Situated in a supremely advantageous location in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is a major global banking centre and one of the most important jurisdictions for the conduct of financial business of any description. The Swiss Confederation unites 26 separate cantons; the federal government is located in Bern. Cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Lugano are universally recognised financial centres. Due to the economic stability of Switzerland, the national currency, the Swiss franc (CHF) is one of the world's most valued currencies. Switzerland's gold reserves, which cover the amount of Swiss francs in circulation twice over, also provide a guarantee of the Swiss franc's stability.
| GENERAL INFORMATION | Total area - 41,293 sq km
Population - 7,170,000
Location - click here to see the map of offshore jurisdictions
Political status - Federation
Capital - Bern
Official language - German, French, Italian, Romanic
Official currency - Swiss franc (CHF)
Time zone - GMT + 1 |
| Company type | Aktiengesellschaft (AG) |
| Directors/Officers | Switzerland AG companies require a minimum of 1 Director, who must be a natural person. Majority of directors must be residents of Switzerland.
There is no statutory requirement for a Company Secretary to be appointed.
Each Switzerland AG company must file a Register of its Directors with the Register of Enterprises of Switzerland. |
| Shareholders | Switzerland AG companies require a minimum of 1 shareholder, who may be a natural person or a corporate body from any legal jurisdiction. If authorised share capital is fully paid, the bearer shares are allowed. |
| Authorised share capital | Standard authorised capital = CHF 100,000.
The abovementioned amount must be fully paid at the moment of incorporation. |
| Company Names | The name of a Switzerland AG company must end with the word "Aktiengesellschaft" or the suffix "AG".
Company names containing restricted words such as "Bank", "Insurance", "Trust", etc. will not be permitted unless an appropriate national operating licence has been obtained by the company. |
| Beneficial Ownership information | Information with regard to ultimate beneficial ownership must be disclosed to the local Director of the company in Switzerland and is held by the Director on a confidential basis. |
| Filing of Annual Return | There is no requirement to file an Annual Return. |
| Filing of Financial Statement | Financial Statement must be submitted each year. |
| Corporate Taxation | Tax rate for holding companies depends on each canton. In some cantons, for holding operations there is only a fixed annual duty. |
| Tax Treaties | Switzerland has concluded double tax treaties with more than 50 countries. |
| Timeframe for incorporation | 10/12 working days. A complete set of company documents can be delivered in 12/16 weeks. |
| Takeover of management & secretarial services for an existing Switzerland Aktiengesellschaft company | Possible, following verification of Beneficial Ownership and agreement with and discharge of liabilities to previous corporate service provider in Switzerland. |
| "Ready-made"("Shelf") companies | We are happy to register new company in this jurisdiction in accordance with client instructions. |
| Price of Switzerland Aktiengesellschaft company | Not less than USD 13,780 (basic cost)*, including incorporation costs, full domiciliary (Registered Agent/Office) costs, opening of account in Switzerland bank, Nominee services and legal support services for one year. |
| Cost of annual support services | Not less than USD 9,480 (basic cost)* per year, including full domiciliary (Registered Agent/Office) costs, annual Government Duty, Nominee services and legal support services for each year. |
