What are the main legal forms for opening a business in Switzerland?

The main forms are: (1) Sole proprietorship (DI), unlimited liability, simple administration, no minimum capital; (2) Joint stock company (SA), limited liability, complex governance, suitable for large structures; (3) Limited liability company (SARL/ARRL), hybrid between the two. The choice depends on the volume of business, number of shareholders, protection of personal assets and desired management complexity. For small businesses, DI is efficient; for growth or multi-society, SA or SARL are preferable.

How does registration with the commercial register in the canton of Solothurn work?

Registration takes place at the cantonal office of the trade register or the delegated municipal counter. The applicant completes the form, attaches identity, deed of incorporation and proof of registered office. Timing: 1-2 weeks. Once approved, the Federal Administration assigns the UID (national business identification) number. Registration is mandatory for SA, SARL and SNC; optional for below certain turnover thresholds.

What social security obligations arise when starting a business?

The AVS (Old Age and Survivors Insurance) is mandatory for self-employed persons, paid to the UFAS/BSV. If the annual income exceeds a threshold, the pension fund obligation (LPP/BVG) is triggered. LAMal (health insurance) is mandatory within 3 months for each resident, to be taken out with a private insurer (no payroll tax). If employees, SUVA is mandatory. All payments are coordinated with the cantonal administration.

How long does it take to open a business in Switzerland from the decision to the first turnover?

Theoretically 4-6 weeks: 1-2 weeks for choice of legal form and document preparation, 1-2 for trade registration and UID assignment, 1-2 for bank account opening and social security registrations (AVS, LAMal, possibly LPP, SUVA). The sole proprietorship is faster; SA and SARL require a notary and more bureaucracy. A tax advisor significantly accelerates the process.

Where to check the registration fees and the specific requirements of the canton of Solothurn?

The canton of Solothurn publishes tariffs and requirements on the site of the cantonal administration, at the trade register office. The Federal Administration of Customs and Taxes (AFC/ESTV) provides national guides on taxes, VAT and UID. Local tax consultants and understated chambers of commerce have up-to-date rates and personalised support.

Opening a canton business Slab: register guide and costs (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 6 September 2026

Swiss commerce registry office with modern reception counter and contemporary architectural design

How to start a business in the canton of Solothurn: legal forms, business registration, cantonal taxation and compulsory social security (AVS, LPP, LAMal).

Context

In a nutshell

The main legal forms are sole proprietorship, public limited company and SARL
Registration in the commercial register is mandatory for SA, SARL and SNC
Taxation operates on 3 levels: federal, cantonal and municipal
Social security (AVS, LPP, LAMal) and SUVA are mandatory at start-up

Key facts

What: Start a business by choosing a legal form and registering with the trade register
Where: Canton Solothurn, at the cantonal office of the commercial register
Who: Individual entrepreneurs, commercial companies (SA, SARL, SNC)
Main legal forms: Sole proprietorship (DI), Public limited company (SA), Limited liability company (SARL)
Tax levels: Direct Federal Tax (DFI), cantonal tax, municipal tax
Social security obligations: AVS, LPP if income exceeds threshold, LAMal within 3 months, SUVA if employees

Opening a business in the canton of Solothurn requires a conscious choice of legal form, registration in the federal trade register, payment of social security contributions and affiliation to compulsory social insurance. Switzerland applies a tax system divided into 3 levels — federal, cantonal and municipal — and social security integrates Old Age and Survivors Insurance (AVS/AHV), Pension Fund (LPP/BVG) and Health Insurance (LAMal/KVG) as mandatory pillars managed at federal and cantonal level.

Legal forms: which one to choose

The legal forms

Operational details

Registration in the commercial register: process and timeline

Registration in the commercial register is the first concrete step after choosing the legal form. In the canton of Solothurn, as in all cantons, the process takes place at the cantonal commercial register office or through a decentralized municipal office. The applicant completes the registration form (available in paper or digital format), attaches the required documents — articles of association (for SA/SARL), identity of the owner or legal representative, proof of address of the registered office — and submits it to the competent authority.

The timeline is generally quick: 1-2 weeks from the submission of a correct and complete application. Once approved, the Federal Customs and Tax Administration (AFC/ESTV) receives the data and assigns the UID number, valid nationwide. This number is essential for all subsequent obligations. Registration is mandatory for SA, SARL, and SNC; for sole proprietorship, it is optional if the annual turnover does not exceed a certain threshold determined by federal law.

Taxation: federal, cantonal, and municipal

Switzerland applies a three-tier tax system. The federal direct tax (IFD) is managed by AFC/ESTV and affects business income and profits according to federal progressive rates. Each canton of Solothurn adds a cantonal tax on business income with its own rates. Finally, the municipalities of the canton apply an additional local tax, often determined as a multiplier of the cantonal tax, which varies from municipality to municipality.

…

Key points

Social security and insurance obligations

Social security is one of the pillars of Switzerland. Each activity must comply with the obligations of the first pillar (AVS/AHV), managed by the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV), which covers old-age, disability and survivors' pensions. An individual entrepreneur pays a contribution calculated on a percentage of the coordinated income. If the business generates income above a certain threshold, indexed every year, the obligation of affiliation to the second pillar (LPP/BVG), mandatory pension fund, is triggered.

Health insurance (LAMal/KVG) is private — not a wage tax, but a contract signed with a cantonal or national insurer. The law requires registration within 3 months of the start of business for every resident in Switzerland. The SUVA (Central Compensation Office for Accident Insurance) is mandatory if the employer employs employees. The employer pays a premium calculated on the basis of salary and sector risk. If the entrepreneur only carries out self-employed activities without employees, SUVA may be optional.

Operating procedure: from the project to the first turnover

1. Choose the legal form — sole proprietorship, SA or SARL based on volume, shareholders and expected growth 2. Register with the commercial register — at the cantonal office of Solettese or at the delegated municipal counter 3. Open company bank account — required with number

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main legal forms for opening a business in Switzerland?: The main forms are: (1) Sole proprietorship (DI), unlimited liability, simple administration, no minimum capital; (2) Joint stock company (SA), limited liability, complex governance, suitable for large structures; (3) Limited liability company (SARL/ARRL), hybrid between the two. The choice depends on the volume of business, number of shareholders, protection of personal assets and desired management complexity. For small businesses, DI is efficient; for growth or multi-society, SA or SARL are p
How does registration with the commercial register in the canton of Solothurn work?: Registration takes place at the cantonal office of the trade register or the delegated municipal counter. The applicant completes the form, attaches identity, deed of incorporation and proof of registered office. Timing: 1-2 weeks. Once approved, the Federal Administration assigns the UID (national business identification) number. Registration is mandatory for SA, SARL and SNC; optional for below certain turnover thresholds.
What social security obligations arise when starting a business?: The AVS (Old Age and Survivors Insurance) is mandatory for self-employed persons, paid to the UFAS/BSV. If the annual income exceeds a threshold, the pension fund obligation (LPP/BVG) is triggered. LAMal (health insurance) is mandatory within 3 months for each resident, to be taken out with a private insurer (no payroll tax). If employees, SUVA is mandatory. All payments are coordinated with the cantonal administration.
How long does it take to open a business in Switzerland from the decision to the first turnover?: Theoretically 4-6 weeks: 1-2 weeks for choice of legal form and document preparation, 1-2 for trade registration and UID assignment, 1-2 for bank account opening and social security registrations (AVS, LAMal, possibly LPP, SUVA). The sole proprietorship is faster; SA and SARL require a notary and more bureaucracy. A tax advisor significantly accelerates the process.
Where to check the registration fees and the specific requirements of the canton of Solothurn?: The canton of Solothurn publishes tariffs and requirements on the site of the cantonal administration, at the trade register office. The Federal Administration of Customs and Taxes (AFC/ESTV) provides national guides on taxes, VAT and UID. Local tax consultants and understated chambers of commerce have up-to-date rates and personalised support.