Setting up a company in Switzerland from Italy: 2026 guide

Setting up a company in Switzerland from Italy is not a leap into the dark: it is a straightforward path, provided you have a partner who speaks your language and knows both sides of the border. In this guide you will find the real steps, the costs that truly matter and the typical mistakes to avoid.

GmbH or AG: how to choose

The GmbH (limited liability company) requires a minimum capital of CHF 20,000, fully paid in. It is the preferred form for those launching an operating business: shareholders visible in the commercial register, lean governance, contained costs.

The AG (company limited by shares) requires CHF 100,000 in capital, of which at least CHF 50,000 paid in. It offers anonymous shareholding, a more institutional image and greater flexibility for bringing in investors. It is the natural choice when you anticipate a funding round or want a structure ready to scale.

In both cases the capital remains yours: it sits in the company’s account, it is not a cost. The sole proprietorship, finally, suits only those who work alone with limited risk and are not seeking asset separation.

The steps, in order

1. Framing — activity, shareholders, capital and tax objectives. This is where the legal form is decided and, above all, where to domicile.
2. Articles of association and deed of incorporation — drafting and coordination with the notary, who receives the public deed.
3. Capital account — opening an account with a Swiss bank to pay in the share capital.
4. Entry in the commercial register — from filing, typically 1–2 weeks.
5. Post-incorporation obligations — UID (business identification number), possible VAT registration, bookkeeping active from day one.

Where to domicile matters more than you think

Between San Vittore (GR) and the Mendrisiotto (TI), the effective rate on profit shifts by several percentage points. For a growing business, the choice of location is worth more than many accounting “discounts”. Use the tax comparator to see the difference in figures on your own profit.

Substance and residence: what the tax authorities look at

A Swiss company must have real substance: where decisions are made, where activity takes place, where those managing it reside. Domiciliation alone is not enough. For many Italian entrepreneurs it is worth assessing a B permit or the appointment of a resident officer. This is not an obstacle: it is the way to build a structure that withstands scrutiny.

The typical mistakes Italians make

• Underestimating substance: a mailbox is not a registered office.
• Choosing a canton “by hearsay” instead of calculating the effective burden per municipality.
• Neglecting coordination with the Italian side (tax residence, foreign-shell issues): savings that collapse at the first audit are no savings at all.
• Opening without active bookkeeping, only to reconstruct everything at year-end.

What it really costs

With SIH ONE the incorporation starts from CHF 0 if you combine it with a 12-month accounting mandate (from CHF 125/month). What remains are the mandatory third-party costs — notary, registration fees, capital to be paid in — all of which we set out for you before we begin. No fine print.

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