I N T O I N T O 
Jan 28, 2026
Choosing the right legal structure is one of the most important decisions when planning your Swiss company set up. Switzerland offers several corporate forms, each with its own capital requirements, governance rules, and strategic advantages. Understanding these differences is essential before beginning any company formation in Switzerland—whether through the traditional incorporation route or by choosing a faster alternative such as acquiring a pre-incorporated company, ready-made company, or Swiss shelf company for sale.
At ReadyCorp Switzerland, we help entrepreneurs select the right legal form and the right setup method. Our clients can either follow the standard incorporation pathway or buy a Swiss shelf company—a fully compliant, pre-registered entity already meeting Swiss formalities. Both lead to the same result, but the ready-made route allows you to launch your business significantly faster.
This guide outlines the key elements of each Swiss legal form and provides practical context so you can make a confident decision for your Switzerland company formation in 2026.
The AG is Switzerland's classic corporate structure, suitable for medium and large businesses, holding companies, and internationally oriented projects.
This makes the AG a more capital-intensive structure than the GmbH. Consequently, the price of a pre-incorporated AG is higher, reflecting the paid-in capital.
Because ReadyCorp's AGs come with fully paid-in capital, buyers avoid the time-consuming procedure of opening a capital deposit account, providing source-of-funds documentation, and having the funds blocked until registration is completed.
This is why entrepreneurs often choose to open a company in Switzerland online by purchasing a ReadyCorp AG: it bypasses weeks of administrative work while ensuring identical compliance to traditional incorporation.
The GmbH (SARL/Limited Liability Company) is the most popular structure for small and medium enterprises.
Because the capital requirement is much lower, a ready-made GmbH costs significantly less than an AG.
A 2–5-year-old pre-registered GmbH can cost around CHF 4,500, which is roughly equivalent to the cost of a standard new incorporation—but without waiting times, without opening a capital deposit account, and without locking up capital.
Acquiring a ReadyCorp GmbH is the fastest way to complete a Swiss company set up without blocking CHF 20,000 in a capital deposit account. Clients often choose this option for its cost efficiency and speed.
A sole proprietorship is simple, cost-effective, and designed primarily for freelancers or individuals operating independently.
Although it is easy to establish, many entrepreneurs eventually upgrade to a GmbH or AG to limit liability and project stability—especially when planning Switzerland company registration for long-term operations.
| Feature | AG | GmbH |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | CHF 100,000 (50,000 paid-in) | CHF 20,000 (100% paid-in) |
| Transfer of ownership | Easy | More formal |
| Public disclosure | Shareholders not public | Owners publicly listed |
| Best for | Medium–large firms, international business | SMEs, consultants |
ReadyCorp facilitates both Swiss company incorporation paths—traditional formation or the accelerated ready-made company option.
No matter whether you follow standard incorporation or choose a pre-registered company from ReadyCorp, Swiss compliance obligations are exactly the same. ReadyCorp ensures full compliance for both pathways.
Swiss companies must maintain a Swiss registered office. ReadyCorp provides a compliant address with mail forwarding.
Every Swiss AG or GmbH must appoint at least one representative legally resident in Switzerland. ReadyCorp arranges this role when required.
All Swiss companies—new or ready-made—must maintain accounting, submit annual returns, prepare tax filings, and comply with VAT regulations when applicable.
Companies must appear in the Official Swiss Commercial Register to gain legal status, whether incorporated traditionally or purchased as a ready-made entity.
After registration or acquisition, the company must open a Swiss corporate bank account. ReadyCorp coordinates the onboarding documentation.
This ensures that company registration in Switzerland remains fully compliant regardless of the formation pathway.
While traditional Switzerland company incorporation remains a robust option, ReadyCorp offers an alternative that eliminates delays and capital-deposit procedures:
This makes ReadyCorp's ready-made AGs, GmbHs, and pre-incorporated companies the fastest way to complete a Swiss company setup in 2026.
Selecting the appropriate legal form is the foundation of every successful company formation in Switzerland. The AG offers prestige and scalability, the GmbH provides flexibility and affordability, and the sole proprietorship gives individuals an easy entry point.
With ReadyCorp Switzerland, you can choose the formation method that suits your timeline:
Either way, ReadyCorp guarantees full compliance, transparent processes, and expert support throughout your Switzerland company registration journey.
ReadyCorp Switzerland — the fastest, smartest Swiss company formation solution.
Location: Business Center, Z.A. La Pièce 1 – A5
1180-Rolle, Switzerland 
Email: info@readycorp.ch 
Phone: +41 76 732 22 40 © ReadyCorp Switzerland Is Proudly Created By Lafayette Digital Studio