Starting a Swiss Company from Abroad: What International Entrepreneurs Need to Know
2025-06-02 20:29
How to Start a Company in Switzerland from Abroad — and Why Legal Domicile & Local Board Members Matter
Starting a Swiss company as a non-resident is entirely possible — but only if you understand the legal requirements. Whether you're forming an AG or a GmbH, Swiss law requires at least one director or authorized signatory with residency in Switzerland. That’s why many founders work with professional partners like DeinDomizil.ch to provide not only a legal domicile, but also a trusted local representative.
From tax registration to compliance and business banking, here's what international founders should consider when launching in Switzerland.
5 Key Considerations for Foreign Founders Setting Up a Swiss Company
1. Swiss Residency Requirement: By law, your company must have at least one person residing in Switzerland who is authorized to sign.Swiss Code of Obligations – Art. 718
2. Registered Legal Domicile: You must register a valid business address within Switzerland. DeinDomizil offers domicile services in Zug and Herisau.
3. Board Structure: Whether you form a GmbH or AG, board setup and representation matter. We provide board mandates to ensure legal compliance.
4. Banking and Capital Requirements: Opening a Swiss business bank account remotely can take time. You’ll also need to deposit the required share capital (CHF 20,000 for GmbH, CHF 100,000 for AG).
5. Accounting & Tax Compliance: Once formed, your company must maintain properSwiss accounting standards. We support you from day one.
📌 Want to simplify the process? At DeinDomizil.ch, we help foreign founders incorporate quickly — with everything from virtual offices to Swiss-resident directors and bookkeeping.