Register a Company in Bern: Tax, Registry & Guide

Canton Bern is Switzerland’s second-largest canton by area, stretching from the Jura mountains in the north-west to the Bernese Alps in the south-east, covering nearly 6,000 square kilometres. The city of Bern is both the cantonal capital and the de facto federal capital of Switzerland — the seat of the Federal Council, Federal Assembly, and the majority of federal administrative bodies. With a population exceeding 1.05 million, Bern is the second-most populous canton after Zurich and home to roughly 90,000 registered companies.

The canton’s defining characteristic for business is not its tax rate — at approximately 21.04 per cent in the city of Bern, it sits among the highest in Switzerland — but rather its unique combination of government proximity, bilingual German-French workforce, a mature ICT sector, major research institutions, and the Biel/Bienne watchmaking cluster. Companies that establish in Bern do so because the canton offers positioning and access that cannot be replicated in a lower-tax jurisdiction. This guide covers everything required to register a company in Canton Bern. For a regional comparison, see the Northwest Switzerland business guide or the full cantonal overview.

What Does Canton Bern Offer Businesses?

Bern is a German-speaking canton with a significant French-speaking minority in its north-western Jura bernois region. The city of Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the River Aare, with a UNESCO-listed old town and a compact city centre that houses both cantonal and federal government buildings. The canton’s territory is vast and diverse: the Bernese Oberland in the south includes Interlaken, Grindelwald, and the Jungfrau region — among Switzerland’s most visited tourist destinations — while the Seeland region around Biel/Bienne is a manufacturing and watchmaking centre. This geographic and economic diversity gives Canton Bern a breadth that smaller cantons cannot match.

What Are the Corporate Tax Rates in Canton Bern?

The effective combined corporate tax rate in the city of Bern is approximately 21.04 per cent. This is one of the highest rates in Switzerland and the highest among the Northwest Swiss cantons. The rate reflects a combination of the federal tax, a relatively high cantonal tax component, and the city of Bern’s municipal multiplier.

Tax Breakdown

Municipal Variation

Canton Bern has approximately 340 municipalities, and their tax multipliers vary substantially. The city of Bern applies one of the higher multipliers within the canton. Municipalities in the greater Bern agglomeration and the Seeland region tend to apply lower multipliers:

For companies that do not require a city-of-Bern address, registering in a lower-multiplier municipality within the Bern agglomeration can reduce the effective rate by one to three percentage points without sacrificing proximity to the federal quarter or access to the city’s infrastructure.

Capital Tax

Canton Bern levies a capital tax (Kapitalsteuer) on equity. For a GmbH with the minimum share capital of CHF 20,000, the annual charge is modest. The capital tax rate is comparable to other cantons and rarely a decisive factor in location decisions.

An Honest Assessment

The 21.04 per cent rate is significantly above the rates offered by Basel-Stadt (13.04 per cent), Solothurn (~15.54 per cent), and even the Swiss national average of roughly 14.5 per cent. On CHF 500,000 in annual profit, a company in Bern pays approximately CHF 40,000 more in tax than one in Basel-Stadt. This differential is real, and for businesses where tax is the primary concern, Bern is unlikely to be the optimal choice. The canton’s value proposition lies elsewhere: in access, location, workforce, and the specific advantages detailed below.

What Are the Key Industries and Economic Strengths?

Canton Bern’s economy is unusually diversified by Swiss standards, driven by the presence of the federal government, two major universities, a mature technology sector, and a geographic span that encompasses both urban centres and Alpine tourism.

Federal Government and Public Administration

Bern’s status as the federal capital is its single most distinctive economic feature. The Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) houses the Federal Council and the two chambers of parliament. The majority of federal offices — including the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), FINMA, and Swissmedic — are headquartered here. This concentration creates a substantial ecosystem of public affairs consultancies, lobbying firms, regulatory law practices, trade associations, and NGOs. Federal government contracts represent a significant revenue stream for Bern-based companies, particularly in IT services, consulting, and defence procurement.

ICT and Technology

Bern has developed into one of Switzerland’s most significant ICT centres. The city hosts a cluster of technology companies ranging from large system integrators serving federal government contracts to innovative startups. The presence of the University of Bern and the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) ensures a steady supply of trained engineers and computer scientists. The BFH’s department of engineering and information technology in Biel/Bienne is particularly relevant for applied research and industry collaboration.

Federal government IT procurement — one of Switzerland’s largest sources of public-sector technology contracts — naturally favours companies with a Bern presence. Major IT service providers maintain offices in Bern specifically for this reason.

Universities, Research, and Medtech

The University of Bern (UniBE) enrols approximately 19,000 students, with particular strengths in medicine, climate science, and space research. The Inselspital (Bern University Hospital), operated by the Insel Gruppe, is one of Switzerland’s largest teaching hospitals and a centre for clinical research in cardiovascular medicine and oncology. The Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), with campuses in Bern, Biel/Bienne, and Burgdorf, bridges academic research and industry application across engineering, business, and health sciences.

The medtech sector benefits directly from this research infrastructure. Companies developing surgical instruments, diagnostic devices, and digital health solutions cluster around the Inselspital campus. The Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne supports technology transfer and incubation for medtech and manufacturing startups.

Tourism

The Bernese Oberland — Interlaken, Grindelwald, the Jungfrau region — is one of Europe’s premier Alpine tourism destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually. This creates opportunities for companies in tourism technology, booking platforms, hospitality management, and experience design.

Watchmaking — Biel/Bienne

Biel/Bienne, Canton Bern’s second-largest urban centre, is a historic watchmaking hub. Swatch Group, the world’s largest watch company, has its headquarters here, along with production facilities for Omega, Tissot, and other group brands. The city’s bilingual character and position at the foot of the Jura mountains place it within the broader Swiss Watch Valley extending through Neuchâtel and Jura.

How Does the Commercial Register Work in Bern?

The Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Bern manages all company registrations, amendments, and deletions for businesses domiciled in the canton.

Contact Details

The register accepts submissions in both German and French, reflecting the canton’s bilingual status. Electronic filing through authorised notaries is the standard channel for new formations.

Fees

Registration fees follow the federal schedule set out in the Commercial Register Ordinance (HRegV):

These are register fees only. Notary costs are separate and discussed below.

How Do You Register a Company in Bern?

The registration process follows the standard Swiss procedure with several Bern-specific considerations.

1. Verify the company name. Search Zefix to confirm the proposed name is available across Switzerland. The Federal Commercial Registry Office (EHRA) has final authority over name approval. For bilingual companies operating from Biel/Bienne, consider registering the name in both languages.

2. Engage a Bern Latin notary. Canton Bern operates a Latin notariat system (freies Notariat), meaning notaries are independent professionals rather than cantonal civil servants. The Latin notary drafts the articles of association, prepares the deed of incorporation, certifies signatures, and submits the application to the Handelsregisteramt. Notary fees for a standard GmbH formation in Bern typically range from CHF 1,500 to CHF 2,500, depending on complexity. The Latin notariat is a distinction from cantons like Solothurn that use cantonal notaries (Amtsnotare).

3. Open a capital deposit account. Open a blocked account (Kapitaleinzahlungskonto) at a bank operating in the canton — Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB), UBS, or a Raiffeisen branch. Deposit the required share capital: CHF 20,000 for a GmbH (fully paid up) or CHF 100,000 for an AG (minimum 50 per cent paid in). Allow one to two weeks for account opening and deposit confirmation.

4. Execute the formation deed. All founders appear before the Latin notary, either in person or through a duly authorised representative. The notary certifies the articles of association, board or manager appointments, auditor designation or audit opt-out declaration (for companies meeting the size criteria), and specimen signatures.

5. Submit to the Bern commercial register. The notary files the application with the Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Bern. Processing typically takes five to ten business days. Upon registration, the company receives its CHE number (UID) and appears in the federal Zefix database and the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB).

6. Complete post-registration formalities. Register with the Steuerverwaltung des Kantons Bern for corporate income and capital tax. Enrol with the Ausgleichskasse des Kantons Bern for social insurance contributions (AHV/IV/EO). Arrange mandatory accident insurance (UVG) and, if employing staff, occupational pension coverage (BVG).

At least one person authorised to represent the company must be domiciled in Switzerland. If all founders reside abroad, a Swiss-resident director or authorised signatory must be appointed. Bern-based fiduciaries and corporate service providers can fulfil this requirement.

For personalised guidance, speak to an expert who can connect you with a Bern-based notary and fiduciary.

How Does Bern Compare with Northwest Swiss Cantons?

Bern vs Basel-Stadt. The tax gap is the elephant in the room: 21.04 per cent versus 13.04 per cent, a difference of approximately eight percentage points. On CHF 1 million in profit, that translates to roughly CHF 80,000 more tax per year in Bern. Basel-Stadt is the clear choice for pharmaceutical, life sciences, and chemical companies. Bern counters with government proximity, a larger population and talent pool, bilingual capability, and prime office rents that are actually lower than Basel’s top-end locations. Companies in public affairs, government IT, and cross-linguistic services find Bern irreplaceable.

Bern vs Basel-Landschaft. Basel-Landschaft’s effective rate of approximately 16.3 per cent is roughly five percentage points below Bern. Basel-Landschaft offers proximity to the Basel pharma cluster and more affordable commercial space. Bern’s advantages — federal government access, bilingual workforce, larger population — apply primarily to companies with government-facing activity or a need to serve both language regions.

Bern vs Solothurn. The tax differential is substantial: 21.04 per cent versus approximately 15.54 per cent. On CHF 1 million in profit, the annual saving by choosing Solothurn exceeds CHF 55,000. Solothurn is the stronger choice for manufacturing and precision engineering companies. Bern offers a far larger talent pool, university infrastructure, and government contracts that Solothurn cannot access. Geographically, Solothurn sits just 35 minutes from Bern by train, allowing companies to split operations between the two cantons.

What Are the Advantages and Limitations?

Why companies choose Bern

• Federal capital positioning. No other Swiss canton offers direct adjacency to the Federal Council, parliament, and the full apparatus of federal administration. For lobbying firms, public affairs consultancies, trade associations, NGOs, and IT companies pursuing federal procurement, a Bern address is a functional requirement rather than a preference.
• Bilingual German-French workforce. As the only major bilingual canton in the Northwest group, Bern provides access to employees fluent in both of Switzerland’s largest languages. Companies serving clients across the Röstigraben benefit from a workforce that moves naturally between both language communities.
• Second-largest canton by population. With over 1.05 million residents, Bern offers the deepest labour market in Northwest Switzerland across multiple disciplines.
• Growing ICT sector. Federal IT contracts, two strong universities, and an emerging startup ecosystem have established Bern as a credible technology hub — particularly in govtech, cybersecurity, and digital health.
• Lower rents than Zurich. Prime office space in Bern ranges from CHF 200 to CHF 350 per m² per year, significantly below Zurich’s CHF 500 to CHF 900.
• Biel/Bienne watchmaking cluster. Access to Swatch Group’s headquarters and one of Switzerland’s historic watch manufacturing centres.
• University and research ecosystem. The University of Bern, BFH, and Inselspital generate research output and talent pipelines in medicine, engineering, and IT.

Limitations to consider

• High corporate tax rate. The 21.04 per cent effective rate in the city of Bern is roughly seven to eight percentage points above Basel-Stadt and Solothurn. For profit-driven businesses with no specific need for a Bern location, this differential is difficult to justify. Even lower-multiplier municipalities rarely dip below 18 per cent.
• Smaller international profile than Zurich or Geneva. Bern lacks the global financial centre status of Zurich and the international organisation cluster of Geneva. Companies needing an internationally recognised prestige address may find Bern less compelling.
• Limited international air connections. Bern Airport offers only a handful of seasonal routes. Zurich Airport (approximately 75 minutes by train) or Geneva Airport (approximately 100 minutes) serve as the practical alternatives.
• Perception as a government town. Bern’s association with federal administration can create a perception that the city is slower-moving than Zurich or Basel. Startups sometimes prefer the energy and investor density of Zurich’s ecosystem.

Sources and Editorial Standards

Tax data in this guide references the Bern cantonal tax administration and the Federal Tax Administration’s published inter-cantonal rates. Commercial register information comes from the Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Bern. Information on Bern’s technology sector draws on the Canton Bern economic development agency and Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne publications. The author, Florian Rosenberg, advises clients on Bern-region company formations through AI Solutions Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the effective corporate tax rate in Canton Bern?

The effective combined corporate tax rate in the city of Bern is approximately 21.04 per cent. This includes the federal corporate income tax of 8.5 per cent (effective approximately 7.83 per cent after the base deduction), the cantonal income tax, and the municipal tax multiplier applied by the city of Bern. The rate varies across the canton's roughly 340 municipalities. Municipalities in the Bernese Mittelland and the Seeland region may apply lower multipliers, producing effective rates closer to 18 to 19 per cent. Despite the comparatively high headline rate, the canton's economic size, government proximity, and bilingual workforce continue to attract a substantial volume of new company registrations.

How long does it take to register a company in Canton Bern?

The Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Bern typically processes complete applications within five to ten business days after the notary submits the formation deed. The full process — from engaging a notary, opening a capital deposit account, executing the deed, to receiving confirmed registration and a CHE number — usually takes two to four weeks. Bern operates a Latin notariat system, meaning founders must engage a licensed Latin notary rather than a public notary. Ensuring all documentation is complete before submission avoids delays.

Is Bern a bilingual canton and does that affect company registration?

Yes, Canton Bern is officially bilingual, with German and French as its two official languages. The French-speaking Bernese Jura (Jura bernois) region, including Moutier, Saint-Imier, and surrounding municipalities, operates in French. The commercial register accepts documentation in both German and French, depending on the municipality of domicile. A company registered in Biel/Bienne — itself an officially bilingual city — may file in either language. This bilingual status is a genuine business advantage for companies serving both the Swiss-German and Romandie markets.

Can I find a lower tax rate within Canton Bern by choosing a specific municipality?

Yes, municipal tax multipliers vary significantly across Canton Bern's roughly 340 municipalities. The city of Bern applies one of the higher multipliers in the canton, producing the 21.04 per cent effective rate. Municipalities in the greater Bern agglomeration — such as Ittigen, Ostermundigen, Köniz, or Worb — or in the Seeland region around Biel/Bienne typically apply lower multipliers that can reduce the effective rate to approximately 18 to 19 per cent. Before selecting a domicile, it is advisable to request a tax estimate from the Steuerverwaltung des Kantons Bern for your projected profit level.

What are the main reasons to register a company in Bern despite the high tax rate?

Companies choose Bern for reasons that go beyond tax: proximity to the federal government and parliament (essential for lobbying, public affairs, and government contracts), a bilingual German-French workforce, the canton's large population and talent pool exceeding one million, lower office rents than Zurich, a growing ICT and medtech sector, and the presence of major research institutions including the University of Bern and Inselspital. Government-facing businesses, public affairs consultancies, NGOs, international organisations, and companies that serve both language regions find Bern's positioning difficult to replicate elsewhere.

How does Bern compare with Basel-Stadt for company registration?

The two cantons differ fundamentally in tax and profile. Basel-Stadt's effective corporate tax rate of 13.04 per cent is roughly eight percentage points below Bern's 21.04 per cent — on CHF 1 million in profit, that gap amounts to approximately CHF 80,000 per year. Basel-Stadt is the clear choice for pharmaceutical, life sciences, and chemical companies. Bern offers what Basel cannot: direct adjacency to the federal government, a bilingual workforce, a larger local population, and lower office rents than Basel's prime locations. Companies whose revenue depends on government contracts or cross-linguistic reach typically find Bern's advantages outweigh the tax premium.

What is the Bern notary system and how does it work for company formation?

Canton Bern operates a Latin notariat system, which means privately appointed notaries handle the preparation and execution of public deeds. Notaries in Bern are regulated professionals who draft the articles of association, certify the deed of incorporation, and submit the application to the commercial register. Unlike cantonal notary systems found in cantons such as Zurich or Basel, Latin notaries in Bern typically operate as self-employed practitioners and set their own fees within cantonal guidelines. For a standard GmbH, notary fees in Bern range from approximately CHF 1,500 to CHF 2,500.

Where is the Bern commercial register office located?

The Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Bern is located at Poststrasse 25 in Ostermundigen, just outside the city of Bern. The office is the single point of registration for all companies domiciled within the canton, regardless of their municipal address. Electronic filing through a notary is the standard approach. The register can also be reached by telephone and email during normal business hours. Companies searching for existing Bern entries can use the federal Zefix portal at zefix.ch.

What post-registration obligations apply to a newly formed Bern company?

After receiving confirmation from the Handelsregisteramt, the company must register with the Steuerverwaltung des Kantons Bern for corporate income and capital tax. If projected annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000, mandatory VAT registration with the Federal Tax Administration follows. Employers must enrol with the Ausgleichskasse for AHV/IV/EO contributions, arrange accident insurance under UVG, and affiliate with a pension fund under BVG. In Bern, the relevant social insurance body is Ausgleichskasse des Kantons Bern. New companies may also require a business licence from the municipality depending on the activity.

Can I live in another canton and still register my company in Bern?

Yes. Swiss law does not require founders or shareholders to live in the canton where the company is registered. The only residency requirement is that at least one person with signatory authority over the company must be domiciled in Switzerland — not necessarily in Bern. As a result, you can live in Zurich, Zug, or abroad and still maintain your company's registered seat in Canton Bern. Many founders doing business with the federal government or Bern-based institutions choose a Bern domicile precisely because the legal seat does not restrict where management lives or works.

Is the Bern watchmaking cluster a reason to register there for a manufacturing company?

The Biel/Bienne region in the Bernese Seeland is home to the Swiss watchmaking industry's most important cluster. Swatch Group, Rolex's ETA movement subsidiary, and numerous specialist component suppliers are all headquartered or manufacturing here. The Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne connects production companies with applied research facilities at Bern University of Applied Sciences. For companies in precision manufacturing, microtechnology, optical instruments, or watchmaking supply chains, the Biel/Bienne sub-region of Canton Bern offers sector expertise, a skilled technical workforce, and physical proximity to key industry partners that is difficult to replicate elsewhere in Switzerland.