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Becoming successfully self-employed

Found your own public limited coporation

Would you like to set up your own business with the legal form of a public limited coporation? Or are you still unsure which legal form is the right one for you? We explain to you how the Limited liability company works and what you need to consider. Found your own public limited coporation now with STARTUPS.CH. Simple. Online.

The public limited coporation simply explained

Definition public limited coporation

The public limited coporation is a company with its own legal personality in which personal liability can be excluded. One or more persons join together to contribute a certain amount of capital and thereby become shareholders.

Advantages and disadvantages of the public limited coporation

The public limited coporation offers many advantages, but also has disadvantages, which you must be aware of. In the following we explain the most important advantages and disadvantages of the public limited coporation.

Advantages of the public limited coporation

Advantages of the public limited coporation

Advantages of the public limited coporation
Exclusion of any personal liability with private assets
Advantages of the public limited coporation
Several shareholders possible
Advantages of the public limited coporation
Simple transfer of shares
Advantages of the public limited coporation
Anonymity of shareholders
Advantages of the public limited coporation
Increased creditworthiness
Disadvantages of the public limited coporation

Disadvantages of the public limited coporation

Disadvantages of the public limited coporation
High minimum capital (CHF 100,000)
Disadvantages of the public limited coporation
Compliance with company law provisions
Disadvantages of the public limited coporation
Taxation at the level of the public limited coporation and company level (double taxation)

What do I need to know about the public limited coporation?

The most important points about the public limited company

Before you start your own company, it is essential that you are aware of the legal form you wish to take. In the following, we explain to you in a simple and straightforward manner what you need to know about the sole proprietorship and what the most important points are. However, we recommend that you also get informed about other legal forms.

What do I need to know about the public limited coporation?
Required capital
Required capital
The formation of a public limited coporation requires a minimum capital of CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid up in cash.
Number of persons
Number of persons public limited coporation
It is mandatory to have at least one shareholder and one director, although you can hold both positions at the same time. One director must be a resident of Switzerland and must have signatory powers.
Contributions in cash and ciontributions in kind
Contributions in cash and ciontributions in kind public limited coporation
You can finance a maximum of half of the minimum capital (CHF 50,000) as a contribution in kind when founding your public limited coporation.
Pension fund withdrawal
Pension fund withdrawal public limited coporation
In contrary to a sole proprietorship, you cannot withdraw pension fund assets when setting up a public limited coporaion.
Auditors
Auditors public limited coporation
If your public limited coporation has 10 or more employees, the audit is mandatory. According to Art. 727 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), a public limited coporation is subject to an ordinary audit if it exceeds two of the following values during two consecutive years: 250 full-time positions; CHF 40 million turnover; CHF 20 million balance sheet total.
Company name
Company name public limited coporation
You are free to choose the name of your company. The only rule is that you must add the suffix SA to the company name.
Registry of commerce entry
Registry of commerce entry public limited coporation
Entry in the Commercial Register is obligatory when a public limited coporation is formed and takes place after public certification and approval of the articles of association. Only the names of directors are published in the commercial register, not those of shareholders.
Value added tax liability
Value added tax liability public limited coporation
Value-added tax is mandatory for a public limited company from a turnover of CHF 100,000. However, it is possible to be subject to VAT if the turnover is lower.

Find out more about the sole proprietorship now!

The sole proprietorship does not require a minimum deposit and is uncomplicated. It is suitable for one-man businesses and has no legal personality of its own. The sole proprietorship is very popular with new entrepreneurs for the start in self-employment.
Find out more about the sole proprietorship now!

Find out more about the limited liability company now!

The limited liability company is a legal form with its own legal personality, whereby the partner is liable up to the amount of his share capital at most. It is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Find out more about the public limited company now!