Establish your branch office in Switzerland with Nexova
- Free initial consultation
- Fully digital service
- Attractive prices
Prices for establishing a branch office
Our all-inclusive launch packages
Headquarters in Switzerland
What’s included
- Personal legal advice
- Document preparation
- Business name check
- VAT consultation
- Registration in the commercial
Headquarters abroad
What’s included
- Personal legal advice
- Document preparation
- VAT consultation
- Registration in the commercial
- Coordination with authorities
- Enhanced document and compliance review
Additional costs (excluded)
| Signature certification (per signature) | CHF 20 |
|---|---|
| Commercial register fee | CHF 200 to 500 |
What is a branch office?
Expand your existing business activities to Switzerland
Is a branch office the right choice for you?
A simple solution for international expansion
A branch office is an excellent choice for companies that want to have a presence in Switzerland while keeping administrative requirements low. It allows companies to access the Swiss market, establish a physical presence, and conduct business locally without the need for a full incorporation.
A branch office is ideal when:
You want to expand your existing business to Switzerland.
You prefer a cost-effective and flexible structure compared to setting up a separate company.
You want to maintain your operational independence while staying connected with your parent company.
Your business model requires a local Swiss branch to serve regional operations or customers.
Book a free initial consultation
with our experts.
Why establish a branch office
in Switzerland?
Setting up a branch office has many advantages.
Fiduciary
Service
Cost-effective expansion
Setting up is faster and more affordable than establishing a company, as no minimum share capital is required.
Operational flexibility
Adapt branch activities to the Swiss market while maintaining integration with the parent company.
Direct control
The parent company retains ultimate control over the branch's operations, ensuring alignment with its overall strategy.
Market entry
Test the Swiss market without the complexity of establishing a new legal entity.
Tax efficiency
Benefit from Swiss corporate tax rates and avoid the need for separate legal reporting.
Established brand recognition
Leverage the existing reputation and brand value of the parent company to build trust locally.
Book a free initial consultation
with our experts.
Branch office or subsidiary:
Which is better for you?
Choosing the right path for your Swiss expansion
Book a free initial
consultation with our experts.
Required documents for setting up a branch office of a foreign company
Now, let's get into the details
Book a free initial
consultation with our experts.
Establishing a branch office for a domestic company
Without much bureaucracy
How can Nexova help you establish your branch office?
Nexova ensures a smooth and legally compliant setup
Strategy
Receive tailored advice on choosing the right business structure, adapting your business to Swiss regulations, and understanding tax and liability obligations. Our experts customize their advice to your goals and business model.
Execution
Nexova handles all administrative aspects and frees you from tedious bureaucracy. From creating documents and providing VAT advice to registration in the commercial register, we ensure that every step is carried out correctly, saving you time and avoiding stress.
Ongoing support
Nexova is there for you even after registration. We assist with VAT registration, social security contributions, and all other ongoing administrative requirements, ensuring that your business remains compliant with the law and well-organized.
Book a free initial consultation
with our experts.
What makes Nexova stand out?
Choosing the right partner for your business formation is key to success.
Broad experience
Nexova’s deep knowledge of Swiss regulations minimizes risk and maximizes efficiency for new businesses.
Personalized advice
We prioritize your goals, tailoring guidance to fit your unique business needs.
Flexibility
Our services adapt to your budget and schedule – perfect for freelancers, SMEs, and global businesses alike.
Fully digital
Nexova’s digital process lets you manage everything remotely, no office visits or paperwork needed.
Highly efficient
We ensure a fast, smooth process, helping you start your business without delay.
Complete trust
Nexova values long-term relationships, providing confidential, transparent, and integrity-driven service.
Book a free initial consultation
with our experts.
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As an internationally active biotechnology company that stands for innovation and the highest quality, we work exclusively with partners who meet our high standards. Nexova consistently impresses us with exceptional service quality, robust processes, and an impressive pace. The professional, solution-oriented, and efficient collaboration allows us to fully focus on our core business. Additionally, we would like to highlight the remarkable cost savings of 35% compared to in-house accounting. We particularly appreciate how Nexova quickly understands, develops, and promptly implements complex requirements – both within Switzerland and at our international subsidiaries. We can wholeheartedly recommend the Nexova team.
Nexova AG offers highly professional accounting services that have significantly enhanced our financial management at Learning Lab. Their team is precise and reactive, always delivering accurate and timely reports while promptly addressing our queries. With Nexova AG’s support, we manage our clients’ accounts and finances more efficiently. We highly recommend Nexova AG for their exceptional accounting services.
For us as a new catering company, it is essential that our trustee understands our specific needs and responds flexibly to our requirements. In Nexova AG, we have found the ideal partner who supports us competently in all fiduciary matters and actively promotes our growth.
Uncomplicated or serious? Or is it and? A young, clever team is at work here, offering excellent services, highly uncomplicated and competent. Instead of a prestigious reception, expensive offices and chocolates, there are fast services and competent services. For me as a one-man company, this is exactly what I need.
Arvy AG has found an exceptional partner in Nexova AG. Their very high level of expertise in FINMA-regulated industries ensures that our financial transactions are in safe and competent hands. What sets Nexova apart is their flat-rate pricing structure, which has helped us greatly with budgeting and financial planning. As a company committed to long-term success and integrity in investments, we are very satisfied with the services provided by Nexova AG.
For us as an EdTech startup, it is very important that our trustee is as digital and agile as we are. With Nexova AG, we have found the perfect partner who can actively support us in our growth.
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Mr. Merz has a very broad knowledge and was able to help me with all my questions. The conversation was very pleasant and very informative for me. Thank you for your support.
Uncomplicated or serious? Both here. A young, smart team is at work here, offering excellent services, highly uncomplicated and competent. Instead of a prestigious reception area, expensive offices and a few small gifts, you offer fast and competent services. For me as a one-man company, this is exactly what I need.
I have been a Nexova customer for some time now and so far I am very satisfied! Thanks to the digital working methods and high responsiveness of the client managers, little time is lost in the daily process in particular. The prices are also very fair. Nexova handles the annual financial statements for me, including the tax balance sheet. The processes are standardized, which is a great advantage for audits (AHV and taxes). The two founders are two young, innovative guys and very serious.
The friendly and competent Nexova employee was able to answer my questions about company car taxation quickly and specifically. Thank you very much for this!
When I founded my company a year ago, I needed a reliable fiduciary partner. In addition to pure accounting, Nexova also offers me very good advice on all aspects of labor law. Thanks to the E-Post solution, I no longer even have to worry about my company mail and can focus purely on my service activities. My contacts at Nexova are always very friendly and pleasant to deal with. The complete package is simply TOP and I can only recommend Nexova!
Top company & friendly owners. A highly recommended trustee.
Very good and competent advice!
Professionally at a very high level. They are very good with Excel and could also support us with automation of processes.
I had a few questions about remote work and was advised super and free of charge. Thank you very much!
Very good service. Good and competent advice with friendly staff. I can definitely recommend
The Nexova team is very professional and I felt they always had my best interests at heart. I highly recommend Nexova and will continue to refer my clients to them and trust them with my business.
I am impressed with their outstanding service, especially in the field of accounting services, they demonstrate a professional approach and exceptional attention. As a lawyer, I have found Nexova to be a valuable partner in the financial world.
I had an excellent consultation with Nexova AG regarding withholding tax. Their expertise is remarkably extensive and their guidance was invaluable, I highly recommend their services. A first class experience.
The Nexova Team is an important partner to our startup, enabling us to pass all of our accounting, tax and payroll duties. We specially value their expertise with Startups and flexibility, which allows us to plan and manage our financials effectively and to focus on the bottom line of our operations.
We are very satisfied with Nexova as our trustee. Thanks to the Teams group chat, I can always count on very fast response times (of a few minutes). The Teams Chat group is great. With our old trustee, we had to write mails and always had to wait a long time for an answer and on top of that we were charged for every little question. Fortunately, this is not the case with Nexova.
Nexova solved my problem with a non-paying tenant quickly and efficiently. I was simply overwhelmed with the situation and glad for the competent legal advice. Nexova handled everything from the reminder with threat of termination, to representation in court, to the police eviction quickly, efficiently and also inexpensively. Many thanks for the valuable help.
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FAQ
Answers at a click
Can foreign companies establish a branch office in Switzerland?
Yes, foreign companies can establish a branch office in Switzerland, but the branch is subject to Swiss law in all external legal relationships it enters. The internal relationship between the branch office and its parent company, however, remains governed by the parent company's home country law.
Although a branch office is not an independent legal entity, it must be registered in the Swiss commercial register. This requires appointing an authorized representative residing in Switzerland. Additional steps may include obtaining specific business licenses and proving the financial stability of the parent company. Nexova can assist you in meeting these requirements to ensure a smooth establishment process.
What is the difference between a branch office and a subsidiary?
A branch office functions as an extension of the parent company and shares its legal identity. In contrast, a subsidiary is an independent legal entity established in Switzerland, offering limited liability and greater independence.
Does a branch office need to register with the AHV compensation office and the commercial register?
Yes, if the branch office employs staff or pays wages, it must register with the AHV (social security) office. Additionally, registration in the commercial register is mandatory.
Does a branch office need to maintain its own accounting records?
No, a branch office is not an independent legal entity and is not legally required to maintain separate accounting records in Switzerland. The parent company, even if based abroad, is responsible for bookkeeping. However, in practice, branch offices often maintain their own balance sheets and income statements to improve financial oversight and fulfill Swiss tax reporting obligations.
What taxes does a foreign branch office pay in Switzerland?
A branch office is considered a permanent establishment and is subject to limited tax liability. It pays Swiss corporate tax on profits generated in Switzerland. Depending on its business activities, it may also be subject to VAT obligations. Foreign branch offices may benefit from certain tax incentives and double taxation treaties. The tax burden compared to a subsidiary depends on factors such as location and business structure. Nexova can help you efficiently manage your tax obligations.