Amongst others, the Merger Act determines the course of action regarding mergers and demergers. The rulings under the Merger Act apply for all legal forms. more

So does a member of the board of directors need to be a shareholder in the company? more

The shareholder has a basic duty to pay in full his or her capital investment (Swiss Code of Obligations Art. 680 Para. I). Beyond that, further duties can be assigned by creating a shareholders’ agreement. IMPORTANT: Rights and duties under this kind of agreement only binds the partners among themselves not, however, the company. more

A trademark is very important. more

Composition Companies may choose their business names freely, subject to the general principles of business name composition. The business name must however indicate the legal form (“GmbH” or “AG”). General principles of business name composition In addition to the essential content required by law, each business name may contain information which serves to describe the […] more

Under Swiss law, there are four main legal forms of companies, each with distinct characteristics and advantages. Understanding these legal forms is essential for choosing the right structure for your business. Preferably, you establish or convert your company with STARTUPS.CH, which provides professional guidance before and after the foundation. Here is an overview of the […] more

A ’Swiss Branch’ can be founded by both domestic and foreign companies. While the most common legal forms of the head office include an AG (PLC), GmbH (Ltd), or a cooperative, other legal forms are also permitted when founding a branch. This article will explore the various legal forms and requirements for establishing a branch […] more

Foreigners are generally not disallowed from founding a company in Switzerland. However, a distinction is made between persons from EU/EFTA-states and citizens of third countries. more

Losses of the first business years of a GmbH or a corporation (AG) may be carried forward and allocated against future profits. Normally, it is possible to carry forward losses of the last seven years. more

The initial capital of a GmbH (Swiss form of a limited liability company) or a AG (Aktiengesellschaft, Swiss form of a corporation), must not necessarily be deposited in Swiss Francs. Rather, it is possible to use euros or other currencies as well. more