How to start a business in Switzerland, from the UK

Switzerland's economic stability, competitive tax rates, and a highly skilled workforce make it one of Europe's more attractive places to set up a company. But you'll have to deal with cantonal differences, strict registration requirements, and for UK nationals post-Brexit, a more complex immigration pathway than you might expect.

This guide walks you through the key business structures, registration steps, costs, timelines, and what you need to know as a foreigner looking to launch a venture in Switzerland. While you’re setting up your Swiss business, consider Wise Business, a global multi-currency account that lets you transact in Swiss Francs, GBP, Euros and 40+ other currencies.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Why start a business in Switzerland?

Switzerland consistently ranks among the top countries globally for innovation and competitiveness. Its central European location gives you access to major markets in Germany, France, and Italy, while a multilingual workforce (German, French, Italian, and English are widely spoken) makes cross-border business more manageable.

Though the country's corporate tax rates vary by canton (self-governing sovereign member states of the Swiss Confederation), the overall range tends to sit between roughly 11.9% and 20.5% on profit before tax. These rates combine federal, cantonal, and communal levies.¹ Some cantons actively compete for businesses by offering lower rates and incentives.

There are challenges, though. The cost of living is high, regulations differ from canton to canton, and the administrative process can feel complex if you're unfamiliar with the Swiss system. A good local adviser, whether a lawyer, fiduciary, or notary, can make a significant difference.

What types of business entities exist in Switzerland?

Switzerland offers seven main legal structures. Your choice depends on the size of your business, your liability preferences, and whether you're based in Switzerland or abroad.²

A GmbH (LLC) is the most popular choice for foreign entrepreneurs. It's relatively affordable to set up, offers limited liability, and is straightforward to manage. The main trade-off is that shareholders' names are publicly listed in the commercial register.³

An AG (limited company) offers more privacy (shareholders aren't published) and tends to carry more credibility with investors, but requires significantly more capital upfront.³

Sole proprietorships and partnerships are simpler to establish, though you need to think about being personally liable for losses and debts when things don't work out in your business. If your annual turnover stays below CHF 100,000, a sole proprietorship doesn't even need to register with the commercial register, but you do need to be a Swiss resident.²

Can foreigners start a business in Switzerland?

Yes. Switzerland is open to foreign entrepreneurs, but the requirements depend on your nationality.

EU/EFTA citizens can apply for a Swiss residence permit (typically a B permit) and register a business relatively smoothly, provided they can demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.⁵

Non-EU/EFTA nationals, including UK citizens since Brexit, face a more involved process. You'll need to appoint at least one Swiss-resident manager or director with single-signature authority for GmbH and AG structures.² Work and residence permits for third-country nationals are subject to quotas. You'll also need to demonstrate that your business brings economic benefit to Switzerland in a.

Most foreign-owned businesses in Switzerland are structured as a GmbH, AG, or branch office. Cantonal investment promotion agencies can provide tailored guidance and they're worth contacting early in the process.

What is the 8-day rule in Switzerland?

The 8-day rule applies to cross-border service provision under the Agreement on Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU. EU/EFTA companies or self-employed service providers must notify Swiss authorities at least 8 days before starting work in Switzerland, for assignments of up to 90 working days per calendar year. Beyond 90 days, a work permit is required.⁵

For UK nationals and businesses: since Brexit, the UK is no longer covered by this agreement. UK service providers now need work permits regardless of the assignment's duration, so the 8-day notification procedure doesn't apply. This is worth factoring in if you're planning short-term project work in Switzerland before fully establishing a company there.

How to register a business in Switzerland step by step

The registration process varies slightly depending on your chosen structure. Here's how it typically works for a GmbH, the most common choice for foreign founders.

Step 1: Choose your canton and legal structure

Tax rates, industry clusters, and support services vary across Switzerland's 26 cantons. Research which canton aligns with your business needs before committing.

For instance, Zug has the lowest tax rates, 11.5% in the capital city and is home to the headquarters of large brands in life sciences (e.g. Johnson and Johnson), consumer products (Coca-Cola) and more.⁷ Innovation hubs such as Trust Square and Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich and Tech companies like Google, IBM, Meta, and AWS are clustered in Zurich.⁸

Step 2: Open a Swiss bank account and deposit capital

You'll need to open a business bank account and deposit the required minimum capital (CHF 20,000 for a GmbH).⁹ The bank issues a confirmation of deposit, which you'll need for registration.

Transacting in Pounds and Swiss Francs could incur significant exchange-rate costs. But you can spend less with Wise. A Wise business multi-currency account lets you send and receive money across 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Step 3: Draft your legal documents

Prepare the articles of association, which outline your company's purpose, governance, and share structure. Additional documents may include a stamp declaration form and a Lex Friedrich declaration form.

Step 4: Notarise your documents

All founding documents and signatures must be authenticated by a Swiss public notary. This is mandatory for GmbH and AG structures.⁷

Step 5: File with the Commercial Register

Submit your notarised documents to the cantonal Commercial Register office. You can also use the EasyGov online platform to streamline parts of this process.³ Processing typically takes 5–10 business days.

Step 6: Register for VAT

If your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, VAT registration is mandatory. Switzerland's standard VAT rate is 8.1%, with reduced rates for certain goods and services.⁶

Step 7: Register for social insurance

Enrol your company and employees with the cantonal social security office (AHV/AVS) for pension, disability, and unemployment insurance. Accident insurance for employees is also mandatory.

How much does it cost to start a business in Switzerland?

Costs depend on your chosen legal structure. Here's a rough breakdown for a GmbH:

For an AG, the minimum share capital jumps to CHF 100,000 (with at least CHF 50,000 paid in at incorporation). Stamp duty of 1% applies if share capital exceeds CHF 1 million.¹²

Ongoing costs include accounting, social insurance contributions, office space, and any sector-specific licences or permits.

How long does it take to set up a company in Switzerland?

GmBH registration time varies depending on the business type and wider circumstances. Commercial Register processing takes between 5-10 business days, but with document preparation, notarisation and post-registration (VAT, insurance etc.) the process could be a month or more - providing documentation, capital and eligibility all clear.

Some cantons offer faster processing, and using the EasyGov platform can help speed things along. Delays usually come from incomplete paperwork or slow bank account setup.

Swiss business taxes and VAT

XSwitzerland's tax system operates at three levels: federal, cantonal, and communal. The federal corporate income tax rate is a flat 8.5% on net profits. Cantonal and communal rates vary, for instance taxes in Zurich cost 16.5% while St. Gallen is 12.5%.²

VAT registration is mandatory once your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. The standard rate is 8.1%, with reduced rates (2.6%) for essentials like food and medicine.¹¹

All Swiss companies must file annual financial statements and comply with Swiss accounting standards (Swiss GAAP or IFRS). A local tax adviser can help you navigate cantonal differences and optimise your structure.

Scale your business in Switzerland with Wise Business

Running a business in Switzerland while maintaining ties to the UK means you'll likely need to handle both GBP and CHF on a regular basis, whether that's paying suppliers, receiving client payments, or converting funds between currencies. The Wise Business account could help with this, you get access to CHF account details to receive payments as if you were a local business in Switzerland. And, you can convert between GBP and CHF using the mid-market exchange rate, with low and transparent fees.

And that's not all.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://payout-surge.live/gb/interest/%3C/a%3E to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

---

Investments can fluctuate, and your capital is at risk. Interest is offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise Payments Ltd. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you're uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

---

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

---

Sources used:

1. PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – Switzerland: Taxes on corporate income
2. Setting up a company as a citizen of a third state
3. What's the best choice: SA or Sàrl?
4. ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING A COMPANY
5. B EU/EFTA permit (Resident foreign nationals)
6. EasyGov.swiss — Notification procedure and business registration
7. Economy Hauptsitze
8. Greater Zurich Rea - Canton Zurich
9. LLC : Responsibility, share capital, establishment
10. Minimum legal requirements for articles of association
11. Current Swiss VAT rates
12. Limited company: One of the most common legal forms

Sources last checked: 2-April-2026