What is the minimum capital to open a sole proprietorship in Switzerland?

The sole proprietorship has no federal minimum capital requirement. You can start with the resources you own. However, it is prudent to have a liquidity reserve for initial operating expenses. If you choose a Srl (limited liability), the minimum capital required is CHF 20,000. For a public limited company (SA), it is CHF 100,000.

How much do the registration fees cost?

Registration fees vary by canton and legal form. In Canton Schaffhausen, as in the other Swiss cantons, each administration has its own tariff. There is no one-size-fits-all federal fee. Contact the commercial register office of your canton for the exact quote. Typically, a sole proprietorship costs less than an Srl or SA.

Do I need to register with AVS and LAMal immediately after registering?

AVS: Yes, registration is mandatory as soon as you start the activity as a freelancer. If you do not already have an AVS number, the commercial register will inform you. LAMal: within 3 months from the start of the activity. It is not immediate, but the term is short and exhaustive. Pay AVS/AI contributions starting from the first day of activity; LAMal has a tolerance of 3 months.

If I have employees, what insurance do I need to take out as an employer?

Employer = pay for each employee: AVS 5.3%, AI 5.3%, AD (unemployment) 1.1% up to the maximum, LAA/LAINF 0.7–1.5% depending on sector. If the annual coordinated salary exceeds the threshold (approximately CHF 22,050 in 2026, indexed every year), enroll in a pension fund (LPP) with a rate of 7–18% according to employee age. LAMal is also mandatory for employees, within 3 months.

What documents do I need to register with the commercial registry?

Typically: identity document, authorized signature (or company stamp if company), registered office address, AVS number or declaration of not possessing AVS number (the register assigns), description of activity. If company: signed notarial deed of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder data. Each canton can request specific attachments — check the official form of your canton.

Starting a business in Switzerland: forms and registration fees (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 24 August 2026

Office desk with business registration documents and forms for starting an enterprise in Switzerland.

Sole proprietorship, Srl, SA: which form to choose? Discover the steps for registration in the trade register, the minimum capital required and the obligations towards AVS and LAMal.

Context

In a nutshell

Registration in the trade register is mandatory before the start of the activity
Sole proprietorship, Srl and SA are the most common forms in Switzerland
Compulsory AVS/AI and LAMal contributions within 3 months of the start of activity

Key facts

What: Registration in the cantonal trade register
Where: At the administrative office of the canton of headquarters (e.g. Canton Schaffhausen)
Who: Self-employed, entrepreneurs, companies
When: Before starting the activity
Amount: Cantonal taxes variable by legal form
AVS/AI: Autonomous contribution 5.3% (total 10.6% with employer if with employees)
LAMal: Mandatory within 3 months from the start of activity

Starting a business in Switzerland requires a sequence of binding administrative steps. The first is the choice of legal form, which determines the minimum capital, personal liability, tax burden and obligations towards social security funds. The most popular options are sole proprietorship (no minimum capital, unlimited liability), partnership, LLC (limited liability with minimum capital CHF 20,000), and joint stock company (minimum capital CHF 100,000).

The trade register: a mandatory first step

Registration in the commercial register is mandatory in all Swiss cantons before the start of business. In the canton of Schaffhausen, as in the other cantons, the registry office receives applications for registration and certifies the data

Operational details

Insurance and Tax Obligations for Starting a Business

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

How to proceed: step-by-step practical guide

The procedure for opening a business in Switzerland follows a logical and administrative order.

Step 1: Choose the legal form. As a sole proprietor, the simplest form is a one-person company; if there are multiple shareholders or you want to limit liability, consider an SRL or SA. Consult a tax consultant or notary to choose the best option for your business model.

Step 2: Prepare documentation. You will need an identity document, AVS number (if you don't have one yet), address of the business's registered office, and a signed authorization. If you are setting up a company, also prepare the founding document and the statute.

Step 3: Register with the commercial register. Contact the competent office of your canton (in the case of Schaffhausen, the cantonal commercial register office). Fill out the registration form (also known as the standard form), attach the required documents, and pay the registration fee. The processing time is usually 3-10 working days.

Step 4: Register with AVS. Once registered in the commercial register, obtain an AVS number if you don't have one. Inform the AVS office of your canton (or through the commercial register itself, which has integrated procedures) of the start of your business.

Step 5: Health insurance (LAMal). Within three months of starting, sign up with a health insurance fund. It's not mandatory to join the same fund as your family members - you can choose freely. Compare premiums among the registered funds in your canton using online comparators.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum capital to open a sole proprietorship in Switzerland?: The sole proprietorship has no federal minimum capital requirement. You can start with the resources you own. However, it is prudent to have a liquidity reserve for initial operating expenses. If you choose a Srl (limited liability), the minimum capital required is CHF 20,000. For a public limited company (SA), it is CHF 100,000.
How much do the registration fees cost?: Registration fees vary by canton and legal form. In Canton Schaffhausen, as in the other Swiss cantons, each administration has its own tariff. There is no one-size-fits-all federal fee. Contact the commercial register office of your canton for the exact quote. Typically, a sole proprietorship costs less than an Srl or SA.
Do I need to register with AVS and LAMal immediately after registering?: AVS: Yes, registration is mandatory as soon as you start the activity as a freelancer. If you do not already have an AVS number, the commercial register will inform you. LAMal: within 3 months from the start of the activity. It is not immediate, but the term is short and exhaustive. Pay AVS/AI contributions starting from the first day of activity; LAMal has a tolerance of 3 months.
If I have employees, what insurance do I need to take out as an employer?: Employer = pay for each employee: AVS 5.3%, AI 5.3%, AD (unemployment) 1.1% up to the maximum, LAA/LAINF 0.7–1.5% depending on sector. If the annual coordinated salary exceeds the threshold (approximately CHF 22,050 in 2026, indexed every year), enroll in a pension fund (LPP) with a rate of 7–18% according to employee age. LAMal is also mandatory for employees, within 3 months.
What documents do I need to register with the commercial registry?: Typically: identity document, authorized signature (or company stamp if company), registered office address, AVS number or declaration of not possessing AVS number (the register assigns), description of activity. If company: signed notarial deed of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder data. Each canton can request specific attachments — check the official form of your canton.