Swiss Business Glossary

AG (Aktiengesellschaft) is the Swiss joint-stock company requiring CHF 100,000 share capital, equivalent to PLC or SA. Requirements, governance and tax

AHV is Switzerland's mandatory old-age insurance. Employer and employee each contribute ~5.3% of gross salary. Definition and payroll obligations for Swiss

ALV is Switzerland's mandatory unemployment insurance. Employers and employees each contribute 1.1% of gross salary up to CHF 148,200. Swiss payroll

Switzerland's AML framework (GwG) requires KYC, beneficial ownership disclosure and suspicious activity reporting. Swiss company AML compliance obligations

Swiss articles of association (Statuten/Gesellschaftsvertrag) are constitutional documents filed with the commercial register at formation. What they contain

Swiss B permit is an annual renewable residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals working in Switzerland. When needed and impact on Swiss company ownership

Swiss banking licences are issued by FINMA for entities accepting public deposits. FinTech licences offer a lower-threshold alternative for fintech and crypto

Swiss companies must identify and record their beneficial owners (UBOs). AML and commercial register requirements explained for foreign-owned Swiss GmbH and AG.

The Beteiligungsabzug (participation deduction) makes qualifying dividend and capital gain income largely tax-free for Swiss holding companies. Conditions

Betreibung is the Swiss formal debt enforcement procedure under SchKG. How it works, what it means for Swiss companies, and how to respond to a Betreibung

BVG (LPP) is Switzerland's mandatory occupational pension scheme for employees earning above CHF 22,050. Employer and employee contributions explained for

The Swiss commercial register (Handelsregister) is the official record of all Swiss companies. What it contains, how to search it, and registration obligations

Swiss CSR obligations: large companies must publish ESG non-financial reports from 2023. Reporting requirements for Swiss GmbH and AG explained in detail.

The DBG governs Swiss federal corporate income tax at 8.5% of profit after tax. How it applies to Swiss GmbH and AG and combines with cantonal tax.

Doppelte Buchhaltung (double-entry bookkeeping) is required for all Swiss companies under OR Art. 957a. Definition, requirements and how Swiss Incorporated

Due diligence (KYC) is mandatory for Swiss company formation under AML law. What documents are required and how Swiss Incorporated's verification process works.

The Swiss Einzelfirma (sole proprietorship) is available to Swiss residents and permit holders. No minimum capital but unlimited personal liability. When it

ESTV is Switzerland's federal tax authority managing direct tax, withholding tax and VAT. Its role in Swiss company taxation and compliance obligations

FINMA regulates Swiss banks, insurance, securities and fintech. When authorisation is needed, what it covers, and impact on Swiss company formation in finance.

Swiss GmbH (LLC/Sàrl/Sagl): CHF 20,000 minimum capital, limited liability, ideal for foreign entrepreneurs. Full definition, requirements and formation process.

The Handelsregister is Switzerland's official cantonal commercial register. All Swiss GmbH and AG must be entered. What it records and how to search it.

IV (Invalidenversicherung) is Switzerland's mandatory disability insurance. Employer and employee each contribute 0.7% of salary. Swiss payroll obligations

A Juristische Person (legal entity) has independent legal personality in Swiss law, separate from its owners. Types, characteristics and how it applies to

KMU is the Swiss term for SMEs (under 250 employees). KMUs benefit from simplified accounting rules and audit exemptions. Swiss KMU definition and thresholds

Lex Friedrich (Lex Koller) restricts Swiss real estate purchases by foreigners. How it applies to foreign-owned Swiss companies and commercial property

Mantelhandel is the acquisition of a pre-registered Swiss shelf company. How it works, timeline, legal requirements and due diligence considerations explained.

Milchbüchleirechnung is simple cash-basis accounting for small Swiss entities under CHF 500,000 revenue. When it applies and its limitations for Swiss

Switzerland's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP/PAN). Reporting obligations for Swiss companies on human rights due diligence explained.

The OR (Swiss Code of Obligations) governs GmbH and AG formation, corporate governance and accounting. Key articles and obligations for foreign-owned Swiss

A Pensionskasse is a Swiss occupational pension fund under BVG. Mandatory for employees earning above CHF 22,050. Employer contribution obligations for Swiss

A permanent establishment (Betriebsstätte) in Switzerland creates tax liability for foreign companies. Definition, triggers and how to manage PE risk for

Quellensteuer is Swiss source tax on employee salaries for non-C-permit holders, and also the 35% dividend withholding tax. Rates, obligations and refund

The Revisionsstelle is the Swiss statutory auditor. Ordinary vs limited audit vs opting-out: which applies to your Swiss company and how audit obligations are

SA (Société Anonyme) is the French name for the Swiss AG joint-stock company. Same legal requirements — CHF 100,000 capital, board of directors, freely

Sàrl is the French name for the Swiss GmbH limited liability company. Requires CHF 20,000 minimum capital. Used in French-speaking cantons — legally identical

The SHAB is Switzerland's official commercial gazette where company registrations, director changes and dissolutions are published. How it works for Swiss

Share capital (Stammkapital/Aktienkapital) is the minimum investment for a Swiss company. CHF 20,000 for GmbH, CHF 100,000 for AG. Payment requirements and

SUVA provides mandatory Swiss accident insurance. BU (occupational) and NBU (non-occupational) coverage obligations and employer costs for Swiss companies.

Tax residency (Steuerdomizil) for Swiss companies is based on registered seat and effective management. How it determines your company's cantonal tax rate.

Transfer pricing rules in Switzerland require arm's length pricing between related companies. Swiss tax authority requirements and OECD compliance for Swiss

A Treuhänder is a Swiss fiduciary providing accounting, tax, company administration and domicile services. How Swiss Incorporated acts as your Swiss fiduciary.

The UID is Switzerland's unique company identifier (CHE-xxx.xxx.xxx) used for tax, VAT and official filings. When it's assigned and how it's used for your

UVG mandates Swiss employers to provide accident insurance for all employees. Occupational (BU) and non-occupational (NBU) coverage requirements and employer

Swiss VAT (MWST) rates: 8.1% standard, 3.8% accommodation, 2.6% reduced. Registration threshold CHF 100,000. Full VAT guide for foreign-owned Swiss companies.

A Swiss Verein (association) requires no minimum capital and is used for non-profit purposes. How it differs from a GmbH or AG, and when to use it.

Verrechnungssteuer is the 35% Swiss withholding tax on dividends. How it works, treaty refund procedures, and how it affects foreign shareholders of Swiss

WUST was Switzerland's pre-1995 wholesale turnover tax, replaced by the current VAT (MWST) system. Historical context for Swiss tax and accounting records.

XML-Meldungen are electronic XML filings submitted to Swiss tax authorities for VAT and salary declarations. How digital tax filing works for Swiss companies.

Swiss companies must prepare annual financial statements including balance sheet and P&L within 6 months of year-end. OR requirements and what Swiss

ZGB (Swiss Civil Code) governs property, family and foundation law in Switzerland. How it relates to OR (company law) and why it matters for Swiss companies.