The UID identifies a business in Switzerland. Assigned free of charge by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), it starts with CHE and contains nine digits. You can look it up by business name in the public UID register. In French, it is called the IDE.
Starting a business, or has a customer asked for your CHE number? Here is where to find it, how it is assigned and what to check before using it on an invoice.
The Swiss UID number at a glance
- Format: CHE followed by nine digits, normally written CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX.
- Search: public details are available free of charge in the official UID register.
- Assignment: a number is assigned following notification by an authority connected to the UID system.
- Self-employed businesses: a business can receive a UID without being entered in the commercial register (in French).
- VAT: having a UID does not by itself establish VAT registration.
How to find a Swiss business in the UID register
The simplest approach is to search the FSO’s UID register. Have the official business name and municipality ready, especially where several companies have similar names.
Enter the name or number
In the name/UID search field, enter the registered business name or the CHE number you have. For your own self-employed activity, also try your personal name if the trading name produces no result.
Identify the correct business
Compare the name, address and legal form. If necessary, include previous names or adjust the active-business filter. A trading name can differ from the registered legal name.
Read the entry and registration status
Note the UID, then check commercial register and VAT information separately. For an older invoice, consider the VAT registration dates shown in the entry.
What is a Swiss UID number?
UID stands for enterprise identification numberin the Swiss system; the French abbreviation is IDE. It gives public authorities a shared reference for the same entity. CHE identifies Switzerland. The digits do not tell you the canton, business activity or legal form.
The UID register includes the business name, address and information about commercial register and VAT entries. The number helps identify a business in administrative exchanges and commercial documents. It is not, by itself, a professional licence or evidence of creditworthiness.
Watch the video
Understanding the Swiss UID: assignment and use
In this French-language video, Romain Prieur explains the role of the UID, how it is assigned and how Swiss businesses use it.
How do you get a Swiss UID number?
UID assignment forms part of your administrative registrations. When an authority connected to the system notifies the FSO of your business, the FSO can assign its number. If the entity already has a UID, that number is used to avoid creating a new identity for every registration.
| Your situation | Usual procedure | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Forming an LLC or limited company | Entry in the commercial register | Search afterwards using the company’s official registered name. |
| Starting a self-employed activity | Notification to an OASI/AHV compensation office or another competent UID authority | A UID can exist without commercial registration. |
| Registering for VAT | Notification to the Federal Tax Administration | Provide the existing UID, where one has already been assigned. |
| Association or regulated activity | Notification to the relevant authority for the activity | Ask the FSO which procedure applies if you cannot find a UID. |
To prepare the company formation itself, read our Swiss LLC article. For a business operated in your own name, our article on becoming self-employed explains OASI/AHV recognition and the main registration steps.
Timing depends on notification and processing by the authorities involved. If a business partner asks for the number before it is available, explain that registration is in progress and check with the competent authority. Use only the number actually assigned to your entity.
What is the difference between a UID and a Swiss VAT number?
The UID is the underlying identifier. Once a business is entered in the VAT register, its VAT number uses the UID followed by TVA in French, MWST in German or IVA in Italian. The Federal Tax Administration specifies that the English suffix “VAT” is not one of the authorised official forms. This matters even when your invoice is written in English.
UID
CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX
Identifies the business in the Swiss administrative system.
Swiss VAT number
CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX TVA
Uses the same identifier for a VAT-registered business.
To verify VAT status, open the business’s official entry and check its VAT data, including available start and end dates. A CHE number, or the letters TVA on a document, is not a substitute for this check.
The registration requirements are explained in our article on Swiss VAT registration. VAT registration is a separate step from being assigned a UID.
Should the UID appear on your invoices?
For a VAT-registered business, the number under which it appears in the VAT register is among the required invoice details. Use the appropriate TVA, MWST or IVA suffix. For a business that is not VAT-registered, including the UID helps identify it, but receiving a UID does not itself create an obligation to charge VAT.
The UID is also useful on quotations and contracts to identify the relevant party precisely. Include the correct legal name and contact details. For the full invoice requirements and practical examples, read our article on preparing an invoice in Switzerland.
Preparing your first invoices?
See the details to include and an example of a Swiss invoice in our French-language article.
What happens when your UID details change?
A change of company name (in French) or address (in French) normally updates the register data while retaining the same UID for the same entity. Request the change through the authority responsible for that information. A business entered in the commercial register must follow the relevant commercial register procedure.
The FSO explains that you can identify the responsible authority in MyUID under the sections for viewing your data and its information sources. Some contact details, such as the website or email address, can be changed directly in the data-editing section. Core information remains the responsibility of the competent authority; menu wording depends on your selected interface language.
Creating a new legal entity, such as an LLC taking over a sole proprietorship (in French), requires particular care: do not automatically reuse the previous business’s number. If you cease trading or unexpectedly receive two UIDs, ask the FSO or relevant authority to clarify the position.
Use the right identifier and check its status
Find the business in the official UID register, confirm its name and address, and check VAT status separately. A CHE number identifies an entity; it does not by itself establish VAT registration or prove that a business is reliable.
Frequently asked questions about Swiss UID numbers
Where can I find my Swiss UID?
Search for your business name in the official UID register. The number may also appear in FSO correspondence or other administrative documents. For a self-employed business, also search using your personal name.
Can a sole proprietor have a UID without commercial registration?
Yes. Notification of the activity to an OASI/AHV compensation office or another UID authority can lead to assignment of the number. Commercial registration (in French), OASI/AHV recognition and VAT registration each follow their own rules.
How much does a Swiss UID cost?
Assignment and entry in the UID register are free. Company formation and commercial register charges relate to separate procedures.
Do IDE and UID refer to the same number?
Yes, in Switzerland: IDE is the French abbreviation and UID is used in German and English. Be careful internationally: UID can refer to a VAT identifier in other countries.
Is a Swiss UID an EU VAT number?
No. The Swiss UID and VAT identifiers used in the European Union are distinct. Any EU registration requirements depend on your transactions; adding a VAT suffix to a Swiss UID does not create an EU VAT registration.
What is the Swiss equivalent of a French SIRET?
A partner asking you to identify a Swiss business will generally need its UID. The comparison is approximate: the French SIRET identifies an establishment. If certified legal information is required, they may also need a commercial register extract.
Is the UID also a tax identification number?
For Swiss entities, the UID serves as the tax identification number in contexts requiring that identifier. Individuals are treated differently. Our article on Swiss tax identification numbers explains which number a form may require.
Can an association receive a UID?
Yes. The process depends on its registrations and dealings with public authorities. If you cannot find the association in the register, the FSO can advise which authority to contact.
Does my UID change if I move to another canton?
Normally, the same UID is retained while the same entity continues to exist. You must update the address and complete any required registered office transfer formalities.
Does an active UID prove a business is trustworthy?
It identifies an entity and provides access to public details. It does not guarantee solvency, service quality or the identity of the person contacting you. For a significant commitment, supplement the lookup with appropriate documents and checks.
Need to clarify your registration steps?
Discuss your company formation, the registrations required and the right order of action with an expert.
Official sources
- FSO: enterprise identification number
- UID register: public search
- FSO: UID frequently asked questions
- FSO: viewing and updating your details
- FTA: UID and VAT number
English editorial review: 21 September 2026.
Romain Prieur is a Swiss-qualified accountant and founder of Entreprendre.ch. After more than ten years in auditing and supporting Swiss businesses, he advises entrepreneurs on company formation, accounting and taxation.
