Founding a sole proprietorship in the canton of Vaud
Founding a sole proprietorship in Canton Vaud: the path to your own business.
Founding a sole proprietorship in the canton of Vaud
In the Canton of Vaud, with Lausanne as its capital, there is a dynamic environment for founding a sole proprietorship. The region is known for its universities such as EPFL and the University of Lausanne, which offer valuable opportunities for networking and promoting innovation. The Vaud Trade Registry helps register the sole proprietorship smoothly. The canton's economy is diverse, from agriculture to technology to services. Vaud is also a popular tourist destination, which opens up additional business opportunities. With a multilingual population and proximity to international institutions, entrepreneurs benefit from a global network.
Establish a sole proprietorship in Canton Vaud: here's how to do it!
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.
Setting up a sole proprietorship: Advantages
- No minimum capital required — start immediately
- Home to EPFL and UNIL — world-class talent and research partnerships
- Streamlined registration at the Vaud Commercial Registry
- Lausanne is a hub for sports organizations (IOC, FIFA HQ nearby) and tech startups
- Diverse economy: agri-tech, medtech, tourism, and hospitality
- Multilingual workforce (FR/EN/DE) supports international businesses
- EPFL Innovation Park and Innosuisse support for tech ventures
Setting up a sole proprietorship: Disadvantages
- Unlimited personal liability — private assets at risk
- High costs in Lausanne — office rents approaching Geneva levels
- Business income taxed as personal income
- Moderately high cantonal tax rates
- Competition in tech and services is intense
- Commercial Registry entry required once turnover exceeds CHF 100,000
What do I need to consider when setting up a sole proprietorship in the Canton of Vaud?
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.
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.
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.
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 Vaud
- No minimum capital required.
- Owner must be a Swiss resident.
- Commercial Registry entry mandatory above CHF 100,000 annual turnover.
- Business name must include the owner's surname.
- Unlimited personal liability — private assets are at risk.
- Simplified bookkeeping allowed; income and expense records required.
- Business income taxed as personal income (Vaud cantonal + federal rates).
- Mandatory AHV/IV/EO registration as self-employed from day one.
- VAT registration required once revenue exceeds CHF 100,000/year.
- EPFL ecosystem makes Vaud Switzerland's top canton for deep tech and research-based businesses.