Opening a Capital Deposit Account in Switzerland: 2026 & How to Speed Up Your Swiss Company Formation

Feb 03, 2026

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When you engage in company formation in Switzerland, one of the earliest and most critical steps is forming the capital deposit account. Whether you are opting for traditional Swiss company incorporation or choosing to buy a Swiss shelf company from the start, founders must understand how the capital deposit process works—and how it can affect your timeline, cost, and operational mobility.

What Is a Capital Deposit Account?

For a Swiss GmbH (SARL/Limited Liability Company) or an AG (SA/Stock Corporation), the law requires the share capital to be deposited in a temporary bank account before registration.

This "capital deposit account" holds the funds until registration is complete. Once the company is entered into the Swiss Commercial Register, the funds are released and transferred into the operating corporate account.

Specifically:

• For a GmbH: minimum share capital CHF 20,000 (fully paid-in)
• For an AG: minimum share capital CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid-in.

Why the Capital Deposit Step Matters for Swiss Company Setup

The requirement to deposit and block share capital is a major part of the Swiss company setup process. It affects both:

• The timeline for your Swiss company registration
• The liquidity of your funds during incorporation

Opening the capital deposit account, waiting for the bank confirmation, and then proceeding with registration can cause delays.

For founders who need speed, this becomes a potential bottleneck.

Capital Deposit Account Opening: Key Requirements and Practical Considerations

If you take the traditional route of a company registration in Switzerland, the following remain essential:

• The account must be opened at a Swiss bank, with full documentation including shareholder identity, source of funds, business plan, and signature authority.
• The bank issues a formal deposit confirmation or certificate—this must be submitted to the Commercial Register during incorporation.
• The funds remain blocked until registration is complete—once you are registered, they are transferred to your operating business account that must be opened for a newly formed Swiss company before asking for the funds release.
• Costs: many banks charge a fee for setting up the deposit account; fees vary depending on the bank and the amount deposited. Normally, the bank fee for this service varies between 150 CHF – 1'000 CHF.

How ReadyCorp Switzerland Offers an Alternative Route

At ReadyCorp Switzerland, we provide an accelerated alternative through the option to buy a Swiss ready-made company (pre-incorporated or pre-registered Swiss company for sale).

The benefit? The share capital has already been deposited, the company is registered, and you can skip the deposit-block stage entirely.

In effect:

• You avoid the need to open a dedicated capital deposit account in a Swiss bank
• You don't have to freeze CHF 20,000 or CHF 100,000 in a blocked account during registration
• You gain immediate access to your corporate entity once ownership is transferred

This makes our solution ideal for founders who want to open a company in Switzerland online and begin trading or contracting promptly.

Traditional Incorporation vs Ready-Made Company: What Changes?

In terms of the administration of your company in Switzerland, both routes lead to identical obligations: you must ensure keeping your entity in good standing at the Corporate Registry, maintain accounting, appoint directors, and open a corporate business account for the operations.

The difference lies in speed and the capital deposit step.

With a ready-made company from ReadyCorp Switzerland, you bypass the need to deposit capital at the time of registration. The company is already capitalised and registered. Thus, you can focus immediately on operations rather than administrative waiting.

Final Thoughts for Founders in 2026

As you plan your Swiss venture in 2026, make sure you understand the significance of the capital deposit account and how it affects your timeline, cash flow, and Swiss company set-up strategy.

Whether you proceed through traditional company formation in Switzerland or opt to buy a Swiss shelf company through ReadyCorp Switzerland, the key to smooth incorporation is clarity, preparation, and choosing the option that aligns with your urgency, liquidity, and business context.