Company Formation
Company formation in Zug, Switzerland — AG, GmbH, Stiftung, and Verein: legal structures, incorporation process, costs, and timelines for blockchain and tech companies.
Zug offers Switzerland’s fastest and most business-friendly company formation environment. An AG (Aktiengesellschaft) or GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung) can be registered in as little as one to two weeks from notarial founding act to commercial register entry. This section covers the legal structures available to founders establishing in Crypto Valley, the step-by-step incorporation process, and the practical decisions that determine which structure is right for your business.
The choice between an AG and a GmbH is not merely a question of minimum share capital — CHF 100,000 for an AG versus CHF 20,000 for a GmbH — but involves considerations of governance flexibility, shareholder privacy, equity incentive structuring, and credibility with institutional counterparties. For non-profit or foundation-based models, the Stiftung and Verein offer distinct advantages, particularly for protocol governance and ecosystem development structures that are common in the blockchain sector.
Our formation coverage addresses each stage of the process: selecting the appropriate legal form, drafting articles of association, appointing the required board and audit structures, completing the notarial founding act, depositing share capital, and filing with the Handelsregisteramt. We also cover the practical requirements that founders from common-law jurisdictions frequently underestimate — the obligation to appoint a Swiss-resident director, the role of the Revisionsstelle, and the documentation requirements for beneficial ownership disclosure. Each guide reflects current Swiss federal law and Canton Zug practice as verified against primary regulatory sources.
Buying a Shelf Company in Switzerland: Guide
A shelf company (Mantelgesellschaft / société dormante) is a pre-incorporated entity that has been formed but has never conducted any business activity. It sits …
How to Dissolve a Swiss Company: Process and Requirements
Dissolving a Swiss company is a structured legal process that requires careful planning and compliance with statutory procedures. Whether driven by commercial …
How to Start a Startup in Switzerland: Complete Guide
Switzerland has emerged as one of Europe’s most compelling jurisdictions for startup formation. The combination of political stability, a highly skilled …
Sole Proprietorship in Switzerland: Registration Guide
The sole proprietorship (Einzelunternehmen / entreprise individuelle) is the simplest and most common business structure in Switzerland. It requires no minimum …
Swiss Articles of Association: Template and Requirements
The articles of association (Statuten / statuts / statuti) are the constitutional document of a Swiss company. They define the company’s purpose, …
Swiss Company Name Rules and Registration Requirements
Selecting a company name in Switzerland is not merely a branding exercise — it is a legal act subject to specific rules enforced by the cantonal commercial …
Swiss Limited Partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft): Guide
The Swiss limited partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft, or KG) occupies a distinctive niche in Swiss corporate law. While the AG and GmbH dominate the landscape …
Swiss Nominee Director Rules and Requirements
The use of nominee directors is a common practice for foreign entrepreneurs establishing Swiss companies. Swiss corporate law imposes a residency requirement …
Swiss Notary Requirements for Company Formation
Notarisation is a mandatory step in the formation of Swiss corporations and plays a recurring role throughout a company’s life. The Swiss notary serves as …
Swiss Share Capital Requirements: AG and GmbH
Share capital requirements are among the most consequential decisions in Swiss company formation. The amount and structure of a company’s capital affect …
Establishing a Swiss Branch Office: Legal Requirements, Taxation, and Practical Considerations
A branch office (Zweigniederlassung) allows foreign companies to operate in Switzerland without incorporating a separate legal entity. But the tax, liability, and regulatory implications of choosing a branch over a subsidiary are more complex than most founders anticipate.
Setting Up a Swiss Foundation (Stiftung): The Legal Architecture Behind Crypto Valley's Favourite Structure
The Swiss foundation (Stiftung) is the legal structure that anchored Crypto Valley's identity. From the Ethereum Foundation to the Cardano Foundation, the Stiftung provides the mission-locked, non-profit governance vehicle that blockchain protocols require. Understanding its legal architecture is essential for any project considering this path.
Setting Up a Swiss Holding Company in Zug: Structure, Tax Benefits, and Step-by-Step Process
A Swiss holding company in Zug is not a separate legal entity — it is an AG with a specific purpose clause, specific ownership structure, and a tax treatment that makes it one of the most efficient holding vehicles in Europe. Understanding the mechanics separates companies that realise the full benefit from those that inadvertently undermine it.
The Swiss Association (Verein): Why Tech Companies Use Art. 60 ZGB for DAOs and Open-Source Projects
The Swiss association (Verein) is the most flexible and accessible legal form in Swiss law — no minimum capital, no notarial deed, no commercial register requirement in most cases. This radical simplicity has made it the legal wrapper of choice for DAOs, open-source communities, and industry bodies in Crypto Valley.
How to Incorporate in Zug: Step-by-Step Company Formation Guide
Incorporating in Zug is one of the most straightforward company formation processes among high-quality jurisdictions. A well-prepared AG or GmbH can move from …
Swiss AG vs GmbH: Choosing the Right Company Structure for Zug
The first structural decision any founder makes in Zug is also one of the most consequential: AG or GmbH. Both are private limited liability vehicles under …