Starting a Business in Switzerland: A Practical Checklist
From idea to first invoice: registration, insurance, banking and budgeting.
5 min read · Business & Freelance
Starting a business involves several formal steps. A checklist keeps you on track.
Before you start
- Test the idea and calculate your break-even point.
- Choose a legal form and a name.
- Plan cash for the first twelve months.
Example with default values. Open the calculator →
Registration and insurance
Register with your compensation office for AHV, check whether commercial registry entry or VAT registration is needed and arrange accident and income insurance. Open a separate business account.
Set up your operations
- Create a simple bookkeeping system.
- Prepare invoices with the required information.
- Set aside money for tax and social contributions.
Watch the cash
Many young businesses fail from cash shortages. Check your runway with the startup runway calculator.