Start a sole
proprietorship in Geneva

Launch your business.
With the right support.

Start your sole proprietorship in Switzerland with a Geneva-based team. AVS application, administrative formalities and initial obligations: our certified accountants help you launch your self-employed activity in Geneva.

Full support · CHF 690 excl. VAT

Start my sole proprietorship →Compare the three options

Initial enquiry without obligation.

Self-employed entrepreneur in her Geneva workshop — Karpeo

3,500+ businesses

Supported by the teams at
Karpeo and Entreprendre.ch

A team in Geneva

Route de Chêne 5, Eaux-Vives
People who understand your business

4.8/5 on GoogleRead our client reviews →

People, expertise and ongoing support

You are becoming self-employed.
We are by your side.

Do you need clients already? Which documents should accompany your AVS application? When must you register with the Commercial Register? We explain the formalities in plain language.

Romain supports your company formation project. With Sarah and the Karpeo team, you can also prepare what comes next: accounting, tax and running your business.

Get to know us on a free introductory call →

Romain Prieur, Swiss certified accountant — **Romain Prieur** Swiss certified accountant
Company formation and support Explore their background ↗

Sarah Prieur, Swiss certified accountant at Karpeo — **Sarah Prieur** Swiss certified accountant
Accounting and tax Explore their background ↗

The formalities taken care of

Preparing your self-employment application, submitting it to the AVS compensation office and following up: you know who does what.

A clearly explained budget

Three options to suit your needs: learn at your own pace, get advice or delegate the application to us.

A relationship that can continue

After incorporation, you can entrust your accounting support to a team that already knows your business.

Our clients’ experience

Their project. Our team.
Their reviews.

Company formation, advice and accounting services: read our clients’ reviews of their experience.

A clear process

Your launch in three steps

Tell us about your project

Activity, first clients, workplace and start date: we review your situation and the appropriate support.

Prepare a strong application

With the full-service package, we prepare your AVS application from your supporting documents. We also clarify Commercial Register, VAT or permit formalities relevant to your circumstances.

Move forward with follow-up support

We submit the application to the compensation office and follow up on requests for further information. The office decides whether to recognise your self-employed status.

Support for different needs

Three options. A straightforward choice.

Want to learn, clarify your questions or delegate the formalities? Choose the level of help you need.

Online training

Learn at your own pace on Entreprendre.ch.

Free · open access

Open access, no registration required
Videos explaining self-employed status
AVS criteria and supporting documents explained
Advice to avoid common mistakes

Access the free training

Personalised advice

30 minutes to clarify your project.

89 CHF incl. VAT

Discussion with a certified accountant
Questions about status and formalities
Points to consider for your activity
You then complete the formalities yourself

Book my advice session

Delegate the application

Full-service package

Support from preparation to follow-up.

690 CHF excl. VAT

Full preparation of your self-employment application
Personalised advice
Submission of documents to the AVS compensation office
Follow-up of administrative correspondence

Start my project →

The scope is clarified before work begins. Any permit, Commercial Register or VAT registration formalities, together with the corresponding administrative fees, are clarified in your proposal. Bookkeeping is covered by a separate engagement.

Make an informed choice

Is a sole proprietorship right for you?

A straightforward way to work for yourself

No minimum capital or notarised deed of incorporation. You trade in your own name and make decisions directly. This structure may suit a consulting, service or craft business.

Personal liability

There is no legal separation between you and your business. You are liable for business debts with your personal assets. Your risk, commitments and insurance therefore deserve careful consideration.

Planning to have business partners or looking for a separate legal entity? Explore our LLC formation service.

What to prepare

AVS, Commercial Register, VAT: three separate formalities

AVS recognition

The compensation office examines the actual conditions of your activity: independent organisation, economic risk and client relationships. Commercial Register registration does not guarantee self-employed status.

The Commercial Register

Registration is generally mandatory from CHF 100,000 in annual turnover for a commercially operated business. Voluntary registration may be possible below this threshold.

VAT

The ordinary threshold is CHF 100,000 in relevant turnover in Switzerland and abroad. Supplies exempt without input tax credit and activity-specific rules must be examined. This assessment is separate from Commercial Register registration.

Business name and permits

The business name must include your surname. Also check professional authorisations and, where applicable, your right to work as self-employed in Switzerland.

Official references: Geneva Commercial Register · AVS self-employed status · VAT registration requirements

The right guidance to get started

Starting alongside a job? Check how employment and self-employment can be combined. If you plan to use pension savings, review the second-pillar withdrawal conditions. Also prepare your business insurance and sole-proprietor accounts.

Formalities

Become self-employed

Understand the steps and prepare your launch.

Read the guide →Legal structure

The sole proprietorship

Explore how it works and its obligations.

Understand sole proprietorships →Social insurance

AVS contributions

Prepare your contribution budget.

Read the guide →

Plan your next steps with our guides to choosing a Swiss business structure, bookkeeping for the self-employed and VAT registration in Switzerland.

Your questions

Still have questions? Let us get practical.

What budget should I allow to start a sole proprietorship in Geneva?

No minimum capital is required. Karpeo offers free open-access training on Entreprendre.ch, a 30-minute consultation for CHF 89 including VAT and full-service support for CHF 690 excluding VAT. Additional formalities and any administrative fees are specified in your proposal before starting.

How long do the formalities take?

The timetable depends on your activity, available evidence and the authorities involved. Preparing the application and the AVS office’s decision are separate stages. We clarify the next steps with you without guaranteeing a recognition date.

Which documents should I prepare for the AVS office?

Prepare identification, a description of your activity and evidence that you carry it out: contracts, quotations, invoices, investments or a lease, depending on your situation. The office may request additional information. We help you select relevant evidence.

Can I become self-employed with only one client?

The compensation office assesses the working relationship as a whole. A single client may indicate dependency, but it is not the only criterion. Your autonomy, organisation and economic risk are also examined.

Must I register with the Commercial Register before starting?

Not always. Registration is generally mandatory from CHF 100,000 in annual turnover for a commercially operated business. Professional authorisations and AVS formalities must be checked separately.

Can I start a sole proprietorship in Geneva while living in France?

This may be possible depending on your nationality, residence rights and working arrangements. The work permit, actual location of the activity and cross-border tax and social insurance position must be examined. A registered office address alone does not resolve these questions.

Can I remain employed and start working for myself?

Yes, this may be possible. Check your employment contract, duty of loyalty and any restrictions relevant to your activity. The AVS status of the secondary activity must still be assessed with the compensation office.

Can a sole proprietorship use a registered office service in Switzerland?

A professional address may be considered depending on your activity and applicable requirements. It must reflect your actual situation. For a cross-border worker, a registered office arrangement does not replace an assessment of the right to work or tax and social insurance issues. Explore our registered office service in Geneva to check a suitable solution for your sole proprietorship.

Can I later switch to an LLC?

Yes, but this requires a structured transaction, including transfer of the business, assignment of contracts and a tax review. It is not simply a name change. We can help you prepare this step.

Let us discuss your project

Your business starts with an introductory discussion.

Describe your activity, timetable and questions. We help you choose the right support.

Present my project →

Initial enquiry without obligation.

Would you prefer to call?
022 355 05 71

Which appointment should I choose?

Free introductory call: to discuss our services and the support you need.

Free introductory call with Romain →

Personalised advice · CHF 89 incl. VAT: 30 minutes to examine your questions about your project and its formalities.

Book a consultation →

After incorporation

After incorporation,
stay a step ahead.

Your business has launched. Now you need to organise its invoices, accounts and obligations. Karpeo can support you through a separate proposal tailored to your activity.

Accounting

Organise your documents and financial monitoring from the first transactions.

Bookkeeping

VAT

Review your VAT status and prepare your first returns.

VAT management

Payroll

Prepare your team’s remuneration and social insurance formalities.

Payroll management

Your next step

Ready to become self-employed?
Let us take the first step.

A clear project, a prepared application and a team available to support you.

Start my project Compare the options

Full-service package
CHF 690 excl. VATStart my project

Sebastien Hugues

27 days ago

Romain answered all my questions clearly and precisely. His advice helped me make the right decisions for my business. I highly recommend him.

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Caroline Steinfeld

59 days ago

I am truly impressed by my consultation with Sarah Prieur. Her professionalism and impeccable approach were evident from the very first minutes of our meeting. Sarah listened attentively, precisely identified my needs, and provided me with concrete and directly applicable information. Every piece of advice was relevant and tailored to my situation, without any unnecessary digressions or rambling. A consultant who is both thorough and attentive—I highly recommend Karpeo to anyone seeking high-quality support.

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Sarah Maresca

253 days ago

I was very satisfied with my appointment. I had the opportunity to speak with Romain, who was extremely helpful and readily available. I highly recommend him!

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Bahar Popal

261 days ago

Many thanks to José Flores for his work.

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Arnaud Saj

266 days ago

An efficient team, available at all times...the Dream Team of companies

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Arnaud Busch

280 days ago

Karpeo has been our accounting firm since the beginning of our business. We are completely satisfied with the services provided and the quality of their work. The tools implemented by Karpeo save us valuable time. We highly recommend them. Top-notch.

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Claire Thiercelin

282 days ago

After a year of service, I am very satisfied. Smooth management, efficiency, and responsiveness characterize Romain Prieur and his Karpeo team. I recommend them.

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Laurent Pavia

347 days ago

During a half-hour consultation, Ms. Sarah Prieur met all my expectations. She had prepared thoroughly for our video call following an explanatory email from me. Ms. Prieur is highly competent, concise, precise, friendly, attentive, and dedicated to helping others. A rare find! Thank you, Karpeo.

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Eben “Ebenonix” Onix

498 days ago

We had a wonderful meeting with Romain Prieur, who met us to advise us and offer us various solutions for our business creation project. I highly recommend him.

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Laurie Géniaux

556 days ago

I had an appointment with Sarah to help me set up my business and I am extremely satisfied with the support I received. The team is very professional, attentive, and was able to answer all my questions clearly and precisely.

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Start a sole
proprietorship in Geneva