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The limited liability company

The limited liability company
La société anonyme (SA) est l’une des formes juridiques les plus utilisés en Suisse. Elle peut être fondée par une seule personne avec un capital minimum de 50'000 CHF. Une SA doit obligatoirement avoir un administrateur domicilié en Suisse. Les règles qui régissent la SA sont codifiés aux Articles 620 et suivants du Code des obligations Suisse. Les formalités de constitution sont les mêmes qu’une Sàrl.

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Steps involved in setting up a limited liability company (LTD) in Switzerland

If you want to open your business and your choice has leaned towards the LTD instead of operating under a sole proprietorship (RI) or even a limited liability company (LLC). Below, we will detail the step-by-step process for creating your limited company in Switzerland.

Budgeting

It is important for any entrepreneur to track down these expenses before you even start. When setting up your limited company, it is advisable to budget for your project. To do this, you need to take the following expenses into account:

Choose the company name

The company name will be the name of your company. You are free to choose the name, but you may not use the name of an existing company, nor may you use a name that is protected or could lead to confusion.

To find out if the name you have in mind is available click here.

Breakdown of capital

If you are a group of people embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure, it is essential that the share capital is divided up.

Organisation of the LTD

As a limited liability company is a legal entity, it is managed by the following bodies:

  • General Meeting of Shareholders: This is the supreme body of the company. It has the power to amend the Articles of Association and approve the annual accounts. It also has the power to appoint and dismiss members of the Board of Directors, the auditors, etc.
  • Board of Directors : Senior management of the company
  • Auditing body : This is an independent body that audits the company's accounts and draws up a report for the general meeting of shareholders.

Choosing a bank and opening a consignment account

Pour faciliter les démarches, le mieux est de solliciter votre banque personnelle. Vous devez leur demander de vous ouvrir un compte de consignation afin de bloquer le capital.

Un IBAN vous sera donné pour faire le virement, une fois le virement fait, la banque enverra une attestation de consignation qui prouve que l’argent est bien consigné. Attention : Le compte de consignation doit être ouvert au nom de la société. La raison sociale doit être la même que celle que vous avez choisi.

Foundation deed and regulations drawn up by a notary

The deed of incorporation and articles of association of the company are usually drawn up and validated by the notary, who will then send them to the commercial register. The company's articles of association are the principles and rules that the company must respect, which is why it must be well drafted.

Bylaws generally contain the following information:

  • Company name
  • Registered office and purpose of the company
  • Share capital
  • Company shares
  • Partners' rights and duties
  • Organisation de la société: Assemblée des associés, Gestion, Organe de révision
  • Preparation of accounts
  • Exit conditions for partners
  • Dissolution and liquidation
  • Communication and publications
  • Legal form

Foundation Meeting

The founding meeting is the first meeting of shareholders to decide on the creation of the company.

Entry in the Commercial Register

A letter of requisition must be sent to the registre du commerce with the proposed formation. It is only once the company has been entered in the commercial register that it acquires legal personality.

Release of share capital

Once the company is registered, you can go back to the bank where you deposited the money to ask them to convert your consignment account into a business current account.

If the internet publication on the zefix is not yet available, you can request the release by presenting a stamped extract from the commercial register.

Share certificate and share register

The company must keep a share register showing :

Every shareholder has the right to inspect the share register.

Registration with the compensation fund

Every company is required to register with a compensation fund, even if it does not employ any staff. Checks are carried out periodically.

VAT liability

Depending on the business and sales volumes, this may be worth considering, as investments are generally made at the start of the business and VAT could be reclaimed on these expenses.

How much capital is needed to set up a limited liability company (LTD)?

Le capital action minimum obligatoire de la société anonyme (SA) est de 100’000 CHF et la libération minimum doit être de CHF 50,000. Si le capital est plus important, la libération doit être d’au minimum 20% de celui-ci. Chaque action peut avoir une valeur nominale d’au minimum 0.01 centime.

What costs are involved in setting up a limited liability company (LTD)?

The capital you contribute is not the only cost you need to consider when setting up a company:

Conditions and documents required to set up a limited liability company?

There is only one condition for creating a limited company in Switzerland and that one of the administrators must be domiciled in Switzerland to represent the company. Once this condition has been met, the following documents must be produced:

Advantages of a limited liability company (LTD)

The main advantages of a limited liability company are :

Disadvantages of a limited liability company (LTD)

The main disadvantages of a limited liability company are :

Taxation of limited liability company (LTD)

Puisque la société est enregistrée dans le but de développer des activités commerciales, elle devient un sujet fiscal à part entière. Le principal impôt applicable à une entité commerciale en Suisse est l’tax sur les bénéfices, qui est prélevé selon un système à trois niveaux : fédéral, cantonal et communal.

At federal level, the basic tax is 8.5%, calculated on the basis of the company's net annual profits. To this tax must be added the two other levels: cantonal and communal, which vary according to the location of the company.

La société est également responsable du paiement de l’impôt sur le capital et de la taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA). Les entités qui possèdent des biens immobiliers en Suisse sont également soumises aux droits de mutation et à l’impôt sur les gains immobiliers. D’autres impôts et taxes sont également à prendre en compte notamment : Droit de timbres, impôt anticipé.

Tax Advice

Nos spécialistes en comptabilité et fiscalité suisse vous accompagnent dans tous vos besoins en matière de gestion d’entreprise : comptabilité, fiscalité, déclaration d’impôts, TVA, etc. Vous songez à vous lancer mais vous vous posez d’autres questions ?

Make an appointment avec l’un de nos spécialistes brevetés (15 min d’entretien totalement gratuits).

FAQ - Limited Liability Company

The main advantages are the separation of private and commercial assets, limited shareholder liability, the negotiability of shares, the possibility of regulating commercial restrictions, a high level of good repute and the anonymity of the holder's legal status.

People who make decisions or who can influence those decisions considerably.

A limited liability company can be founded with a minimum of 1 shareholder.

The minimum capital requirement is CHF 100,000. CHF 50,000 must be paid in at the time of formation, the remainder can be paid in at a later date.

In the event of bankruptcy, the shareholders of a limited liability company lose their share capital.

This is done by transferring shares.

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