How to set up a Swiss LLC in Switzerland
The Karpeo guide · Company formation
How to set up a Swiss LLC: steps, costs and the Geneva process
Watch the companion video: Romain explains the key steps, capital and costs before you register your Swiss LLC.
Planning to set up a Swiss LLC (Sàrl)? Find out the requirements, costs and documents you need, with practical steps for establishing your company in Geneva.
By Romain Prieur · Swiss certified accountant
At a glance
Key facts about setting up a Swiss LLC
You need at least CHF 20,000 in fully paid-up capital, a notarised deed and an entry in the commercial register. One person can set up the company.
- The LLC must be represented by a managing director or director resident in Switzerland.
- The CHF 20,000 belongs to the company. Once the bank releases it, it can fund business activities.
- Formation costs are separate from the capital. Karpeo’s Standard package costs CHF 490 excluding VAT, including the notary, with commercial register and bank fees charged separately.
- If the registered office is in the canton of Geneva, the application goes to the Geneva commercial register.
What are the requirements for setting up a Swiss LLC?
A company legally separate from its shareholders
A limited liability company, known as a Sàrl in French, has its own legal personality. It enters into contracts, owns assets and is liable for its debts with all its assets. Its liability is therefore not capped at the CHF 20,000 share capital.
Shareholders are generally not personally liable for company debts. However, personal commitments, obligations under the articles or breaches of management duties can create personal liability. Our guide to the role and responsibilities of a managing director explains these situations.
What to arrange before incorporation
- One or more shareholders : one person can own all the shares and manage the company.
- At least CHF 20,000 in capital, fully paid up. Contributions in kind require specific preparation.
- A company name and registered office in Switzerland, with a valid business address.
- Representation in Switzerland : the company must be represented by a managing director or director resident in Switzerland.
- Articles of association and a notarised deed, followed by commercial register entry, which brings the company into legal existence.
The share capital and start-up funding serve different purposes: incorporating the company and giving it the resources to operate.
How to set up an LLC: the 7 steps
Start with the decisions that shape the application: business activity, shareholders, registered office and funding. The bank and notary can then work from consistent information.
Define the business and allocate the shares
Decide who invests, who works in the company and who makes decisions. If there are several shareholders, discuss departures and potential disagreements before signing.
Choose a name and check availability
Your company name must include the legal form and be distinguishable from names already registered. Check domain availability and possible trademark rights before commissioning your visual identity.
Choose the registered office and arrange representation
Identify the municipality, address and authorised signatories. For a Geneva LLC, prepare an address in the canton and a domiciliation agreement if required. An address alone does not resolve questions about effective management or permits.
Prepare the articles and incorporation decisions
Specify the company purpose, shares, governing bodies and signing rights. Review the articles of association to ensure they reflect how the company will operate.
Deposit the capital with the bank
For a cash incorporation, open a capital deposit account in the name of the company being formed. Pay in the capital as instructed by the bank and obtain the certificate for the notary. Allow time for identity and source-of-funds checks.
Sign the incorporation deed
The notary arranges the notarised deed and checks the required documents. Agree the signing arrangements, including any power of attorney, directly with the notary for your case.
Register the LLC and release the capital
The application is sent to the relevant commercial register. Once the company is registered, the bank releases the funds upon receipt of the required evidence. You can then use them for the LLC’s business expenses.
Ready to turn your plans into a company?
Our team prepares the file, coordinates incorporation with the notary and follows up with the commercial register.
Start my LLC formation →How much does it cost to set up a Swiss LLC?
Your budget includes share capital, incorporation costs and the cash needed to start trading. When comparing quotes, check what the professional fee covers and what is billed separately.
| Cost category | Amount or pricing basis | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital | CHF 20,000 minimum | Company funds available for business use after release. |
| Karpeo Standard package | CHF 490 excl. VAT | File preparation, articles, incorporation with a notary and registration formalities. |
| Karpeo Premium package | CHF 590 excl. VAT | Standard package plus VAT registration. |
| Commercial Register | Based on the charges applicable to the application | Charged in addition to Karpeo’s fee. |
| Capital deposit account | According to the bank’s tariff | Request a quote before opening the account. |
| Start-up expenses | Depends on your business | Premises, insurance, equipment, software and initial operating costs. |
VAT is added to fees quoted excluding tax. Special services, such as incorporation with contributions in kind, require a quote based on scope. Explore our LLC formation packages.
Must the CHF 20,000 remain blocked?
No. The funds are blocked during incorporation. After registration and release by the bank, they can pay for equipment, rent and other company expenses. They remain company money, not personal funds you can freely withdraw.
Build a monthly cash budget before committing: when will customers pay your first invoices? Which expenses fall due beforehand? Our guide to planning company cash flow helps you organise this monitoring.
Setting up an LLC in Geneva: local formalities
Incorporation rules are federal: Geneva does not require different capital from the rest of Switzerland. However, the registered office determines the competent cantonal register and several local contacts.
Arrange a registered address in the canton
Confirm the municipality and address before finalising the articles. If using a third-party address, check the supporting documents and what the service includes. Our page on company domiciliation in Geneva explains this option.
Submit a complete application to Geneva’s register
The notary generally handles filing. The company name, registered office, shareholders, management, signatures and capital must be consistent across the documents. The authorities publish the registration procedure and required documents.
Check business-specific authorisations
Company registration does not replace a licence to practise. Check requirements for your profession and premises, for example in catering, healthcare or transport. If you need a work permit, address this before setting a launch date.
How long does it take in Geneva?
Allow separately for preparing the application, bank checks, signing and registry processing. Timing depends on these parties and any requests for further information. Ask for a schedule for your case: preparing the articles quickly does not mean the LLC already legally exists.
Karpeo coordinates these steps from Geneva. To delegate incorporation, explore our LLC formation service in Geneva.
Which documents do you need for an LLC?
Use this checklist to get started. The notary and bank will confirm the evidence needed for your shareholders, registered office and contributions.
- Identity documents and contact details for shareholders and company representatives.
- Proposed name, business description, municipality and registered address.
- Capital amount and allocation of shares among shareholders.
- Management structure and intended signing rights.
- Proof of address or domiciliation declaration, as applicable.
- Bank capital deposit certificate for incorporation in cash.
- Articles, incorporation deed and application prepared with the relevant professionals.
- Audit or limited-audit opt-out documents, where the conditions are met.
A corporate shareholder, a founder based abroad or a contribution in kind may require additional documents. Mention these points at your first consultation.
After incorporation: accounting, payroll and VAT
A registered company still needs working administrative processes. Prepare these alongside incorporation to avoid catching up after issuing your first invoices.
Set up your accounting
An LLC must keep accounts and prepare annual financial statements. Organise supporting documents, the business bank account and invoice tracking from day one. Our accounting support for SMEs can take over after incorporation.
Plan your remuneration and insurance
If you work for your LLC and it pays you, you generally have employee status for that activity. Arrange the relevant registrations and insurance. Being your own boss does not automatically make you self-employed for AVS purposes.
Assess remuneration as a whole: personal needs, company finances, insurance and taxation. Our article on salary or dividends explains the main trade-offs.
Assess VAT liability
An LLC is not automatically VAT-liable. The general threshold is CHF 100,000 in relevant turnover from qualifying supplies in Switzerland and abroad. At launch, forecasts for the next twelve months can trigger liability from the outset. Voluntary registration is also possible under certain conditions.
Read our guide to understanding Swiss VAT and our guide to VAT registration before issuing invoices.
Plan for tax
The company and its shareholders have separate tax obligations. The registered office, place of management and actual activity must be consistent. Prepare your questions with our guide to Swiss business taxation.
Benefits and limitations of an LLC
An LLC separates the business from its founders and provides a structure for joint ownership. It can also suit a sole founder who wants a company with its own contracts and employees.
In return, expect incorporation costs, full accounting and formal administration. Shareholders and their holdings are public in the commercial register. Share transfers follow specific rules, and closure requires formal steps: stopping invoicing does not end your administrative obligations.
LLC or sole proprietorship? Make an informed choice.
Discuss your activity, budget and remuneration before committing to incorporation costs.
Discuss my options with an expert →LLC, corporation or sole proprietorship: which should you choose?
Match the structure to your project: working alone, bringing in shareholders, funding growth or keeping administration manageable. Minimum capital alone should not determine the choice.
| Criterion | Sole proprietorship | LLC (Sàrl) | Corporation (SA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | None | CHF 20,000, fully paid up | CHF 100,000; at least 20% of each share and CHF 50,000 in total paid up |
| Owners | One owner | One or more shareholders | One or more shareholders |
| Structure | Business attached to the owner | Membership shares and managing directors | Shares and board of directors |
| Question to consider | Do I need a separate company? | How should we allocate roles and shares? | Does my funding justify this structure? |
Explore our guides to Swiss legal forms, setting up a corporation and the steps to becoming self-employed in Switzerland.
Swiss LLC formation: frequently asked questions
Can one person set up a Swiss LLC?
Yes. A sole shareholder can establish and manage the LLC. The minimum capital and Swiss-resident representation requirements must still be met.
Do you need Swiss nationality to open an LLC in Geneva?
Swiss nationality is not required to be a shareholder. However, the company must meet representation and registered-office rules. Owning shares and having the right to work in Switzerland are separate matters: permits depend on your circumstances.
Can you set up a Swiss LLC online?
Information gathering and much of the preparation can happen remotely. A notarised deed and commercial register entry remain necessary. The notary confirms suitable signing or power-of-attorney arrangements.
Can you set up an LLC without CHF 20,000 in cash?
A contribution in kind can replace some or all of the cash if the legal conditions and documentation requirements are met. It does not remove the capital requirement. Have the proposed assets and costs assessed before choosing this route.
Does CHF 490 excluding VAT cover every cost?
No. It covers Karpeo’s Standard package, including the notary. VAT, commercial register charges, bank fees and any special services are extra. The CHF 20,000 capital is separate from these fees.
Does an LLC need an audit?
The requirements depend on the company. Opting out of the limited audit may be possible with all shareholders’ consent and no more than ten full-time equivalent positions on annual average, provided an ordinary audit is not required. Read our guide to limited audits and audit requirements.
Can a sole proprietorship become an LLC?
Yes, but transferring the business requires preparation: assets, debts, contracts, insurance and tax. The transfer mechanism depends on the case. Any tax deferral is not automatic.
Sources and author
French source reviewed on 11 September 2026, with references to official guidance. The bank and notary confirm the documents and timing for your application.
About the author
Romain Prieur
A Swiss certified accountant and entrepreneur, Romain founded Karpeo in Geneva.
He supports self-employed professionals and SME owners with company formation, accounting and tax.
He is also co-founder of Entreprendre.ch, a platform dedicated to company formation in Switzerland.
As a lecturer at EXPERTsuisse, he helps train future Swiss certified accountants.
On his Entreprendre en Suisse avec Romain channel, he explains the practical decisions and procedures entrepreneurs face.
Explore his background →From your idea to your LLC, move forward with Karpeo.
You have the essential information. Our Geneva team can help prepare your application and coordinate incorporation.
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