Online Notariat team
1 November 2026
Reviewed by our notary in St. Gallen
Key takeaways
There is no completely free GmbH formation in Switzerland: the official commercial register fees always apply, and a notarial deed is required by law. "Free" usually means that the service fee is financed through partner products.
- The CHF 20,000 share capital is not a cost – it remains the company's money
- Free packages are often tied to a bank account, an insurance consultation or software; sometimes the notarial deed is not included
- With us: a transparent CHF 390 flat fee without product tie-ins
"Set up your GmbH for CHF 0" – such offers are tempting, and they can be worthwhile. But anyone comparing should know which costs apply to every formation and how a free offer is financed.
What every GmbH formation costs – including the "free" ones
| Item | Applies? | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial register fees | Always – official fee | Base fee CHF 420 plus charges per person, typically CHF 450–600 |
| Notarial deed | Always – required by law | Included in the offer or charged separately |
| Capital deposit account | For a cash formation | Free to a few hundred francs, depending on the bank |
| Certification of signatures | When signing on paper | At the municipality or a notary; not needed with QES |
| Share capital CHF 20,000 | Always – but not a cost | Remains the company's money |
The register fees have been uniform throughout Switzerland since 2021 and do not depend on the capital. No provider can leave them out – at most, a provider can absorb them.
How free offers are financed
If you pay no fee, someone else pays: usually partners who count on you as a new customer. Typical conditions include:
- a business account with a specific bank,
- a consultation with an insurance company,
- a subscription to accounting software,
- passing your contact details on to partners.
That is not bad in itself: if you would have chosen these products anyway, you benefit. What matters is the total cost over the first years – account fees, premiums, subscriptions – and whether you could get the products cheaper on your own.
Checklist for comparing offers
- Is the notarial deed included?
- Are the register fees included or charged separately?
- Which products must I sign up for – and for how long?
- What do these products cost after the introductory period?
- Who notarises – and who is my contact for queries from the registry?
- Is my data passed on to partners?
Worked example: GmbH with us
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flat fee incl. notarial deed and register filing | CHF 390 |
| VAT 8.1% on the flat fee | CHF 31.60 |
| Commercial register fees (one person) | approx. CHF 480 |
| Total (signing by post) | around CHF 900 |
| Optional: fully digital by QES | + CHF 150 |
A free package therefore saves at most our flat fee – the register fees remain. Whether that pays off depends on what the partner products cost afterwards. We earn from the formation itself, not from commissions: you choose bank, insurance and accounting freely, and the notary who executes your deed is also your contact person. See also What does it cost to set up a company in Switzerland?
Frequently asked questions
Can you set up a Swiss GmbH for free?+
Not entirely. The official commercial register fees – typically CHF 450 to 600 for a new GmbH – apply to every formation, and a public deed by a notary is required by law. Free offers usually waive their own service fee and are financed through partner products such as a bank account, insurance or software.
Is the CHF 20,000 share capital a cost?+
No. The share capital is paid into a capital deposit account and released after registration. It remains the company's money and can be used for salaries, rent or investments.
What should I check in a free offer?+
Whether the notarial deed and the register fees are included, which products you have to sign up for and for how long, what these products cost after the introductory period, who notarises and is your contact person, and whether your data is passed on to partners.
What does a GmbH formation with you cost in total?+
Our flat fee is CHF 390 plus VAT, including the notarial deed, all incorporation documents and the register filing. Add the register fees of typically CHF 450–600 and, if you wish, CHF 150 for fully digital signing by QES – around CHF 900 in total by post. There is no obligation to take out bank or insurance products.
Ready to set up your Swiss company?
Start with our AI notary assistant – it speaks English, is available 24/7 and only needs a quick e-mail verification, no account.
Prefer a person? Our team in St. Gallen is happy to help in English: +41 71 272 26 55.
Flat fees excl. VAT; official commercial register fees are charged separately by the registry.
More English guides
How to Set Up a Company in Switzerland as a Foreigner
No Swiss passport required: who can found a Swiss GmbH or AG, how to meet the Swiss residency requirement for one authorised signatory, how to sign from abroad without an apostille and what it costs.
English guideGmbH or AG? Choosing the Right Swiss Company Type
Share capital, liability, privacy of owners, transfer of shares, management and audit: the key differences between the Swiss GmbH (LLC) and the AG (company limited by shares) – and which one fits your plans.