Bourdeau
DUBUIS & BOURDEAU, YOUR PARTNER IN SWITZERLAND BASED IN SION, ZUG & ZÜRICH. REAL ESTATE, COMPANY FORMATION, SUM LUMP TAXATION, RELOCATION TO SWITZERLAND, REAL ESTATE, EXECUTIVE SERVICES. BUYING A PROPERTY IN SWITZERLAND. SELLING YOUR PROPERTY IN SWITZERLAND. REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL SERVICES IN SWITZERLAND.
Switzerland performs exceptionally well in attracting international firms to settle within its borders. One of the principal reasons for this success is the liberal environment and the country’s market-Swiss companies are considered the most reliable, respectable and solid entities since decades. No other jurisdiction combines integrity and highest reputation with tax advantages like Switzerland does. On the one hand this is based on the independency of Switzerland and on the other hand it is the fact that Swiss companies have never been available as easy as in most other countries. The higher requirements during a company formation do guarantee that Swiss companies will keep their reputation in the future.
Switzerland is characterized by a low overall tax burden for companies. There are attractive options for optimizing corporate taxes on a case by case basis. Depending on their choice of location and business focus, Swiss companies may enjoy tax incentives or other benefits.
In Switzerland a company can be established in the form of a corporation (SA: Société Anonyme, AG: Aktiengesellschaft;) or a limited liability company (Sàrl: Société à responsabilité limitée ; GmbH: Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung). A company does not need a license to do business in Switzerland, except in circumstances where the carrying on of a certain business is subject to licensing requirements. For example, a Swiss company acting as independent asset manager must apply for a financial intermediary license before starting the activity. Such license is granted through the Swiss Anti-
Set-
The time required for setting up a company is between two and four weeks, beginning from the submission of the documents until the company becomes a legal entity.
Schedule of activities for setting up a company (joint-
- Preliminary search, registration and approval of the company’s name
- Preparation of required formation documents: Articles of Agreement, articles of association, registration, etc.
- Payment of capital: Capital contribution at a prescribed depositary (bank). The contributing person must show proof of identity.
- Founding of company and preparation of relevant documents: statutes, acceptance declaration of statutory auditors, confirmation of a recognized depositary (bank) that the share capital has been paid in and is at the free disposal of the company. If after founding the company does not have its own offices: Domicile acceptance declaration.
- Publication in the official gazette of the Canton
- Entry of the responsible person(s) in the corresponding registers (commercial register, possibly register of titles)
- Registration as a taxable enterprise
Domicile
The corporation and the Limited liability company must have a registered domicile in Switzerland. It may have either its own offices or a c/o address, in which case a third party acts as domicile holder for the corporation
How much does this service cost ?
Incorporation & Consulting fees : start at 6’900.-
Note : All fees are quoted in Swiss Francs (CHF) and excl. VAT of 7,6 %.
Our incorporation services include :
- payment of notary fees, Federal Commercial Registry Office fees and Cantonal Commercial Registry fees
- company name check and approval by the Federal Commercial Registry Office
- drafting of articles of incorporation / statutes
- drawing up “Stampa” and “Lex Friedrich” declarations
- preparation of registration forms
- opening of a corporate bank account
- choosing an auditor (auditors are optional with a Sàrl /GmbH, but compulsory with a SA / AG)
- choosing a notary
- drawing up of notarized deed of incorporation
- arranging for a preliminary examination by the Cantonal Commercial Registry
- organizing the foundation meeting with the notary
- after the establishment of the company :
- drawing up the final application for registration at the Cantonal Commercial Registry
- arranging for the bank to release the paid in amount
- delivery of notarized certificate of incorporation
- delivery of notarized articles of incorporation
Not included in our incorporation service :
- For a SA (AG) : The minimum amount of the share capital of a corporation is CHF 100,000; at least 20% or CHF 50,000 (whichever is greater) must be paid up before incorporation. (More info)
- For a Sàrl (GmbH) :The minimum amount of the foundation capital of a limited liability company is CHF 20,000; the total sum must be paid up before incorporation. (More info)
- For a SA (AG) : Stamp duty of 1% of capital over CHF 1,000,000 (if applicable).
- For a Sàrl (GmbH) : Stamp duty of 1% of capital over CHF 250,000. (if applicable).
Beware of companies that promise you a swiss companies for a low price !
Other Services
- 1 year registered office (domiciliation) 1’500.-
CHF
Use of our address in Switzerland for your company, business cars, letterhead and market ing materials.
- 1 year Swiss director on request
Minimum fee for a Swiss resident director. Annual fee will depend on the work involved.
- 1 year administrative services price upon request (depend on the work involved)
Complete administration and attendance of the company; mail collection and forwarding; phone and fax answering, opening and operating of bank accounts; paying invoices; reviewing and preparation of corporate legal documents; as well as liaison with the client's local advisors for tax, legal and accounting matters; etc.
Please note :
- These annual services must always be paid separately :
- Accounting services (conducting the legally required local accounting throughout the year according to Swiss law)
- Filling of federal cantonal and communal annual tax returns
- Annual audit (conduction the legally required annual audit; for the SA only)
- The fixed costs for setting up a corporation (SA) or a Limited liability company (Sàrl) can vary by authorized capital.
You have further questions? Our consultants will be pleased to assist you.