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Switzerland’s Commercial Register (2026)

A Complete, Plain-English Guide

Switzerland’s Commercial Register.png

This guide explains what the Commercial Register is, who must register (and when), how to register, costs, timeframes, documents, and the practical benefits for freelancers and companies in Switzerland.
It reflects the rules in force as of October 2025 and remains accurate for 2026 unless Swiss law changes.

What the Commercial Register is...

(and why it matters)

Switzerland’s Commercial Register is a public, canton-managed database of key legal facts about businesses (legal form, owners/representatives, seat, etc.). It exists to make those facts transparent, ensure legal certainty, and protect third parties (customers, suppliers, lenders). Entries are searchable nationwide via Zefix, the Central Business Name Index.

Once your filing is approved by your canton, it’s forwarded for federal consent and **published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC/SHAB)**—that’s when it becomes visible to everyone and you can order official extracts.

Bottom line: registration gives your counterparties a reliable, official source to check who you are and who may sign for your business.

Who must register...

(and when)

Always mandatory at formation:

  • GmbH/Sàrl (limited liability company) and AG/SA (corporation)
  • General partnerships and limited partnerships
  • Cooperatives and most associations with commercial activity
  • Foundations (with narrow exceptions)
  • Swiss and foreign branch offices

Sole proprietorships (Einzelfirma / entreprise individuelle / ditta individuale):

  • Mandatory once your prior financial year’s revenue reaches CHF 100,000 (liberal professions and farmers without a commercial operation are exempt).
  • Voluntary below that threshold—often recommended for credibility (see “Benefits”, below).

Related thresholds to keep in mind:

  • Accounting: if annual revenue is ≥ CHF 500,000, you must keep full accounts under the Code of Obligations; below that, simplified accounts suffice.
  • VAT: the CHF 100,000 revenue threshold also generally triggers VAT registration (separate from the Commercial Register).

What it costs

(typical 2025/26 figures)

Official fees vary by legal form and canton but the federal SME portal lists approximate base fees for an entry (excl. notary/postal costs etc.):

  • Sole proprietorship: ~CHF 80 (basic fee)
  • General partnership: ~CHF 160
  • GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA: ~CHF 420 (basic fee)
  • Plus CHF 20 for each person/signing authority recorded, and small amounts for certificates/extracts.
    (See the Ordinance on Commercial Register Fees and your canton’s register for exact pricing.)

In practice, many founders report ~CHF 120 out-of-pocket for a sole prop entry once small extras are included.

How long it takes

The official range is typically about 5 to 60 days depending on the canton and workload. Seasonal spikes (e.g., year-end) and incomplete filings cause delays. Some cantons process much faster; others have seen backlogs up to seven weeks during busy periods.

Once your canton approves the entry, federal consent is usually granted within ~1 working day, and publication appears about two working days later—at which point the entry is visible on Zefix/SHAB.

Where and how to register (step-by-step)

The Swiss government’s EasyGov portal routes you to the right cantonal register and lets you handle related tasks (AVS/AHV, VAT, etc.) online. Sole proprietorships and partnerships can be set up and registered fully online; GmbH/AG can start online but still require a notary.

Decide your legal form

  • Sole prop if you’re starting small and accepting personal liability.
  • GmbH/AG if you want limited liability and easier team growth; you’ll need paid-in capital (min. CHF 20,000 for GmbH; CHF 100,000 for AG) and notarization.

Choose a compliant business name

  • Sole proprietorship names must contain your family name (first name optional). You may add descriptive or creative elements, but the name must be truthful and not misleading.
  • Check availability/conflicts via Zefix before you print business cards.

Prepare the documents

  • Sole proprietorship: application form; ID; domicile/address proof; description of purpose; authenticated signature(s) (done at a communal office or notary).
  • GmbH/AG: notarial public deed of incorporation, articles, proof of paid-in capital, IDs, domicile confirmation, and required declarations (e.g., on representation/beneficial owners per current practice).

File via EasyGov or the cantonal Commercial Register Office

  • Upload/submit the dossier. Some cantons offer pre-checks (for a small fee) to avoid rejections.

Approval, publication, and extracts

  • After cantonal approval and federal consent, the entry is published in SOGC, appears on Zefix, and you can order an official extract (useful for banks, landlords, large clients).

What to expect after registration

  • Your basic data is public and searchable (name, seat, purpose, representatives). This transparency is the point of the register.
  • For sole props, you can keep simplified accounts if your turnover stays < CHF 500,000. Above that, full accounting rules apply.
  • You must report changes (address/seat, purpose, signatories, directors) to your canton’s register and keep entries up to date.

Benefits of registering (even if optional)

Many sole proprietors choose to register before hitting CHF 100k revenue because registration can:

  • Boost trust & win larger clients (some procurement teams require a register extract).
  • Protect your business name within your locality/legal form.
  • Make your signing authority and representation unambiguous for banks, insurers, platforms.
  • Smooth VAT registration, permits, and enterprise accounts (banks and fintechs ask for extracts).

Typical timelines & budgets (quick reference)

Sole proprietorship:

  • When mandatory: after CHF 100,000 revenue in the previous financial year (earlier is optional).
  • Government fees: ~CHF 80–120 plus small extras.
  • Total time: ~1–8 weeks depending on canton/season; publication itself typically ~2–3 working days after consent.

GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA:

  • Mandatory at formation (constitutive—company exists only after entry).
  • Government fees: base ~CHF 420 (excl. notary/bank costs).
  • Total time: ~2–6 weeks end-to-end (bank capital, notary, register).

Common pitfalls

(and how to avoid them)

  1. Name conflicts → Search Zefix and avoid misleading terms.
  2. Missing/notarized signatures → For entries requiring authentication, plan a quick notary or communal office visit.
  3. Year-end rush → Cantons publish cut-off dates to guarantee registration by 31 December; file early in Q4.
  4. Mixing up registers → Ignore unsolicited “private registers” asking for payment; the official process is via your canton/EasyGov.

FAQ

💡 One last tip 💡

If you’re close to CHF 100k revenue or pitching larger clients, voluntary early registration can pay for itself in smoother onboarding and trust signals.

If you want, tell me your canton, legal form, and timing and I’ll draft a personalized checklist (documents, where to authenticate signatures, and a budget) for your specific case.

Is Everything Done Online – or Are Physical Documents Required?

Short answer: a large part of the process of registering with the Swiss Commercial Register can be done online, but some legal forms still require physical—notarised—documents.

Below is a breakdown of what you can expect in 2026.

✅ What you can do entirely online

  • For a sole proprietorship or general/limited partnership, you can complete the registration via the online portal EasyGov (or your canton’s equivalent).
  • You can fill in the electronic application, upload your ID, provide the required business information, and submit the form online.
  • For many changes to an existing registration (address, signatories, purpose) you can use the online service.

⚠️ Where physical (or notarised) steps may still be required

  • For legal forms such as a GmbH/Sàrl (limited-liability company) or AG/SA (corporation), one of the key documents — the articles of association / incorporation deed — must be notarised (with a Swiss public notary) and capital must be proven (e.g., bank confirmation of deposit).
  • Some cantons may still require physical signatures (or certified signature) on documents in person or via a notary, especially for the founding of a company with share capital.
  • Although the portal handles much of the submission, you may still need to send original documents to the cantonal register or have the notary submit on your behalf.

📍 What to check depending on your canton & legal form

  • Check whether your canton offers full digital submission for your legal form (some still require part-paper).
  • If you are forming a GmbH/AG, prepare for: notary appointment + deposit of share capital + possible visit to bank.
  • Make sure your digital ID/account is set up (for EasyGov / canton portal) and you have scanned copies of ID, residence permit (if applicable), and business address proof.
  • Understand that “fully online” does not mean you avoid notary fees or paper‐based notarisation when required—it only means the filings and many admin steps are digital.

🔍 Summary: What this means for you

  • If you’re registering as a sole proprietorship (and will stay under the CHF 100 000 threshold), you can very likely do the entire registration online, with minimal physical paperwork.
  • If you’re registering a company with share capital, you’ll still face at least one physical/legal-document step (notarisation, capital deposit), though much of the surrounding process is digital and streamlined.