Michael Bar

Setting up a business in Switzerland

2009-09-21T08:54:00.001+02:00

Switzerland is a prime investment location in Europe with an excellent business environment, combined with an attractive corporate tax ruling.
This country is one of the few low-tax jurisdictions, serving as an ideal global headquarters' location.

The term 'offshore' is not used in Swiss legislation, however, there are a number of specialized business forms, which offer tax-privileged operation, equivalent to that usually obtainable in offshore jurisdictions:
- holding company,
- domiciliary company,
- mixed company,
- service company and some others

In order to create a legal entity in Switzerland, only one founder/shareholder is required, who can be individual or company, of Swiss nationality or not, and residing in Switzerland or not. In other words, for the founders/shareholders, nationality and residence is not an issue.
As far as the management or board of directors is concerned, the rule is that at least one managing director or member of the board of directors must reside in Switzerland, regardless of his/her nationality.

The main advantages of joint stock company are investor anonymity and simple transfer of shares.
While the main advantages of limited liability company is low minimum capital and respectively low incorporation fee.

We provide personalized assistance in incorporation of your company in Switzerland, negotiation of tax arrangements with Swiss tax authority and serving as your contact agent for the local government structures.

Please visit www.mb-group.ch for more detail.

Forms of business in Switzerland

2009-08-21T07:45:00.000+02:00

As a general rule, the freedom of trade and industry, guaranteed by the Swiss constitution, allows everyone, including foreign nationals, to set up and operate a business in Switzerland. There is much less "red tape" in Swiss business regulation than in the UK, Germany, France or Italy.

The main forms of business in Switzerland are:
- joint stock company
- limited liability company

Joint stock company or corporation (German abbreviation AG, French abbreviation SA) is the most widespread type of company in Switzerland.
Foreign companies often choose this legal form for their Swiss subsidiary.
It is required 100,000 Swiss francs of registered capital.

Limited liability company (German abbreviation GmbH) is a legal entity, in which one or more persons or companies come together in a new company. The company's liability is limited to the amount of the registered capital that must be at least 20,000 Swiss francs.
The GmbH is increasingly preferred over the AG by small and medium-sized companies.

Once we have checked that your desired company name is free, and a capital has been deposited, a company can be registered in two weeks.

We are here to help you succeed in Switzerland. You can benefit from our experience in setting up foreign businesses and from having to deal with only one representative throughout the entire procedure.

Please visit www.mb-group.ch for more detail.

Beware of dishonest intermediaries

2009-07-24T13:39:00.000+02:00

Recently a client applied to us for purchase a villa with the lake view in Geneva. While trying to explain him the way to proceed (set up a company, obtain a Swiss work & residence permit, and then – to acquire a real property), his reply was: first – help me to buy a villa, while a company – anyone can help me to register it.

Let’s talk about this.
Nowadays, there are many websites, which claim they can register a Swiss company for you at a low price, and even online. While the others promise you to open a private account in Swiss bank, without visiting Switzerland in person.
Some mediators are ready to assist you with acquisition of real property in Switzerland, before you obtain a Swiss residence permit.

How is it possible? These websites are mostly run by companies or individuals, who are not even located in Switzerland. Sometimes these companies or individuals have post boxes in Switzerland, but nothing else. Please be aware that this kind of companies can do nothing for you, rather than to lay hold on your money.

So, how do you know if you are dealing with a real Swiss company, proficient in company formation and able to assist you? Please follow a few simple steps.

1. The company must be registered in Switzerland in the official Central Business Names Index of Commercial Register. If you can't find the name of the company in this index, it simply means that you are not dealing with a real Swiss company. No exception.

2. The company running a Swiss website must have a valid address in Switzerland. PO Box numbers should not be considered as a valid address. All companies in Switzerland must have at least a street address. No exception.

3. Then, you should ask yourself "Who is the owner of this website?" There are many online sources, which provide this kind of information called WHOIS. If you can't see, who the owner of a website is because of a so-called "private registration", then you should ask yourself, why the owner of the website do not want you to see, who he is and where he is located.

To incorporate a company in Switzerland, one has to go through a certain procedure, which involves various third parties: Lawyers, Swiss bank, Notary Public, Cantonal Commercial Registry Office, Federal Commercial Registry Office, etc. Hence it is physically impossible to form a company in 3-5 days. No exception.

To purchase commercial property in Switzerland, one has to set up a legal entity before investing; while for purchasing residential real estate, one has to obtain a Swiss residence permit, prior to making advance payments.
Do not be in hurry! Please be aware that acquisition or real property by foreigners is prohibited in Switzerland. No exception.

As to the issue of costs involved, be afraid of hidden cost. When comparing different offers, keep in mind that our incorporation fees include payment to third parties: Notary and Commercial Registry Office, while other offers – not always.
In addition, our company incorporation fees include payment for opening an account in reputable Swiss bank, while other offers – not always.

Please visit www.mb-group.ch for more detail.

MB GROUP SWITZERLAND AG

2009-06-22T14:54:00.000+02:00

As being a President & CEO of Swiss-based company MB GROUP SWITZERLAND AG, I want to tell you in brief about our operation.

MB GROUP is a well known consulting company in the field of business development in Switzerland.
Whether you wish to incorporate a new company or acquire an existing one, whether you need a representative in
Switzerland or a corporate bank account, MB GROUP is your team.

MB GROUP offers to our clients a unique portfolio of full-service functionality – from establishing an enterprise to tax optimization, from supporting investments to company management services.

At MB GROUP, we are motivated and inspired every day by how our clients succeed in Switzerland.
Our goal is to use our experience, expertise, and resources to get your operation in Switzerland up and running, with the highest degree of business support and integrity possible.

We hope you will give us the opportunity to work closely with you and your company on all your current and future projects.

Please visit www.mb-group.ch for more detail.

Welcome to Switzerland

2009-05-27T19:11:00.021+02:00

I've just started my blog on Blogger. Here I will tell "how to":
- how to set up a business in Switzerland;
- how to open an account in Swiss bank;
- how to relocate to Switzerland and acquire real property.

Are you a corporate investor, who would like to establish a Swiss company for international trade and investment, optimize taxation within a group of companies, maximize your income?
I'll help you benefit from unparalleled Swiss business environment, coupled with business-friendly tax regulation!

Or you are an independent businessman, who wishes to settle down in Switzerland with your family, to take advantage of Swiss quality of life?
I'll help you become a Swiss resident!

Follow me, I'll steer you through the administrative formalities with the minimum of fuss and maximum efficiency.

Please visit www.mb-group.ch for more detail.