Switzerland Business Licensing
Licensing of Business Activity
Normally, no special business licences are required as long as an individual has obtained the necessary work and residence permits.
Registration of a business in the Commercial Register will automatically result in a general business licence (certificate) being issued. In some specific sectors including banking, insurance, transport, and employment services, a special licence is required.
For those starting a business selling alcohol or tobacco, or establishing a gaming business such as a casino, special licences are required before commencement of business – often evidence of previous experience (eg running a bar) is required. Other activities that require a licence include hotels, restaurants, physicians, dentists, pharmacists and attorneys. Where a business licence is required, this usually takes about a week to obtain.
This article is an extract from Personal Business Tax Guide , dated 4th January 2011, for the latest version please click here .
Also in this section
- Switzerland Business Structures: Forms of Company used in Business
- Switzerland Business Registration: The necessary procedures
- Tax Residency in Switzerland: Need for tax residency in business
- Registration Requirements in Switzerland: Requirements for individuals
- Switzerland Business Licensing: Licensing of Business Activity
- Switzerland Income Tax Rates and Bands: The Tax Structure for Businesses
- Taxation in Switzerland: Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Taxation: Business Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
- Summary - Opening a business in Switzerland: All you need to know