Establish your AG in Switzerland with Nexova

A corporation (AG) in Switzerland can be established and operated by at least one shareholder. Shareholders can be natural persons, legal entities, or business partnerships. The mandatory share capital is at least CHF 100,000. At least 20% of the total share capital must be paid in or covered by contributions in kind at the time of incorporation, with a minimum of CHF 50,000 provided as cash or contributions in kind.

The incorporation process includes drafting and notarizing the articles of association, registering the company in the commercial register, and fulfilling all required tax and social security obligations. Nexova guides you through every step to ensure all legal requirements are met.

Yes, foreigners can establish a corporation (AG) in Switzerland. However, at least one person residing in Switzerland must have the authority to represent the company (e.g., as a board member or director). If there is no representative residing in Switzerland, a director residing in Switzerland must be appointed. Nexova offers director services for foreigners looking to establish an AG in Switzerland and supports compliance with all legal requirements.

Corporations in Switzerland are subject to corporate income tax on profits and cantonal capital taxes. If the annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, the corporation must also register for value-added tax (VAT) and charge it on taxable goods and services. Nexova provides expert advice on tax obligations and helps ensure your AG fully complies with Swiss tax regulations.

The Swiss term for AG is “Aktiengesellschaft”, and “AG” is the formal legal designation used in Switzerland, regardless of the official language of the region.

In English, various terms are often used to describe an AG, such as “corporation”, “stock corporation”, “public limited company”, “private limited company”, and “joint-stock corporation”.

• “Corporation” is a broad term commonly used in the U.S. to describe a company with limited liability and share capital, making it a generally acceptable equivalent to an AG.
• “Stock corporation” emphasizes the issuance of shares (“stock”) and therefore further clarifies the concept of an AG.
• The term “public limited company” is commonly used in the UK and other Commonwealth countries to describe companies with publicly traded shares. It is similar to the concept of an AG but is not always appropriate as not all AGs are public.
• A “private limited company” is more aligned with the concept of a GmbH but is sometimes used for AGs when referring to corporations that do not publicly trade their shares.
• “Joint-stock corporation” is an older term that describes the shared ownership structure of a corporation with shareholders. It is appropriate in describing an AG but is less commonly used nowadays.

While none of these English terms are a 100% perfect match for the concept of an AG, in most cases, “corporation” or “stock corporation” are the preferred terms in general English-language discussions, especially for international audiences. In all formal and legal contexts in Switzerland, it’s always best to stick with the official term “Aktiengesellschaft” (AG).

The board of directors oversees the management and operational activities of the corporation. It ensures that the AG operates in line with shareholder interests and complies with legal and contractual obligations. The board sets strategic guidelines, makes key business decisions, and is accountable to shareholders for the company's governance.

Yes, a corporation (AG) can issue shares to raise capital, typically through an increase in share capital. These shares can either be publicly traded if the AG is listed on a stock exchange or privately held if it is a non-listed AG. This provides flexibility in attracting investors, as publicly listed AGs can raise capital from a broad investor base, while private AGs usually rely on a smaller group of investors.

Yes, all companies that employ staff or pay wages must register with the AHV (social security) office. Nexova assists in fulfilling this obligation.

Establishing a corporation (AG) in Switzerland typically takes 3–6 weeks, depending on factors such as document preparation, notarization of the articles of association, opening a capital deposit account, and the processing time of the commercial register, which can vary by canton. At Nexova, we handle the entire incorporation process digitally, eliminating the need for physical appointments—including on-site notarization. This digital approach enables a fast and efficient company formation process.