Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in the canton of Basel City.
Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Canton Basel-City: the path to your own company.
Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in the canton of Basel City.
Basel-City is distinguished by its strong pharmaceutical and chemical industries, an advantage for founding companies in these fields. Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) here is particularly attractive for those in international trade or research. The city offers a central location at the meeting point of three countries, facilitating access to markets in Germany and France. The Basel-City Trade Registry allows for easy company registration. The University of Basel and various specialized schools offer valuable opportunities for collaboration. Basel's vibrant cultural scene also contributes to the attractiveness of the location.
Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in the Canton of Basel City: here's how to do it!
Calculate a non-binding offer
Enter your start-up project conveniently online and benefit from cost sharing from our partners. In just a few steps you can compose your customized start-up package.
Enter the details of the Public Limited Company (PLC)
After calculating the non-binding offer, enter your company details. At this point you can order the formation of the Public Limited Company (PLC).
Get in touch
Our attorneys will contact you within the specified time (often less than 24 hours). You will receive all incorporation documents, discuss any uncertainties, and schedule a personal consultation.
Check the documents
You can consult, print and sign all the constituent documents at your convenience at home.
Authenticate the signature
At this point you must obtain official certification of the signature (e.g., from the local authority). This confirms that the signature is indeed yours.
Entry in the commercial register
We submit all incorporation documents to the commercial register and ensure that your company is successfully registered in the commercial register. In the case of corporations, the paid-up capital is transferred to a business account after publication and is available to your company.
Celebrate
Congratulations on the successful founding of your company. Your Public Limited Company (PLC) is now active and can operate.
Definition of a Public Limited Company in Switzerland
We believe that personalized advice is the key to best understanding our clients' individual needs and challenges and offering tailored solutions.
Founding a PLC: Advantages
- Pharma and life sciences hub: Home to Novartis, Roche, and hundreds of biotech and medtech firms — unmatched ecosystem for life sciences.
- Tri-national location: Border point of Switzerland, Germany, and France — access to EU markets without EU membership costs.
- R&D infrastructure: University of Basel, ETH spin-offs, and dedicated life sciences campuses.
- International workforce: Highly multilingual talent pool (German, French, English).
- Trade fair economy: Art Basel and Baselworld attract global business visitors.
- Strong financial services: Private banking and asset management sector.
Founding a PLC: Disadvantages
- High operating costs: Commercial rents and salaries comparable to Zurich.
- Pharma-dominated market: Difficult for non-pharma businesses to compete for talent against large corporations.
- Minimum capital requirement: CHF 100,000 (min. CHF 50,000 paid in).
- Higher tax rate: Effective corporate tax ~13% — less competitive than Zug or Lucerne.
What do I need to consider when forming a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Basliea City Canton?
A minimum share capital of CHF 100,000 is required for the establishment of a PLC, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid up.
Info: The founder of a PLC or LLC cannot draw on pension fund money because he is employed in his own company on the basis of an employment contract. He is therefore not considered self-employed under OASI law.
PLC requires at least one shareholder and one managing director, which can be the same person. A managing director with signature authority must also be a resident of Switzerland.
The audit is mandatory for 10 or more employees. Under Article 727 CO, a PLC is subject to ordinary audit if it exceeds two of the following thresholds in two consecutive fiscal years: Balance sheet total: 20 million francs - Turnover: 40 million francs - Full-time employees: 250.
Your PLC is subject to value added tax only if its turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. However, you can also voluntarily apply VAT to a lower turnover.
What you need to know about the Public Limited Company (PLC)!
Key Facts: Founding a PLC in Basel-City
- Canton: Basel-City (BS) — city-state, tri-national border location
- Register: Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Basel-Stadt
- Minimum share capital: CHF 100,000 (min. CHF 50,000 paid in)
- Min. shareholders: 1
- Required bodies: Board of Directors, General Assembly, Auditor (if applicable)
- Corporate tax rate: ~13% effective
- Key sectors: Pharmaceuticals, life sciences, biotech, medtech, financial services, trade fairs
- Typical founding timeline: 1–3 weeks
Steps to Found a PLC in Basel-City
- Check name availability on Zefix
- Draft articles of association with a notary
- Deposit share capital at a Swiss bank
- Notarize founding deed in Canton Basel-City
- Register with Basel-City Commercial Registry
- Register for VAT if applicable
- Register with AHV social insurance
Download the Checklist
Download the checklist for preparing for self-employment with a PLC in PDF format now!