[Start & run](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights/categorie/start-run)# Business domiciliation in Switzerland: how does it work? A company may need a business address without having its own premises. Domiciliation makes it possible to establish that address with a third party. How it works depends in particular on the company's legal form and whether it is entered in the Commercial Register. The registered office and the domicile do not mean exactly the same thing. The registered office is the municipality in which the company is legally established. The domicile is the address at which it can actually be reached in that municipality. When it does not have its own address at the registered office, a company entered in the Commercial Register can be domiciled with a third party, such as a fiduciary firm. Published on 18 September 2026 Updated on 25 September 2026 3 min read [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.helvate.ch%2Fen%2Finsights%2Fbusiness-domiciliation-in-switzerland-how-does-it-work) [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.helvate.ch%2Fen%2Finsights%2Fbusiness-domiciliation-in-switzerland-how-does-it-work&text=Business+domiciliation+in+Switzerland%3A+how+does+it+work%3F) [](mailto:?subject=Business%20domiciliation%20in%20Switzerland%3A%20how%20does%20it%20work%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.helvate.ch%2Fen%2Finsights%2Fbusiness-domiciliation-in-switzerland-how-does-it-work) Contents ## Not all companies are subject to the same rules SAs (companies limited by shares) and Sàrls (limited liability companies) must be entered in the Commercial Register. The same applies, among others, to general partnerships and limited partnerships. For a sole proprietorship, registration generally becomes compulsory once annual turnover reaches CHF 100,000. Outside the cases where registration is compulsory, it can register voluntarily. Self-employed status, however, does not depend on this registration: it is recognised by the competent compensation fund. An unregistered sole proprietorship can therefore carry on its business and use a business address, but that address is not a domicile published in the Commercial Register. ## How does domiciliation with a third party work? When an entity entered in the Commercial Register does not have its own address at its registered office, the domiciliary's address is shown in the Register with the note "c/o". The domiciliary must accept the domiciliation, and a declaration from them must be attached to the application. The company must be genuinely reachable at that address. Domiciliation is therefore not simply a matter of displaying an address on a website or on invoices. It creates an official address for the registered entity. ## A sole proprietorship can also be domiciled When a sole proprietorship is entered in the Commercial Register and does not have its own address at its registered office, it can be domiciled with a third party on the same principle, with a "c/o" address. If it is not required to register and chooses not to, it can still use a business address or a domiciliation service. In this case, no address is published in the Commercial Register. ## At Helvate, domiciliation tailored to the level of service you need Not every company needs the same level of support. At [**Helvate**](#cta), domiciliation can be limited to providing a business address and receiving mail. The mail received is then forwarded to the client, without any additional administrative handling. For companies that wish to delegate more, domiciliation can be combined with administrative follow-up. Depending on the needs agreed with the client, [**Helvate**](#cta) can handle or scan mail and combine domiciliation with other administrative or fiduciary services, such as accounting, payroll or VAT. ## What happens if something changes? For a registered company, a change of domicile must be notified to the Commercial Register. A change of address within the same municipality must be distinguished from a transfer of the registered office to another municipality. For an SA or a Sàrl, the registered office is stated in the articles of association, and transferring it involves the formalities for amending them. If the registered office is transferred to another canton, the procedure is carried out with the competent Commercial Register office of the new registered office. ## A solution suited to how your company is organised The choice of domiciliation depends on the legal form, any entry in the Commercial Register and, above all, the level of support you are looking for. At [**Helvate**](#cta), each company can choose the solution that suits how it operates: domiciliation with receipt and forwarding of mail, or more comprehensive support including administrative and fiduciary follow-up. [Back to all insights](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights) Read next## Related articles [ Start & run ### Becoming self-employed: the steps you should not overlook Published on 18 September 2026 Reading time : 3 min See more ](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights/becoming-self-employed-the-steps-you-should-not-overlook) [ Start & run ### The fiduciary firm: support that goes far beyond the numbers Published on 18 September 2026 Reading time : 2 min See more ](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights/the-fiduciary-firm-support-that-goes-far-beyond-the-numbers) [ Start & run ### Starting your own business: the essential guide Published on 18 September 2026 Reading time : 3 min See more ](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights/starting-your-own-business-the-essential-guide) A free initial conversation## Let's discuss your needs, simply. Tell us about your situation, and we'll take it from there. - Full analysis - Response within 24h - No obligation Thank you! 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