Swiss Commercial Register: everything you need to know

Starting a company in Switzerland means dealing with several administrative processes and one of the most important is the Swiss Commercial Register.

The register isn't just relevant when you're incorporating a company; it can also be used to look up Swiss businesses, check official company information and identify where a business is registered.

For founders, understanding the Commercial Register means knowing when registration is required, how the process works and what needs to happen after to get your business operational.

What is the Swiss Commercial Register?

The Commercial Register is a public database containing official information about registered businesses and legal entities in Switzerland. It provides transparency around information including their legal form, ownership and governance.  

The system is administered by the cantons, while the Confederation provides oversight and maintains a central register. This means a Geneva-based company is registered with the relevant Geneva authority, while a company based in Vaud falls under the appropriate Vaud register.  

Central information can then be searched through Zefix, the federal Central Business Name Index.

Registration requirements depend on the legal form of the business. GmbH/Sàrl and AG/SA companies must be registered, while different rules apply to sole proprietorships.

How to search the Swiss Commercial Register

For a straightforward company search, start with Zefix. Zefix is maintained by the Federal Commercial Registry Office and is updated daily. Individual searches are available free of charge.  

Search the official Zefix register

You can search for a company and establish where it’s registered. If you need additional official documentation, you can then use the relevant cantonal Commercial Register.

Zefix is particularly useful for founders who are just starting out. You can use the register when researching whether your planned company name could conflict with an existing registered name, an important step to consider before setting up a business.

Can I search the Swiss Commercial Register for free?

Yes. Individual searches through Zefix are free.

You don’t need to pay a private business-directory service if you’re only checking whether a company appears in the Commercial Register or not. That means, it’s a particularly useful tool for:

• researching a proposed company name;

• checking a potential supplier or business partner;

• confirming where a company is registered; or

• checking publicly available company information.

Ordering certain official or certified documents is different and may involve a fee.

Registering a company in the Swiss Commercial Register: process and timing

The process depends on the legal structure of your business:

• A GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA is registered through a notary as part of the incorporation process. These companies obtain their legal personality when entered in the Commercial Register.  

• A sole proprietorship is only required to register once annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. Registration can be optional for other sole proprietorships before this point.  

How do you register a GmbH/Sàrl in the Commercial Register?

The process for registering a GmbH/Sàrl generally includes:

1. Choosing your company name - Determine the proposed legal name and check for potential conflicts with existing registered names.

2. Establishing the registered office and company purpose - The company's registered office and purpose form part of its articles of association.

3. Providing the capital - A GmbH/Sàrl requires at least CHF 20,000 in share capital. This must be fully paid in or covered by permitted contributions in kind.

4. Preparing the articles of association - These set out key information about the company, including its name, purpose, registered office and share capital.

5. Completing the notarisation - The incorporation must be publicly authenticated by a notary.

6. Submitting the registration - The required documents are submitted to the appropriate cantonal Commercial Register.

7. Completing registration - Once the registration has been approved and entered into the Commercial Register, the GmbH/Sàrl legally comes into existence.

How long does it take to register on the Commercial Register?

There isn't one universal processing time across every canton and company formation.

Timing can depend on the canton, legal form, complexity of the application and whether the registration documents require corrections or additional information.

The registration itself is also only one part of the company formation process, so don't forget to account for the time it takes to prepare all the other information you need.

Preparing the required information carefully before submission can help avoid delays.

If getting operational quickly matters, it’s worth planning the whole formation process rather than treating Commercial Register entry as an isolated task.

How much does Commercial Register registration cost?

There isn't one universal price for every registration.

Costs vary according to factors including the legal structure, canton and complexity of the registration. Incorporating a GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA can also involve other formation expenses such as notary costs.

One point that is particularly important: Commercial Register fees are the responsibility of the cantons.

In 2026, the Federal Office of Justice warned businesses about misleading invoices that appeared to come from the Federal Commercial Registry Office. The federal authority does not send invoices for cantonal Commercial Register registrations.

Always check the sender and purpose of unexpected invoices after forming your company, particularly requests relating to company registers or directories.

Obtaining a Commercial Register extract

A Commercial Register extract provides official registered information concerning a company. It might be required in various administrative or commercial situations.

Start by searching for the company through Zefix and identifying its relevant cantonal register. Depending on why you need the information, viewing the publicly available record may be enough. For some administrative, legal or commercial purposes, however, you might be asked to provide a certified extract.

What is a certified Commercial Register extract?

A certified extract is an official extract whose authenticity has been formally confirmed by the appropriate authority. It might be needed when another organisation or process requires formal evidence of the company's registered information.

Removing a company from the Commercial Register

Company formation isn't the only time a business interacts with the commercial register. If a business permanently ceases trading, changes structure or is liquidated, its Commercial Register entry may eventually need to be removed.

The exact process depends on the legal structure and circumstances.

For a sole proprietorship, ceasing activity may lead to a request to delete the registration. For a GmbH/Sàrl or AG/SA, closing the company generally involves a more formal dissolution and liquidation process before the final deletion.

If the company still has debts, receivables, contracts, employees or tax obligations, these need to be handled correctly as part of the closure.

Professional advice can be valuable before beginning this process.

What comes after Commercial Register registration?

Seeing your company officially registered is an important milestone, but registration doesn't necessarily mean your business is ready to operate.

You may still need to establish how you'll manage:

• your business account;  

• payments;  

• invoicing and Swiss QR-bills;  

• bookkeeping;  

• VAT where applicable;  

• financial documents;  

• payroll as you begin hiring.  

This is where founders often discover that creating a company and being ready to run one are two different things.

Adding each financial tool separately can create another login, integration and source of information to manage.

Helvo is designed to simplify this stage by bringing together the financial tools entrepreneurs need to run their businesses more efficiently.

Just registered your company? Discover how Helvo can help you move from company formation to running your business.

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