Swiss Commercial Register (Handelsregister):
Guide for Freelancers & Sole Proprietors (2026)

If you’re self-employed in Switzerland, the Swiss Commercial Register (German: Handelsregister, French: registre du commerce) is one of the most important “grown-up business” steps to understand—whether you must register or you’re considering doing it voluntarily.

This guide explains:

• what the Commercial Register is (and what it’s for)
• when registration is mandatory (including the common CHF 100,000 turnover rule and key nuances)
• how to register via EasyGov and your cantonal commercial register office
• what becomes public, how to verify a company via ZEFIX company search Switzerland
• typical costs, processing time, and the #1 risk founders face after registering: private register invoice scams

Need to check a company first? Use ZEFIX (Zentraler Firmenindex) to search business names and registered entities across Switzerland.

What is the Swiss Commercial Register?

The Swiss Commercial Register is the official public register where legally relevant facts about businesses are recorded and published. In practice, it’s Switzerland’s “source of truth” for key company information—used by clients, banks, insurers, partners, authorities, and anyone doing due diligence.

What the register is designed to do (in plain English)

The purpose of the Commercial Register is to create legal certainty and protect third parties by making core business facts publicly available. It records and publishes information like:

• legal form (e.g., sole proprietorship, GmbH, AG)
• company name and registered office (seat)
• purpose (what the business does)
• people who can legally sign for the business (signatories / representation)

Switzerland’s system is organized by canton (entries are handled by cantonal offices), while central tools/indexing support national search and publication.

Commercial Register vs. ZEFIX vs. SOGC/SHAB (quick map)

Many founders mix these up. Here’s the clean mental model:

• Cantonal Commercial Register Office: where the registration is processed and legally entered
• ZEFIX company search Switzerland: the central index where you can search registered entities nationwide
• SOGC/SHAB (Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce): where official publications related to register entries appear

Do you need to register? (Mandatory vs. voluntary)

This is the biggest question for freelancers and sole proprietors.

The common rule: CHF 100,000 turnover (sole proprietorships)

For a sole proprietorship (Einzelfirma / entreprise individuelle), registration is generally mandatory once annual turnover reaches CHF 100,000.

That threshold is widely used as the key decision point—and it’s the one most freelancers search for:

• Handelsregistereintrag Pflicht 100’000 Umsatz
• registre du commerce entreprise individuelle inscription

Important nuance: “under CHF 100,000” isn’t always a free pass

While many freelancers under CHF 100,000 can operate without a register entry, there are exceptions and canton-specific interpretations, especially if the business is considered commercially managed (you may see this described in founder resources and official guidance).

If you’re close to the line, plan to grow quickly, or operate in a setup that looks “more like a business than a side gig,” it’s smart to confirm your obligation with:

• your cantonal commercial register office, or
• a fiduciary (Treuhand) who regularly handles registrations

Decision table: should you register?

Benefits of registering early (even if it’s optional)

Even when you’re not legally required to register yet, voluntary registration can be a strategic move—especially for service businesses (consultants, designers, coaches, tradespeople) selling trust.

1) Credibility that closes deals faster

A Commercial Register entry signals stability. Many B2B clients—especially procurement departments—expect to verify you in ZEFIX or request a commercial register extract Switzerland (German: Handelsregisterauszug bestellen, French: extrait du registre du commerce Suisse).

2) Smoother banking, insurance, and vendor onboarding

Some banks, platforms, insurers, or larger partners may ask for:

• an extract
• proof of signatory rights
• official address and purpose statement

Being registered reduces friction.

3) Clear business identity and name protection benefits

While the Commercial Register is not the same as a trademark, registering can help reduce confusion and strengthen your position in name disputes—especially when combined with:

• ZEFIX checks
• trademark checks (if brand protection matters)
• domain registration

4) Better due diligence optics

If clients/partners can quickly verify who you are, what you do, and who can sign, you look more investable, partner-ready, and “real.”

Where to register: EasyGov + your cantonal Commercial Register Office

You don’t register “with Switzerland” — you register with your canton

Commercial Register entries are processed by the cantonal Commercial Register Office (Handelsregisteramt / Office du registre du commerce). Requirements, handling times, and small details can vary.

EasyGov commercial register registration (the online pathway)

EasyGov is the federal online desk for companies. For many founders, it’s the most straightforward entry point because it helps centralize administrative steps.

Depending on your canton and legal form, EasyGov may:

• guide your registration request
• route information to the competent authority
• link you to related steps (e.g., AHV/AVS registration)

If you’re searching for: EasyGov commercial register registration, this is typically what you want: one guided workflow rather than hunting down forms.

Step-by-step: How to register (freelancers & sole proprietors)

Below is a practical checklist focused on register a sole proprietorship Switzerland workflows. Exact steps can differ by canton, but this covers what most founders need.

Step 1: Choose a compliant business name (and verify it)

For sole proprietorships, the company name usually must include your surname (with or without first name), and it must be truthful and not misleading.

Before you commit, do these checks:

• Search ZEFIX to see if a confusingly similar name already exists (nationwide)
• Check domain availability (if you need a website)
• Consider trademark conflicts if you plan to brand beyond your personal name

This is the practical equivalent of: Handelsregister Einzelfirma eintragen done the smart way—avoid rework and avoid conflicts.

Step 2: Define the business purpose (purpose statement)

The purpose statement is a short description of what your business does. Keep it:

• accurate (no inflated claims)
• broad enough to cover near-future offerings
• specific enough to be credible

Example (service-based freelancer):

“Provision of consulting services in the areas of marketing strategy, brand positioning and digital customer acquisition for SMEs.”

Example (trade/service):

“Planning, installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing installations for private and commercial clients.”

Step 3: Prepare your core details

You’ll typically need:

• your personal details (including ID/residence permit details)
• business address (seat)
• AHV/AVS number (often requested in admin flows)
• the chosen company name and purpose
• details about who can sign (for sole proprietors, usually you)

Step 4: Signature authentication (where required)

Many registrations require an authenticated signature (the “this is really you” step). Where and how depends on the canton and setup. Common options can include:

• municipal/cantonal offices
• notary services
• other approved certification points

If you’re unsure, your cantonal office (or the instructions in the workflow) will specify the accepted method.

Step 5: Submit via the official channel and wait for confirmation

Once submitted:

• the office reviews your request
• clarifications may be requested (name, purpose, address formatting, etc.)
• once approved, the entry is made and published through official channels
• your business becomes searchable via ZEFIX after the data is processed

What becomes public when you register?

A common founder concern—especially for expats—is privacy.

Commercial Register entries are public by design. Depending on your legal form and registration, information can include:

• company name
• legal form
• registered office (municipality/canton)
• business purpose
• signatories / authorized representatives

If public visibility creates a safety concern in your case, discuss options with a fiduciary before registering.

Costs: What does Commercial Register registration cost in Switzerland?

Fees vary by canton and situation, but Switzerland provides reliable baseline guidance.

Official baseline fees (typical starting points)

As a rule of thumb (base fees):

• Sole proprietorship: ~CHF 80
• General partnership: ~CHF 160
• GmbH / AG: ~CHF 420

There can be add-ons, such as:

• ~CHF 20 per signing authority/person entry
• administrative handling, extracts, and certification-related costs

Real-world “all-in” budgeting

Many founders end up paying more than the base fee once they include:

• signature authentication
• extra entries (e.g., additional signatories)
• documents/extracts requested by banks or partners

A safe planning range for sole proprietors is often CHF 120–250+, depending on canton and complexity.

Tip: If you’re comparing legal forms, budget differences are real. GmbH/AG registrations tend to involve more steps and higher costs than an Einzelfirma.

Timeline: How long does registration take?

Processing time depends on canton, workload, and whether your submission is clean.

Typical expectation

• often about 1–2 weeks end-to-end for straightforward cases
• can be faster if all details are correct and signature authentication is done properly
• can be slower during known seasonal backlog periods (commonly December–January in some cantons)

If timing matters (e.g., you need an extract for a contract), submit early and avoid “almost correct” paperwork.

After registration: verifying entries, extracts, and keeping data updated

How to verify a company (or yourself): ZEFIX company search Switzerland

Use ZEFIX to:

• confirm your entry appears
• check spelling and seat details
• verify other businesses during due diligence

This is also what many clients do before paying your first invoice.

How to get a commercial register extract Switzerland

If a bank or customer asks for an official document, you’ll typically order a commercial register extract (German: Handelsregisterauszug, French: extrait du registre du commerce) via the responsible cantonal office or its ordering process.

Keeping your entry updated is part of the deal

When key facts change, you generally must update the register (e.g., address/seat, representation rights). Don’t treat registration as “one-and-done”—stale data can create real admin problems later.

Beware of scams: “Private registers” and misleading invoices

After you register, many founders receive official-looking letters or invoices asking you to pay for a listing in a “business directory” or “commercial register” that is not the official Swiss Commercial Register.

These are widely reported and specifically warned about by official SME guidance.

How to recognize a private register invoice scam

Common red flags:

• you’re pressured to pay quickly
• it looks like a mandatory government fee but isn’t
• fine print reveals it’s a private directory subscription
• the sender is not your cantonal Commercial Register Office

What to do if you receive one

• Don’t pay immediately
• Verify the sender (compare with official cantonal contact details)
• Ask your fiduciary or the official office if you’re unsure
• Keep documentation in case you need to dispute it

Bottom line: register only through official channels (EasyGov and the cantonal Commercial Register Office). Anything else is optional at best—and often intentionally misleading.