What steps should I take before starting a company?

The following types of company need to be entered in the commercial register:

• Limited companies (AG and GmbH)
• General partnerships and limited partnerships
• Sole proprietorships with annual revenue exceeding CHF 100,000. Below this threshold, a commercial register entry is voluntary, but may be useful in some circumstances. It provides more security for authorities, suppliers and customers.

The registration form for entering a company in the commercial register can be found on the website of the respective canton's commercial registry.

In the case of corporations, you then need to deposit the capital into a corresponding account. For a public limited company (AG), the minimum capital is CHF 100,000. At least 20% – and at least CHF 50,000 – of the total capital must be paid in. For a limited liability company (GmbH), the minimum capital requirement is CHF 20,000, which must be paid in full.

The next step is to draw up the founding documents, such as the articles of association. Once these have been notarised, your company will be entered in the commercial register.