Certain activities are subject to a business license in Switzerland. This is why before registration it is advisable to check if any special regulations apply to the sector your company will operate.
Below, our law firm in Switzerland presents the main types of business permits that can be obtained in this country. You can work with our lawyers if you want to obtain such a license.
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Types of business licenses in Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its strict laws applied to the financial industry. Moreover, many investors are also acquainted with the Swiss business licenses such activities require. However, this is not the only sector for which a special operating permit is needed. Some of the others include:
- cryptocurrency-related activities, as they now benefit from specific licensing rules;
- hotels and restaurants need to apply for retail permits issued by the cantonal authority;
- liquor licenses are also required for companies selling alcoholic beverages, and they can be obtained from the Alcohol Board;
- opening a financial company – the issuance of the license is carried out by the country’s financial regulator, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA);
- opening an insurance company – such companies also need a license that is issued by FINMA;
- opening a transportation company – such licenses depend on the types of activities developed by the company (transportation of goods or persons);
- when opening a recruitment agency – the license is also needed in the case of persons who are hired as recruiters in a recruitment agency;
- when opening a casino – there are several types of gambling licenses, for both online activities and traditional gambling operations.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Business licensing regulations |
– the Company Act, – special legislation depending on the industry. |
|
Business licensing requirements for companies in Switzerland (YES/NO) |
Yes, some companies must apply for special business permits. |
|
Possibility to obtain a business permit as a natural person (YES/NO) |
Yes, it is possible for natural persons to apply for business licenses. |
| Special licensing requirements for foreign companies (if any) | Yes, they must apply for licenses or authorizations, depending on the operational sector. |
| Special licensing conditions for foreign citizens (if any) |
For some professionals, having their diplomas or certification recognized is mandatory. |
| Types of business permits in Switzerland |
– general business licenses, – industry-related permits. |
| Authorities that issue business/trade licenses in Switzerland |
– federal authorities, – cantonal municipalities, – specific governmental bodies. |
| Types of general business licenses |
Licenses issued at cantonal level for using certain premises, fire safety certificates, etc. |
| Special business permits |
– banking, – recruitment, – transport, – HoReCa, – gambling. |
| Activities that require a professional business license |
– dentistry, – engineering, – architecture, – accounting. |
| Documents for obtaining a business permit |
The documents to supply depend on the issuing authority. Our Swiss lawyers can advise for this purpose. |
| Special business licensing conditions (if any) |
Some permits are subject to renewal. |
| Timeframe for business license issuance |
Depends on the issuing organization. |
| Business permit validity |
Depends on the type of authorization obtained. |
| Support in filing for business/trade licenses in Switzerland (YES/NO) | Yes, our law firm in Switzerland can assist in applying for a business permit. |
Apart from these, it is also useful to note that specific business licenses must be obtained by certain categories of professionals in Switzerland. Among them, we mention physicians, dentists, accountants, and pharmacists.
Medical practitioners must complete several steps when obtaining their license. Among these are:
- having their degree recognized by the national authorities in Bern;
- obtaining the right to practice in the canton they will offer their medical services in.
If you need support in applying for any of the above-presented special business permits, you can rely on our lawyers in Switzerland.
How to obtain a business license in Switzerland
When starting a business in Switzerland, certain business activities need approval from local bodies, which are provided in the form of special business licenses and permits. Our law firm in Switzerland can assist businessmen with advice on the types of permits and licenses that are available here and can also represent investors in the procedure of obtaining such documents.
The registration of a company with the Swiss Commercial Register is usually enough when starting a business, as a general business license will be issued. However, if a company operates in specific sectors, special licenses or permits will be required.
More details on the Swiss special permits and licenses are available in the video below:
Lawyers, dentists, physicians, and pharmacists are also required to apply for special permits before starting work. Another special license is required for those opening hotels or restaurants in Switzerland. A special business license is usually released within a week in Switzerland and our team of Swiss lawyers can provide an in-depth presentation on the main procedures that need to be concluded when applying for one of the above-mentioned licenses.
Commercial activities are also subject to licensing activities from the local municipality. In Switzerland, permission to operate a premises is known for requiring a trade license. In fact, this is an authorization issued by the cantonal authority that will first inspect the location of stores and then issue the business permit.
Conditions to obtain a business permit in Switzerland
When applying for a business license, it is important to know the requirements imposed by the law of the respective domain. The main reason is that the conditions differ from one sector to another and can refer to:
- certain share capital requirements;
- a specific level of expertise;
- having acquired a license to practice or acknowledgment from a certain authority;
- having completed a designated course, such as the hygiene course in the case of restaurant staff.
Our Swiss lawyers can explain the procedure of obtaining a business license. You can also rely on us for support in opening a Swiss bank account for your business.
Which are the Swiss authorities issuing licenses and permits?
There are several Swiss authorities involved in this procedure, depending on the business sector of the applicant company. Swiss special licenses and permits are obtained with the relevant authorities, as follows: insurance companies are required to apply for an insurance license with the Financial Market Supervisory Authority, Swiss financial companies are also required to apply for a special license with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, while casino licenses are obtained through the Swiss Federal Gaming Board.
Obtaining special retail permits in Switzerland
Retail permits are required for those opening restaurants and hotels in Switzerland. Foreign enterprisers applying for a special retail license must take into account they must obtain a wholesale business permit with the Swiss Alcohol Board, according to the Law on Alcohol.
The wholesale business license has a one-year validity period and is subject to a fee. Our Swiss attorneys can offer you more information about the licensing fees. The special license for selling alcohol is issued only to applicants providing financial security. Retailers are also required to obtain a special retail business permit from the Swiss cantonal authorities. In case you need Swiss bank account opening services, our lawyers can help you in this matter too.
If you want to open a retail store and want to apply for a so-called trade license in Switzerland, our lawyers can assist.
We also have an infographic on this topic:
How can a businessman obtain a casino license in Switzerland?
Those who are involved in any type of gambling activity in Switzerland need to apply for permission to develop such operations on the Swiss territory. In the case of companies in Switzerland that operate as casinos, there are two main categories of licenses – the A-type casino license and the B-type casino license.
The A-type casino license is required when the casino provides a range of 14 different table games and when it has slot machines. However, this type of license can be granted only in the situation in which the company set up its casino in a region that has at least one million inhabitants.
The B-type casino license is addressed to Swiss companies that provide gambling services in locations set up as spas or resorts and that provide a maximum of three different table games. In the case of slot machines, the company can have up to 250 such devices, and it is also important to know that the maximum jackpot that can be offered to a winner is up to CHF 25,000.
Businessmen who are interested in investing in this sector must also consider the fact that the Swiss Federal Council has the right to decide on the number of licenses granted; furthermore, the institution can also establish the regions in which such businesses can set up their operations.
In order to obtain one of the above-mentioned casino licenses, the company has to send a written application to the Swiss Federal Gaming Board (SFGB); the institution will verify the application and then it will forward it to the Swiss Federal Council, which will issue a final decision regarding the issuance of the license.
Do fintech companies in Switzerland need a license?
A subsector of the financial market in Switzerland is represented by fintech companies, which have as a main business activity the provision of financial services assisted by technology. In this case, the Swiss legislation provides a special type of license, the Fintech License. Since this type of activity is included in the financial sector, FINMA is the entity that will grant the license.
In order to apply for a fintech license in Switzerland, the company has to respect a set of criteria, and this is also available when referring to the company’s business form. Thus, the fintech license can be granted to businesses that are registered as limited liability companies, companies limited by shares, or corporations with unlimited partners.
These requirements are prescribed under the main rule of law regulating the activity of financial companies in Switzerland, the Banking Act. The fintech company is required to submit an application with FINMA, which will be in charge with deciding if the respective business activity does need a fintech license and if the company’s operations qualify for the issuance of the license.
If so, FINMA will appoint a representative who will handle the licensing procedure and will inform the company on any additional documents that have to be submitted. The application with the institution should provide a set of information concerning the Swiss legal entity and its activities, and our team of lawyers in Switzerland can offer an extensive presentation on the following requirements imposed by FINMA:
- the investors should stipulate in their application the legal grounds for which the company needs the fintech license;
- they must also provide a description of the company’s activities and the target group of future customers;
- the application should include an extract issued by the Swiss Commercial Register;
- it must also provide details on the company’s employees, the location where the company is set up, and other similar matters;
- the application must also provide details on the company’s capital and on the shareholders’ participation.
Data on the number of companies operating in Switzerland
According to recent information, at the level of August 2024:
- there were more than 566,069 companies registered in Switzerland;
- the largest share, 243,993 businesses, operated in the services sector;
- they were followed by 113,513 financial companies.
Depending on the activities undertaken the Swiss company applying for a special permit or license may also be subject to other requirements. Our lawyers in Switzerland will be able to provide you with more information about obtaining a Swiss trade license for your business’ premises. You can also contact us if you need help with the company registration procedure.