Swiss Shelf Company
Swiss Shelf Company: We Find the Right Ready-Made Company for You
Need a Swiss company with an established registration date, and need it fast? A Swiss shelf company is an existing Sàrl (GmbH) or SA (AG), already in the commercial register, dormant and ready to change hands.
At SGCS, you do not choose from a fixed list. You tell us what you need, and we find the company that matches your project. Then we take care of everything else: ownership transfer, resident director, registered office and bank account introduction.
At a glance
| Available forms | Sàrl / GmbH / Sagl and SA / AG / SAG |
| Sourcing | Tailored: we search to your criteria |
| Status | Dormant, debt-free, already in the commercial register |
| Company age | Chosen according to your needs |
| Foreign ownership | 100% permitted, residents and non-residents |
| Resident director | Provided by SGCS (art. 718 CO) |
| Registered office | Included: Geneva or the canton of your choice |
| Bank account | Full file prepared, introduced from our Geneva network |
| Price | On request, depending on form, age and capital |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish |
Why we source on request
Every project has its own requirements: the legal form, the canton, the year of registration, the capital, the intended activity. A generic list cannot match all of them.
So we start from your brief. We look for the Swiss company that fits, verify it, and present it to you with the price and the timeline, before any commitment.
The result: a company that fits your project, not a project adapted to the company on the shelf.
What to tell us
| Your brief | Examples |
|---|---|
| Legal form | Sàrl / GmbH or SA / AG |
| Preferred canton | Geneva, Vaud, Zug, Zurich or other |
| Company age | 1 year, 3 years, 5 years or more |
| Capital | CHF 20,000 (Sàrl) or CHF 100,000 (SA) |
| Planned activity | Consulting, holding, trading, IP, services |
| Deadline | When you need the company operational |
Don’t have all the details yet? Send us what you know and we help you define the rest.
Who chooses a Swiss shelf company
Entrepreneurs and consultants who need a Swiss entity to sign a contract this month, not next quarter.
Holdings and investment vehicles that need an established Swiss company to hold shares, IP or assets quickly.
International groups opening a Swiss presence or financing entity on a deadline.
Projects with age requirements: tenders, licences and partners who prefer a company with an existing registration date.
Founders who value a Swiss base and want Swiss credibility from day one.
Sàrl or SA? Choosing your shelf company
| Criterion | Sàrl / GmbH | SA / AG |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | CHF 20,000 | CHF 100,000 |
| Owners in the commercial register | Yes | No, shareholder register is private |
| Transfer of ownership | Notarised | Private share transfer |
| Share structure | Straightforward | Multiple share classes possible |
| Ideal for | Consultants, SMEs, individual founders | Holdings, investors, privacy, fundraising |
Unsure which fits? We confirm the right form before any commitment: Swiss Sàrl · Swiss SA.
Shelf company or new formation?
| Swiss shelf company | New Swiss company | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to a working entity | Days once the company is selected | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Registration date | Existing, 1 year or more | Today |
| Company name | Changed to yours after transfer | Chosen from the start |
| Best when | Speed, credibility or age matter | You want a fully custom structure |
Most clients rename the company, update its purpose and appoint their own management. The structure becomes theirs within days.
One team, the full package
Sourcing and verification. We find a company matching your brief and verify its history and good standing before you commit.
Ownership transfer. Share transfer, board and management changes, name and purpose update, filings at the commercial register. You receive the full updated corporate file.
Swiss resident director. Swiss law requires at least one authorised signatory resident in Switzerland (art. 718 CO). SGCS provides it from Geneva.
Registered office. A real address in your chosen canton, with official mail handled.
Bank account. We prepare your complete banking file and introduce your company to a Swiss institution suited to your profile, in parallel with the transfer.
Accounting and compliance. Annual accounts, tax filings and register updates, managed from Geneva.
How it works
1. Send your brief. Form, canton, age, activity, deadline.
2. We find your company. We search to your criteria and verify what we find.
3. You receive a clear offer. Company details, price and timeline, before any commitment.
4. Transfer. Share transfer and filings handled by SGCS, signed remotely by power of attorney.
5. Operational setup and banking. Director, registered office and documents in place, and your banking file started in parallel.
No travel to Switzerland required.
FAQ
What is a Swiss shelf company?
A pre-registered Sàrl or SA, already in the Swiss commercial register, with paid-in capital, kept dormant and debt-free so it can be transferred to a new owner.
Why don’t you publish a list of available companies?
Because every client’s requirements are different. We find the company that matches your brief, which gives you a better fit than choosing from a fixed list.
Can a non-resident buy a Swiss shelf company?
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is permitted. SGCS provides the Swiss resident director and registered office the company needs.
How fast is the transfer?
Typically within days once the company is selected and identity verification and documents are complete. Register updates follow the cantonal register’s timelines.
Can I change the name and activity?
Yes. Name, corporate purpose, management and registered office can all be updated after the transfer. The original registration date stays with the company.
Can I ask for a specific age or canton?
Yes. These are exactly the criteria we search on. Send us your brief and we confirm what we can offer.
Do I need to travel to Switzerland?
No. The process is completed remotely through a power of attorney.
Can residents buy a Swiss shelf company too?
Yes. We assist both residents and non-residents.
How much does it cost?
The price depends on the form, age and capital of the company. We confirm the exact price in your offer, before any commitment.
Ready to find your Swiss company?
Send us two lines about your project. We search, verify and come back with a clear offer, then handle everything from transfer to bank account.
Also see: Swiss Sàrl formation · Swiss SA formation · Switzerland overview