Official License in Switzerland: There is no single “business license”; there are activity-based permits
Set the framework correctly
Switzerland does not issue a single and general “business license” at the national level. After establishing your legal entity, you apply for federal, cantonal, and municipal permits based on your area of activity and location. This structure provides speed and predictability; however, if you do not set the correct order, the timeline slips and costs increase.
In 2025, the Swiss market shows strong growth in fintech, advanced manufacturing, health technologies, and climate solutions. Since these areas are subject to stricter supervision, clarify your licensing plan from the start and avoid unnecessary iterations.
Which type of company triggers which prerequisites?
By choosing the structure, you shape your licensing journey. The most commonly preferred structures are:
- Sole proprietorship: You register with the trade registry when your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000.
- GmbH (limited): Minimum capital CHF 20,000. Appoint at least one Swiss resident as the sole signatory.
- AG (public limited): Minimum capital CHF 100,000. You gain flexibility in corporate investment and share transfer processes.
- Branch: Prepare the documentation of the parent company and position a local signatory.
Core registrations: Start your timeline according to these
The following registrations form the basis for most business models. When you maintain the order, your sector license applications progress smoothly:
- Canton trade registry: Certify the statutes with a notary, obtain the capital blockage letter from the bank, and submit it to the registration office. For official references, check the Swiss SME portal: Swiss SME – Starting a business.
- Tax and social security: Obtain your UID number, complete the AHV/SVA registration. If your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, plan for VAT registration.
- Business address and leasing: Test zoning, fire, and occupational health requirements on-site.
Corpenza sets up your Swiss establishment plan end-to-end; coordinates the statutes, bank blockage, signatory authority, and registry tracking in a single timeline.
Licenses by activity: Needs of sectors and practical roadmaps
Finance, fintech, and crypto
Banking, payment institutions, securities brokerage, and insurance activities are subject to financial market supervision. Design robust internal controls, AML framework, risk management, and capital adequacy from the outset. Fintech licenses or lighter regimes provide alternatives under certain thresholds; however, you still meet customer fund protection and transparency expectations.
- Clarify your workflow with AML/KYC checkpoints.
- Add your compliance software and storage architecture to your license file.
- Document the competence and independence of the board of directors.
Food, beverages, and accommodation
Restaurants, production kitchens, catering, and bar businesses undergo health and food safety inspections. Establish HACCP processes, document hygiene trainings, manage additional permits for selling alcoholic beverages. Plan approvals for signage, terrace, and working hours at the municipal level.
Health, clinics, and pharmaceuticals
Clinical standards, responsible manager qualifications, and medical device/drug permits come into play for medical centers, dental clinics, pharmacies, and health technologies. Document your clinical processes, technically ensure data security and patient privacy.
Construction, real estate, and manufacturing
Building permits, environmental, and occupational safety approvals are required for new construction, renovation, and production line setups. Consider noise, waste, energy efficiency, and fire standards at the project outset. Submit drawings, static and MEP calculations in digital format; this accelerates municipal processes.
Import/Export and controlled goods
No additional national license is required for general trade; however, export permits come into play for dual-use products, pharmaceutical precursors, lithium batteries, or defense equipment. Align your supply chain with product classification and integrate sanction screenings into your order cycle.
Canton and municipal permits: Location, zoning, and business order
Managing rules that vary from canton to canton
Switzerland’s federal structure leads to different documentation expectations for the same activity in different cantons. Map this difference early on and adjust your timeline according to the service level of the canton administration. Zurich, Geneva, and Vaud cantons manage denser processes due to high demand.
Municipal approvals: Signage, renovations, and usage permits
When opening a business, the municipality requires approval on topics such as signage size, facade renovations, seating capacity, emergency exit plans, and fire equipment. Write these requirements into the contract with the property owner; negotiate the leasing terms accordingly.
- Prepare your layout according to fire and occupational safety standards.
- For food businesses, integrate cold chain flow into the ground.
- Show noise and waste management for production in the drawings.
Quick checklist for location selection
- Zoning plan: Is your type of activity suitable for the parcel you selected?
- Usage permit: Do capacity, noise, and parking restrictions affect your timeline?
- Inspections: Request the first inspection when your flow plans are ready.
- Lease agreement: In case of license rejection, who owns the termination and amendment rule?
Foreign founders, work permits, and employment models
Founder and executive status
When establishing a GmbH/AG, appoint at least one Swiss resident as the sole signatory. Founders from outside the EU/EFTA should substantiate the residence and work permit process with a business plan, employment impact, and canton economic contribution. Clarify the role of the signatory; banking and official correspondence operate under this authority.
Employee employment, payroll, and social security
When employing staff, activate AHV/IV/EO, unemployment insurance, and accident insurance (LAA/UVG). To operate payroll accurately, add local fringe benefits (such as vacation, holiday, meal allowance, 13th salary) to your rule set. Manage VAT declarations rhythmically when you exceed the turnover threshold.
If you need to build a team before the establishment, you can employ your staff legally with Corpenza’s payroll and employer of record (EOR) solutions; you can deduct costs and not neglect social security obligations.
Cross-border assignment (posted worker) and temporary employment
If you plan temporary assignments from the EU/EFTA region to Switzerland, integrate notification and minimum working conditions rules into your timeline. In the staff leasing model, business and labor finding activities in Switzerland are subject to separate licenses; structure your contracts accordingly.
Corpenza plans your posted worker operations; sets up your temporary employment contracts in compliance with local legislation and ensures your files are ready for field inspections.
Compliance obligations, audits, and the 2025 calendar
Tax and reporting rhythm
Prepare financial statements at the end of the year, close corporate tax and VAT declarations. Manage transfer pricing and intra-group borrowings transparently. Plan independent audits when you exceed the audit threshold and fix reporting to the board calendar.
- VAT: Choose between cash or effective method based on your cash flow.
- Withholding tax: If you plan profit distribution, review the release conditions in advance.
- Local tax: Compare canton tax rates and deductions.
AML, data protection, and sector audits
In financial services, establish your AML/KYC procedures on a risk-based approach and test them at least once a year. Manage personal data in compliance with the Swiss Data Protection Act updated in 2023. Embed audit checklists for health, food, and hazardous materials sectors into your operational handbook.
Notable changes and market opportunities in 2025
- Digital licensing platforms accelerate applications; prepare documents with electronic signatures.
- Fintech and digital assets continue to attract interest; however, bring AML and cybersecurity controls to the forefront early.
- ESG reporting makes supply and energy efficiency visible in licensing files; align your energy plan with canton expectations.
Corpenza creates a Swiss structure compatible with your global frameworks through international accounting and tax optimization services; your reports match flawlessly at local and group levels.
Roadmap, costs, and acceleration with Corpenza
30-60-90 day plan
- First 30 days: Choose the structure (GmbH/AG/branch), draft statutes, obtain bank blockage, position the resident signatory, sign the lease pre-agreement.
- By day 60: Complete the trade registry registration, initiate AHV/VAT processes, prepare municipal and canton permits for application.
- By day 90: Submit sector license applications, implement payroll and occupational health and safety order, prepare for initial audits.
Budget and unseen items
- Notary and registry: Plan in the range of CHF 700–2,500 (varies by structure and canton).
- Translation and apostille: Allow for multilingual documents.
- Municipal permits: Architectural drawings and consulting needs arise depending on project scope.
- Compliance and licensing consulting: Allocate budget for business plans, risk, and compliance architecture in regulated sectors.
Expertise you can obtain from Corpenza
Corpenza offers mobility, incorporation, and workforce solutions across Europe and globally. We plan company establishment in Switzerland, residence/work permits, international accounting, payroll, staff leasing (including posted worker), tax optimization, and investment-based citizenship alternatives under one roof. We establish a payroll infrastructure where you can deduct salaries for remote or contracted employees; we schedule compliance obligations.
When opening a store in a new canton, entering a regulated sector, or forming a temporary project team, we align your licensing files with your business plan in the same file. You focus on the product and customer; we operate licensing, compliance, and payroll steps like clockwork.
Quick closure: What step will you take today?
- Clarify your activity map and canton selection.
- List your licenses: Federal, cantonal, municipal, and sectoral titles.
- Create the 90-day timeline and assign responsibilities.
- Plan a kickoff session with Corpenza; integrate establishment, licensing, and payroll into a single plan.
When you manage official processes step by step, you quickly seize the advantages of Switzerland’s low risk, high reputation, and strong ecosystem. The right structuring starts with timely licensing, solid payroll, and transparent tax architecture.
