The key steps to registering your business in Switzerland

Find out how you can register your business in Switzerland, as well as the benefits this can bring.

What is a business registered address?

A company’s registered office is its administrative and tax address. Also known as the company’s “registered office”, the choice of its geographical location is crucial in terms of image, but also, and above all, because it determines the legal, administrative and tax regulations that apply, whether set by major Swiss institutions or by foreign institutions. Indeed, the company must comply with the regulations of the place where it is registered.

Registering a business address is usually the first step in setting up a business, whether it is a company, a sole trader or a micro-enterprise. A business’s registered address may well be different from the location where it operates, so this is a strategic decision for business owners.

In France, a registered office is mandatory for all types of businesses, including associations.

Why register your business in Switzerland?

The reason so many entrepreneurs choose to register their businesses in Switzerland is that the country offers significant advantages.

By registering your business in Switzerland, you will benefit from:

• an attractive social and economic environment, with a stable political and monetary situation;
• a prestigious address, particularly if your business operates internationally: having your registered office located in Switzerland’s business districts is clearly an advantage;
• tax benefits, as Swiss regulations are less restrictive than French ones, for example, particularly in certain cantons.

Please note: The Swiss property market is particularly difficult to access when it comes to commercial premises and offices. As demand far outstrips supply, numerous guarantees are required to secure a lease, which can be a barrier for start-ups. Using the services of a registered office provider can therefore be an effective solution.

Registering a business in Switzerland: who is it for?

Contrary to what one might initially think, establishing a registered office in Switzerland is not exclusively reserved for companies with a long track record. Newly established companies, or even those in the process of being set up, may also choose to establish their registered office in Switzerland.
Furthermore, Swiss domiciliation is also an option for holding companies. More generally, any company wishing both to enhance its business profile and to benefit from the advantages offered by Swiss standards is perfectly entitled to acquire a Swiss administrative and tax address.

Registering your business in Switzerland: how do you go about it?

The different ways to register your business in Switzerland

There are several ways to register your business in Switzerland:

• From your own business premises, offices or workshops. Your commercial lease must therefore allow for the possibility of registering a business at that address.

• From your own home or that of a third party. If you live in Switzerland, you can register your business at your home by providing a certificate of domicile (please ensure that your tenancy agreement or your block of flats’ rules do not prevent you from doing so). Similarly, you can register your business at a third party’s address, provided they can prove that their premises are indeed their main residence and provide a certificate of availability.

• In a business incubator. In Switzerland, there are business incubators that rent out shared premises and can also support you through the process of setting up your business.

• Through a registered office provider. There are many Swiss companies specialising in registered office services that can host your company’s registered office, whilst simplifying the process for you and providing a range of beneficial services.

Using a registered office provider

As this solution is just as easy to set up as a home-based business address, many entrepreneurs choose to use a specialist company to register their business in Switzerland. 

These companies, also known as “fiduciaries” (firms specialising in asset management), are subject to fewer regulations than their French counterparts. As such, a simple registered office agreement between the fiduciary and your company allows you to establish your registered office in Switzerland. 
In addition, Swiss registered office providers can offer you certain services, such as receiving and forwarding your post, providing office space and IT equipment, a telephone answering service, etc.

The role of the registered agent

Under the terms of your registered office agreement (and although there are no strict legal requirements under Swiss law for this type of service), the company you engage (the registered office provider) has certain obligations.

In particular, the company must register your business premises with the Trades Register or the Companies Register. It must also keep records of all premises used for the registered offices of the companies for which it provides head office accommodation. Finally, it must provide you with premises that are suitable for maintaining professional confidentiality.

The obligations of the resident

As a client of a registered office provider, you also have certain obligations towards them. In particular, you are required to notify the provider of any changes to your company’s business activities, and to use the premises provided solely as your registered office.

In addition, you must explicitly authorise your agent to accept any deliveries made on your behalf.

You now know how to set up your business in Switzerland, and you’re aware of the benefits you can enjoy by establishing your registered office there! 

If you’d also like to benefit from a simple, reliable and transparent currency exchange service, whilst securing the best exchange rates for your foreign currency transactions, please feel free to visit the business section of b-sharpe.