[Start & run](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights/categorie/start-run)# Starting your own business: the essential guide What you need to know before you start: legal choices, administrative formalities and protection to plan for. Starting a business in Switzerland is within reach, provided you anticipate a few key choices from the outset. The legal form, the administrative formalities and the protection of the business owner play an essential role in the long-term strength of the project. 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%2Fstarting-your-own-business-the-essential-guide) [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.helvate.ch%2Fen%2Finsights%2Fstarting-your-own-business-the-essential-guide&text=Starting+your+own+business%3A+the+essential+guide) [](mailto:?subject=Starting%20your%20own%20business%3A%20the%20essential%20guide&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.helvate.ch%2Fen%2Finsights%2Fstarting-your-own-business-the-essential-guide) Contents ## Sole proprietorship, Sàrl or SA: which structure should you choose A sole proprietorship is often chosen as a simple way to get started: no minimum capital is required and the entrepreneur trades in their own name, but is in principle liable with their personal assets for the debts of the business, since a sole proprietorship has no legal personality separate from its owner's. The Sàrl (limited liability company), with fully paid-up share capital of CHF 20,000, and the SA (company limited by shares), with share capital of CHF 100,000 of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid up, each have their own legal personality and in principle make it possible to separate the company's assets from those of its shareholders. The SA is particularly suited to projects expected to bring in several investors. ## Formalities common to all three forms Any gainful activity must be registered with an AVS compensation fund. For a sole proprietorship, it is the entrepreneur who registers as self-employed. Entry in the Commercial Register is only compulsory once turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, a threshold that also triggers liability for VAT. For a Sàrl or an SA, it is the company that registers as an employer, and its manager, even if they own it, is then considered an employee of their own company and falls under the scheme applicable to employees. Entry in the Commercial Register is compulsory from incorporation, regardless of turnover; liability for VAT, on the other hand, follows the same CHF 100,000 threshold as for a sole proprietorship. ## Protection to plan for from the start A self-employed person is covered by default neither by the LPP (occupational pensions) nor by occupational accident insurance: they must arrange their own pension provision, usually through pillar 3, and take out accident insurance and loss-of-earnings cover in case of illness. The manager of a Sàrl or an SA, on the other hand, is covered by the LPP and the LAA (accident insurance) once the legal thresholds are reached, but often benefits from supplementing them with daily sickness allowance insurance and pillar 3. Professional liability insurance may also be essential depending on the activity and the risks involved. ## An independent partner at your side At [**Helvate**](#cta), we support you from the very first steps of your project: choosing the legal form, incorporation formalities, bookkeeping and structuring your pension provision and insurance are among the topics we handle with you, with a view to comprehensive ongoing support rather than one-off advice. [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 ### Business domiciliation in Switzerland: how does it work? Published on 18 September 2026 Reading time : 3 min See more ](https://www.helvate.ch/en/insights/business-domiciliation-in-switzerland-how-does-it-work) 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! Your request has been noted — a Helvate advisor will get back to you shortly. [+41 22 342 55 55](tel:+41223425555) [contact@helvate.ch](mailto:contact@helvate.ch)