Swiss company formation – complete guide for 2025

Switzerland continues to attract international entrepreneurs and established businesses seeking a stable, transparent, and tax-efficient jurisdiction. Swiss company formation is not only about reputation, but also about strategic advantages in international tax planning, market access, and legal certainty. For decades, Switzerland was considered one of the most private corporate environments, offering bearer shares and anonymous holding structures. Although legislation has evolved, the country remains a premier choice compared to Cyprus, Malta, or other semi-offshore centres.

1. Introduction (short, pragmatic)

2. History of Swiss company registration and anonymity

• Bearer shares (why, when abolished, role of OECD/FATF, year 2019/2020 reforms).
• Transition to registered shares.
• Nominee fiduciary services today.

3. Why Switzerland is still the best choice

• Reputation, stability, financial hub.
• Tax benefits (DTA network, IP Box, cantonal competition).
• Comparison with Cyprus, Malta, Luxembourg.

4. Swiss company formation process

• Legal forms (AG, GmbH, etc.).
• Requirements for foreigners.
• Timeline, step by step.
• Costs (with table).
• Role of notary, Handelsregister, fiduciary.

5. Swiss anonymous company formation today

• What remains possible (nominee directors, shareholders, fiduciary structures).
• What is impossible (bearer shares).

6. Swiss crypto company formation

• Requirements, FINMA, Zug/Crypto Valley.
• Costs, process.

7. Offshore vs onshore – the Swiss positioning

• How Switzerland competes with traditional offshore.
• Benefits of Swiss offshore company formation.

8. Comparative tables

• Ready-made company vs new incorporation.
• Cost breakdown.
• Jurisdictional comparison (CH vs CY vs MT).

9. Expert Tips (3 blocks)

10. Future outlook

• OECD/BEPS, transparency, tax competition.
• Why Swiss companies will remain premium.

For many years, Switzerland allowed the issuance of bearer shares. These so-called Inhaberaktien were widely used for Swiss anonymous company formation, as ownership was transferred simply by handing over the share certificate, with no requirement to record shareholders’ names. This structure was attractive for investors seeking privacy.

However, international pressure from the OECD and FATF led to reforms. In 2015, Switzerland restricted bearer shares, and by 2019 Parliament adopted the Bundesgesetz über die Umsetzung von Empfehlungen des Global Forum, which effectively abolished them. Since November 2020, all bearer shares had to be converted into registered shares, unless the company was publicly listed or issued intermediated securities. By 2021, non-converted bearer shares became void. The rationale was international compliance, the fight against money laundering, and the implementation of transparency standards.

Today, Swiss anonymous company formation process has changed. True anonymity through bearer shares is no longer possible. Instead, companies maintain an internal shareholder register (Aktienbuch), typically managed by a fiduciary service provider. This nominee service ensures compliance with corporate law, handles reporting obligations, and still allows clients to separate legal ownership from operational visibility. In practice, fiduciaries act as local custodians of shareholder data, while preserving confidentiality within legal limits.

Despite the loss of bearer shares, Switzerland continues to outperform competitors.

• Reputation and legal certainty: A company incorporated in Switzerland enjoys international recognition as a first-class business entity. Unlike Malta or Cyprus, Swiss entities are not blacklisted or labelled “offshore”.
• Tax optimisation: Switzerland offers cantonal corporate tax rates ranging between 11% and 18%. Combined with the IP Box regime (deduction of up to 90% of qualifying IP income at cantonal level), effective rates can drop significantly.
• Double Tax Treaties (DTA): Switzerland has concluded over 100 DTA, providing relief from withholding taxes and eliminating double taxation. For multinational groups, this creates immediate savings compared to using Cyprus or Malta, which often face reputational challenges.
• Stability: Political neutrality, a AAA credit rating, and strong institutions.

Example 1 – DTA savings: A US parent receives dividends from a Swiss subsidiary. Under the CH-US DTA, withholding tax can be reduced from 35% to 5%.
Example 2 – IP Box: A Zug-based company licensing software abroad benefits from a reduced effective tax rate of approx. 11%, instead of the standard 15% rate.

Forming a company in Switzerland follows clear steps. Foreigners may establish an entity without residency, though at least one authorised signatory must reside in Switzerland.

While bearer shares have been abolished, a level of structured confidentiality remains possible:

• Use of fiduciary shareholders and directors, ensuring privacy within the law.
• Local fiduciaries manage the shareholder register, fulfilling compliance duties.
• Beneficial ownership must be declared to the company, but not published in the commercial register.

Therefore, the Swiss anonymous company formation guide revolves around structuring with nominees and trustees, rather than bearer shares.

Switzerland has become a global leader in blockchain. Zug’s “Crypto Valley” hosts hundreds of companies, thanks to regulatory clarity.

• Requirements: compliance with AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Act), possible FINMA registration for financial intermediaries.
• Process: similar to GmbH or AG formation, but with additional documentation for crypto activities.
• Costs: higher due to licensing (legal, compliance).

Search intent keywords: Swiss crypto company formation requirements, Swiss crypto company formation cost, Swiss crypto company formation process.

Expert Tip 1: For blockchain start-ups, a GmbH in Zug is the most cost-efficient. It meets capital requirements (CHF 20,000) and enjoys local support programmes.

Many compare Swiss offshore company formation with classical offshore centres. The distinction is reputation: a Swiss company is onshore, tax-compliant, but offers the same tax optimisation potential.

According to the Federal Statistical Office and cantonal Handelsregister data, Swiss company incorporations have remained stable:

The coming years will see further international alignment with OECD BEPS standards and automatic exchange of information. Nevertheless, Switzerland is expected to remain highly competitive:

• Ongoing cantonal tax reforms.
• IP Box incentives.
• Strong fintech ecosystem.
• Legal certainty in comparison with semi-offshore centres.

For international entrepreneurs, the best Swiss company formation option will combine tax optimisation, legal security, and reputational benefits.