Bern (BE)Company FormationGmbH

GmbH Formation Bern: Cost, Steps and Capital Guide

GmbH formation Bern explained: minimum capital, notary and registry costs, the founding steps, and the compliance duties every new Bern GmbH faces.

Verified 6 days ago
4 min read
Updated Jun 2026
Verified against official sources in Switzerland. Last verified 6 days ago, Ausgleichskasse Bern, Steuerverwaltung Bern, KMU Portal.Status: current
CantonGenevaZurichZugBernBaselVaud
TopicVATCompany FormationAHVEmploymentData ProtectionAnnual Obligations
Business typeFreelancerGmbHAGEmployer
Overview

GmbH formation bern: Your Complete Guide to Starting a Company in Switzerland

Gmbh formation bern is a core compliance topic for SMEs in Bern. Establishing a GmbH in Bern involves a structured legal and administrative process governed by Swiss federal and cantonal laws. The process begins with choosing a unique business name and drafting the articles of association, which must be notarised and registered in the commercial register. Once registered, your company becomes a legal entity entitled to own assets, enter contracts, and pay taxes. The canton of Bern offers a stable business environment with strong infrastructure, and its central location makes it ideal for companies serving the entire country. All businesses must comply with Swiss tax regulations, including VAT registration thresholds, employer contributions to AHV, and annual reporting obligations. The gmbh switzerland: Complete Guide to GmbH Formation & Requirements provides a broader overview of Swiss company formation, while this guide focuses on the specific conditions in Bern. The companies in bern switzerland: Doing Business in the Canton offers insights into local market dynamics, access to talent, and regional incentives.
What this guide covers
  • Legal structure: How to choose and formalise a GmbH in Bern under Swiss company law.
  • Registration steps: What documents are required and where to submit them for company registration.
  • Tax obligations: How VAT, income tax, and social security contributions apply to your new GmbH.
CHF 100,000
VAT registration threshold
Federal threshold per ESTV MWSTG
8.1%
Standard VAT rate
CHF 20,000
Minimum registered capital
Mandatory for GmbHs in Switzerland per KMU Portal
17.69%
Canton tax rate
Cantonal income tax rate in Bern per Finanzdepartement BE
CHF 250.00
Child allowance
From 1 January 2025, per AK Bern - Allocations familiales
CHF 310.00
Training allowance
From 1 January 2025, per AK Bern - Allocations familiales
01
2-5 days
Choose and validate your business name
Before proceeding, you must ensure that your desired company name is unique and not already in use. Use the official commercial register lookup tool to check availability. The name must not mislead the public or suggest a connection with public authorities. It must also comply with Swiss naming conventions, such as including the legal form (e.g., GmbH). If the name is approved, you can proceed to the next step. For international entrepreneurs, the gmbh switzerland: Complete Guide to GmbH Formation & Requirements outlines how foreign names are assessed under Swiss law.
02
5-10 days
Draft and notarise the articles of association
The articles of association must contain essential elements such as the company’s name, registered office, purpose, share capital, and details of the directors. These documents must be notarised by a Swiss notary public, who will verify the authenticity of the signatories. The notary will also confirm that the minimum capital requirement of CHF 20,000 has been met by depositing funds into a blocked account. After notarisation, the documents are submitted to the commercial register. For those unfamiliar with Swiss legal language, the companies in bern switzerland: Doing Business in the Canton provides practical guidance on structuring the articles correctly.
03
3-7 days
Register your company in the commercial register
The registration is submitted to the Commercial Register Office of the canton of Bern. Upon submission, the office verifies the completeness of the documents and checks for compliance. Once approved, the company is assigned a unique commercial register number and officially recognised as a legal entity. You will receive a certificate of registration. This step is mandatory for all new companies, including those formed by foreigners. The zug company formation: Complete Guide to Starting a Business offers a comparative view of how the process varies slightly in other cantons.
04
2-5 days
Obtain tax and social security registrations
After registration, you must register your company with the cantonal tax authority (Finanzdepartement Bern) and the social security administration (AHV/IV). The tax registration includes applying for a tax number and setting up your tax reporting schedule. Employers must also register with the cantonal compensation fund for AHV and accident insurance. The KMU Portal provides detailed guidance on how to complete these registrations for foreigners. If you plan to hire staff, you must also declare your payroll and begin monthly contributions.
05
3-10 days
Open a business bank account
With your commercial register certificate and tax number, you can open a business bank account at a Swiss financial institution. Most banks require a meeting with a relationship manager and will ask for proof of identity, address, and company documents. It is recommended to choose a bank with full corporate services, such as online banking and invoicing tools. The account will be used for all business transactions, including tax payments, salary disbursements, and VAT filings. The company formation basel: Steps, Cost and Tax outlines how banking requirements vary in different regions of Switzerland.
Important Notes for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Non-residents of Switzerland must comply with specific rules when starting a GmbH in Bern. If you are from the EU/EFTA, you may require a residence permit to operate. You must prove a genuine business presence and may need to provide a business plan, office lease, or equipment list. For those from third countries, the process is more detailed and may include additional permits. The KMU Portal provides a step-by-step guide for EU/EFTA nationals, while the KMU Portal details requirements for cross-border workers. All foreign founders must ensure that their company’s activities are legal under Swiss law and that they meet all cantonal and federal obligations.
The minimum registered capital for a GmbH in Switzerland is CHF 20,000. This amount must be fully paid into a blocked account before notarisation of the articles of association. The funds remain frozen until the company is officially registered. This requirement ensures financial stability and protects creditors. The gmbh switzerland: Complete Guide to GmbH Formation & Requirements explains how capital is verified and released after registration. Failure to meet this threshold will result in rejection of the registration application.
Sources

Official Bern sources

Verified against official government sources

All rates and rules checked against primary Swiss federal and cantonal portals.

Be_ahv
Canton of Bern, AHV Compensation Office
AHV/IV compensation office for Canton Bern. Handles employer AHV registration and contributions for Bern-based businesses.
akbern.ch ↗
Be_tax
Canton of Bern, Tax Administration
Bern cantonal tax authority. Source for Bern-specific profit/income tax rates, deductions, and annual filing deadlines for businesses and self-employed persons.
fin.be.ch ↗
Kmu_portal
Swiss SME Portal
Official federal SME information portal. Broadest single federal source: covers company setup, VAT, employment, social insurance, and annual administrative obligations for all business types.
kmu.admin.ch ↗
Content verified against these sources. Not legal advice.See full disclaimer

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Swiss regulations change frequently, always verify with official sources or a qualified fiduciary before making decisions.