Founding up a sole proprietorship in the canton of Jura

Founding a sole proprietorship in Canton Jura: the path to your own business.

Founding up a sole proprietorship in the canton of Jura

The Canton of Jura, with its rural landscapes and craft traditions, offers an ideal environment for founding a sole proprietorship, especially in the crafts, agriculture and tourism sectors. The Jura Trade Registry ensures a simple and efficient registration process. The region is known for its small businesses and strong local community. Jura also offers a significant support network for new businesses, with economic promotion and advisory programs. The high quality of life and natural environment make Jura an attractive place to start a sole proprietorship.

Process

Establish a sole proprietorship in Jura Canton: here's how to do it!

1

Calculate a non-binding offer

Enter your start-up project conveniently online and benefit from cost sharing from our partners. In just a few steps you can compose your customized start-up package.

Enter the data of the sole proprietorship

After calculating the non-binding offer, enter your company details. At this point you can order the incorporation of the company.

Get in touch

Our attorneys will contact you within the specified time (often less than 24 hours). You will receive all incorporation documents, discuss any uncertainties, and schedule a personal consultation.

Check the documents

You can consult, print and sign all the constituent documents at your convenience at home.

Authenticate signature

At this point you must obtain official certification of the signature (e.g., from the local authority). This confirms that the signature is indeed yours.

Entry in the commercial register

We submit all incorporation documents to the commercial register and ensure that your company is successfully registered in the commercial register. In the case of corporations, the paid-up capital is transferred to a business account after publication and is available to your company.

Celebrate

Congratulations on the successful founding of your company. Your company is now active and can operate.

Definition of a sole proprietorship in Switzerland

We believe that personalized advice is the key to best understanding our clients' individual needs and challenges and offering tailored solutions.

Book a consultation

Setting up a sole proprietorship: Advantages

  • No minimum capital required — start immediately
  • Competitive cantonal tax rates — lower than Geneva or Vaud
  • Streamlined registration at the Jura Commercial Registry
  • Strong watchmaking and craft traditions — niche B2B opportunities
  • Low operating costs and affordable office space
  • Bilingual context (FR/DE border area) opens broader market access
  • Accessible, collaborative local authorities

Setting up a sole proprietorship: Disadvantages

  • Unlimited personal liability — private assets at risk
  • Smallest cantonal economy in Switzerland — very limited local market
  • Business income taxed as personal income
  • Distance from major Swiss economic centers (Zurich, Basel, Geneva)
  • Limited specialized talent and professional service providers
  • Infrastructure and startup support less developed than larger cantons

What do I need to consider when setting up a sole proprietorship in Jura Canton?

Name of the company

The family name must appear in the company name: for example, Müller Malerbetrieb or Keller Montagen, but the company name must not be misleading or descriptive. Company names such as Rudolf Stahlhandel AG are therefore not allowed if the company does not trade in steel.

Register of commerce

Business registration is generally optional up to a turnover of 100,000 Swiss francs. However, entry in the commercial register is recommended in any case. The excerpt from the commercial register is always very useful: for example, for opening a bank account, for opening a P.O. box or a safe deposit box, in international trade, for one's telephone connection, and much more.

Withdrawal from pension fund

The following points must be observed when collecting retirement benefits: You must be able to credibly prove to the relevant compensation office that you will be self-employed. To do this, you must fill out the attached AVS form and attach appropriate evidence, such as three offers to potential clients, three invoices already issued to clients and a business plan for your project.

Our recommendation

To apply to the pension fund, a neat file with all forms and documents should be prepared. If possible, it is advisable to make an appointment with the relevant authority and bring the file in person or appear in person at the compensation fund. Experience shows that in this way the authorities have more confidence in your project and your application has a better chance of success.

What you need to know about sole proprietorship!

Key Facts: Sole Proprietorship in Jura

  1. No minimum capital required.
  2. Owner must be a Swiss resident.
  3. Commercial Registry entry mandatory above CHF 100,000 annual turnover.
  4. Business name must include the owner's surname.
  5. Unlimited personal liability — private assets are at risk.
  6. Simplified bookkeeping allowed; income and expense records required.
  7. Business income taxed as personal income (Jura cantonal + federal rates).
  8. Mandatory AHV/IV/EO registration as self-employed from day one.
  9. VAT registration required once revenue exceeds CHF 100,000/year.
  10. Jura suits artisanal, craft, agriculture, and remote-service sole proprietors seeking low costs.