You have an idea, maybe a small studio, a consulting practice, an online shop or a craft you want to turn into a living. And you want to build it in Switzerland while you still live in London, Austin, Bangalore, Toronto, Sydney, Dubai or Singapore. The good news is that the road has a clear shape. The less comfortable news is that two separate questions sit on top of each other, and each one has its own authority.
This page walks you through both, in the order they usually come, so you know what to prepare at home before anything else.
Two questions, not one
When you start a business in Switzerland as a foreigner, you are really asking:
- Can I live here? This is about your residence permit, decided by the cantonal migration office and, in many cases, with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
- Can I run this business here? This is about registering the activity, choosing a legal form, insurance, taxes and any professional rules for your trade.
People often work on the second question first because it is more exciting. In practice the first one sets the pace. Without a clear residence route, a company registration alone does not let you move in and work.
The starting point: which regime applies to you
Switzerland has two regimes for people who come from abroad: one for nationals of EU/EFTA countries, based on the free movement agreement (the ALCP), and one for nationals of third states, meaning everyone outside the EU/EFTA. Which one applies to you depends on your passport, and that single fact shapes almost everything that follows.
| Question | EU/EFTA nationals | Third-state nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Free movement agreement (ALCP) | Federal act on foreign nationals (LEI) |
| General approach | Rules of free movement | Admission rules for third states |
| Who to ask | Cantonal migration office | Cantonal migration office, with SEM involved |
| What to expect | Fewer conditions on principle | More conditions, examined case by case |
Most readers of this site hold a UK, US, Indian, Canadian, Australian, Gulf, Singaporean, Hong Kong, Chinese, Japanese or Korean passport, so the third-state route is the one that usually matters. The detailed conditions, such as qualifications and the weight given to the local labor market, are set by the authorities and should be checked with them for your situation. The SEM publishes the framework on its page about the admission of workers.
Rules for self-employed people in particular depend on the canton and on your profile. This page does not give figures or conditions for them; a specialist can look at your case once you send a request.
The usual order of steps
There is no single official sequence, but this order avoids most wasted effort.
Step one: define the activity in plain words
Write one page: what you sell, to whom, from where, and how you will earn money. Authorities, banks and insurers all ask the same basic questions. If you can answer them clearly, every later step becomes lighter.
Step two: pick the canton
Switzerland has twenty-six cantons, and each one has its own migration office, tax office and commercial register. A canton is like a small state with its own habits. Some are German-speaking, some French, some Italian. Choose with your language, your clients and your family in mind, not only with the tax rate in mind. Our city comparator can help you look at places side by side.
Step three: clarify your residence route
Check which regime applies to your passport, then ask the cantonal migration office how they treat people who want to work for themselves. Our permit finder gives you a first orientation, and the page on immigration support explains what a specialist can do for you. Remember that only the authorities grant permits.
Step four: choose a legal form
You can operate as an individual or set up a company. The best-known company types are the limited liability company, called a GmbH in German or a Sàrl in French, and the joint-stock company, called an AG or SA. Each has different rules on liability, accounting and formation. We do not suggest one for you; the choice depends on your risk, your partners and your tax situation, and a fiduciary or lawyer should look at it.
Step five: register and insure
Once the form is chosen, the business is entered in the right registers, the social insurance offices are informed and your health insurance is arranged. As an independent person you may need to organize more of your own insurance than an employee would, since no employer does it for you.
Step six: open the practical doors
A Swiss bank account, a business address, a mobile number, accounting software and a simple invoicing routine are all part of the daily reality. Banks often ask for proof of residence and activity, so the order above matters here too.
What you can prepare from abroad
Think of this as your home-country homework. None of it commits you to anything.
- A short business plan and a clear description of your services.
- Passport, civil status documents and, if relevant, your children's school records.
- Proof of your professional qualifications, ideally with translations.
- A list of the Swiss clients, partners or suppliers you hope to work with.
- A rough idea of the canton and the language region you prefer.
- A check of whether your trade is regulated, meaning it needs a recognized qualification or authorization.
Example: a couple from Toronto with two school-age children wants to open a small design studio in a French-speaking canton. They spend their last months at home writing the plan, collecting diplomas and visiting school websites, so that the first conversation with the authorities is calm and complete.
Common traps
- Registering a company before the residence question is clear. The company does not replace a permit.
- Underestimating regulated trades. Some activities need authorization before you can start.
- Forgetting the family. Spouses and children have their own questions about permits, school and insurance.
- Treating the canton as a detail. Procedures and contacts differ from one canton to the next.
- Mixing private and business accounts. Keep them separate from day one.
- Relying on advice found on forums. Rules change; confirm with an official source.
A short checklist
- Write the activity in one page
- Find out which regime applies to your passport
- Shortlist two or three cantons
- Check if your trade is regulated
- Gather diplomas, certificates and civil status documents
- Ask a specialist to review your case through the request at the bottom of the page
- Build your own list with the personal checklist
How it connects to the rest of your move
Your business is only half of the story. Housing, health insurance, schools and taxes all follow. The relocation guide shows the whole journey from your front door, and the sample timeline puts the steps in a sensible order. If you are weighing a home purchase, read about buying property, and if you will be paid through an employer for part of your income, see how tax at source works. When you are ready, you can tell us about your move and a specialist will look at your plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner start a business in Switzerland?
Yes, foreigners can start businesses in Switzerland, but your right to live and work here is a separate matter from registering the business. The rules depend on your nationality and your situation.
Do I need a permit to run a business?
In general, yes, you need the right residence status to live and work here. The cantonal migration office tells you which one fits your activity.
Is it different for EU/EFTA nationals?
Yes. Nationals of EU/EFTA countries fall under the free movement agreement, while others fall under the rules for third states. Both regimes exist side by side.
Which regime applies to someone from the UK?
The UK is not part of the EU or EFTA, so a UK passport holder is treated as a third-state national. Ask the cantonal office how this plays out for your plan.
Which regime applies to someone from the US?
US nationals are third-state nationals. The same goes for Canada, Australia, India, the Gulf states, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan and Korea.
Should I register the company first or ask about residence first?
Clarify the residence route first. A registered company does not by itself give you the right to move in.
Can I run the business from my home country and move later?
You can prepare a lot from abroad, but what is allowed before you hold the right status depends on the activity and the authorities. Ask before you act.
Which canton should I choose?
There is no single best canton. Think about language, clients, family, schools and how each canton handles your type of activity.
Do I need to speak German, French or Italian?
Daily life and official contact work in the language of your canton. English helps in many business settings, but forms and offices usually use the local language.
Which legal form should I choose?
The main options are acting as an individual or forming a company such as a GmbH/Sàrl or an AG/SA. A specialist should look at your case before you decide.
Can I be my own employee in a company I own?
This depends on the legal form and on your permit. It is a question for the migration office and a fiduciary.
Do I need a Swiss business address?
Registered businesses need an address in Switzerland. How you meet this depends on your form and canton.
Can I open a Swiss bank account before I arrive?
Possibly, but banks have their own rules and often want proof of residence and activity. Ask the bank directly about its requirements.
How are business profits taxed?
Taxes depend on the legal form and the canton. We explain the general picture, and a tax specialist looks at your own situation.
Do I pay tax at source as a business owner?
Tax at source concerns salaries paid to foreign employees. Independent people are usually handled differently, so check with the tax office. See our page on tax at source.
What insurance do I need?
Health insurance is compulsory for residents. Other covers for a business depend on the activity, and a specialist can explain them.
Can my spouse work too?
Spouses have their own questions about permits and work. The cantonal office explains what applies to your family.
What about my children's school?
Schools depend on the canton and the commune. Our school choice tool helps you think through the options.
Are some professions regulated?
Yes. Some trades and professions need recognized qualifications or authorization. Check yours early.
Can I buy a home while I build the business?
Buying property by foreigners has its own rules; see our page on buying property.
How long does it all take?
Timing depends on the canton, the regime and how complete your file is. The authorities can tell you what to expect; we do not give a fixed time.
Does the site decide on my permit?
No. Relocation Swiss is a matching service. Authorities decide on permits.
What does a specialist actually do for me?
A specialist looks at your case, explains the options for your passport and activity, and helps you plan the steps. They do not replace the authorities.
Where do I start today?
Write your activity in one page and note your passport. Then use the request at the bottom of the page to talk through your plans.