Explore Countries for Living & Doing Business
Find and compare the best jurisdictions for your business
Find and compare the best jurisdictions for your business
Compare with other jurisdictions or get in touch for expert guidance.
Stable jurisdiction with strong banking and privacy
Region
WESTERN EUROPE
Corporate Tax
14%
Setup Time
3 weeks
Currency
CHF
Switzerland, a neutral nation in the Alps, offers exceptional stability and financial services expertise. The country's company registration framework and cantonal tax competition support premium business setup.
With a population of 8.8 million, Switzerland offers outstanding quality of life with four official languages (German, French, Italian, Romansh). The climate is Alpine with cold winters.
Healthcare is excellent through mandatory insurance. Safety is outstanding. The cost of living is among world's highest.
The natural beauty, quality, and stability define Swiss appeal despite costs.
Federal corporate tax is approximately 8.5%, with cantonal taxes varying to create effective rates between 12-21% depending on location. Personal income tax varies by canton to approximately 40%. VAT applies at 8.1% standard rate.
The Swiss franc is a global safe-haven currency. The financial services sector is sophisticated. Pharma, commodities trading, and precision manufacturing are significant.
Company registration through the Commercial Register requires notarial involvement. The GmbH (limited liability company) and AG (stock corporation) are common. Foreign ownership faces no restrictions.
Company formation takes approximately 1-3 weeks. Minimum capital is CHF 20,000 for GmbH, CHF 100,000 for AG. Annual compliance includes audited accounts for larger companies.
FINMA (Financial Market Supervisory Authority) regulates crypto-related financial activities. Switzerland, particularly "Crypto Valley" Zug, has attracted substantial blockchain activity with clear regulatory guidance.
Federal and cantonal authorities regulate gambling. Online gambling licensing exists but Switzerland has been restrictive about foreign operators, implementing blocking measures.
Costs are extreme—labor, real estate, and operations. The small domestic market requires export orientation. EU access requires bilateral agreements.
Banking access is excellent through world-leading banks. Professional services are world-class.
Switzerland suits financial services, commodities trading, and businesses justifying premium positioning for their business setup.
Local: GmbH/Sàrl
Local: AG/SA
Local: Stiftung
Local: Branch
| Corporate Tax Rate | 14% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 45% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 8.1% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% |
| Withholding Tax | 35% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | No |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | MEDIUM |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | Yes |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | No |
| Physical Presence for Banking | Yes |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | Yes |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $20,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF Travel Rule - CHF 1,000 threshold for crypto transfers |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan including 3-year projections, AML policies, and risk assessment required |
| Personnel Required | Qualified management with relevant experience, AML compliance officer |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | Yes |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Commercial Register via Zefix |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | No |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) |
| Licensing Fee | $6,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | SRO membership: CHF 4,000-6,000 initial fees plus CHF 2,000-4,000 annual fees. FINMA FinTech license: approximately CHF 50,000-100,000 including application and audit fees |
| Permitted Business Models | Crypto exchange, custody, brokerage, OTC trading, payment token services, tokenization |
| Permitted Activities | Trading, custody, exchange services, payment processing, token issuance, staking services |
| Restricted Activities | Banking activities without license, securities trading without securities firm license, DLT trading facility requires separate FINMA license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | No |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A - gambling-specific AML requirements under Gaming Act |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan including social concept for player protection required |
| Personnel Required | Qualified management with good reputation, AML compliance personnel |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | No |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | No |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) and Gespa |
| Renewal Period | 20 years for casino licenses |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Swiss Federal Gaming Board (ESBK) for casinos, Swiss Gambling Supervisory Authority (Gespa) for lotteries/sports betting |
| Licensing Fee Details | Casino licenses granted by Federal Council - fees vary. Gaming tax 20-80% of gross gaming revenue depending on revenue level |
| Permitted Business Models | Land-based casino (Type A and B), online casino (extension of land-based license only) |
| Permitted Activities | Casino games, online games of chance (Swiss licensees only), sports betting and lotteries (Swisslos/Loterie Romande only) |
| Restricted Activities | Foreign operators prohibited from offering online gambling to Swiss residents. Only existing land-based casino licensees can obtain online licenses. Lottery and sports betting limited to two licensed operators |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $300,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant - full travel rule implementation |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive 3-year business plan with financial projections, risk assessment, and organizational structure required |
| Personnel Required | CEO, CFO, Compliance Officer, AML Officer - all must meet fit and proper requirements |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance required for certain activities |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | FINMA publishes list of authorized institutions |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) |
| Licensing Fee | $50,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | FINMA FinTech license application: CHF 50,000-100,000 including audit fees. Annual supervision fees based on company size. Full banking license: CHF 10 million minimum capital |
| Permitted Business Models | FinTech (public deposits up to CHF 100M), payment services, securities firm, fund management |
| Permitted Activities | Accepting public deposits, payment processing, issuing Swiss IBAN accounts, multi-currency payments, crypto custody (FinTech license) |
| Restricted Activities | Full banking activities require banking license with CHF 10M minimum capital. Lending activities not permitted under FinTech license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |