Company formation, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate governance for foreign investors and businesses.
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Leading international law firm with strong English-speaking team specializing in corporate and commercial law
Prominent Swiss firm with extensive English-language corporate and IP practice; active 2024-2025
Geneva-based international firm with strong English-speaking practice; specializing in banking and finance
Full-service law firm with bilingual English teams across Switzerland; active in corporate and real estate
Zurich-headquartered firm known for bilingual English-speaking team in corporate and tax matters
Full-service law firm with significant English-language expertise in corporate and IP matters
Top-tier Swiss firm with extensive English-speaking corporate practice; serving international clients
Basel-based law firm with English-speaking team focusing on corporate and real estate matters
International law firm with Zurich office offering bilingual English corporate practice
Global CMS network with strong Zurich office offering comprehensive English-language legal services
Full-service Zurich law firm with experienced English-speaking lawyers in all practice areas
Geneva office of major Swiss firm specializing in corporate and immigration matters for expats
Immigration-focused firm with multilingual English-speaking team; specializes in expat services
Boutique partnership firm offering specialized English-language corporate counsel services
Basel firm with English-speaking team serving corporate and expatriate clients
Lausanne-based firm with English-language capabilities in corporate and real estate law
International firm with Zurich office offering English-language corporate and tax services
Bern law firm with English-speaking professionals in corporate and real estate sectors
Geneva law firm specializing in banking and finance with strong English-speaking capabilities
Ticino firm with multilingual English team serving Italian and international clients
Specialized immigration law firm with fluent English lawyers; experts in residence permits and work permits
Geneva firm with bilingual English team focusing on real estate and corporate matters
Major Swiss firm with strong English-language corporate and banking practice
Basel law firm offering English-language corporate and real estate legal services
Geneva-based international law firm with comprehensive English-speaking services
Leading Geneva law firm with established English-language practice in corporate matters
Zurich boutique firm with English-speaking specialists in corporate and IP law
Bern-based firm offering English-language legal services across multiple practice areas
International firm with strong Geneva office specializing in immigration and expat services
Lausanne firm with English-speaking team in corporate and real estate legal services
Zurich firm specializing in corporate risk and compliance with English-language services
Lucerne-based law firm with English-speaking professionals serving corporate and individual clients
Zurich firm with established English-language corporate and banking practice
Geneva boutique firm offering English-language legal services in corporate and wealth areas
Tech-focused Zurich firm with strong English capabilities in corporate and startup law
Basel law firm with English-speaking team offering comprehensive legal services
International law firm with Geneva office offering banking and corporate legal services in English
Top-tier Swiss firm strong pharma & IP practice
Full-service firm with strong Basel presence pharma specialists
Boutique corporate/tax specialists Zug advantage
Bilingual Italian/English Italian expat specialists
Yes — a local lawyer or notary is required for company registration in most European countries. English-speaking corporate lawyers can handle the entire process.
Typical documents include due diligence reports, share purchase agreements, regulatory filings, and shareholder resolutions. Your lawyer will guide you through jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Switzerland's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsAktiengesellschaft (AG – Stock Corporation) per OR art. 620+: Most common Swiss business form; minimum CHF 100,000 capital (with CHF 50,000 deposit required pre-registration). Structured with Board of Directors (Verwaltungsrat) and Shareholders' Assembly (Generalversammlung). Liability limited to contributed capital; shareholders not personally liable.
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH – Limited Liability Company) per OR art. 772+: Simpler structure; minimum CHF 20,000 capital (as of 2023 reform, reduced from CHF 20,000 statutory minimum). No Generalversammlung required; managed by Manager(s) (Geschäftsführer). Preferred for smaller businesses, family enterprises, and foreign-owned entities.
2023 GmbH Reform: Capital minimum de facto lowered to CHF 1 (though symbolic deposits still required); flexibilized profit distribution rules; simplified accounting thresholds for small GmbHs. Adoption accelerating for startup/SME formation.
Handelsregisterverordnung (Commercial Registry): Mandatory registration with cantonal Handelsregisteramt. Establishes legal personality, trademark protection, and bankruptcy eligibility. Public records accessible online via Zefix (unified Swiss registry).
Effective Corporate Tax Rates by canton (federal 8.5% + cantonal + communal): Zug ~11.9% (most favorable); Zurich ~19.7%; Bern ~17%; Geneva ~14%. Cantons compete on tax incentives; holding companies (Holding AG) in low-tax cantons common for M&A structures.
FATCA/CRS Reporting: Switzerland automatically exchanges financial account information with 130+ countries under Common Reporting Standard (CRS). U.S. persons (FATC) face enhanced compliance; beneficial ownership (BO) transparency required for shell companies under OECD standards.
Case Study: Indian software company acquires Swiss subsidiary (GmbH, CHF 20,000 capital) in Zug to establish EU market presence. Structure: Zug GmbH (12% tax rate) → holding company under India-Switzerland DTA (dividend withholding 15% vs. standard 35%). Formation cost: CHF 1,500-2,000 (legal + notary + Handelsregister). Annual tax: ~CHF 2,400 on CHF 200,000 profit. Timeline: 2-3 weeks incorporation.
