Company formation

The United States of America and the Swiss Confederation have signed a convention regarding the avoidance of double taxation concerning income taxes, which became effective on January 1 1998. 

Products and services offered by Swiss companies enjoy a very good reputation on global level, due tot positive references on quality, authenticity and precision regarding products “made in Switzerland”. 

A quarter of the staff employed in Switzerland is made up of foreigners. They are the holders of a work permit and a residence permit. For foreigners who want to invest and operate their own business in Switzerland or managers of foreign companies, especially those firms generating jobs, getting the residence permit and the work permit is not a problem.

The Commercial Registry (“Handelsregister” in German or “Registre du Commerce” in French) provides most of the public information a foreign entity would have to know when doing business with a Swiss company. 

Most global companies that are leaders in their respective fields choose to manage and practice their intellectual property rights from Switzerland. 

The Swiss government has decided to increase the quota for visas issued to skilled workers who are citizens of non – EU member countries. The new quota is set to be applied starting with 2017, raising the number of visas from 6,500 to 7,500.

Switzerland has decided to permanently quit joining the European Union, formally withdrawing a request made in this regard, sitting in the drawers of EU’s officials buried for 24 years.

The choice of location for a business has become extremely important in today’s competitive economy. Switzerland offers many unique advantages for entrepreneurs willing to invest in the country, on economical, political and social level. 

Managing a Swiss company automatically implies having a board of directors, as it is one of the legal requirements in order to incorporate in Switzerland. Company shareholders appoint the company directors. However, company directors must meet certain requirements, depending on the type of company.

In June 2016, the Swiss parliament passed the final corporate tax reform package meant to strengthen Switzerland as a competitive business location for foreign companies or entrepreneurs. The tax reform plan (CTR III) includes several tax reform measures related to the federal and cantonal tax laws.