Setting Up a Sàrl (LLC) in Geneva: The Complete 2026 Guide

Setting up a Sàrl (LLC) in Geneva requires CHF 20,000 of fully paid-up share capital, a notarial deed, and entry in the Commercial Register; in practice, budget a few days and CHF 2,000-3,000 in fees on top of the capital.

This article complements our guide to setting up a company in Geneva.

Setting up a Sàrl in Geneva takes 10 to 20 business days if you have all your documents ready. This guide gives you the exact path, the real costs, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step 1: Choose your company name and check its availability

Your company name must be unique across Switzerland and comply with the requirements of the CO (Swiss Code of Obligations).

How to check:

• Search on zefix.admin.ch (the federal register)
• The company name must not be misleading about your business activity
• It must include the designation "Sàrl" or "SARL"

Timeframe: instant (online search)

Step 2: Draft the articles of association

The articles of association set out the operating rules of your Sàrl. They must include the following:

• The company name and registered office
• The corporate purpose (describe your business activity precisely)
• The amount of share capital (minimum CHF 20,000)
• The allocation of the quotas
• The rules on management and representation

Points to watch:

• A corporate purpose that is too narrow can lock you out of future activities — draft it broadly but precisely
• The registered office can be your private address (saving you the cost of a registered-office service)
• Set out the rules for transferring quotas from the outset if there's more than one partner

Timeframe: 2-5 days with a professional

Step 3: Pay in the capital to a blocked capital account

You must deposit the minimum CHF 20,000 into a blocked capital account at a bank before incorporation.

Main banks in Geneva:

• PostFinance, UBS, Raiffeisen, BCGe (Banque Cantonale de Genève), BCV

Avoid neobanks (Revolut, Wise, Neon) for this account — they cannot issue a compliant capital deposit confirmation.

Timeframe: 3-7 business days (to open the account) Cost: CHF 0-500 (some banks waive these fees when you open a business account)

Step 4: Incorporate the company before a notary

Incorporating a Sàrl requires a notarised public deed. This is a mandatory legal requirement, whatever legal form you choose and whatever the canton.

Documents to gather:

• Articles of association signed by all partners
• Capital deposit confirmation (from the bank)
• Identity documents of the managing directors and partners
• Commercial Register application form
• Stampa declaration: a mandatory form confirming there are no concealed contributions in kind in the share capital
• Lex Friedrich declaration: a statement confirming that the company's purpose is not the acquisition of real estate by people resident abroad
• Managing directors' acceptance declaration: a document signed by each managing director formally confirming acceptance of their mandate

Timeframe: 1 day

Step 5: Registration with the Geneva Commercial Register

Once the file is complete, the notary files the application for registration with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Geneva.

Geneva Commercial Register timeframe: 5 to 10 business days Cost: CHF 520-900 (cantonal fees)

Publication in the SOGC (Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce) happens automatically after registration. Your Sàrl legally exists from the moment it is entered in the Commercial Register — the SOGC publication is what makes it enforceable against third parties.

Step 6: Obtain your UID number

The UID number (business identification number, in the format CHE-xxx.xxx.xxx) is assigned automatically when you register with the Commercial Register. It replaces the former trade register number and is used in all your dealings with the authorities.

Step 7: Register with the social insurance schemes

Mandatory from the first franc of salary paid out:

• AVS/AI/APG (old-age, disability and loss-of-earnings insurance): registration with the cantonal AVS fund of Geneva (OCAS)
• LAA: accident insurance (Suva or a private insurer)
• LPP (occupational pension): if you pay salaries above CHF 22,680/year (2025 threshold), enrolment in a pension institution is mandatory
• Maternity/paternity loss-of-earnings (APG): included in the AVS

Geneva specifics — two contributions are added on top of the federal charges:

• Cantonal Maternity Insurance (Amat): a rate of 0.029%, split equally between employer and employee. Mandatory for every Geneva employer.
• Early Childhood Contribution: 0.07% of gross salary, payable solely by the employer.

Timeframe: 30 days from the first salary payment

Step 8: Register for VAT (if applicable)

Mandatory if your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. Optional from the first franc (worthwhile if your clients are VAT-registered).

Strategic tip: if your annual turnover (VAT included) is below CHF 5,024,000, you can opt for the simplified net tax rate (NTR) method. Instead of tracking input VAT on every purchase invoice, you apply a flat rate to your turnover. This radically simplifies VAT accounting for the vast majority of SMEs.

Registration request: the FTA (Federal Tax Administration) portal (estv.admin.ch) Processing time: 2-4 weeks

Cost summary for setting up a Sàrl in Geneva

A realistic timeline

Klear Conseils handles the entire process. You sign the documents electronically; we coordinate the notary and handle the rest.

Start setting up your Sàrl →

Frequently asked questions

How much share capital do you need to set up a Sàrl?

CHF 20,000, fully paid up and deposited into a blocked capital account before incorporation.

How much does it cost to set up a Sàrl?

On top of the CHF 20,000 capital, budget around CHF 2,000-3,000 in fees (notary, Commercial Register). At Klear, our Sàrl set-up service starts at CHF 490.

Do you need a notary?

Yes: incorporating a Sàrl requires a notarial deed, followed by entry in the Commercial Register.

How long does it take?

In practice, a few days once the capital is deposited, the articles of association are signed, and the notarial deed is drawn up.

Further reading: setting up a company in Geneva · choosing between a Sàrl and an SA · setting up a sole proprietorship · business taxation in Geneva · VAT for SMEs