Company formation

The pharmaceutical industry has a key role in the Swiss exports industry. In 2014, pharmaceuticals exports amounted to more than 70 billion CHF, which means that about one third of money earned abroad by Switzerland comes from pharmaceutical products.

Banks are part of Swiss culture since 16th century, therefore there is no surprise that the Swiss banking system is one of the biggest strengths of the country. The Swiss banking system is different than other European banking systems because it is based on the universal banking concept. This concept refers to offering all the banking services both commercial and investment. This is so that the risk to be spread over a greater number of business and customers.

Buying properties in Switzerland, especially a house or a commercial property is not as easy as is sounds, as the Swiss real estate market is highly regulated. Owning a house in Switzerland is not something as usual. More than 60% of the people living in Switzerland usually rent their residence.

The Swiss have voted for the law allowing third generation immigrants to receive Swiss citizenship much easier and faster, on the referendum organized on February 12 2017.

For international founders, forming a company in Europe is a strategic decision that shapes your access to markets, tax treatment, and long-term credibility. The partner you choose will influence everything from tax exposure and banking access to how your structure holds up under regulatory scrutiny or investor due diligence. This guide ranks the top 10 formation firms that do more than register companies; they deliver legally durable, audit-ready structures built for growth.

In Switzerland, company formation establishes the legal framework that underpins everything else: tax residency, banking access, governance, and long-term credibility. The paperwork may look simple, but the implications reach far deeper. This guide is for founders and legal teams who build for the long run. It breaks down what defines a capable formation partner: how they think, what tools they use, and the signals that show whether a structure is built for compliance or just for show.

For founders, the promise of digitization is clear: faster setup, fewer intermediaries, and the ability to launch a business without setting foot in Switzerland. It sounds efficient, and often is. This article examines when digital company formation is advantageous, where it may fall short, and how savvy founders strike a balance between speed and substance to build companies that scale and comply.