Switzerland - Main Types of Companies

Limited Liability Company (GmbH / Sàrl)
Stock Corporation (AG / SA)

General
Type of Company AG GmbH
Average timeframe to set up a new company 1 - 2 weeks 1 - 2 weeks
Average timeframe to activate shelf company  N/A N/A
Migration of domicile possible? Yes Yes
Corporate Requirements
Standard authorised share capital CHF 100,000 CHF 20,000
Bearer shares allowed? Yes if share capital fully paid up No
Minimum number of shareholders One One
Minimum number of directors One One
Corporate directors permitted? No No
Local directors required? Yes Yes
Local meeting required? Yes Yes
Company secretary required? No No
Taxation
Corporate tax rate variable (approx. 8% to 30%)
Ordinary tax base worldwide income
Tax exemptions special tax status may be negotiated for certain types of activity
Withholding tax on dividends - tax rate 35%
Withholding tax on interest - tax rate 35%, only in specific cases
Withholding tax on licence fees and royalties None
Double taxation treaties more than 70
Value Added Tax rate 7.6%
Disclosure and Reporting Requirements
Disclosure of beneficial owner No No
Government register of directors Yes Yes
Government register of shareholders No Yes
Annual return Yes Yes
Submission of accounts No, only with tax authorities and certainly not open for disclosure No, only with tax authorities and certainly not open for disclosure
Audit required? depends on activities, financial accounts, total employees depends on activities, financial accounts, total employees
Fees Charged By H&P Trust Company (Switzerland) AG       CHF
Initial set up fee: 1)
   Set up/ Incorporation fee (one time) 4,500.-
Annual fixed fees:
   Domiciliation / Registered office fee 2,000.-
   Management fee : Director / Board member
       - for a passive holding company 5,000.-
       - for an active company 7,500.-
   Nomine shareholder fee 2,500.-
Extra Service:
   Shared desk (monthly) 700.-
   Set up Tel and fax (one time) 200.-
   Virtual email accounts:
       - set up (one time) 300.-
       - maintenance (yearly) 200.-
Hourly fees: 2)
   Partner 350.-
   Structuring Advisor 250.-
   Senior Account Manager 200.-
   Junior Account Manager 125 - 175.-
   Assistant / Secretary   80 - 125.-

1) This fee is charged for coordinating the incorporation of the company including notary fees and fulfillment of compliance requirements in accordance with Swiss law.

2) These fees are charged per time spent for all services apart from the above annual fixed fees to keep the company in good standing in accordance with Swiss law, including but not limited to: bookkeeping, opening bank accounts, payments, registrations, drafting and filing of annual accounts, share transfers, reviewing, drafting and signing (legal) documents, correspondence authorities etc. These fees depend on the activity of the company and are invoiced periodically three times per year.

All Prices mentioned are exclusive Swiss VAT 7,6 % and disbursements.