Limited company formation
Set up a Swiss limited company (SA)
Swiss limited company formation from CHF 590 excluding VAT, with notary fees included
Planning to set up a Swiss limited company, known as an SA or AG? Entreprendre.ch supports you from drafting the articles of association to official Commercial Register registration, throughout French-speaking Switzerland.
- Documents prepared within 24 business hours
- Notary fees included in the package
- Advice tailored to your formation
Swiss-qualified accountants
More than 3,500 LLCs and limited companies formed
Why form your limited company with
Entreprendre.ch?
Prompt support and simpler paperwork
Complete our form in a few minutes and we will coordinate the formation formalities to help your company get started as smoothly as possible.
Support from Swiss professionals
Qualified accountants who are members of EXPERTsuisse and experienced notaries help ensure your company meets the requirements of the Swiss Code of Obligations.
Clear updates at every stage
Our team follows your application closely. You receive clear, regular updates at each significant stage of forming your Swiss limited company.
Clear prices and explained costs
Choose from straightforward packages suited to your needs. Submitting the form is non-binding, so you can compare your options before proceeding. We explain the fees and exclusions before you commit.
Form your limited company in three steps
Our professionals manage a straightforward process so you can focus on your business.
01
Complete the form and speak to us
Complete our online form in a few minutes. A qualified accountant will contact you to review your company name, business purpose, board of directors and share capital allocation.
02
Document preparation
We help prepare the required documents, guide you through opening a capital deposit account and drawing up the articles of association, and send the application to the notary.
03
Commercial Register registration
We submit your completed application to your cantonal Commercial Register. Once registered, your limited company can operate in its own name, subject to any permits required for its activity.
The cost of forming a Swiss limited company
All prices exclude VAT. Notary fees are included in each package. For package details, visit our pricing page.
Commercial Register fees are payable separately.
Start your limited company with confidence
Complete the form and a qualified accountant will contact you within 24 business hours to discuss your project. There is no obligation to proceed.
- A response from an expert within 24 business hours
- A non-binding initial conversation
- Advice tailored to your situation
- No fees before you approve the service
Enquiry form
Swiss limited company formation
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The benefits of a Swiss limited company
A limited company provides a clear structure for your business, supports its professional standing and offers room for growth.
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Limited shareholder liability
Company debts are generally met from company assets. Personal guarantees, unpaid share capital and liability arising from breaches of directors’ duties require separate consideration.
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Shareholder privacy
Shareholders are generally not named in the public Commercial Register, unlike LLC members. This does not remove applicable ownership disclosure obligations.
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An established corporate structure
An SA is a familiar structure for investors, banks and institutional partners.
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Flexible financing
Shares provide a framework for bringing in investors and raising capital, subject to the required corporate approvals and formalities.
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Ownership transfers
Shares can generally be sold without a notarised deed, subject to applicable transfer rules and restrictions in the articles of association.
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Cash or contributions in kind
Swiss law permits contributions in kind, such as patents, equipment or property, subject to specific checks. Our standard formation packages cover cash contributions only.
Legal requirements for forming
a Swiss limited company
Here are three key requirements under the Swiss Code of Obligations for forming a limited company.
Minimum share capital of CHF 100,000
Swiss law requires at least CHF 100,000 in share capital. At least 20% of each share’s nominal value must be paid in, and the total paid-in amount must be at least CHF 50,000. Cash is deposited in a capital deposit account. Contributions in kind are legally possible but fall outside our standard packages.
Representation by a Swiss resident
The company must be able to be represented by an appropriately authorised person resident in Switzerland, who may be a member of the board of directors or a director. We can discuss the requirements relevant to your situation.
A distinctive company name
Your company name must be clearly distinguishable from names already registered in the Commercial Register. Start your name checks free of charge on Zefix.ch before submitting your application.
Swiss-qualified accountant
Your formation in experienced hands
Romain Prieur
Founder of Entreprendre.ch · More than 3,500 companies formed
Romain Prieur and his team review every company formation application. After eight years at PwC, he qualified as a Swiss certified accountant in 2018 before founding Entreprendre.ch to make starting a business more accessible and transparent.
Swiss federally certified accountant
EXPERTsuisse member
Lecturer at CREA and EXPERTsuisse
Learn more about Romain Prieur
Business owners trust us
Reviews from business owners in Switzerland
FAQ — Setting up a limited company in Switzerland
What are the advantages of a Swiss limited company (SA)?
A Swiss limited company (SA) can suit growing businesses and investment projects. Shareholder liability is generally limited to the obligation to pay their share capital contribution. Shareholders are generally absent from the public Commercial Register, although ownership disclosure rules still apply. The share structure also supports fundraising.
What is the minimum share capital for a Swiss limited company?
At least CHF 100,000 in share capital is required. At incorporation, at least 20% of the nominal value of each share and a total of at least CHF 50,000 must be paid in. Capital can be deposited in cash in a capital deposit account. Contributions in kind are subject to specific valuation and verification rules and are outside our standard service.
How much does forming a Swiss limited company with Entreprendre.ch cost?
Entreprendre.ch offers a Standard package from CHF 590 excluding VAT, including notary fees. The Premium package is CHF 690 excluding VAT and also includes VAT registration. Commercial Register fees, bank charges and signature certification are separate.
How long does forming a Swiss limited company take?
The process generally takes three to four weeks, depending on how quickly capital is paid into the capital deposit account and the time needed for Commercial Register registration. We support you throughout the process.
What is the difference between an SA and an LLC in Switzerland?
Both offer a separate legal entity with generally limited shareholder liability. Key differences include minimum share capital of CHF 100,000 for an SA and CHF 20,000 for an LLC, the public visibility of owners and the share structure used to bring in investors. See our Swiss SA and LLC comparison for more detail.
Do you offer accounting services after incorporation?
Yes. We offer accounting services in Geneva, Lausanne and across French-speaking Switzerland, including bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and social insurance administration. We also provide registered business addresses in Geneva and personal consultations for entrepreneurs.
Ready to form your Swiss limited company?
Set up your Swiss limited company with Entreprendre.ch. Get professional support from the initial consultation to Commercial Register registration.
