Share capital and a business bank account in Switzerland
For a Swiss company formation, clarify the legal form and registration route before approaching a provider for a capital-payment or business account. The official SME portal states that a GmbH requires at least CHF 20,000 fully paid-in capital; EasyGov states that an AG has at least CHF 100,000 share capital, with at least CHF 50,000 paid in. Product availability, documentation and acceptance depend on the provider and the case.
What should come first?
Do not start with the bank account. First record the intended legal form, signatory powers, beneficial owners and the Swiss registration step requiring capital evidence. EasyGov and the SME portal set out the framework; formation and notarial details depend on the case.
Share capital: official starting points
The SME portal states that a GmbH requires at least CHF 20,000 fully paid-in capital. EasyGov states that an AG has at least CHF 100,000 share capital, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid in. These are legal-form basics, not complete budgets or a promise of a uniform banking process.
Document the intended company form and representation model.
Verify the official capital requirement and plan the full start-up budget separately.
Request written capital-payment and business-account process details.
Prepare accurate company, representation, ownership and tax-residence documents.
Make external commitments only after written provider confirmation.
Capital-payment and operating accounts
PostFinance describes a capital-payment account for depositing company capital and a separate CHF business account for ongoing payment transactions. This does not mean every provider uses the same model or accepts every applicant. Ask the chosen provider in writing which product, certificate, timing and fees apply to the specific case.
Documents and checks
Anti-money-laundering duties can mean that identity, signatory powers, tax residence and beneficial ownership are reviewed. PostFinance describes this compliance framework. Provide only accurate, current information and do not promise account approval or timing without the provider’s written confirmation.
Primary sources
SME portal: GmbH, liability, capital and formation
PostFinance: capital-payment account
In Brief
For a Swiss company formation, clarify the legal form and registration route before approaching a provider for a capital-payment or business account. The official SME portal states that a GmbH requires at least CHF 20,000 fully paid-in capital; EasyGov states that an AG has at least CHF 100,000 share capital, with at least CHF 50,000 paid in. Product availability, documentation and acceptance depend on the provider and the case.
Key Takeaways
- Company form sets the capital and registration framework.
- A capital-payment account and an operating business account can serve different purposes.
- Each provider performs its own identity and document checks.
- Request a current document list in writing.
- Formation, tax treatment and bank acceptance are separate decisions.