# SwissFirma — Swiss Company Formation & Legal Services

> Network of partner law firms helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their business in Switzerland since 2009.
> Office: Baarerstrasse 21, 6300 Zug, Switzerland | info@swissfirma.com | +41-44-515-2591
> Member: Swiss Bar Association | Languages: English, German, French, Italian

## Key Services

- [Company Formation in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/company-formation-switzerland/): GmbH from CHF 20,000, AG from CHF 100,000. Full guide: costs, steps, timeline 6–10 weeks.
- [Set Up a GmbH in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/set-gmbh-switzerland/): Step-by-step GmbH incorporation guide, capital requirements, notarisation, Commercial Register.
- [Swiss AG Formation](https://swissfirma.com/swiss-ag-formation/): Aktiengesellschaft incorporation, CHF 100,000 share capital, notary requirements.
- [New Company vs Shelf Company](https://swissfirma.com/new-company-vs-shelf-company-switzerland/): Compare forming a new company from scratch versus buying a ready-made shelf company.
- [Company Formation by Canton](https://swissfirma.com/company-formation-by-canton/): All 26 Swiss cantons compared — tax rates, costs, registration timelines.
- [Company Liquidation in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/company-liquidation-in-switzerland/): Voluntary liquidation procedure, timelines, costs.
- [Virtual Office Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/virtual-office-switzerland/): Registered address services in Zurich, Zug, Geneva.
- [Swiss Branch Office](https://swissfirma.com/establish-a-branch-in-switzerland/): Registration, tax and permit costs for foreign company branches.
- [Representative Office in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/set-liaison-office-switzerland/): Liaison office setup, costs and timeline.
- [Holding Company in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/benefits-holding-company-switzerland/): Tax advantages, participation exemption, post-TRAF reform structure.
- [SPV in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-spv-company-switzerland/): SPV vs holding — risks, costs and taxes compared.
- [General Partnership in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-general-partnership-switzerland/): Kollektivgesellschaft — setup, costs and tax obligations.

## Banking & Finance

- [Bank Account in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/bank-account-in-switzerland-your-next-steps/): Opening corporate and personal accounts, required documents, timelines.
- [Swiss Bank Account for US Companies](https://swissfirma.com/swiss-bank-account-us-companies/): FATCA compliance, Swiss banking for US-owned entities.
- [Swiss Investment Account for US Citizens](https://swissfirma.com/swiss-investment-account-us-citizens/): Personal investment accounts, FATCA, regulatory framework.

## Tax & Legal

- [Types of Taxes in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/types-taxes-switzerland/): Federal 8.5%, cantonal (Zug effective 11.85%), municipal tax overview.
- [VAT in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/vat-in-switzerland/): Registration threshold CHF 100,000, rates 8.1% standard / 3.8% hotel / 2.6% reduced.
- [Dividend Tax Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/dividend-tax-switzerland/): 35% withholding tax, refund procedures for treaty countries.
- [Switzerland-USA Double Tax Treaty](https://swissfirma.com/switzerland-usa-double-tax-treaty/): Treaty provisions, withholding rates.
- [Employment Law Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/employment-law-switzerland/): Employment contracts, termination, working conditions.
- [Work Permit Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/work-permit-switzerland/): Permit types for EU/EFTA and non-EU nationals.
- [Swiss Business Culture](https://swissfirma.com/swiss-business-culture/): Business etiquette, meeting norms, negotiation style.

## Crypto & Fintech

- [Cryptocurrency Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/cryptocurrency-switzerland/): FINMA licensing, regulatory framework, crypto banking, Crypto Valley Zug.
- [Crypto Valley Zug](https://swissfirma.com/crypto-valley-zug/): Why Zug is the global crypto hub, advantages for blockchain companies.
- [Initial Coin Offering Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/initial-coin-offering-switzerland/): ICO legal framework, FINMA guidelines, token classification.
- [Blockchain Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/blockchain-switzerland/): Swiss blockchain ecosystem overview.
- [Set Up a Fintech Company](https://swissfirma.com/set-fintech-company-switzerland/): Fintech licences, sandbox regulations, FINMA categories.

## Real Estate & Investment

- [Buying Property in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/buying-property-switzerland/): Lex Koller restrictions, process for foreigners.
- [Real Estate Due Diligence Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/real-estate-due-diligence-switzerland/): Legal checks, title verification.
- [Start a Real Estate Agency](https://swissfirma.com/set-real-estate-agency-switzerland/): Licensing, requirements, costs for Swiss real estate agencies.
- [Invest in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/invest-in-switzerland/): Investment climate, strategic sectors, incentives for foreign investors.

## Sector-Specific Guides

- [Open a Hotel in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-hotel-switzerland/): Licensing, permits, costs.
- [Open a Bar in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-bar-switzerland/): Cantonal liquor licences, registration steps.
- [Open an Advertising Agency](https://swissfirma.com/open-advertising-agency-switzerland/): Licence requirements, timeline.
- [Start a Franchise Business](https://swissfirma.com/start-franchise-business-switzerland/): Franchise law, fees, permits.
- [Recruitment Agencies in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-recruitment-company-switzerland/): SECO licence, registration guide for employment agencies.
- [Aviation Company in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-company-aviation-sector-switzerland/): BAZL requirements, investment considerations.
- [Publishing Company in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/open-publishing-company-switzerland/): Registration steps, ISBN, media law.
- [Auto Parts Business in Switzerland](https://swissfirma.com/start-auto-parts-business-switzerland/): 10-step checklist.
- [Swiss Verein](https://swissfirma.com/open-swiss-verein/): Definition, legal form, use cases for international professional networks.

## Key Facts

- Foreign nationals can form Swiss companies without residency (at least 1 Swiss-resident director required)
- GmbH: CHF 20,000 minimum share capital | AG: CHF 100,000 (CHF 50,000 paid-in at incorporation)
- Registration timeline: 6–10 weeks from signing to Commercial Register entry
- Switzerland has 98 double taxation treaties (OECD 2024)
- VAT registration threshold: CHF 100,000 annual turnover (global)
- Federal corporate tax: 8.5% on net profit | Zug effective combined rate: 11.85%
- Canton Zug: lowest effective corporate tax in Switzerland
- FINMA supervises banks, insurance, securities dealers, and crypto exchanges (DLT Act 2021)
- Crypto Valley Zug: 1,200+ blockchain companies, CHF 6 billion+ in crypto assets

## Expert

- [Markus Pritzker](https://swissfirma.com/authors/markus-pritzker/), Corporate Lawyer & Off-Counsel at SwissFirma — company formation, GmbH/AG incorporation, FINMA licensing, cross-border legal counsel. Swiss Bar Association member.

## About

- [About Swissfirma](https://swissfirma.com/about-us/): Swiss legal and fiduciary firm, network of partner law firms, offices in Zug and Zurich.
- [Swiss Company Formation FAQ](https://swissfirma.com/swiss-company-formation-faq/): Frequently asked questions about incorporating in Switzerland.
- [All Articles](https://swissfirma.com/all-news/): Full index of Swiss business guides and legal articles.

## Licensing

Content on swissfirma.com is © Swissfirma. Articles may be quoted with attribution. Reproductions require written permission.

## Contact

For questions, business enquiries, or company formation consultations: info@swissfirma.com | +41-44-515-2591