Company formation in Switzerland

Formation of companies in Switzerland has advantages tax-wise as well as from an economical point of view.

SwissHQ offers incorporation services and support in incorporation related dealings with banks and authorities, as well as staying in contact with the Registrar of Companies to ensure the client is able to start with business transactions in the name of his Swiss company within 4-8 weeks.

The 2 most important types of entities in Switzerland are AG (public limited company) and GmbH (private limited company). Both are easily established. However, the AG has the advantage that shareholders are not necessarily registered and offers a certain level of anonymity. Further, the standing of the AG is considerably higher than that of the GmbH - especially in international business transactions.

It would only be advisable to utilise a GmbH if the client desires to actively trade within Switzerland, such as establishing production facilities, sale and distribution of products, establishing a presence in the various crafts sectors, etc.).

For any cross-border and international business transactions, larger consultancy contracts, financial services and holding structures the AG is often the only recognised and authorised vehicle.

Basic conditions for establishing a company in Switzerland

- GmbH: minimum capitalisation of CHF 20,000 which has to be paid up in full either cash or the equivilent value in assets; single member limited companies are possible, and cross-border management is acceptable since 2008

- AG: minimum capitalisation of CHF 100,000 of which 20% or at least CHF 50,000 (either cash or the equivalent value in assets) has to be paid up; one subscriber (be it a private individual or a corporate entity) is required and at least one board member has to be resident in Switzerland

Please contact us for an offer for the incorporation of a Swiss company.

Lakefront, Lugano, Switzerland

Company formation in Gibraltar

View over the Old Town and the Rock, Gibraltar

The Rock of GIBRALTAR is located at the southern tip of Spain, at the Strait of Gibraltar connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Approximately 30,000 inhabitants live on seven square kilometres and enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers. Gibraltar is a British Crown Colony with an internal Government. The Constitution gives legislative powers to the Governor and the House of Assembly, which is elected democratically every four years. The UK Government is responsible for defence, foreign affairs, financial stability and internal security.

The official language is English; although, Spanish is commonly spoken. The local currency is the Gibraltar Pound, which is on par with Sterling.

Gibraltar is an Associate Member of the European Union and has to follow nearly all Directives, with the exception of those relating to VAT and Common Agricultural Policy, of which Gibraltar was excluded when joining the EU in 1972 under the Rome Treaty.

Gibraltar became British during the war of the Spanish Succession, when a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet seized it in 1704. The Treaty of Utrecht formalized British sovereignty in 1713. Gibraltar became a British Garrison and declared a Crown colony in 1830.

Gibraltar's revenue benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, tourism and fairly recently from being an international conference centre. The financial sector accounts for 85% of GDP, after the reduction of British military and naval personnel.

Types of Company

The Companies (Taxation and Concessions) Ordinance of 1967 provided for the incorporation of the Gibraltar Exempt Company. However, not until 1985, when the border to Spain was re-opened, were the benefits widely used. From that time on, the Gibraltar Exempt Company experienced a boom as vehicle being used for holding Spanish property along the Costa del Sol. Nowadays, non-resident companies are more widely used, as long as there are no bank accounts in Gibraltar, and the company is managed and controlled from outside.

A Gibraltar Company requires a minimum of one director, who may be an individual or corporate entity, and be of any nationality. The Companies Ordinance requires that a Company Secretary, who must be resident, be appointed.

The minimum number of shareholders is one with a standard authorized share capital of £2,000 divided into 2,000 shares of £1, being the maximum authorized share capital for the minimum capital duty payable for the incorporation. Bearer shares are allowed, but not viable, since the certificates have to be deposited with a local bank.

Please contact us for an offer for the incorporation of a Gibraltar company.

Company formation in Nevis

The Island of NEVIS forms part of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. It is situated in the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, which gives it a tropical maritime climate. The majority of the island's inhabitants lives in the capital, Charlestown. The official language is English.

The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, pegged to the US Dollar, which is freely accepted as the second currency.

After a period of warfare between the English, Spanish and French, the Treaty of Versailles in 1783 brought the Island under British rule. The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis became fully independent in 1983. However, Nevis has retained the right to become independent, if so decided in the referendum. This happened last in 1998 when Nevis failed to achieve the required 2/3 majority.

The island's major industry is tourism; with a rapidly expanding Offshore Financial Services Sector. The Government has created legislation to protect the rights of persons, trusts and corporations choosing to use this jurisdiction.

Modern telecommunications and links via many major airlines make the Island easily accessible.

Oualie Beach, Nevis

Types of Company

The two types of Nevis companies of interest to investors and tax planners are the Nevis Offshore Exempt Company (NBCO) and the Nevis Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Nevis Offshore Companies must have a minimum of one shareholder. They may be corporate or individual and there are no residency requirements. Registered shares and bearer shares are both permitted. The standard authorised share capital is USD100,000 with a capital duty of USD200.

Directors of a Nevis Company may be of any nationality and there is no residency requirement. If there are less than three shareholders, the number of directors may be equal to the number of shareholders. Directors may be corporate or individual entities. Although not a statutory requirement, a Company Secretary is usually appointed. Like the directors, the secretary may be a corporate or an individual and there are no residency requirements.

Please contact us for an offer for the incorporation of a Nevis company.

Company formation in the British Virgin Islands

The BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, also called Virgin Islands or BVI, are a British overseas territory located in the eastern portion of the Virgin Islands Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. The Virgin Islands are part of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles covering over 40 islands, 16 of which are inhabited. They are located about 96 kilometers east of Puerto Rico, its largest neighbor.

Columbus named them "Las Virgenes" upon discovery, in honor of St. Ursula and her 11,000 attendant virgins.

In 1672, Britain claimed Tortola as part of its Empire. The British Virgin Islands are considered a UK overseas territory with self-government in most internal matters. Under the 1977 constitution, the Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II, is represented by a governor, who forms part of the executive council together with the chief minister, the attorney-general and three other ministers.

The Islands' Common Law is based on English Common Law with local modifications and local statutes.

Most of the 23,000 inhabitants, 90% of which are of African descent, live on the largest and most heavily populated Island of Tortola, approx. 18,000. The BVI's capital, Road Town, is on the southern shore of Tortola which is connected by a road bridge to Beef Island and the local airport.

The BVI enjoy excellent connections with excellent daily air service between the Islands and the USA. Cruise ships call in weekly to the Islands and there are freight carriers.

The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which generates about 21% of the national income.

View of Camanoe Bay, BVI

Types of Companies

The Companies Act (Cap. 285) in 1984 and The BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (BVIBC Act) paved the way for the BVI's rise to the top of the ranking of offshore finance centers in the world. By 2006 the number incorporated had exceed 750,000 companies.

A Business Company, as they are now called, instead of the old famous IBC (International Business Company) requires a minimum of one director, who may be an individual or corporate entity, and be of any nationality. The BVIBC Act does not require a Company Secretary, however, usually one is appointed for convenience.

The minimum number of shareholders is one with a standard authorized share capital of USD 50,000, being the maximum authorized share capital for the minimum capital duty payable for the incorporation. Bearer shares were for the most abolished with the introduction of the BVIBC Act to comply with international standards. However, privacy can be retained by using nominees as officers of the Business Company.

Whilst there is no requirement to file audited accounts with the authorities, a company is required to keep financial records, which reflect the financial position of a company.

Please contact us for an offer for the incorporation of a BVI company.