Incorporating a company in Geneva (SA, Sàrl, RI)

Start Your Company in Geneva with RISTER®, Fiduciary Experts

Are you planning to start a company in Switzerland, and more specifically in Geneva? RISTER, a leading fiduciary firm in Geneva, assists you at every step of the incorporation process—whether you’re establishing a SA/AG (Public Limited Company), Sàrl/GmbH (Limited Liability Company), branch office, holding company, or sole proprietorship. Thanks to our proven expertise in Swiss corporate law, international tax planning, and cross-border business setup, we provide tailor-made solutions for local entrepreneurs, cross-border residents, and non-resident entrepreneurs alike, facilitating your business expansion into Switzerland.

RISTER®: Your Trusted Partner for Successful Business Creation in Geneva

Comprehensive and strategic support, far beyond paperwork

Incorporating a company in Switzerland—especially in Geneva—requires much more than filling out forms and depositing share capital. At RISTER, we focus on strategy, precision, and regulatory mastery to turn your entrepreneurial vision into a solid, compliant business structure.

Our experts guide you through all critical phases of incorporation:

• Strategic analysis and personalized legal advice, to determine the most appropriate company structure (SA, Sàrl, branch, holding, sole proprietorship), aligned with your business, tax, and operational goals, legal structuring advice and corporate governance consulting.
  
• Drafting of all legal documentation: articles of association, deeds of incorporation, minutes, shareholder declarations, in close coordination with a notary, company statutes drafting, and notarization services.
  
• Official registration with the Geneva Commercial Registry
• Professional bank account setup and capital release, via our network of Swiss banking partners and corporate bank account opening in Switzerland.
  
• Tax registration for VAT, social security, and, if applicable, withholding tax, Swiss VAT registration and social security affiliation.
  
• Provision of a registered business address in a professional setting in Geneva
• Corporate directorship and local Swiss director services, local representative requirements and resident director services
  
• Mandatory and recommended business insurance setup and corporate insurance solutions.
  

Proven expertise in cross-border and international structures

We go far beyond local business needs. RISTER regularly assists cross-border entrepreneurs, expatriates, foreign direct investors, and international corporate groups looking to establish a presence in Switzerland. We deeply understand the challenges of Swiss–EU tax coordination, Swiss–France tax agreements, international work permits, multi-currency corporate banking, and comprehensive international regulatory compliance. As a trilingual fiduciary (French, English, Spanish), we act as your trusted intermediary, simplifying interactions with leading Swiss banks, notaries, corporate lawyers, and Swiss authorities.

A long-term partnership beyond incorporation

Our commitment doesn’t end at incorporation. We provide ongoing, compliant, and proactive management to let you focus on growing your business:

• Full bookkeeping services, compliant with Swiss standards (CO, Swiss GAAP RPC, etc.), Swiss accounting standards (OR), financial reporting.
  
• Tax declarations: corporate income tax, VAT, dividend taxation, withholding tax, corporate income tax filing, VAT declarations, dividend tax consulting, withholding tax management.
  
• Payroll management, social charges, pension schemes (LPP), and compulsory insurance affiliation, Swiss payroll processing, social charges administration, pension fund management (LPP/BVG), compulsory insurance affiliation
  
• Labour law advice and contract drafting, Swiss employment law consulting, work contract drafting.
  
• Strategic tax planning, locally and internationally (optimisation, restructurings, dividend planning), international tax optimisation, corporate restructuring advice, dividend distribution planning.
• Fiscal representation for foreign-managed Swiss companies, tax representation for foreign entities.
  

A commitment to discretion, transparency, and precision

At RISTER, each client benefits from a long-term, confidential relationship built on trust, responsiveness, and reliability. We monitor legal and tax developments to ensure that your Swiss company remains compliant, efficient, and future-proof.

Incorporating and forming a company in Geneva (SA/AG, Sàrl/GmbH, RI)

Which legal form should be chosen and what are the criteria for the company formation or incorporation Geneva? Each type of company has its own advantages and disadvantages. What are the pitfalls to avoid when incorporating or forming a company in Geneva? What are the steps involved in forming a company?

Which legal form should one choose and what is the criteria? How can you protect yourself and your business? The choice of structure for your business is a crucial factor in the process of setting up a company. By making the right choice, you can optimize your legal protection and tax situation from the start. Here’s a brief summary of the different options available to you.

Sàrl/GmbH (Limited Liability Company) Formation in Geneva

Benefits

Capital : The minimum capital to be paid at the time of incorporation is 20,000. This is less capital than for the SA/AG. However, it must be paid in full at the time of incorporation. This capital can be contributed in kind (in the form of shares, real estate, receivables, etc.).

Disadvantages (see below).

Liability: limited to the fully paid-up share capital of 20,000 Swiss francs.

Company name: unlike a private company (self-employed, own name, sole proprietorship), the choice of company name – or business name – is unrestricted. However, the term “Sàrl” must appear after the company name.

Formation: a single entrepreneur can now form a limited company.

Taxes: Profit sharing can slow down and limit tax progressivity. The salary of the manager of the Sàrl is considered an expense of the company, which means that taxes can be reduced or at least maintained, depending on the situation.

Selling shares: Profits from the sale of shares are not taxable. However, to sell shares, you must go through the Commercial Registry.

Disadvantages

Incorporation: Incorporation costs are higher than for a sole proprietorship (official and notarized deeds, registration with the Trade Registry).

Publicity: the company’s organs, capital and shares are freely available for inspection in the Commercial Register (open to the public).

Administrative costs: The administrative costs of a limited liability company are higher than those of a sole proprietorship. These include minutes, general meetings and tax returns.

Taxation: As a limited liability company, the director is subject to double taxation. He will be taxed on the income and capital of the Sàrl and on his personal income and assets.

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OUR SÁRL/GMBH INCORPORATION SERVICE IN GENEVA

Here are the 5 key steps to incorporate a Limited Liability Company in Geneva:

1. Meeting with RISTER to determine the elements of the company’s purpose, business analysis, advice, analysis of ICC/IFD taxation, VAT, withholding tax, salary, shareholder dividends, social security contributions, compulsory insurance, employment contract, work permit, rights and obligations of the Swiss directors.
2. Verification that the company name is available in the Trade and Companies Register.
3. Open a consignment account to pay in the share capital (min. CHF 20,000).
4. Company registration in the commercial register.
5. VAT registration.

SA/AG (Public Limited Company) Formation in Geneva

Benefits

Liability: Shareholders of a SA/AG are liable only to the extent of their share in the company’s capital.

Publicity: The distribution of assets is not official as the shareholders are not entered in the commercial register.

Social benefits: Shareholders of a SA/AG are considered as employees and are therefore subject to compulsory insurance and protection.

Company name: The name of the company can be freely chosen. Unlike the self-employed status, which requires the name of the employer to appear in the company name, and the limited liability company, which requires the legal status to appear in the company name, a SA/AG is free to choose its name.

Taxation: The progressive nature of taxation can be broken or even interrupted by profit splitting. In fact, the much more flexible accounting of this status and the separation between the personal income of the shareholder and the dividends (which are called “business income”) make it possible to optimize a situation from a tax point of view, in a perfectly legal way.

Influence : The founder can increase the influence within the company. The founder can use shares with preferential voting rights (class A and B shares), restrict the transfer of shares, distribute his shares within his own circle, etc.

Sale of shares: the sale of shares is made easier, the founder can sell a share by simple transfer, without having to go before a notary.

Taxation: the founder is not taxed on the profit generated from the sale of a share, considered as a capital gain (and therefore tax exempt).

Disadvantages

Capital :The minimum capital required to incorporate a SA/AG is higher than for a Sàrl/GmbH. It must be at least $100,000 (NB: unlike the Sàrl/GmbH, where the capital must be fully paid up, the capital of an LLC. may be paid up to a maximum of $50,000 at the time of incorporation).

Incorporation: the formalities involved in incorporating a company are extensive, time-consuming and, in some cases, costly.

Double taxation: As with all limited companies (including Sàrl/GmbH), the owner is taxed on the profits and capital of the company and on dividends and personal assets. This double taxation (for the reasons mentioned above in the advantages section) is often more advantageous from a tax point of view than certain self-employed situations (to be studied with a RISTER expert).

Administrative costs: minutes, management reports, accounting, general meetings, tax forms and auditors (NB: changes in company law, and in particular in the law on limited companies, mean that auditors are no longer compulsory under certain conditions, which considerably reduces these costs, and also means that in certain cases it is still possible to use electronic means for part of the administrative work, making it easier and more economical to manage a limited company today).

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OUR SA/AG INCORPORATION SERVICE IN GENEVA

Here are the 5 key steps to setting up a SA/AG in Switzerland :

1. Meeting with the company to determine the elements of the corporate purpose, advice, analysis of ICC/IFD taxation, VAT, withholding tax, salary, shareholder dividends, social security contributions, compulsory insurance, employment contract, work permit, shareholder rights and obligations.
2. Verification of the company name in the Commercial Register.
3. Open a consignment account to pay in the share capital (min. CFH 50,000).
4. Company registration in the commercial register.
5. VAT registration.

Company formation incorporation Geneva : The sole proprietorship

The sole proprietorship is often used for activities directly related to the owner, such as :

• Doctors
• Craftsmen
• Small businesses
• Lawyers
• Veterinarians etc.

It’s easy to set up a sole proprietorship (also known as a “nom individuelle” or “sole proprietorship”) in Geneva or elsewhere in Switzerland, as no start-up capital is required and the business can begin immediately

Registration in the Commercial Register is mandatory for annual sales of CHF 100,000 or more.

The name of the sole proprietorship must include the owner’s surname and may include an additional suffix to distinguish the activity.

The founder and owner of the sole proprietorship has unlimited liability for the company’s losses and risks.

Benefits

Freedom: As a sole proprietor, the entrepreneur can decide on the strategic direction of the business and how it will be run, with complete autonomy. This legal status gives the business a great deal of freedom.

Capital : In theory, a sole proprietorship can be created without any capital contribution. In practice, whatever the business, the entrepreneur will have to invest a minimum amount of start-up capital in one way or another.

Incorporation: this requires no special formalities and therefore involves few costs and fees. The only cost is the registration in the commercial register.

Taxation: the self-employed person is taxed only once on all income, whether personal or commercial, so there is no double taxation. NB: there is also a real disadvantage to this advantage: progressive taxation.

Administrative burdens: In theory, these are very limited. In reality, however, they are often higher than expected, given the legal obligation to keep accounts and the fact that the self-employed most often choose to use accounting firms or trustees such as RISTER for these tasks.

Disadvantages

Liability: In terms of liability, the self-employed owner is liable for the full amount of his or her combined business and personal assets. He is also solely responsible for the company’s activities, even if an error is made by one of his employees or a commercial intermediary.

Publicity: Unlike a limited company, the owner of a sole proprietorship is publicly known and therefore does not enjoy anonymity.

Name of the company: the name of the owner must appear in the name of the company and cannot be freely chosen.

Balance sheets: Sole proprietorships are required by law to keep accounts (in accordance with balance sheet requirements) as long as they are registered in the Commercial Register. This obligation entails administrative and management costs.

Taxation: the self-employed are not subject to double taxation, which can be a real disadvantage depending on the situation and the activity. In fact, by combining private and business assets on the same tax form, the self-employed person is subject to progressive taxation. This is a major disadvantage that sometimes leads to situations in which the commercial activity is clearly overtaxed.

Debt collection through bankruptcy proceedings: if the self-employed individual is registered in the commercial register, they are subject to strict debt collection procedures through bankruptcy, which aim to forcibly realize all of the debtor’s assets. They are therefore personally liable, even with assets located outside Switzerland (note that real estate abroad may also be seized, for example).

Company Formation in Geneva with RISTER, Trusted Fiduciary Partner

Setting up a company in Geneva offers numerous strategic advantages for international businesses: attractive taxation, unparalleled legal stability, and a dynamic international economic environment. To successfully navigate this complex process, it is essential to rely on a truly experienced partner. RISTER, a leading fiduciary in Geneva, supports both Swiss and foreign entrepreneurs through every step of the company formation process in Geneva – covering SA/AG (Public Limited Companies), Sàrl/GmbH (Limited Liability Companies), Swiss branches, and holding companies. From drafting the articles of association to registration with the commercial register, including corporate bank account opening and strategic tax planning, RISTER provides a comprehensive, Swiss law-compliant service.

Choosing RISTER means benefiting from personalized support, in-depth knowledge of local requirements, and a strong network of trusted experts in Switzerland for all your company incorporation needs in Geneva.

FAQ – Fiduciary Services and Company Formation in Geneva

Do you have questions about starting a company in Geneva, taxation, timing, or legal formalities? Below are answers to the most frequent questions from entrepreneurs, based on our company formation guide for Geneva and RISTER®’s practical experience with SA/AG, Sàrl/GmbH, branches, holdings and sole proprietorships.

What documents are required to set up a company in Geneva?

The main documents include your passport or ID, a bank certificate confirming the paid-in share capital, the articles of association, and contact details of shareholders and directors. These are complemented by incorporation deeds and minutes prepared with the Geneva notary, and the opening of a corporate bank account for the capital deposit before registration with the Commercial Register.

How long does it take to incorporate a company in Geneva?

On average, incorporating a company in Geneva takes around 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the responsiveness of the bank, notary, and Commercial Register. As an indication, count around 3 to 5 business days for opening the consignment account and paying in the capital, 48 to 72 hours for the notary appointment, about 5 to 7 business days for Commercial Register approval, and 1 to 2 weeks for obtaining the company UID number and VAT/social security registrations.

Do I need to be a Swiss resident to start a company in Geneva?

You do not need to be a Swiss resident to incorporate a company in Geneva. However, Swiss corporate law requires that at least one director or manager be resident in Switzerland with signing authority, to ensure proper local representation of the company. RISTER® provides Swiss resident director services and local management mandates to meet this requirement.

Can RISTER manage accounting and administration after incorporation?

Yes. RISTER® provides full fiduciary support after incorporation, including bookkeeping in line with Swiss standards (CO, Swiss GAAP RPC), preparation of annual financial statements, corporate tax returns, VAT returns, dividend and withholding tax, as well as payroll processing, social security and pension fund administration (AVS/AHV, LPP/BVG, LAA, AC). We also assist with employment contract drafting and Swiss labour law advice.

Which legal forms can RISTER® help me set up in Geneva?

RISTER® assists with the incorporation of the main Swiss legal entities, depending on your project and investor profile:

• Sàrl/GmbH (Limited Liability Company): minimum share capital of CHF 20,000 fully paid in at incorporation, liability limited to the company’s capital, at least one Swiss resident manager with signing authority.
• SA/AG (Public Limited Company): minimum share capital of CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid in, ideal for investors and corporate groups, high credibility with banks and international partners.
• Sole proprietorship: no legal minimum capital, simple setup and lower costs, full personal liability of the owner, mandatory registration in the Commercial Register from CHF 100,000 annual turnover.
• Holding company or group structure: used for asset and group structuring, potential tax relief on qualifying dividend income and capital gains, centralisation of cash flows and governance.
• Branch office of a foreign company: Swiss branch registered in Geneva under the foreign head office, with local representation and accounting.

Does RISTER® support foreign and non-resident entrepreneurs?

Yes. Thanks to its expertise in Swiss company law, cross-border taxation and international structures, RISTER® regularly assists cross-border commuters, expatriates and foreign corporate groups. Our services include incorporation of Swiss subsidiaries and branches, set-up of holding companies, full administrative support for non-resident directors, Swiss resident director mandates, and coordination with banks, notaries, lawyers and Swiss authorities.

What are the key steps in the company formation process in Geneva?

The main steps are:

• Analysis of your project and choice of the legal form (SA/AG, Sàrl/GmbH, branch office, holding company, sole proprietorship).
• Drafting and validation of the articles of association, incorporation deeds, shareholder and director resolutions and legal registers with the Geneva notary.
• Opening a corporate consignment account in Switzerland and depositing the required share capital.
• Signing the notarial deed of incorporation.
• Official registration with the Geneva Commercial Register.
• Mandatory registrations: Swiss VAT, social security and pension schemes, and, where applicable, withholding tax.
• Set-up of a registered business address and, if needed, Swiss resident director and ongoing fiduciary services.

What are the advantages of incorporating a company in Geneva?

Geneva offers numerous strategic advantages: competitive corporate taxation, high legal and political stability, a strong financial and banking infrastructure, and a central location in Europe near France and major EU markets. The presence of international organisations and multinational headquarters enhances the visibility and credibility of companies established in Geneva, making it an attractive hub for international trade, finance, services and wealth management.

What integrated fiduciary services does RISTER® provide?

RISTER® offers a fully integrated fiduciary service covering the entire life cycle of your Swiss company:

• Initial legal and tax advice for choosing the most suitable legal form and structure.
• Drafting and filing of all incorporation documents, coordination with the notary and authorities.
• Corporate bank account opening and capital release with Swiss banking partners.
• VAT registration, social security affiliation and Commercial Register filings.
• Ongoing accounting, tax compliance, payroll, HR support and financial reporting.
• Swiss resident director services and tax representation for companies managed from abroad.
• Registered address and domiciliation in Geneva, plus long-term corporate governance and restructuring support.

How are RISTER®’s fees structured for company formation in Geneva?

RISTER®’s fees are transparent and adapted to the type of company, the complexity of your structure (SA/AG, Sàrl/GmbH, holding, branch, sole proprietorship) and the level of assistance required. Our incorporation packages usually include the key steps of the process: initial legal and tax advice, drafting and filing of articles of association, coordination with the notary, support with opening a corporate bank account, VAT and social security registrations, and full registration with the Commercial Register. A detailed written quotation is provided before any engagement.

How can I obtain a tailored estimate for my company formation in Geneva?

To receive a personalised estimate for setting up your company in Geneva, simply contact the experts at RISTER®. An initial discussion allows us to assess your project (type of activity, target structure, shareholders, residency, cross-border aspects) and propose a tailor-made incorporation offer including all administrative, banking, tax and fiduciary steps, as well as ongoing support from incorporation through to day-to-day management.

Where can I find more detailed information about company formation in Geneva?

More detailed information is available in RISTER®’s comprehensive guide to company formation in Geneva, which presents, in a structured way, all legal, tax, administrative and practical aspects of incorporating and managing a company in Geneva (SA/AG, Sàrl/GmbH, branches, holdings and sole proprietorships).