Type of Company – Gesellschaft mit beshränkter Haftung (GmbH) – Limited Liability Company.
Legislation – Swiss Code of Obligations, Swiss Federal Law on Debt Collection, Federal Law on Direct Taxation and Swiss Federal Act on Banks and Savings Associations.
Company name – The name must end with ‘Gmbh’ but restrictions are imposed if name is similar to an existing one or if it may imply government patronage or if it is known to exist elsewhere.
Time-scale for incorporation – 10 to 15 days.
Disclosure of beneficial owners must be reported to the Commercial Register.
Double tax treaties with 67 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Portugal, UK and the USA.
Ready-made companies are NOT available.
Money laundering legislation is in existence.
Local Requirements
Registered Office and Registered Agent must be maintained in the Canton of incorporation.
Company Secretary is not required but advisable. May be a natural person or corporate body
Public recording of shareholders and directors are available to the public.
There are no audit requirements for the annual accounts, however an auditor may be appointed if required by the quota holders
Corporate Requirements
Minimum number of shareholders - Two (2). May be natural persons or corporate bodies that may reside anywhere in the world.
Minimum number of directors – One (1). This must be a local individual, as corporate directors are not permitted. If more than one is appointed, the majority must be Swiss citizens and resident in Switzerland.
Minimum capital requirement – CHF20,000.
Standard Authorised Capital – CHF20,000. The company does not issue shares, but instead register the owner’s equity participation in the Commercial Register.
Bearer shares are not permitted.
Annual Requirements
Annual return and annual statutory meetings are required.
Government License Fees is Nil.
Statutory accounting is required.
Taxation – Tax on offshore profits varies, as each Canton has its own taxation, which is between 15 to 32% effectively.
