Registering a Sole Proprietorship in the Commercial Register: The Swiss Guide

Are you running a sole proprietorship and wondering if or when you need to register it in the commercial register? Registering a sole proprietorship depends primarily on your annual turnover. It is mandatory under certain conditions, but you can also choose to register your sole proprietorship voluntarily.

In this article, you will learn when registering a sole proprietorship in the commercial register is mandatory, when a voluntary registration might be worthwhile, and how the process works in Switzerland.

What does registering a sole proprietorship in the commercial register mean?

The commercial register is a public directory where companies in Switzerland are recorded. When registering a sole proprietorship, details such as the company name, the owner, the registered office, and the purpose of the business are officially recorded.

Once registered, your company will also be published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC). This makes your company information publicly accessible.

When must a sole proprietorship be registered in the commercial register?

In principle, registering a sole proprietorship in the commercial register is mandatory if the business generates an annual turnover of at least CHF 100,000 and is operated as a commercial enterprise.

If your turnover is below this threshold, there is generally no obligation to register. However, you can choose to register your sole proprietorship voluntarily.

If your business is approaching the turnover threshold, you should check early on whether registration is required. This allows you to prepare the necessary documents and complete the registration in good time.

Mandatory or voluntary registration?

When registering a sole proprietorship in the commercial register, a distinction is generally made between mandatory and voluntary registration.

Mandatory registration:

If your sole proprietorship meets the legal requirements and reaches an annual turnover of at least CHF 100,000, you must register it with the relevant commercial registry office.

Voluntary registration:

Even if you are not legally required to register, you can still choose to voluntarily enter your sole proprietorship into the commercial register. A commercial register entry can be helpful in business dealings and help you project a more professional image to banks, suppliers, and business partners.

The company name is also important: for a sole proprietorship, the owner's surname must be an essential part of the company name. Additional descriptions or creative names are permitted, provided they comply with legal requirements.

What is the process for registering a sole proprietorship in the commercial register?

The exact process may vary slightly depending on the canton. In general, the registration of a sole proprietorship in the commercial register involves several steps:

1. Prepare the application

You register your sole proprietorship with the commercial register office of the canton where your business is headquartered. To do this, you must submit the required information about your company.

2. Have your signature notarized

The signature required for the application must generally be notarized. Depending on the canton, there are different authorities available for this purpose.

3. Submit the required documents

The necessary information and documents are submitted along with the application. You should check with the relevant cantonal commercial register office to see exactly which documents are required.

4. Review by the commercial register office

The commercial register office reviews the application and the submitted information. If the requirements are met, the sole proprietorship is entered into the commercial register.

5. Publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC)

Once successfully registered, the commercial register entry is published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC).

What are the benefits of voluntary registration?

Even if registering your sole proprietorship in the commercial register is not yet mandatory, a voluntary application can be worthwhile.

A commercial register entry can, for example, increase transparency for business partners. In addition, the name of a registered sole proprietorship is protected by company law at its registered office. Depending on the situation, a commercial register entry can also be helpful for administrative processes with banks or other business partners.

Whether voluntary registration is worth it for you therefore depends on your individual business situation.

What happens after the commercial register entry?

The administrative work is not finished once the sole proprietorship is entered in the commercial register. Depending on the company, other topics may become relevant – for example, accounting, VAT, social security, or other legal obligations.

Especially for growing sole proprietorships, it is worth setting up these areas in a structured way at an early stage.

When is professional support worthwhile?

Would you like to register your sole proprietorship in the commercial register while ensuring that your accounting and administration are set up properly from the start?

MKY supports you from company formation and commercial register entry to ongoing accounting and other administrative matters.

Learn more: Accounting for sole proprietorships.