How much does it really cost to form a company in Switzerland in 2026? This is one of the first questions entrepreneurs ask, and the answer varies considerably depending on the legal form chosen, the canton of establishment and the level of support desired. This guide details all the costs to plan for, item by item, so you can set a precise budget and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Whether you are considering forming a sole proprietorship, an LLC or a corporation, you will find complete comparison tables, realistic price ranges based on current Geneva rates, and practical advice to optimise your budget. For a personalised calculation adapted to your situation, use our online cost estimator.
Overview: how much does it cost to form a company in Switzerland?
Before going into the detail of each cost item, here is a summary overview of total budgets by legal form. The amounts are based on rates in force in the canton of Geneva in 2026.
| Cost item | Sole proprietorship | LLC | Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | None | CHF 20,000 | CHF 100,000 (min. 50,000 paid up) |
| Notary fees | Not required | CHF 800 - 1,500 | CHF 1,200 - 2,500 |
| Commercial register | CHF 120 - 200 (mandatory if revenue > 100k) | CHF 550 - 620 | CHF 550 - 800 |
| Escrow account | -- | CHF 100 - 200 | CHF 100 - 200 |
| SOGC publication | -- | Included in CR | Included in CR |
| Federal stamp duty | -- | Exempt if < 1M | Exempt if < 1M |
| CR extract | CHF 17 | CHF 17 | CHF 17 |
| Fiduciary fees (AX) | CHF 500 - 800 | CHF 2,500 | CHF 3,500 |
| Total (excl. capital) | CHF 500 - 1,000 | CHF 3,000 - 5,000 | CHF 4,000 - 8,000 |
| Total budget (with capital) | CHF 500 - 1,000 | CHF 23,000 - 25,000 | CHF 54,000 - 108,000 |
Important note: the share capital (CHF 20,000 for an LLC, CHF 50,000 to 100,000 for a corporation) is not a sunk cost. This capital stays in your company and can be used to finance initial operating expenses (equipment, marketing, inventory, first rent, etc.). The "real" irrecoverable cost of forming an LLC is therefore approximately CHF 3,000 to 5,000.
Detailed costs for a sole proprietorship
The sole proprietorship is the simplest and least expensive legal form to create in Switzerland. It suits self-employed persons, freelancers, craftspeople and small commercial activities starting alone.
Mandatory costs
- Commercial register inscription: CHF 120 to 200. Inscription is mandatory only if annual revenue exceeds CHF 100,000. Below this threshold, it is optional but strongly recommended: it protects your trade name, enhances your credibility and is sometimes required by banks to open a professional account.
- AHV registration: free. You must register with your cantonal AHV fund as a self-employed worker. AHV/IV/APG contributions start from the beginning of the activity (approximately 10% of net income, with an annual minimum of approximately CHF 514).
Optional but recommended costs
- AX-Fiduciaire fees: CHF 500 to 800. This package includes name availability check on Zefix.ch, preparation of the CR inscription file, AHV fund notification, VAT and insurance advice, and an initial consultation on the optimal structure of your activity.
- Professional liability insurance: CHF 300 to 1,500/year depending on the activity.
- Logo and visual identity: CHF 500 to 3,000 depending on the provider.
- Website: CHF 500 to 5,000 for a professional showcase site.
In total, a sole proprietorship can be formed for less than CHF 1,000 in irrecoverable costs, making it the most accessible entry point for entrepreneurship in Switzerland. However, this legal form does not protect your personal assets. If this limitation concerns you, compare with the LLC in our sole proprietorship vs LLC guide.
Detailed costs for an LLC
The LLC is the most popular legal form for SMEs in Switzerland. With more than 220,000 active LLCs in the country, it offers an optimal balance between personal asset protection, management flexibility and manageable formation costs.
Share capital: CHF 20,000
The legal minimum capital is CHF 20,000, fully paid up at formation. This capital is not a cost: it constitutes your company's equity and can be used to finance initial expenses.
Notary fees: CHF 800 to 1,500
LLC formation mandatorily requires an authentic deed drawn up by a notary. Notarial rates are regulated by cantonal law and are not negotiable.
| Type of incorporation (LLC) | Price range | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Simple (1-2 members) | CHF 800 - 1,000 | Standard articles, CHF 20,000 capital in cash |
| Standard (3+ members) | CHF 1,000 - 1,300 | Custom articles, pre-emption clauses, veto rights |
| Complex (contribution in kind) | CHF 1,300 - 1,500 | Qualified incorporation report, asset valuation |
Commercial register: CHF 550 to 620
The Geneva commercial register inscription fee for an LLC is approximately CHF 550 to 620. This amount includes the inscription fee and mandatory SOGC publication. The inscription timeline is generally 5 to 10 business days.
Escrow account: CHF 100 to 200
The escrow bank account opening costs between CHF 100 and CHF 200. Some banks waive the fee if you commit to opening your business current account with them.
AX-Fiduciaire fees: CHF 2,500
The AX-Fiduciaire all-inclusive package for LLC formation is CHF 2,500, covering the entire formation process: initial consultation, name verification, custom articles drafting, all incorporation documents, notary coordination, bank coordination, CR filing and follow-up until final inscription.
Detailed costs for a corporation
The corporation is the preferred legal form for medium to large companies, companies with many shareholders, projects requiring fundraising or structures seeking discreet shareholding.
Share capital: CHF 100,000 (minimum CHF 50,000 paid up)
The minimum share capital is CHF 100,000. However, only half (CHF 50,000) must be paid up at formation. The remaining CHF 50,000 can be called later by the board of directors.
Notary fees: CHF 1,200 to 2,500
The corporation's incorporation deed is more complex than that of an LLC, resulting in higher notary fees.
Other costs
- Commercial register: CHF 550 to 800.
- Escrow account: CHF 100 to 200.
- AX-Fiduciaire fees: CHF 3,500 all-inclusive.
- Share register: to be maintained from formation. AX-Fiduciaire provides a compliant share register template.
Complete cost comparison: sole proprietorship vs LLC vs corporation
| Criterion | Sole proprietorship | LLC | Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital to pay up | CHF 0 | CHF 20,000 (100%) | CHF 50,000 (50% of min.) |
| Notary | Not required | CHF 800 - 1,500 | CHF 1,200 - 2,500 |
| Commercial register | CHF 120 - 200 | CHF 550 - 620 | CHF 550 - 800 |
| Escrow account | Not required | CHF 100 - 200 | CHF 100 - 200 |
| AX-Fiduciaire package | CHF 500 - 800 | CHF 2,500 | CHF 3,500 |
| Liability | Unlimited (personal assets) | Limited to capital | Limited to capital |
| Taxation | Personal income (up to 44%) | Corporate profit (~14% GE) | Corporate profit (~14% GE) |
| Members visible in CR | Yes (the holder) | Yes (all members) | No (discreet shareholding) |
| Formation timeline | 1-3 days | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
| Auditing body | Not required | Opting-out possible | Opting-out possible |
| Total excl. capital | CHF 500 - 1,000 | CHF 3,000 - 5,000 | CHF 4,000 - 8,000 |
| Total budget (with capital) | CHF 500 - 1,000 | CHF 23,000 - 25,000 | CHF 54,000 - 108,000 |
For a detailed analysis of each legal form's advantages and disadvantages beyond costs alone, see our complete guides: LLC vs Corporation and sole proprietorship vs LLC.
Hidden costs to anticipate
Beyond the formation costs themselves, many costs are regularly underestimated or forgotten by future entrepreneurs. Anticipating them avoids cash flow tension in the first months of activity.
Before formation
- Market research: CHF 0 (self-directed) to CHF 5,000 (professional). Essential to validate your project.
- Business plan: CHF 0 to 3,000. Necessary for bank financing or investor funding.
- Specific legal advice: CHF 300 to 2,000. For shareholder agreements, non-compete clauses, employment contracts, IP questions or sector authorisations.
- Trademark protection: CHF 550 for a filing with the IPI (Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property) for one class. Each additional class costs CHF 100. Filing protects your trademark in Switzerland for 10 years (renewable).
During formation and in the first months
- Bank account opening: CHF 0 to 500. Costs vary greatly between banks.
- Domiciliation: from CHF 99/month if you do not have your own premises. Geneva domiciliation with AX-Fiduciaire gives you a professional address at Boulevard Georges-Favon 26 without signing a commercial lease.
- Professional liability insurance: CHF 300 to 2,000/year depending on the activity.
- Accounting software: CHF 0 to 100/month. If you entrust accounting to AX-Fiduciaire, we use our own tools (Odoo, official partner) and the cost is included in the monthly package.
- First AHV/IV contributions: variable depending on salary or income.
- VAT registration: free with the FTA. Mandatory if revenue exceeds or will likely exceed CHF 100,000/year.
- Accounting: from CHF 149/month at AX-Fiduciaire. Compliant bookkeeping is mandatory for LLCs and corporations.
- Payroll management: from CHF 29/slip at AX-Fiduciaire. Required from the first employee. Payroll management includes pay slips, social charges statements and annual salary certificates.
Federal stamp duty
The stamp duty on issuance is a federal tax levied on the issuance of participation securities (LLC units, corporation shares). Since the 2022 reform, companies with capital of CHF 1,000,000 or less are fully exempt from issuance stamp duty. For higher capitals, the duty is 1% on the portion exceeding CHF 1,000,000. In practice, this means virtually all LLC and corporation formations are not affected by this duty.
Cost comparison by canton
Official formation costs vary slightly from one canton to another, primarily due to notarial rates regulated by cantonal legislation. Here is a comparison for forming a standard LLC (capital CHF 20,000, 1-2 members):
| Canton | Notary | Commercial register | Total official fees | Corporate tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | CHF 800 - 1,500 | CHF 550 - 620 | CHF 1,350 - 2,120 | ~14% |
| Vaud | CHF 500 - 1,200 | CHF 600 | CHF 1,100 - 1,800 | ~14% |
| Zurich | CHF 700 - 1,800 | CHF 600 | CHF 1,300 - 2,400 | ~19.7% |
| Zug | CHF 400 - 600 | CHF 500 | CHF 900 - 1,100 | ~11.9% |
| Bern | CHF 500 - 700 | CHF 540 | CHF 1,040 - 1,240 | ~21.6% |
| Valais | CHF 500 - 700 | CHF 500 | CHF 1,000 - 1,200 | ~16.8% |
The differences in formation costs between cantons are relatively modest (a few hundred francs at most). The choice of canton should be based primarily on the tax rate, proximity to your clients and partners, access to talent and the local economic ecosystem.
How to optimise formation costs?
- Choose the legal form suited to your situation: do not form a corporation if an LLC suffices (you save CHF 30,000+ in tied-up capital). Our legal form choice guide helps you make the right decision.
- Opt for an all-inclusive package: a fixed package (like AX-Fiduciaire's CHF 2,500 for an LLC) protects you against budget overruns.
- Take advantage of opting-out: if your LLC or corporation does not exceed two of the three thresholds (assets CHF 20M, revenue CHF 40M, 250 employees), you can waive the auditing body. Saving: CHF 1,500 to 5,000 per year.
- Compare bank offers: account opening, escrow and monthly fees vary greatly between banks.
- Bundle services: at AX-Fiduciaire, clients who subscribe to an accounting package along with formation receive preferential rates. Domiciliation can also be combined for an optimised overall package.
- Think about insurance from the start: professional liability insurance taken out at formation often costs less than if taken out after a first claim.
Cash flow calendar for LLC formation
It is essential to plan your cash flow around formation. Here is a typical calendar for forming an LLC in Geneva:
- Week 1: first meeting with AX-Fiduciaire (free). Legal form choice, name verification, articles definition. Fee commitment (CHF 2,500).
- Week 1-2: escrow account opening and capital deposit (CHF 20,000 + bank fees CHF 100-200). Finalisation of articles and preparation of incorporation documents.
- Week 2-3: notary appointment for the authentic deed of incorporation (CHF 800-1,500, payable on the day). Filing with the commercial register.
- Week 3-4: commercial register inscription (CHF 550-620, invoiced after inscription). SOGC publication. Capital released to company current account.
- Week 4+: post-formation steps: VAT registration (if applicable), AHV/BVG/LAA affiliation, accounting setup, start of operational activity.
The complete process takes 2 to 4 weeks from first contact to final inscription. AX-Fiduciaire prepares all documents in advance to minimise timelines. For a precise calculation adapted to your project, use our online estimator or request a free quote.