Switzerland – A Brand That Opens Doors for Entrepreneurs Worldwide

When we think of Switzerland in the context of doing business, certain clichés often come to mind: a country reserved for global corporations, financial powerhouses, and vast holding structures. Yet the reality is quite different. Switzerland is, above all, a space for those who know how to operate wisely, transparently, and with vision. It’s a country built on pragmatism, which is why it can create opportunities even for newcomers on the international stage.

“Switzerland acts like a passport to business credibility. Whether you’re a manufacturer, consultant, investor, or trade intermediary – having an address in Geneva or Lugano automatically elevates your status in the eyes of your partners. The questions like ‘Who are you?’ and ‘Can you be trusted?’ disappear and are replaced with ‘How soon can we start working together?’,” says Anna Maria Panasiuk, wealth advisor.

“One of my clients was a Polish entrepreneur running a company focused on process automation in Europe. He had a great team and interesting projects in Poland, but when talking to Western companies, he felt that his voice wasn’t taken seriously. Too often, he lost to foreign competition. He decided to open a company in Switzerland – not to dodge taxes, but to gain a new level of quality. Today, his company operates from Lugano, and his salespeople’s calendars are filled with meetings with clients from London, Dubai, and Stockholm. Suddenly, no one asks whether the company is credible – because that question is answered by the very place from which it operates,” she adds.

When the System Works for You

You can see Swiss business culture in the details: in the speed at which institutions respond, in the approach of banks – meticulous, yet fundamentally business-friendly. In how you can talk with the tax authorities: pre-arranging tax settlement terms and having clarity about the rules, instead of risking arbitrary interpretations.

“The Swiss tax system stands out for its transparency and predictability. The rules are clearly defined – you can simply comply with them. And if you run a more complex business and aren’t sure how to book your transactions, you can just consult the tax administration in advance. This kind of dialogue with the tax office isn’t the exception here – it’s part of the system. For many of my clients, it’s a culture shock. But a positive one. One of them told me after a year of doing business in Switzerland: ‘I’ve never before had this level of comfort, where no one’s hiding around the corner trying to catch me making a mistake. Here, they genuinely want me to grow my business,’” Panasiuk emphasizes.

“There’s one word that perfectly captures what it means to run a business in Switzerland – Swissness. It’s a whole philosophy – a way of thinking about quality, order, precision, and stability. It’s the foundation on which the local economy is built,” comments Leonardo Mario Cavalleri, Director of World Trade Center Lugano.

“Here, everything is designed to support your business, not paralyze it. Whether you’re speaking with a banker, client, or tax official – you’re talking to someone who knows why they’re there. Someone who often has business experience themselves and understands the entrepreneur’s daily challenges. That kind of perspective on the other side of the desk changes everything,” he adds.

A Company Not Just “on Paper”

The procedure for setting up a company in Switzerland resembles the process in Poland. First, you open a bank account – often the most time-consuming step, as Swiss banks thoroughly verify all documents and data. Then, the share capital must be deposited: a minimum of CHF 20,000 for a limited liability company (Sàrl) or CHF 100,000 for a joint-stock company (SA), with an option to deposit 20% of the amount (but not less than CHF 50,000). Afterward, the founding act is signed at a notary. Once the company is entered into the cantonal commercial register – typically within about five days – the capital is transferred to the official company account. This completes the process, and the business can begin operating.

“Importantly, under Swiss law, a company must have at least one director with the right to reside in the country. This stems from the requirement of so-called substance, meaning a real presence not just on paper, but physically in Switzerland. That’s why companies often decide to assign one of their key employees to serve as the director of the Swiss entity. I’m currently setting up such structures in Lugano and Geneva, where a Polish sales manager and their family are living and operating locally, while production remains in Poland,” explains Panasiuk.

Favorable Taxes

In Switzerland, companies pay taxes on three levels: federal, cantonal, and municipal. The federal tax is 8.5% of profits. On top of that come local rates – depending on the canton and municipality, the total typically ranges between 12% and 21%. The most favorable conditions are in central Switzerland – where companies pay the least. There are also interesting tax incentives. Holding companies pay no tax on dividends or capital gains if they hold shares for at least one year – in Poland, this period is two years. Tech companies can deduct up to 50% of R&D expenses. And VAT? Low. Ranging from 2.5% to 7.7%. For many businesses, that’s a significant competitive edge.

It’s About the Climate

Switzerland attracts both global pharma leaders like Novartis and Roche – which have their headquarters here and represent a large part of the country’s exports – as well as hundreds of biotech and medtech startups. Alongside them operate small and large consulting and technology firms, as well as food exporters and importers. Entrepreneurs from around the world are drawn not by low costs, but by predictability, stability, and system quality. This is a country that not only doesn’t get in your way but becomes your partner. It gives you access to markets, technology, capital, and prestige. For those who think strategically and build their business with vision – it’s hard to find a better climate for business in Europe.