A Swiss GmbH / Sarl (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung / Société à responsabilité limitée) is a private limited liability company and the most common legal form for new small and medium‑sized businesses in Switzerland. It combines relatively low capital requirements with full liability protection for its owners
COMPANY FORMATION
Swiss GmbH Formation
The most popular Swiss company structure for SMEs and startups. CHF 20,000 minimum capital, full limited liability and lower setup costs than an AG.
- CHF 20,000 minimum capital
- Ideal for startups & SMEs
- Full limited liability
- Free incorporation
What is a Swiss GmbH?
Key Facts
- Minimum 1 shareholder (foreigners welcome)
- At least one managing director must be resident in Switzerland
- Minimum capital: CHF 20,000 (fully paid at incorporation)
- Shareholders are listed by name in the commercial register (public)
Swiss GmbH Requirements
-
Capital Requirements
- Minimum capital: CHF 20,000
- Paid-up requirement: 100% (CHF 20,000)
- Capital can be cash or approved assets-in-kind
- Share par value: Typically CHF 100 or less.
-
Structure & Management
- Shareholders: Min. 1, 100% foreign ownership permitted
- Managing Director: Min. 1 Swiss resident required
- Auditors: Optional for most SMEs (Opt-out possible)
- Compliance : Accounting & maintaining Company documents required
Form Your Swiss GmbH in 4 Steps
We structure the formation process so you can complete it remotely with clear milestones and timeline expectations.
-
Reserve Name
Unique name check
and reservation -
Prepare Docs
Statutes & formation
documents -
Deposit Capital
Bank account
Deposit CHF 20,000 -
Finalize
Notarization &
Commercial Register
Formation Timeline: 2-3 Weeks
*With all documents ready
-
1-2 Days
Name check
& Reservation -
3-5 Days
Document
Preparation -
1-2 Days
Notary
Filing to Commercial Register -
7-10 Days
Commercial
Register Publication
Swiss GmbH Formation Costs
Estimated Third-Party Fees
| Item | Cost (CHF) |
|---|---|
| Notary fee | 300 |
| Commercial Register fee ( after publication ) | ~ 600 |
| Total third-party | 900 |
Our Service Fees
CHF 0 - With 12-month Starter package (CHF 750/month)
- Free incorporation when you commit to our Starter service for 12 months.
- Free incorporation means you pay no additional professional fee for the formation work itself; you only cover third‑party and official costs.
- You get company domicile, Swiss resident director, accounting, payroll and admin support included for the first year.
Swiss GMBH Taxation
-
Corporate Tax
Effective rate: 11-14% ( on profits)
Varies by canton
Zug: ~11.5% -
VAT ( Mehrwertsteuer)
Threshold: CHF 100,000/year
Annual taxable turnover
Standard rate: 8.1%
Why Choose a Swiss GmbH?
-
Limited Liability
Personal assets fully protected from company risks.
-
Low Capital
Only CHF 20,000 required to start operations.
-
Startup Friendly
Standard legal form for entrepreneurs & investors.
-
Global Reputation
Swiss entities are recognized for quality and trust.
-
Easy Conversion
Can be converted to an AG structure as you scale.
-
Full Control
100% foreign ownership and control permitted.
Our GmbH Formation Services
-
Domicile
Registered address
in Zug and other cantons -
Management
Managing Director
services -
Accounting
Full accounting
and tax compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum capital for a GmbH?
The minimum share capital for a Swiss GmbH is CHF 20,000 and must be fully paid in at the time of incorporation, in cash or as approved assets‑in‑kind.
Are GmbH shareholder names public?
Yes. The names and holdings of GmbH shareholders are entered in the public commercial register, which increases transparency but does not offer anonymity.
Does a GmbH need a local director?
Yes. At least one person with director or authorised representative powers must be resident in Switzerland with signatory authority.
Can a GmbH be 100% foreign‑owned?
Yes. A Swiss GmbH can be entirely foreign‑owned as long as Swiss residency requirements for management are fulfilled.
GET STARTED
Ready to Start Your Swiss GmbH?
Fast‑track your Swiss company formation with our expert guidance, local representation and all‑in‑one management services.