SERVICE
Foundation Setup
Setting up a Swiss foundation correctly from the start matters more than most founders expect. The foundation deed, once notarised, defines your purpose and governance in terms that cannot be changed without supervisory-authority approval. We manage the entire establishment process on your behalf, from an initial structure discussion to the moment your foundation acquires legal personality on the commercial register.
No statutory minimum capital
CHF 50,000 is the supervisory practice threshold, not a statutory figure.
4–8 weeks typical timeline
Allow 3–6 months where tax exemption or foreign founders are involved.
Tax exemption not automatic
Charitable foundations require a separate application to the cantonal tax authority.
English & German
All advisory and documentation available in both languages.
Scope of work
What's included
Purpose and structure review
We assess your objectives, charitable, family, corporate or umbrella, and advise on the type best suited to your circumstances and Swiss supervisory expectations.
Statutes and charter drafting
We draft the foundation charter and any internal regulations, in English and German, in forms accepted by the commercial register and the supervisory authority.
Notarial deed coordination
We prepare the complete dossier for the notary and coordinate the public-deed appointment required under Swiss Civil Code, Article 81.
Capital and bank-account guidance
We advise on the appropriate endowment level and assist with bank-account opening, including source-of-funds documentation for KYC.
Commercial-register filing
We file the complete dossier with the cantonal commercial register (Handelsregister) and correspond with the registry until the foundation acquires legal personality.
Supervisory-authority onboarding
We liaise with the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (ESA) or competent cantonal body from registration through to confirmation of ongoing supervision under Art. 84.
Tax-exemption application
For charitable foundations: we prepare and file the application to the cantonal tax authority for public-utility tax exemption under Federal Direct Tax Act, Art. 56 lit. g.
Foundation board appointment
We advise on board composition, formally appoint the first Stiftungsrat, and provide a governance summary setting out ongoing obligations.
How it works
Our process
A structured eight-stage approach, from initial consultation to completed handover.
Initial consultation
We discuss your purpose, assets, founding persons and timeline. We identify the appropriate foundation type and the supervisory authority that will have jurisdiction.
Structure proposal
We prepare a written summary of the recommended structure, governance arrangements and capital position for your review.
Charter drafting
We draft the foundation deed, internal regulations and any subsidiary documents, sharing drafts for comment before finalising.
Notarisation
We coordinate the notarial appointment and prepare all documents the notary requires. The foundation deed is executed as a public deed.
Register filing
We file with the commercial register. Once processed, typically two to four weeks, the foundation appears on the register and comes into legal existence.
Supervisory onboarding
We notify the supervisory authority and assist with the establishment review, including payment of the supervisory establishment fee.
Tax-exemption application
For charitable foundations: we prepare and submit the exemption application to the cantonal tax authority and correspond until a decision is received.
Handover
We deliver the complete founding documents, register extracts, supervisory correspondence and a governance summary with ongoing-obligations briefing.
Indicative pricing
All-in setup from ≈ CHF 10,000
Excluding capital endowment. Complex or cross-border structures at higher end.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident founder set up a Swiss foundation?
Yes. Swiss law imposes no nationality or residence requirement on the founder. The foundation itself must have a registered seat in Switzerland and be representable by at least one person resident in Switzerland with signatory authority.
How long does setup take?
A straightforward Swiss foundation typically takes four to eight weeks from notarisation to register entry. Where a charitable foundation seeks tax exemption, or the founder and assets are based abroad, allow three to six months in total.
How much capital do I need?
There is no statutory minimum in Swiss law. In practice, the supervisory authority expects assets sufficient to pursue the stated purpose sustainably, in the region of CHF 50,000 for a charitable foundation as a practical floor, and often more for larger or more complex purposes.
Do you advise on charitable versus family foundations?
Yes. Choosing the right type is one of the first decisions and one of the most consequential. We discuss the specifics in the initial consultation and can point you to our complete guide to Swiss foundations for background.
Ready to establish your Swiss foundation?
We advise founders across Switzerland and internationally. Consultations are available in English and German with no obligation to proceed.