Practical Information

Financial Opportunities

Anyone legally starting a business in Switzerland is entitled to the same tax incentives and financing as the Swiss. Switzerland’s highly developed financial industry offers outstanding possibilities for entrepreneurial investment projects. Any type of transaction originating in Switzerland or in a foreign country can be handled through the large commercial banks, cantonal banks, regional banks and foreign banks located in Switzerland. In recent years, the availability of venture capital through private channels and the public listing on the SWX (Swiss stock exchange) have also markedly increased.

The Swiss Private Equity & Corporate Finance Association (SECA) is the representative body for Switzerland‘s private equity, venture capital and corporate finance industries. SECA has the objective to promote private equity and corporate finance activities in Switzerland.

Companies principally engaged in manufacturing, trading or the provision of services traditionally benefit from low taxation. In addition, various tax-planning options are available. Both the cantons and the Federal authorities give preferential treatment to holding companies relieving them from all income taxes, while extensive tax privileges are granted by the cantons to domiciliary companies without direct business activities in Switzerland. Swiss branches of a corporation based abroad are taxed only on earnings attributable to the operation in Switzerland.

More information on financing and taxation can be found on the web site of Location Promotion Switzerland.