Corporation formation in Geneva
Karpeo structures your corporation, prepares the articles, coordinates the notary and monitors Commercial Register registration. A Swiss certified accountant reviews the file and can support the company after formation.
From CHF 590 excl. VATNotary fees included
Swiss certified accountants · Founders of Entreprendre.ch · More than 3,500 formations supported
2 to 4 weeksTypical timeframe with a complete file
Articles and notaryPrepared and coordinated by Karpeo
In Geneva or remotelyClear support through registration
Formation managed from start to finish
Forming a corporation involves the bank, notary and Commercial Register. Karpeo centralises communication, reviews important decisions and explains precisely what is required.
Present my projectWe validate the name, purpose, registered office, share capital, shareholders, board of directors and signing authorities.
We draft the articles and deeds, then guide you through the capital deposit account and paying in the capital.
We send a complete file to the partner notary and organise signature of the notarised deed.
We monitor the Commercial Register filing and prepare the first accounting, tax and payroll obligations.
Transparent pricing before you start
Both packages cover the legal formation and notary fees. Premium adds the advice required to validate tax and operating choices before launch.
For a well-defined project requiring complete formation.
For validating the structure with an expert before formation.
5/5 · Google review“Romain Prieur and his Karpeo team stand out for smooth management, efficiency and responsiveness. I recommend them.”
Claire Thiercelin · Karpeo client
Expertise that goes beyond the articles
Capital, governance, tax and directors’ remuneration are connected. Your file is handled by Swiss certified accountants who also understand the future company’s finances.
Before filing
A corporation suits projects structuring their capital, planning for investors or separating ownership, oversight and management. It is not automatically better than an LLC; it must serve the project.
At least CHF 50,000 must be paid in at formation. After registration, the capital belongs to the corporation and finances its activity.
One person is sufficient to form the company, but directors, signing authorities and powers must be organised from the outset.
At least one director or officer authorised to represent the corporation must reside in Switzerland.
Formation must be completed before a notary. The notary’s work is included in both Karpeo packages.
Shareholders are not generally published in the Commercial Register solely in that capacity. The company must nevertheless identify them and comply with beneficial-owner obligations and the Swiss transparency register (in French) .
The choice in 9 minutes
Romain explains differences in capital, governance and transfer before you decide.
After Commercial Register registration
Accounting, VAT and the first payroll can be organised without repeating the decisions made during formation.
Frequently asked questions
For more detail on the rules, read our company formation overview .
The Standard package costs CHF 590 excluding VAT and includes file preparation and notary fees. Premium costs CHF 690 excluding VAT and adds personalised advice, VAT registration where required and tax recommendations. Commercial Register fees, generally around CHF 600, and any bank or legalisation fees are charged separately.
Minimum share capital is CHF 100,000. At least CHF 50,000 must be paid in at formation. The amount is first deposited in a capital deposit account and released to the corporation after registration. It belongs to the company and is not a formation cost.
It generally takes two to four weeks when the information and capital are available. Timing mainly depends on opening the capital deposit account, signing before the notary and processing by the Commercial Register.
Yes. Forming a corporation requires a notarised deed. Karpeo prepares the file and coordinates the partner notary. Notary fees are included in the Standard and Premium packages.
One individual or legal entity can form a corporation, including from abroad. Much of the process can be prepared remotely. The company must, however, be represented by at least one Swiss-resident member of the board or management, and formation must be authenticated by a notary.
Their names do not generally appear in the Commercial Register solely because they hold shares. It is therefore more accurate to speak of privacy from the public than absolute anonymity. The corporation must identify its shareholders and comply with beneficial-owner requirements, including the Swiss transparency register from 1 October 2026.
A corporation often suits projects planning to admit investors, transfer shares or separate governance from ownership. An LLC requires less capital and remains suitable for many SMEs. We compare both forms based on financing, shareholders and project goals.
Yes. After registration, Karpeo can set up accounting, VAT returns, payroll, social insurance and annual accounts. You retain an accounting firm that already knows the structure and formation decisions.
Let’s discuss your future company
Tell us the activity, capital and people involved. A Swiss certified accountant will reply with the right package and next steps.
