VDFrench-speaking

Vaud, Compliance Guide for Switzerland

French-speaking Switzerland's largest canton. Lausanne, Montreux, and the EPFL technology cluster anchor a diverse economy ranging from hospitality and tourism to MedTech and IT. Tax rates competitive for Romandy.

20.0%
Effective tax rate
(combined)
900K+
Population
MID
Tax burden
Verified against official sources in Switzerland. Cantonal tax authority, AHV office, and commercial register.
Status: current
Key Numbers

Vaud at a glance

20.0%
Effective combined tax rate
Mid-range. Competitive for French-speaking Switzerland, below Geneva.
CHF 100K
VAT registration threshold
Federal rule.
EPFL
Tech and MedTech hub
Lausanne EPFL and the Health Valley cluster anchor an active deep-tech ecosystem.
10.6%
AHV/IV total contribution rate
Federal rate. CVCI and Caisse AVS VD coordinate cantonal registration.
Canton Profile

Tax and registration facts for Vaud

Official sources and key registration links for operating a business in Vaud.

Tax and registration
Effective combined tax rate20.0%
Cantonal income taxProgressive, mid-range
Federal corporate tax8.5% (profit)
Withholding taxRequired for non-resident workers
VAT thresholdCHF 100,000 (federal)
Tax authorityAFC Vaud
vd.ch/aci
Commercial registerRegistre du commerce VD
rc.vd.ch
Key context for Vaud businesses
Administrative languageFrench
Population~900,000
EPFL clusterSignificant for tech and MedTech founders
Minimum wage (cantonal)CHF 22.74/hour (2024)
Sarl formation timeline10 to 15 business days
Sole proprietor registrationRequired from CHF 100K revenue
AHV officeCaisse AVS Vaud
caisseavsvaud.ch
Watch Out

Vaud compliance gotchas

Four things that catch Vaud-based SMEs and foreign founders off guard. Know these before you hire or incorporate.

EPFL ecosystem advantage
Lausanne's EPFL is a top-tier technical university feeding the Vaud tech and MedTech ecosystem. For deep-tech founders the talent pool and partner network are a real differentiator vs incorporating in Zurich or Zug.
Cantonal minimum wage applies
Vaud's cantonal minimum wage (CHF 22.74/hour in 2024) is enforced for all workers in the canton. Sectoral CCTs in construction, hospitality, and security may set higher floors. Verify before publishing any job offer.
French-language filings only
Sarl statutes, board minutes, and Registre du commerce correspondence must be in French. A Lausanne or Vaud-based notary speeds the process; remote founders pair with a translator early to avoid delays.
Active labour inspectorate
Vaud's inspectorate is notably active in hospitality and construction. Documented timekeeping, accurate rest-day rosters, and clear contracts are essential. Spot checks on tourist-zone restaurants happen each summer.
Compliance Areas

Key compliance obligations in Vaud

Federal rules apply everywhere, Vaud adds its own layer on tax, employment, and registration.

Topic

Company Formation

French-language Sarl filings. EPFL proximity makes Vaud popular for deep-tech and MedTech startups.

7 articlesExplore
Topic

Employment

Active labour inspectorate. Cantonal minimum wage CHF 22.74/h. Strong hospitality + construction CCTs.

7 articlesExplore
Topic

AHV / AVS

Self-employed register with Caisse AVS Vaud. Standard federal rates apply.

5 articlesExplore
Topic

VAT / TVA

Federal rules. Many Vaud SMEs invoice EU clients; place-of-supply matters.

5 articlesExplore
Topic

Annual Obligations

Sarl AGM, comptes annuels, corporate tax return to AFC Vaud.

5 articlesExplore
Topic

Data Protection

FADP applies. MedTech and IoT firms face overlapping FADP, GDPR, and sector regulation.

4 articlesExplore

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Articles

Vaud compliance guides

All articles tagged Vaud or Countrywide, applicable to any business in this canton.

Vaudannual-obligations

Tax Return Vaud: Deadlines and Filing Guide

Tax return Vaud: filing deadlines, common deductions, and the online tools individuals and companies use to submit their cantonal return in Vaud.

Verified5 min read
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Minimum Wage Vaud: Rates and Employer Rules

Minimum wage Vaud: the cantonal hourly rate, who it covers, how it affects payroll and contracts, and what employers must do to stay compliant.

Verified5 min read
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Company Formation Vaud: Steps, Cost and Tax

Company formation Vaud: pick a legal structure, satisfy capital and notary rules, register the company, and understand cantonal tax duties in Vaud.

Verified5 min read
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GmbH Annual Obligations Switzerland: Year-End Guide

GmbH annual obligations in Switzerland: Jahresabschluss, audit thresholds, AGM, cantonal corporate tax return, and the year-end calendar.

Verified6 min read
Countrywideahv

Self Employed Switzerland: AHV Contributions Guide

Self-employed in Switzerland: AHV contribution rates, registration with your cantonal Ausgleichskasse, the 10.0% rate, and minimum payments.

Verified6 min read
Countrywideahv

How to Become Self Employed in Switzerland

How to become self employed in Switzerland: gain AHV recognition, register with a compensation office, and meet the contribution and admin duties.

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Countrywidevat

VAT Registration Number Switzerland: Complete Guide

VAT registration number Switzerland: how to obtain it via ESTV, MWST registration thresholds, compliance steps, and rules for foreign businesses.

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Countrywideemployment

Hiring First Employee Switzerland: Compliance Checklist

Hiring your first employee in Switzerland: AHV employer registration, UVG insurance, BVG from CHF 22,680, source tax, year-end Lohnausweis.

Verified6 min read
Countrywidedata-protection

FADP Compliance Checklist for Swiss Businesses

FADP compliance checklist: the records, privacy notice, security and data-transfer steps every Swiss SME needs under the revised data protection act.

Verified5 min read