Setting up a sole proprietorship in the canton of Zurich
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Canton Zurich: the path to your own business.
Setting up a sole proprietorship in the canton of Zurich
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Zurich has many advantages due to the dynamic economy and high quality of life. Zurich, the economic center of Switzerland, offers a wide range of potential clients and business partners. The city has excellent infrastructure and a well-developed transportation network. Registering a sole proprietorship with the Zurich Commercial Registry is a simple process. It is essential to pay attention to local regulations, especially regarding business licensing and tax obligations. The University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) offer valuable networking opportunities to develop innovative business models. In addition, the many co-working spaces in the city are a significant advantage for start-ups.
Set up a sole proprietorship in Canton Zurich: here's how to do it!
Calculate a non-binding offer
Enter your start-up project conveniently online and benefit from cost sharing from our partners. In just a few steps you can compose your customized start-up package.
Enter the data of the sole proprietorship
After calculating the non-binding offer, enter your company details. At this point you can order the incorporation of the company.
Get in touch
Our attorneys will contact you within the specified time (often less than 24 hours). You will receive all incorporation documents, discuss any uncertainties, and schedule a personal consultation.
Check the documents
You can consult, print and sign all the constituent documents at your convenience at home.
Authenticate the signature
At this point you must obtain official certification of the signature (e.g., from the local authority). This confirms that the signature is indeed yours.
Entry in the commercial register
We submit all incorporation documents to the commercial register and ensure that your company is successfully registered in the commercial register. In the case of corporations, the paid-up capital is transferred to a business account after publication and is available to your company.
Celebrate
Congratulations on the successful founding of your company. Your company is now active and can operate.
The sole proprietorship in Switzerland
We believe that personalized advice is the key to best understanding our clients' individual needs and challenges and offering tailored solutions.
Setting up a sole proprietorship: advantages
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Zurich offers a dynamic environment with a robust economy, excellent infrastructure, and access to a large network of clients and partners. Proximity to institutions such as ETH and the University of Zurich fosters innovation and networking, while numerous co-working spaces support start-ups.
Setting up a sole proprietorship: disadvantages
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Zurich comes with disadvantages such as the high cost of living and rent, which can weigh heavily on new businesses. Competition is high, especially in the financial and service sectors, making it difficult to emerge. Local regulations and taxes can be complex and require expensive expert advice. In addition, the need for good networking and marketing can increase initial costs, hampering small businesses with limited budgets.
What should I consider if I want to set up a sole proprietorship in Canton Zurich?
The family name must appear in the company name: for example, Müller Malerbetrieb or Keller Montagen, but the company name must not be misleading or descriptive. Company names such as Rudolf Stahlhandel AG are therefore not allowed if the company does not trade in steel.
Business registration is generally optional up to a turnover of 100,000 Swiss francs. However, entry in the commercial register is recommended in any case. The excerpt from the commercial register is always very useful: for example, for opening a bank account, for opening a P.O. box or a safe deposit box, in international trade, for one's telephone connection, and much more.
The following points must be observed when collecting retirement benefits: You must be able to credibly prove to the relevant compensation office that you will be self-employed. To do this, you must fill out the attached AVS form and attach appropriate evidence, such as three offers to potential clients, three invoices already issued to clients and a business plan for your project.
To apply to the pension fund, a neat file with all forms and documents should be prepared. If possible, it is advisable to make an appointment with the relevant authority and bring the file in person or appear in person at the compensation fund. Experience shows that in this way the authorities have more confidence in your project and your application has a better chance of success.
Useful information about the sole proprietorship
Setting up a sole proprietorship in Switzerland is a relatively simple and straightforward process that is ideal for small entrepreneurs and freelancers. No minimum initial capital is required, but the owner must be a resident of Switzerland. The firm must be registered with the Commercial Registry if the expected annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000; otherwise, registration is optional but recommended to increase credibility. It is essential to choose a name that includes the owner's last name. Liability is unlimited, so the owner is liable with his personal assets for the debts of the firm. Accounting can be kept in a simplified manner, but it is still necessary to keep records of income and expenses. From a tax point of view, the firm's income is taxed as the owner's personal income. In addition, it is compulsory to register with social insurance and pay contributions for OASI (Old Age and Survivors Insurance). Switzerland offers a favorable entrepreneurial environment with numerous support programs for small businesses and start-ups.