How much should cost a swiss director of GmbH?

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
1
Hi,

I'm EU freelancer and have some clients in CH or very close to (german side).

Up to now I've invoiced as german freelancer, but now I'm thinking about launching of GmbH in Switzerland, just for invoicing. That will be one-man-show, I do not plan to employ someone.

The main problem is also, I do not want to live in Switzerland permanently. I'd like to live outside EU. So probably I need a swiss director or someone else with permanent domicil in CH. Is this correct or can I stay a director without swiss permit?

If this is correct, how much should cost such a service in CH?

Maybe you have any other ideas for my situation?

Thanks

2
Is it really worth the 20k minimum investment just for that? Why are you thinking of invoicing out of CH? What are you trying to achieve?

3

As far as I know, there’s no “service” for this sort of thing, though I could be wrong. But you certainly couldn’t have an GmbH and not have a Swiss resident as a director, it’s one of the requirements as is the CHF20,000 investment.

4
20k are not an "investment". You have just to show them, for registration.

I need a company to became more "serious" and to spread my own payments/dividents over the time, depending on my personal income/tax situation. Also to book expenses for business is more comfortable.

At least I hope so

5
Last time I looked, you had to pay in at least 50% of the 20k into a blocked bank account which is only unblocked once the company is up and running and trading.

I perfectly understand the benefits of a limited company, but it seems to be a huge upfront cost (don't forget notary's and HRA fees) if you aren't going to be living and working here - leaving aside whether you could do that anyway.

If I were you I'd maybe look at setting up a UK Ltd company with a registered office at an accountant's practice or something. You can buy an off-the-shelf company (or even set up from scratch) for less than £100

6
I'm wondering, because swiss tax system is quite offshore oriented ("pay less taxes if you earn your money abroad") and so I'd expect there must a lot of companies with such services

7
Google for "nominee director Switzerland" and you will fine some services... But it's expensive.

There's better and certainly cheaper locations you could consider.

8
I think I can be of help here since I'm in the process of incorporating a GmbH myself. After checking several lawyers and fiduciaries, I'm paying 3000CHF/year for the Swiss director, but I got quotations up to 15.000CHF a year.

Be careful because Swiss banks treat VERY differently operational business from those that are not. The fees for the bank account are SUBSTANTIALLY different, and they will check that based on:

- Employees you have

- If you have your own premises (office, etc)

- You run a commercial activity

So, prepare the 20.000CHF to deposit in a blocked account, the fees for the incorporation (from 2.000 to infinite), hire an accountant, and good luck!