Online Notariat team
28 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Reviewed by our notary in St. Gallen
Key takeaways
Moving a Swiss company to another municipality is an amendment of the articles – notarised resolution, new articles, register entry. A new address in the same municipality is only a change of domicile.
- Change of canton: all authorised signatories file their signature again (or sign by QES), and tax liability moves
- Flat fee CHF 400, also when combined with a new purpose or name in the same resolution
- Fully online; registration usually within 5–8 days
A new office, a lower tax rate in the neighbouring canton, or simply moving the company to where its owner lives: there are many reasons to relocate a Swiss company. Legally, the move follows three levels – depending on how far it goes.
Level 1: New address in the same municipality
If the company only moves to another street in the same municipality, its registered office as stated in the articles stays the same. A change of domicile is enough – a simple mutation at the commercial register, without a notarial deed. The company needs a legal domicile: its own premises or a c/o address with written confirmation from the domicile holder. Register fee: CHF 30.
Level 2: Another municipality
If the seat moves to another political municipality, a core element of the articles changes. The general or partners' meeting resolves the move, the resolution is recorded as a public deed, the articles are amended and the change is filed with the commercial register. That is exactly our flat-fee service for amendments: CHF 400 – resolution, articles and register application included, prepared in minutes with our AI notary assistant.
Level 3: Another canton
On top of level 2, two things are special:
New certified signatures
From now on, the company is kept by the commercial register of the new canton, which needs its own certified signatures. All authorised signatories therefore have their signature certified again – even if they were already registered. With a Swiss qualified electronic signature (QES) this step is not needed; see Signing from abroad with QES.
Change of tax liability
Tax liability moves to the new canton. For a move within Switzerland, the seat at the end of the tax period generally applies to the whole period. Since cantonal profit tax rates differ considerably, compare before deciding – and coordinate the details with your tax adviser.
Overview
| Move | Notarial deed | Special points | Register fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same municipality | No | Legal domicile at the new address | CHF 30 |
| Other municipality | Yes – amendment of the articles | New articles | CHF 200 |
| Other canton | Yes – amendment of the articles | All signatures certified again (or QES); tax liability moves | CHF 200 |
Tip: when a notarial deed is needed anyway, tidy up at the same time – update the purpose, adjust the company name, change the management. All in the same resolution, for the same flat fee of CHF 400. Details in Amending the articles of association.
Frequently asked questions
Does moving a Swiss company require an amendment of the articles?+
Only if the registered office moves to another municipality. The seat is stated in the articles, so the change must be resolved by the general or partners' meeting, recorded as a public deed and entered in the commercial register. A new address in the same municipality is just a change of domicile – a simple register mutation.
What else applies when moving to another canton?+
The company will be kept by the commercial register of the new canton, which needs its own certified signatures: all authorised signatories have their signature certified again – or sign with a Swiss QES, which replaces certification. In addition, tax liability moves to the new canton.
What does moving the registered office cost?+
Our flat fee is CHF 400 (excl. VAT), including the notarised resolution, the new articles and the register application – also if you combine the move with other changes such as a new purpose or company name. The official register fee for the amendment of the articles is CHF 200.
Does the company need its own office at the new seat?+
No, but it needs a legal domicile there: either its own premises or a c/o address with a domicile holder who confirms in writing that the company may use the address. Mail must be deliverable to the company at its seat.
Ready to change your company's articles?
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
Amending the Articles of Association of a Swiss GmbH or AG
New company name, registered office, purpose or management: when an amendment needs a notarial deed, who has to sign, what the commercial register charges and how to do it entirely online.
English guideTransferring Shares in a Swiss GmbH
Selling to a new partner, a co-founder leaving or succession: the written assignment, the consent of the partners' meeting, the commercial register entry – and why empty shells can no longer be sold.