Founding a sole proprietorship in Zurich
Founding a sole proprietorship in Zurich: the path to your own company.
Founding a sole proprietorship in Zurich
Establishing a sole proprietorship in Zurich offers many advantages due to the dynamic economy and high quality of life. Zurich is the economic center of Switzerland with many potential customers and business partners. The city offers excellent infrastructure and a well-developed transportation network. You can register your sole proprietorship easily at the Zurich Commercial Registry. Pay attention to local regulations, especially regarding business permits and tax obligations. The University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) offer valuable networking opportunities for innovative business models. The many co-working spaces in the city are also a boon for start-ups.
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Zurich: 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
- Fastest and simplest legal form in Switzerland
- Full control: sole decision-maker, no partners or board
- Direct access to Zurich's top-tier financial and VC ecosystem
- ETH Zurich and University of Zurich provide talent pipelines and research partnerships
- Dense co-working and accelerator scene (Impact Hub, Technopark, Station)
- Excellent public transport and international airport connectivity
- High concentration of potential B2B and B2C clients
Setting up a sole proprietorship: Disadvantages
- Unlimited personal liability — business debts affect private assets
- Among the highest office rents and living costs in Switzerland
- Very competitive market across all sectors
- No separation between personal and business income for tax purposes
- No social insurance coverage unless voluntarily enrolled (AHV as self-employed)
- Mandatory Commercial Registry entry once annual revenue exceeds CHF 100,000
What should I consider when setting up a sole proprietorship in Zurich?
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 Zurich
- No minimum capital required.
- Owner must be a Swiss resident.
- Commercial Registry entry mandatory above CHF 100,000 annual turnover; optional but recommended below.
- 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 (cantonal + federal).
- Mandatory AHV/IV/EO registration as self-employed from day one.
- Zurich cantonal tax rate is moderate; check current rates at zh.ch.
- VAT registration required once revenue exceeds CHF 100,000/year.