Registering a business here

[anonymous-user]

Anyone done it? Tips/advice on how to? I've looked at various accountancy firms but they're all hideously expensive so thought I would try myself.

Do I need any special residency status? C/passport?

Anything you know, would be great if you could share it, but the cheapest way of being legal to trade would be great to know.

Thanks in advance.

[Schnellmann]

Suggest you try the websites of the British Swiss Chamber of Commerce or the American Swiss CC. I think most cantons and/or communities have business advice/promotion officers that might help. I'm sure there is lots of stuff available....but may not be in English.

[chandrew]

I used a 'treuhand' setting up my GmbH. From memory costs were something like chf2500 which included notary fees etc. You need to put chf20,000 in a holding account at the bank for share capital. Yes, the bank does charge for this but it's not much from memory. You get the 20,000 back when you get the documents showing registration. You can set up as a sole trader which is less complicated, or an AG which is more and requires chf100,000 from memory.

You can do much of it yourself if you want. I would speak to your canton's economic promotion body. There is also a good book called 'Switzerland business & investment handbook' published by Wiley and orell fussli. It's expensive but cheaper than asking basic questions to folk who charge. The English bookshop on bahnhofstrasse in zh always has a few copies in.

You also need to sort out accident insurances, pensions including the 1st pillar with the SVA.

Shout if you have specific questions.

[anonymous-user]

chandrew said:

I used a 'treuhand' setting up my GmbH. From memory costs were something like chf2500 which included notary fees etc. You need to put chf20,000 in a holding account at the bank for share capital. Yes, the bank does charge for this but it's not much from memory. You get the 20,000 back when you get the documents showing registration. You can set up as a sole trader which is less complicated, or an AG which is more and requires chf100,000 from memory.

You can do much of it yourself if you want. I would speak to your canton's economic promotion body. There is also a good book called 'Switzerland business & investment handbook' published by Wiley and orell fussli. It's expensive but cheaper than asking basic questions to folk who charge. The English bookshop on bahnhofstrasse in zh always has a few copies in.

You also need to sort out accident insurances, pensions including the 1st pillar with the SVA.

Shout if you have specific questions.

Thanks Andrew, Great advice. I will get that book and have a read.