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Doing business in Switzerland


Economy

The brand Switzerland stands for a highly developed industrial country, with a highly qualified labour force.

Industries like microtechnology, pharmaceuticals are well known as well as banking and insurance. The Swiss franc is the currency.

Companies such as IKEA, Tetra Pak, Ferring, Lundin Petroleum, ABB, have choosen Switzerland for their international activities.

Switzerland traditionally reports a small trade surplus, and a significantly positive balance of payments.

GDP per capita CHF 52,862 or USD 36,494 – among the highest in the world.

Switzerland has one of the highest saving rates in the world, and inflation is low.

Switzerland provides an unsurpassed infrastructure for companies operating in the greater European area. An annual study of country competitiveness consistently ranks Switzerland among the top 10 countries in the world.


Population and languages

7.7 million

Four national languages: German (64%), French (19%), Italian (8%), Rhaeto-Romansh (1%)

English is widely spoken.


Government
Switzerland ranks among the global leaders in terms of government efficiency and in terms of social and political stability. Authorities are accessible and reasonable when asked to respond to needs.

The Government is headed by a seven-person Federal Council elected by the Federal Parliament. Federal Councilors have equal power and represent a coalition of the leading parties.

The Parliament is composed of a Council of States and a 200-member National Council.


Currency
The Swiss franc is one of the world’s strongest currencies.
The country’s Central Bank is independent and committed to keeping prices stable.


Business Environment and Taxes
The regulatory environment is reasonable and business-friendly. Tax rates compare favorably with those in other European countries. Tax incentives are available for headquarters activities and new investments. An extensive tax treaty network makes Switzerland an ideal center for financial holdings.


Finance
Switzerland is one of the world’s major financial centers. Its banking system is internationally recognized for the quality of its services. The Stock Market is the third largest in Europe, based on the value of equity trading.


R&D
Switzerland is among the top five countries globally in R&D spending. It has the highest number of patent registrations per capita in the world.


International Relations
Due to the small size of its home market, Swiss business has always been international, resulting in an extensive network of commercial and tax treaties.

Switzerland ranks among the global leaders in terms of foreign direct investments and international or regional headquarters companies.


Quality
Swiss quality enjoys worldwide recognition. It is the result of a good educational system, a strong work ethic and co-operative industrial relations.


Educational System
Switzerland ranks among the top five globally in terms of educational structures. The country enjoys high standards of education at all levels. Universities offer well regarded advanced degrees and polytechnic universities are world known for their research. Many business leaders have advanced degrees from U.S. universities.

In addition to the excellent Swiss school system, American and international curricula are available in most commercial centers.

Swedish Schools are established in Geneva and Zurich.


Industrial Relations
Switzerland’s labor laws provide much greater flexibility than in other European countries.

Trade unions are reasonable. Strikes and other business disruptions are almost non-existent.


Work Ethic
Swiss employees average a 40-plus hours work-week and are known for their dedication. Switzerland ranks among the top ten countries world-wide in terms of the attitude of its workforce.


Infrastructure
Airports in Zurich, Geneva and Basel are efficient, easily accessible and offer direct daily flights to all major European cities in less than two hours.

A reliable rail network links cities and towns throughout the country.

Switzerland also offers excellent freight handling capabilities with freeport facilities.

Commutes in Switzerland are short, seldom exceeding 30 minutes door-to-door.


Mail and Telecommunications
Switzerland has efficient postal service and high quality telecommunication systems, including both governmental and private providers. Services are comprehensive and rates are internationally competitive.


Quality of Life
Switzerland’s natural beauty and wide variety of sports and cultural activities assure a quality of life difficult to match elsewhere in Europe. Swiss cities offer excellent dining and accommodation opportunities, shopping and a stimulating international living environment.

Switzerland is one of the safest countries to live in. A recent survey also ranked the country among those with the lowest level of corruption in the world.


Doing business in Switzerland
Due to favourable investment environment, Switzerland is a business friendly country.The taxes on corporate and personal income are low in comparison with other European countries and it is easy to start a company.


Check list for setting up a business
1. Choice of the legal form of the company
2. Preparation of the required documents by a notary
3. Payment of capital if required
4. Foundation of the company
5. Registration with the Trade Register and publication in the official notification (FAO)
6. Registration with the social security and the cantonal tax authorities


   Different forms of companies:

• Corporation: (Aktiengesellschaft (AG) Société anonyme (SA))
To set up a SA you have to pay 50% of the capital (50% of 100,000 CHF). The majority of the board must be Swiss residents.

• Limited Liability Company:(Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) Sociéte à responsabilité limité (Sàrl)) for small companies and medium sized, capital of a minimum of 20,000 CHF and a mininum of 2 persons to start up the company. One of the directors must be of Swiss resident.
• General Partnership: (Kollektivgesellschaft Société en nom collectif) A partnership of two or more individuals in which the partners have unlimited liability and are generally bound by the acts of the other partners.

• Simple Partnership/Joint Venture: (Einfache Gesellschaft Société simple) A contractual relationship between two or more persons (individuals or corporations), mainly for the realization of a particular project. This type of relationship has characteristics similar to a general partnership but, in particular, its name is not protected by law.

• Limited Partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft, Société en commandite). Limited and unlimited partnership.

• Cooperative: (Genossenschaft ‑ Société cooperative) A union of at least seven persons, without upper limit, which is organised as an entity. Used mainly by agricultural and large retail organisations.

• Sole proprietorship: (enterprise individuelle). For the one-person small start-up business. Maximum 100.000 CHF turnover. Must be entered into the trade register.

• Independent. In order to start up as independent you need to apply for a permit to the Cantonal Population Office. This must be accompanied by a letter describing the project and the motivation behind it. You need to Register with a Compensation Office in order to register for old age insurance (AVS). And finally you tell the fiscal authorities of the beginning of the activity.
   Links
Links about how to set up a business in Switzerland.

www.kmu.admin.ch
Information on setting up a business, social charges and more.

www.locationswitzerland.admin.ch Information on investing and setting up a business in Switzerland, import to and export from Switzerland.

www.genilem.ch

Information particular for each Canton:

www.dev.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Vaud.

www.geneva.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Geneva.

www.promfr.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Fribourg.

www.en.neuchatelville.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Neuchatel.

www.vs.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Valais.

www.cciati.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Ticino.

www.baselarea.org
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Basel.

www.berneinvest.com
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Berne .

www.businesspromotion.ch
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Lucerne and Central Switzerland

www.emgr.ch/economy
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of Graubunden

http://www.location.sg.ch/
Help to set up and conduct business in the canton of St.Gallen

Help to set up and conduct business in the Zürich area:

www.zurichlocation.ch
City of Zürich

www.awa.zh.ch
Canton of Zürich

www.zimmerberg-sihltal.ch
Zimmerberg-Sihltal

www.greaterzuricharea.ch
Greater Zürich Area

www.stadtmarketing.ch
Winterthur

 
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