NewsCase StudiesEvents

Establish own business in Switzerland as a foreigner

Also in the news...

Paul Beare Wins IR Global Member Of The Year

Paul Beare has been named Member of the Year at this year’s IR Global Conference in Amsterdam.

The Biggest Problem With Running A UK Payroll

We explore the biggest problem with running a UK payroll, together with the required functions of payroll calculations and net salary.

Taking It For Granted: How The UK Government Helps Growing Firms

In the UK, a number of government agencies offer a range of grants to help smaller firms to grow and prosper. The grants are typically designed to support innovation, encourage job creation, and underpin growth. In the last few years, a number of new initiatives have emerged, including grants aimed at boosting green technology and digital transformation.

Start-ups Wasting Over 2 Weeks And £37 Billion A Year On Admin

UK start-ups and microbusinesses are wasting over two working weeks every year on admin tasks, including managing mobile phone contracts, choosing energy providers, and buying insurance – according to new research.

The Costs For International Businesses Employing In The UK

In an ever-globalising business landscape, expanding operations to the United Kingdom can be a strategic move for international companies seeking new opportunities.

Establish own business in Switzerland as a foreigner

Back to News

Foreigners are generally not disallowed from founding a company in Switzerland. However, a distinction is made between persons from EU/EFTA-states and citizens of third countries.

Persons from EU/EFTA countries

Citizens of EU/EFTA countries (currently still excluding Romania and Bulgaria) are allowed to make themselves self-employed in Switzerland. According to the free movement of persons agreement, persons who do not have a residence permit (C-permit) are also allowed to found a company—the five-year residence permit (B-permit) is sufficient. To register in Switzerland, the planned business activities have to be declared and proven. Documents to provide this proof can be—among others—the following: commercial register entry, VAT-number, business plan, professional register entry, proof of social insurance as a self-employed person, and books of account. Further information is provided by the cantonal migration offices.

Persons from third countries

Persons from non-EU/EFTA states wishing to be self-employed in Switzerland have to live up to standards of labour law. Only C-permit holders or people married to such or Swiss citizens have a legal right to be self-employed in Switzerland. All other persons have to request a permission from the respective administration. Furthermore, these persons have to convince the authorities that the planned company will have a “sustainable positive effect on the Swiss economy.” It is preferable to hand in a fully worked-out business plan. If the request is granted by the administration, the applicant receives a short-term permit for citizens of third-party states (L-permit).

In general, this permit is limited to twelve months and may only be extended for another twelve months. A new labour law examination is conducted by the administration each time the permit is extended.


You are not logged in!

Please login or register to ask our experts a question.

Login now or register.