Workstation with a screen, desk lamp and grey office chair, with a sideboard with a printer, plants and a window front behind it

Company limited by shares (AG)

Setting up an AG in Switzerland, step by step

CHF 100'000 share capital, at least CHF 50'000 paid in, a board of directors and a notarised deed. With your seat in Zug.

Workstation at Baarerstrasse 38

Set up your AG

What it is

The company limited by shares

The AG (Aktiengesellschaft, called SA in French) is the Swiss company limited by shares. Its share capital is at least CHF 100'000 (Art. 621 CO). At formation, at least 20% of the nominal value of each share and at least CHF 50'000 in total must be paid in (Art. 632 CO). A board of directors with one or more members leads the company (Art. 707 CO).

Many founders choose the AG because its shareholders are not entered in the commercial register; the register shows the board and the people authorised to sign. Since 1 October 2026, every AG also reports its beneficial owners to the federal Transparency Register, which authorities can consult but the public cannot. The capital may also be set in a foreign currency relevant to the business, worth at least CHF 100'000 at formation (Art. 621 para. 2 CO).

Prices for all packages are under services and prices, more answers in the FAQ. Once your AG is running, we can also take over its accounting and tax.

Modern office building with a glass facade behind trees — Office building

Price and scope

Startup package for your AG

1'290CHF one-off

plus VAT

Notary fees included

On top come the commercial register fees, CHF 420 for the new entry (GebV-HReg, annex no. 1.3), and any bank fees. The capital you pay in remains company money. Your registered office in Zug is available together with the Base package, from CHF 149 a month.

The services of Office Group Zug GmbH do not include legal or tax advice. For that, we bring in external advisers.

Package Startup: Company formation, GmbH or AG

Formation advice, including the choice between AG and GmbH, and support until the entry
Articles of association, public deed, Lex Koller declaration, powers of attorney and declarations of acceptance of office
Notarisation including notary fees, and filing with the commercial register
Free advice on which bank suits you

Set up your AG All packages

Hand filling in a document with a pen — Filling in a document

How it works

Six steps to your AG

An AG follows the same path as a GmbH, with a board of directors instead of managing directors.

Structure and board
We agree on the capital, the number and nominal value of the shares, and who sits on the board. One board member is enough (Art. 707 CO).
Formation documents
We prepare the articles, the share register, the declarations of the board members and the domicile declaration.
Capital deposit
You pay at least 20% of each share's nominal value, and at least CHF 50'000 in total, into a capital deposit account (Art. 632 CO).
Notarisation
The founders sign the deed of incorporation before a notary, in person or through a representative.
Commercial register
The register enters the AG, which acquires legal personality with this entry (Art. 643 CO). The bank then releases the capital.
Transparency Register
The AG reports its beneficial owners to the federal Transparency Register (Art. 9 TJPG).
within one month of the entry

We start on the documents as soon as you give us the mandate. How long it takes until the entry depends mainly on the bank and the commercial register.

What you need

At least CHF 50'000 for the paid-in capital, from a documented source
Passport or ID copies of all founders and board members
A board member or executive officer resident in Switzerland
The planned company name, purpose and share structure
Form F-01 for the anti-money laundering onboarding

What is an AG company in Switzerland?

AG stands for Aktiengesellschaft, the Swiss company limited by shares; in French-speaking Switzerland it is called SA. It is a legal person from its entry in the commercial register (Art. 643 CO), with at least CHF 100'000 share capital (Art. 621 CO) and a board of directors of one or more members (Art. 707 CO). It is often preferred by larger or internationally active companies.

How much capital do I need for a Swiss AG?

The share capital is at least CHF 100'000 (Art. 621 CO). At formation, you pay in at least 20% of each share's nominal value and at least CHF 50'000 in total (Art. 632 CO). With the minimum capital of CHF 100'000, that means paying in at least CHF 50'000. Capital in a foreign currency is possible if it is worth at least CHF 100'000 at formation.

Are the shareholders of an AG public?

No. The commercial register shows the board members and the people authorised to sign, not the shareholders; the AG keeps its own share register. Since 1 October 2026, however, every AG must report its beneficial owners to the federal Transparency Register within one month of its entry (Art. 9 TJPG). That register is not public: authorities and, under defined conditions, financial intermediaries can access it.

Does the board of a Swiss AG need a Swiss resident?

Not every member, but the AG must be capable of being represented by one person resident in Switzerland. That person must be a board member or an executive officer and have access to the share register (Art. 718 para. 4 CO). If no founder lives in Switzerland, Office Group Zug takes on or arranges a mandate after review, as a separate offer.

What does it cost to set up an AG in Switzerland?

With us, CHF 1'290 one-off for the Startup package, plus VAT and with the notary fees included. The commercial register charges CHF 420 for the new entry (GebV-HReg, annex no. 1.3), and any bank fees come on top. Plan your liquidity too: at least CHF 50'000 must be paid in at formation (Art. 632 CO). That money remains the company's and is released to its business account after the entry.

FAQ