You are looking for stability in an unstable world. You want a jurisdiction that respects privacy, honors capital, and operates with the precision of a chronometer.
You don’t just want a company; you want a Swiss company.
Whether you are a US tech founder seeking a European HQ or a European entrepreneur escaping bureaucratic deadlock, Switzerland remains the gold standard. But the “Swiss Advantage” is only available to those who navigate the setup correctly.
This is your playbook.
Phase 1: Choose Your Vehicle
In Switzerland, we don’t have “LLCs” or “C-Corps” in the American sense. We have two primary vehicles. Choosing the right one is your first strategic decision.
| Feature | The GmbH (Limited Liability Company) | The AG (Joint Stock Company) |
| Best For | SME, Single Founders, Family Biz | Tech Startups, Holdings, Investors |
| Minimum Capital | CHF 20,000 (Must be 100% paid in) | CHF 100,000 (Min. CHF 50k paid in) |
| Privacy | Low (Shareholders listed in public registry) | High (Shareholders generally anonymous) |
| Prestige | Standard | Elite (The global standard) |
| Share Transfer | Complex (Requires notary) | Fluid (Simple written assignment) |
My Advice: If you are bootstrapping, the GmbH is efficient. If you plan to raise venture capital, sell shares, or simply want the highest level of reputational prestige, the AG is the only serious option.
Phase 2: The “Golden Key” (Resident Director)
This is the single biggest hurdle for foreign investors, and it is where most DIY attempts fail.
The Rule:
Swiss law (Code of Obligations Art. 718) mandates that at least one person with the right to sign for the company must reside in Switzerland.
The Reality:
You cannot simply register a company from New York or Berlin and run it remotely without a local footprint. You have two options:
- Move here: Relocate to Switzerland (we can help with permits, but it takes time).
- The Mandate: Appoint a Swiss resident nominee director.
How I Help: I act as your qualified Swiss Resident Director. I provide the legal face of the company to the authorities, ensuring you remain compliant while you retain full operational control of the business assets.
Phase 3: Terrain Mapping (Tax Optimization)
Switzerland is a federation. We have Federal tax (flat and low) and Cantonal tax (variable). Your total tax burden depends entirely on where you incorporate.
The 2025 Hotspots:
- Zug: The “Crypto Valley.” Famous for the lowest rates (approx 11.8% total corporate tax).
- Lucerne: A close rival to Zug, very business-friendly (approx 11.9%).
- Schwyz: Low taxes, high discretion (approx 13.4%).
- Zurich: The banking capital. Higher tax (~19.6%), but unmatched reputation and talent pool.
Note: The Federal corporate tax rate is effectively flat. The difference is the Canton. We often register clients in Zug or Lucerne to lock in the ~12% rate, even if their operations are digital/global.
Phase 4: Execution (The 4-Step Launch)
We can move from “Idea” to “Incorporated” in roughly 2-3 weeks.
- Capital Deposit: We open a blocked Swiss bank account. You wire the capital (CHF 20k or 50k). The bank issues a “Capital Contribution Certificate.”
- The Notary: We draft the Articles of Association. I attend the notary meeting in Switzerland (you can grant power of attorney so you don’t have to fly in).
- Registration: The notary submits the deed to the Commercial Register (Handelsregister).
- Activation: In ~7 days, the company is published. The bank account is unblocked, and your capital is ready for business use.
Special Briefing: US & EU Clients
🇺🇸 For My American Clients
- The Treaty: The US-Swiss Double Taxation Treaty is one of the world’s oldest and strongest.
- 0% withholding tax on interest.
- 5% withholding on dividends (for major corporate shareholders).
- Banking: Many Swiss banks are wary of “US Persons” due to FATCA. You cannot walk into UBS and open an account easily. You need an introducer. I have specific relationships with banks that still welcome US-owned Swiss entities.
🇪🇺 For My European Clients
- The Firewall: Switzerland is in Europe, but not the EU. This is your advantage. A Swiss company gives you a fortress outside the EU legal jurisdiction while maintaining full access to the Single Market via bilateral agreements.
- VAT: We can obtain a Swiss VAT number for you (low rates: 8.1% standard).
Your Next Move
You are building a vehicle for wealth preservation and growth. Do not let bureaucracy stall your engine.
I can provide:
- Incorporation: Full handling of Notary and Commercial Registry.
- Domicile: A registered Swiss address in a low-tax Canton (Zug/Lucerne).
- Directorship: Acting as your mandatory Swiss Resident Director.
- Banking: Direct introductions to compliance-ready Swiss private banks.