usually takes just a few days, as all formalities, including legal checks and document transfers, are already completed.
Yes, buying a Swiss shelf company through a reputable provider like Goldblum and Partners is entirely safe. These companies are thoroughly audited, debt-free, and insured against potential risks.
You'll need to provide passport copies and utility bills for all new shareholders and directors to comply with Swiss regulatory requirements.
Yes, after purchasing a Swiss shelf company, you can freely modify its name, business activities, and registered office location according to your business needs.
The price depends on the incorporation date, previous business activity, banking history, and the existence of an active Swiss bank account.
Some Swiss shelf companies come with an existing bank account. However, re-registration of the account for new shareholders requires passing the bank's due diligence procedure.
Shelf companies in Switzerland are typically sold due to reasons like owners retiring, changes in business strategies, or unsuccessful business outcomes after incorporation.
Yes, reputable providers like Goldblum and Partners perform thorough due diligence to ensure that shelf companies are debt-free and not involved in any legal disputes or liabilities.
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Stockerstrasse, 45,
8002 Zurich
8002 Zurich
Baarerstrasse, 25,
6300 Zug
6300 Zug
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to constitute legal advice or to create an attorney-client relationship. The information, documents, or forms provided here in are intended for general information purposes only and must not be regarded as legal advice. Laws change periodically; therefore, the information on this website may not be accurate. It is imperative that you seek legal counsel to ascertain your rights and obligations under the applicable law and based on your specific circumstances
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