Corporation formation
in Geneva

Shareholders, capital, articles and the notary: Romain supports the formation of your corporation (SA) in Geneva through to Commercial Register registration.

From CHF 590 excl. VAT · Notary included

Form my corporation →Compare the two packages

Initial enquiry without obligation.

Romain Prieur, your contact for forming your corporation — **Romain Prieur**Swiss certified accountant
Founder of Karpeo · Co-founder ofEntreprendre.ch
Explore my background ↗

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 forming your company.
We are by your side.

Forming a corporation requires planning the allocation of shares, capital payments and signing authority. We help clarify these choices and prepare a file consistent with your project.

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 supportExplore their background ↗

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

The formalities taken care of

Preparing your file, coordinating with the notary and tracking registration: you know who does what.

A clearly explained budget

Our fees, external charges and share capital are shown separately so you can plan your investment.

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.

From your project to registration

Your corporation in Geneva in 3 steps

You know which information to provide, which documents to sign and what comes next. Our team supports you throughout the process.

We prepare your file

Tell us about your activity, shareholders, board of directors and registered office address. We check the information required for incorporation and prepare the articles of association.

You deposit the capital

You open a capital deposit account(in French) with a bank and pay in the share capital. We then coordinate the incorporation formalities with the notary.

Your company is registered

The file is submitted to the Geneva Commercial Register. After registration, you can request the release of the capital and organise your business launch.

How long should you allow? Generally 2–4 weeks for a complete standard file, depending on the bank, signatures and register processing. We discuss your timetable before starting.

Your budget, clearly explained

Corporation formation in Geneva: clear pricing

Two packages, one difference: VAT registration. Notary fees are included in both packages.

Forming your company

Standard package

The essential formalities to form your corporation.

590 CHF excl. VAT

Support throughout incorporation
Name checks and definition of business purpose
Preparation of the file and articles of association
Deed of incorporation and notary included
Commercial Register formalities

Form my corporation →

With VAT registration

Premium package

The Standard package, plus VAT registration.

690 CHF excl. VAT

Support throughout incorporation
Name checks and definition of business purpose
Preparation of the file and articles of association
Deed of incorporation and notary included
Commercial Register formalities
Registration of your company for VAT

Form my corporation with VAT registration →

Budget separately from our fees: the Commercial Register’s charges, bank fees for the capital deposit account and any specific additional services agreed with you. VAT is added to prices stated excluding VAT.

Share capital is not an incorporation fee. After registration and release by the bank, the funds belong to your company and can finance its business expenses.

Build your project

Your corporation, your shareholders.
Choices to prepare.

Allocation of capital, signing authority, a new investor: the structure should serve your project. Romain helps you identify the points to clarify before incorporation.

Speak with Romain →

Support with clear explanations

Explore Romain’s explanations about starting and running a business in Switzerland.

Watch the Entreprendre en Suisse channel ↗

A shareholders’ agreement or a specific governance arrangement requires an individual review and, where necessary, separate legal advice.

Before you start

Forming a corporation in Geneva: what to prepare

Swiss incorporation rules apply. Choosing Geneva requires, in particular, a registered office address in the canton and registration with its cantonal register.

CHF 100,000 share capital

The minimum share capital(in French) is CHF 100,000. At least 20% of each share’s nominal value must be paid in, with a total minimum of CHF 50,000. The unpaid subscribed balance remains due to the company.

A registered office address in Geneva

Your company must have a valid address. If you are looking for a suitable solution, explore our registered office service in Geneva.

Representation in Switzerland

The corporation must be able to be represented by a board member or director domiciled in Switzerland with the necessary signing authority.

A compliant name and articles

The company name must be distinguishable from companies already registered and include “SA”. The articles of association of your corporation(in French) specify, in particular, the registered office, purpose and capital.

Prepare your project

The right guidance to get started

Banking

The capital deposit account

Understand how it works and compare banks before depositing the capital.

Read the guide →(in French)Capital

Subscribed capital and paid-in capital

What is share capital for and how can it be used after incorporation?

Understand share capital →(in French)Incorporation

Your company’s articles of association

What to consider when defining how your future company will operate.

Explore articles of association →(in French)

Your questions about the Swiss corporation

Still have questions? Let us get practical.

What budget should I allow to form a corporation in Geneva?

The Standard package costs CHF 590 excluding VAT and the Premium package CHF 690 excluding VAT, notary included. Premium adds VAT registration. Commercial Register charges, bank fees and agreed additional services are separate. Minimum share capital is CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid in for incorporation with the minimum capital.

How long does it take to form a corporation in Geneva?

Generally allow 2–4 weeks for a complete standard file. Timing depends in particular on bank checks, capital payment, signatures and register processing. We plan the timetable with you without guaranteeing a registration date.

Can I form a corporation with CHF 50,000?

Subscribed capital must be at least CHF 100,000. It is possible to pay in only CHF 50,000 when forming a corporation with the minimum capital. At least 20% of each share’s nominal value and at least CHF 50,000 in total must be paid in. Shareholders remain liable to pay the outstanding balance when the company calls it in accordance with the applicable rules.

Can I use the capital after incorporation?

After registration and release by the bank, the funds may finance the corporation’s business expenses, such as equipment, rent or operating costs. They belong to the company and cannot freely be withdrawn for private spending.

Can I form a corporation on my own?

Yes. One individual or legal entity can hold all the shares. A board of directors and compliant representation in Switzerland must be arranged. The same person can be sole shareholder and director.

Are a corporation’s shareholders anonymous?

Shareholders are generally not published in the Commercial Register in that capacity. This does not mean complete confidentiality: the company keeps a share register, and identification and transparency obligations apply, notably towards the bank and authorities. Registered board members and other representatives are public.

Can I form a corporation in Geneva while living in France?

Yes, a foreign resident can hold shares in a Swiss corporation. The company must have a valid registered office in Geneva and be able to be represented by a person domiciled in Switzerland. The right to work in Switzerland, permits, tax and social insurance circumstances must be examined separately.

Is a notary mandatory to form a corporation?

Yes. Incorporation requires a public deed. We prepare the file and coordinate formalities with the partner notary. Notary fees for standard incorporation are included in the packages; signing arrangements are clarified with you.

Is an auditor always required?

A corporation is generally subject to an audit. An exemption from the limited audit, known as opting out, is possible subject to conditions, including consent from all shareholders, no more than ten full-time-equivalent jobs on annual average and no requirement for an ordinary audit. This choice is examined during incorporation.

Corporation or LLC: how should I choose?

A corporation structures its capital in shares and may suit a project bringing in investors or preparing a transfer of ownership. An LLC requires minimum capital of CHF 20,000, fully paid in. The choice also depends on governance, financing and founders’ needs; a corporation is not automatically preferable.

Can Karpeo support my company after incorporation?

Yes. Sarah and the Karpeo team can support accounting, tax, VAT and payroll. These services are covered by a separate proposal tailored to your activity and organisation.

Explore the differences between a corporation and an LLC(in French).

Let us discuss your project

Your corporation starts
with your project.

Provide your contact details and the package that interests you. Our team will contact you to discuss your project and the next formalities.

Do not have all the details yet?
You can specify your company name later. You can already tell us what you need.

This initial enquiry is without obligation.

Prefer a free introductory call

To discuss our services and the support you need.

Would you prefer to call?
022 355 05 71

Tell us about your company formation

If the form does not appear, open it in a new window or call us.

Protecting your data(in French)

After incorporation

After incorporation,
stay a step ahead.

Your company is formed. 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 form your corporation?
Let us take the first step.

Tell us about your project. We help you clarify the formalities and support you need.

Start my company formation Free introductory call with Romain

From CHF 590 excl. VAT
Notary included · Commercial Register fees extraStart my project

Sebastien Hugues

20 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

52 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

246 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

254 days ago

Many thanks to José Flores for his work.

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Arnaud Saj

259 days ago

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

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Arnaud Busch

273 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

275 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

340 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

491 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

549 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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Corporation formation
in Geneva