Starting a business in Switzerland in 2026? It’s like opening a fondue spot in the Alps exciting, profitable if done right, but paperwork mountains can bury you. GmbH or AG? This guide compares costs head-to-head, chats through setups, and helps you pick without the overwhelm like we’re brainstorming over beers in Zurich.
Why Switzerland Rocks for Business in 2026
Switzerland’s biz scene is a dream: Top 10 global ease-of-doing-business, corp tax 11-21% (Zug sweet 12%), stable franc, skilled workforce. 2026 perks? Digital registries cut setup to 2 weeks, crypto-friendly regs, EU access sans membership. Expats: Work permits easier for founders >CHF 1m investment.
GmbH (LLC-like, private) suits startups/families flexible, lower entry. AG (corp-like, public-ish) for scaling, investors bearer shares gone, but prestige lingers. Both limit liability to capital. Sole prop? Skip if risking personal cash.
GmbH Basics: The Go-To for Small-Medium Biz
GmbH screams “simple success.” Min capital CHF 20k fully paid (cash/kind). 1+ shareholders (you solo ok), 1+ directors (Swiss resident needed, or nominee CHF 3k/year).
Setup: Notary drafts articles (CHF 1-3k), bank deposit capital, commercial register (CHF 600 fed + canton ~CHF 400). Total startup: CHF 5-15k. Ongoing: Accounting CHF 2k+, no audit if <CHF 10m turnover.
Perfect for cafes, tech startups, family trades. Privacy high shareholder list not public.
AG Deep Dive: Scaling Up with Investor Appeal
AG for big leagues. Min capital CHF 100k (50k paid up). 1+ shareholders, board of directors (3 min if public, but most private), chief rep Swiss-based.
Process mirrors GmbH but heftier: Notary CHF 2-5k, register CHF 600+, bank fees. Total launch: CHF 10-25k. Audits mandatory unless small (revenue <40m, etc.). Stock exchange dreams? AG only.
Investor magnet issue shares easily. Drawback: More red tape, publicity.
Costs Head-to-Head: GmbH vs AG in 2026
Money talks here’s the nitty-gritty. Costs vary by canton (Zug cheap, Geneva pricey), complexity, lawyer. No VAT on formation.
Ultimate comparison table (2026 avgs, Zurich/Zug):
| Cost Item | GmbH (CHF) | AG (CHF) | Notes |
| Min Capital | 20,000 (full) | 100,000 (50k paid) | Refundable post-setup |
| Notary/Legal | 1,000-3,000 | 2,000-5,000 | Articles, resolutions |
| Commercial Register | 600 + 200-600 canton | 600 + 200-600 | Online faster |
| Bank Deposit Fee | 0-500 | 0-1,000 | Startup accounts free-ish |
| Registered Office (yr1) | 1,200 | 1,500 | Virtual ok |
| Nominee Director (opt) | 2,500-4,000 | 3,000-5,000 | Expats must |
| Accounting Setup | 1,000 | 2,000 | Software incl |
| Total Startup | 5,000-15,000 | 10,000-25,000 | Excl capital |
| Annual Compliance | 3,000-6,000 | 5,000-10,000 | Audit extra AG +5k |
GmbH wins affordability; AG for growth juice. Add 20% Geneva premium.
Step-by-Step: Registering Your GmbH or AG
Grab your passport here’s the roadmap, 1-3 weeks flat.
- Plan: Pick name (check uid.ch free), canton (Zug for tax), structure.
- Team: Shareholders, directors. Expats? Nominee service.
- Docs: Articles of assoc (purpose, capital, mgmt). Notary authenticates.
- Capital: Deposit bank, get cert.
- Register: Online to cantonal commercial register. Publish extract.
- Post-Setup: VAT num (if >100k turnover), social security, bank corp account.
Digital twist 2026: E-signatures, AI name checks. Cost-saving: Templates CHF 500.
Canton Showdown: Where to Register for Savings
Zug: Biz paradise, 12% tax, low fees (register CHF 800 total). Zurich: Central, fees CHF 1.2k. Geneva: Expensive (CHF 2k+), expat hub.
Canton costs table:
| Canton | Register Fee Total | Corp Tax Rate | Setup Time | Best For |
| Zug | 800-1,200 | 11.9% | 7-10 days | Tech, crypto, expats |
| Zurich | 1,000-1,500 | 19.7% | 10-14 days | Services, trade |
| Geneva | 1,500-2,500 | 13.9% | 14 days | Luxury, finance |
| Vaud | 1,200-1,800 | 13.8% | 10 days | Startups, French |
| Basel | 900-1,300 | 13.0% | 8 days | Pharma, industry |
Zug edges for costs/speed.
Expats and Foreign Founders: Extra Hurdles and Hacks
Non-EU? B permit via biz plan, CHF 1m+ investment fast-tracks. GmbH/AG qualifies as “innovative.”
Hack: Zug holding for IP, low substance rules.
Ongoing Costs and Traps to Watch
Year 1 thrill fades budget annuals. GmbH: CHF 4k compliance. AG: CHF 8k+ audits.
Traps: VAT registration (mandatory >100k), payroll if employees, annual reports CHF 1k. Liquidation? GmbH CHF 5k, AG 10k+.
Scale tip: Convert GmbH to AG later, CHF 10k.
GmbH vs AG: Which Wins for You?
Solo founder under CHF 500k revenue? GmbH—cheap, nimble. Seeking VC? AG—shares appeal. Family biz? GmbH privacy.
2026 trend: GmbH booms 60% startups.
Read More : Swiss Inheritance Law in switzerland 2026: How to Avoid Family Disputes”
Tools, Services, and Next Steps
Use easygov.swiss free wizard. Fiduciaries CHF 3-7k full package. Apps: UID register track.
Start: Validate idea, budget +20%, notary meet.
Wrapping Up: Launch Smart, Save Big
GmbH for lean starts (CHF 5-15k), AG for ambition (10-25k)—Switzerland delivers either way. Pick Zug, plan taxes, thrive.