Switzerland
Board of Directors Requirements in Switzerland: Residency Rules, Liability, and Corporate Governance
The board of directors (Verwaltungsrat) is the central governance organ of a Swiss AG. Swiss law imposes specific composition requirements, fiduciary duties, and personal liability rules that every founder, investor, and board candidate must understand before accepting a board seat in a Zug company.
Corporate Banking in Switzerland: Opening a Business Account, Payment Infrastructure, and SIC/euroSIC
Opening a Swiss corporate bank account is one of the most underestimated challenges for companies entering Zug. The process involves rigorous KYC due diligence, FINMA-mandated compliance procedures, and — for crypto and blockchain companies — a significantly higher bar of scrutiny than traditional businesses face.
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.
Intellectual Property Protection in Switzerland: Patents, Trademarks, and the Patent Box Regime
Switzerland's intellectual property regime offers world-class protection for inventions and brands, combined with one of the most competitive tax treatments of IP income in Europe. The patent box regime introduced under STAF 2020 and the R&D super deduction together create a powerful incentive framework for innovation-driven companies in Zug.
Swiss Accounting Standards: OR, Swiss GAAP FER, and IFRS — Which Framework for Your Company?
Every Swiss company must prepare financial statements. The question is which framework — the minimum statutory requirements of the Code of Obligations, the true and fair view of Swiss GAAP FER, or the global standard of IFRS. The answer depends on your company's size, investor base, regulatory status, and strategic ambitions.
Swiss Data Protection Law (nDSG): The 2023 Overhaul and What It Means for Businesses in Zug
On 1 September 2023, Switzerland's completely revised Federal Act on Data Protection (nDSG) entered into force, replacing the 1992 original. The new law aligns Swiss data protection with GDPR standards while maintaining distinctly Swiss features — including personal criminal liability for compliance officers. Every company operating in Zug must understand its requirements.
Swiss Insolvency and Restructuring: Nachlassverfahren, Bankruptcy, and the Options for Distressed Companies
When a Swiss company enters financial distress, the legal framework is unforgiving in its demands on directors and precise in its procedural options. The Swiss Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (SchKG) provides a structured path through crisis — but the window for action is narrow, and the personal liability exposure for directors is severe.
Swiss Social Security Contributions: AHV, IV, ALV, and the True Cost of Employment in Switzerland
The headline salary you negotiate with a Swiss employee is only the beginning. Swiss social security contributions — spanning old-age insurance, disability, unemployment, occupational pensions, accident insurance, and daily sickness benefits — add between 15% and 25% to the true employer cost. Understanding each pillar is essential for accurate budget planning.
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.
Banking for Crypto Companies in Zug: Sygnum, AMINA, and the Swiss Banking Landscape
For all of Zug’s advantages as a blockchain business jurisdiction — low taxes, fast company formation, a deep specialist ecosystem — the banking situation …
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 …
Office Space in Zug: CV Labs, Serviced Offices, and Commercial Real Estate for Blockchain Companies
Zug is a small city — 30,000 residents, a compact lakeside centre, and a commercial real estate market that bears no resemblance to the scale of Zurich, Geneva, …
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 …
Work Permits and Hiring in Zug: The Complete Guide for Blockchain Companies
Switzerland’s talent market for blockchain and digital asset companies operates within one of the world’s most structured immigration frameworks. …
Zug Startup Ecosystem: Strengths, Weaknesses, and What Founders Need to Know
Crypto Valley’s reputation precedes itself. The Ethereum Foundation chose Zug. The Web3 Foundation chose Zug. Cardano Foundation, Algorand Foundation, …