How to Do Business with Switzerland

Your practical starting point for doing business in Switzerland.

Switzerland is a stable, international and highly connected place to build, expand and develop a business.

This page brings together practical information for international companies, entrepreneurs and professionals exploring the Swiss market. Use the sections below to find your starting point, compare locations and identify reliable organisations and resources.

Fantastic Switzerland provides orientation and links to recognised sources. Legal, tax, immigration and regulatory questions should be confirmed with the responsible authority or a qualified professional.

Start with the essentials

Start with the practical sections below, then review the retained business guides and official-support resources.

Explore the Guide

Doing Business in Switzerland: The Essentials

Swiss federal system

Choosing a legal structure

Entering the Swiss market

Federal authorities set nationwide rules, while cantons and municipalities handle many local matters. Identify the competent authority for your business activity and chosen location.

Entering the Swiss market

Choosing a legal structure

Entering the Swiss market

Define your target customers, offer and route to market. Decide whether to export, work through a local partner or establish a Swiss presence, then check sector-specific requirements.

Choosing a legal structure

Selecting a canton and location

Compare the legal forms available for your activity, ownership and plans. Registration, capital, representation and ongoing duties vary. Check current requirements before deciding.

Selecting a canton and location

Compare locations for talent, customers, language, transport, suppliers, costs and industry networks. Cantonal economic development agencies can explain local conditions and connect companies with relevant contacts.

Hiring and relocating people

Selecting a canton and location

Hiring and relocating people

Hiring or moving people may involve work and residence permits, local registration, payroll, insurance, housing and family arrangements. Requirements depend on nationality, role and personal circumstances.

Operating a Swiss business

Selecting a canton and location

Hiring and relocating people

Plan for accounting, VAT, tax, payroll, insurance and banking alongside company formation. Duties depend on legal form and activity. Verify them with official sources and qualified Swiss professionals.

Explore Business Topics

Why Switzerland

Relocation and International Talent

Start or Expand a Business

Stability, international connectivity, innovation and access to specialised talent.

Start or Expand a Business

Relocation and International Talent

Start or Expand a Business

Company formation, cantonal choice, permits, taxation and practical first questions.

Relocation and International Talent

Residence, work permits, housing, schools and support for international teams.

Banking, Tax and Administration

Relocation and International Talent

Business banking, accounting, payroll, fiduciary support and regulatory orientation.

Business Networks and Support

Banking, Tax and Administration

Business Networks and Support

Chambers of commerce, cantonal agencies, Switzerland Global Enterprise and recognised organisations.

Regional Business Hubs

Banking, Tax and Administration

Business Networks and Support

Compare Zurich, Zug, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, Ticino and other locations.

Swiss Business News and Market Updates

Business Updates from Switzerland

Receive practical updates on doing business in Switzerland, market developments, regional opportunities and new business guides.

Business Guides and Resources

Download the Directory

Relocation and Welcome Guides

A compact PDF guide to national business organisations, regional chambers and useful first contacts for international entrepreneurs and companies.

Relocation and Welcome Guides

Download practical public guides for newcomers and international professionals. Available in English, German, Arabic and Russian. Check current requirements with the responsible authorities.

Business in Switzerland: Official Starting Points

Reliable next steps for your Swiss market plans

Use these recognised sources to move from research to action. Open the links below for current information and requirements.

Swiss SME Portal
Guidance on business planning, legal forms and registration.
URL: https://kmu.admin.ch/en/setting-up-overview

Company procedures
EasyGov provides online services for company-related administrative procedures.
URL: https://easygov.swiss

Export and investment
Switzerland Global Enterprise supports Swiss companies expanding abroad and international companies exploring Switzerland.
URL: https://www.s-ge.com/en

Work and residence permits
The official overview explains the main permit routes for foreign nationals working in Switzerland.
URL: https://www.ch.ch/en/work/working-in-switzerland-as-a-foreign-national/

Regional contacts and networks
For local support, contact the economic development agency of your chosen canton. The downloadable directory above lists chambers of commerce and business organisations.

A practical sequence
Define your market and entry route. Check sector requirements. Compare cantons. Confirm legal, tax and employment matters with the relevant authorities or qualified professionals. Then build local relationships.

Fantastic Switzerland provides orientation and links, not legal, tax, immigration or investment advice.

Practical Questions

Common starting questions for international companies, entrepreneurs and professionals considering business in Switzerland.

Can a foreigner start a company in Switzerland?

Yes, but the requirements depend on the business activity, legal structure, nationality, residence status and canton.

Which Swiss canton is best for my business?

There is no universal answer. The choice depends on taxation, workforce, language, infrastructure, clients, suppliers and the nature of the activity.

Where can I find official business support?

Start with the relevant cantonal economic development agency, chamber of commerce, Swiss SME Portal, EasyGov or Switzerland Global Enterprise.

Do I need a Swiss residence permit?

That depends on your nationality, residence status, employment situation and planned activity.

How long does it take to establish a company?

The timing depends on the legal structure, documentation, capital, registrations, banking and approvals required.

Which professionals may a new company need?

Depending on the situation, a company may require legal, tax, fiduciary, banking, insurance, immigration or payroll support.

Relocation Resources

Selected public guides for people moving to Switzerland and for international professionals preparing to live, work or build a business here. Use these documents as a practical starting point and verify current requirements with the responsible authorities.

Welcome to Switzerland (pdf)

Download

Welcome to Switzerland, arabic (pdf)

Download

Welcome to Switzerland, russian (pdf)

Download

Willkommen in der Schweiz (pdf)

Download

Discuss Your Swiss Business Plans

If you are exploring business opportunities, relocation or market access in Switzerland, you are welcome to contact Fantastic Switzerland.

We are developing a wider network of information sources and professional contacts and will gradually expand this section with more practical resources.

Get in Touch