Swiss Commercial Register: Full Guide to Company Search

The Swiss commercial register is one of the most transparent corporate registries in the world. Every GmbH, AG, partnership, sole proprietorship, branch office, foundation, and association operating commercially in Switzerland is recorded in it. The data is public. Anyone can search it, free of charge, through the federal Zefix portal or the individual cantonal register websites.

If you are starting a company in Switzerland, the commercial register is where your business comes into legal existence. If you are researching a Swiss company as a potential partner, client, or acquisition target, it is your primary due diligence tool. And if you are already running a Swiss company, it is the record you are legally required to keep current. Learn more about our platform and how we help with Swiss company research.

This guide explains how the Swiss commercial register works, what data it contains, how to search it effectively, and what the various outputs (extracts, UID numbers, SOGC publications) mean in practice.

What Is the Swiss Commercial Register?

The Swiss commercial register (Handelsregister, registre du commerce, registro di commercio) is the official public ledger of companies and other legal entities registered in Switzerland. It serves three core functions:

1. Legal creation. A GmbH or AG gains legal personality only upon entry in the commercial register. Before that moment, the entity does not exist as a separate legal person (OR Art. 779 for GmbH, OR Art. 643 for AG).

2. Public transparency. The register makes key corporate data available to anyone: creditors, investors, business partners, regulators, and the general public. This transparency is a deliberate design choice rooted in Swiss commercial law.

3. Legal certainty. Registered facts are presumed correct and can be relied upon by third parties acting in good faith (OR Art. 933). If a company’s register entry shows a particular person as authorised signatory, third parties can trust that authority even if the company internally revoked it but failed to update the register.

The system is decentralised. Switzerland has 26 cantonal commercial registers, one for each canton. Each register is maintained by the cantonal register office (Handelsregisteramt) and supervised at the federal level by the Federal Commercial Registry Office (Eidgenössisches Amt für das Handelsregister, EHRA).

The register is not limited to companies. It also records sole proprietorships (above CHF 100,000 annual revenue), general and limited partnerships, cooperative societies, associations engaged in commercial activity, foundations, and branch offices of foreign companies.

What Is the Legal Basis of the Swiss Commercial Register?

The Swiss commercial register operates under a clear statutory framework laid out in the Code of Obligations and the HRegV ordinance. The legal basis determines what must be registered, what is voluntary, and what legal effects flow from registration.

Primary legislation:

• OR Art. 927-943 (Swiss Code of Obligations) set out the general rules for the commercial register: its purpose, the obligation to register, the legal effects of registration, and the consequences of failing to register.
• Handelsregisterverordnung (HRegV) is the federal ordinance on the commercial register. It contains the detailed procedural rules: what each application must include, how the register office processes entries, formal requirements for documents, and the fee schedule. The current version has been in force since 1 January 2021 and replaced the prior ordinance from 2007.
• OR Art. 944-956 govern company names (Firmenrecht), including distinctiveness requirements, the obligation to include the legal form designation, and rules on misleading names.

Key legal principles:

• Mandatory registration (Eintragungspflicht). Certain entities must register: all capital companies (GmbH, AG), cooperative societies, partnerships, and sole proprietorships with annual revenue exceeding CHF 100,000 (OR Art. 934).
• Declaratory vs constitutive effect. For partnerships and sole proprietorships, registration is declaratory: the entity exists independently of the register. For GmbH and AG, registration is constitutive: the entity does not exist until registered.
• Publicity principle (Publizitätsprinzip). Registered facts are deemed known to third parties. Unregistered facts cannot be asserted against a third party acting in good faith (OR Art. 933).
• Principle of truth (Wahrheitsgrundsatz). Only true and verifiable facts may be entered. The register office has a duty to verify the formal correctness and legality of every application (HRegV Art. 21).

You can access the full legislative text on Fedlex, the official publication platform of Swiss federal law.

How Are the 26 Cantonal Registers and EHRA Organised?

Switzerland’s register system is federated, unlike many European countries that maintain a single national company register. Each of the 26 cantons operates its own commercial register office (Handelsregisteramt), staffed by cantonal officials, and governed by cantonal procedural law in addition to the federal HRegV.

This means:

• A company registered in Zurich is entered in the commercial register of the Canton of Zurich, not a national register.
• The registered office (Sitz) determines which cantonal register is responsible. If a company moves its registered office from Bern to Zug, it must deregister in Bern and re-register in Zug.
• Each cantonal register has its own website, its own ordering process for extracts, and (within the federal fee framework) its own fee structure.

The role of EHRA:

The Federal Commercial Registry Office (EHRA) oversees the entire system. Its responsibilities include:

• Reviewing every cantonal register entry for legal compliance before publication in the SOGC.
• Issuing binding guidelines and directives to cantonal register offices.
• Maintaining the central Zefix database, which aggregates data from all 26 cantonal registers.
• Handling appeals and disputes related to register entries.
• Setting the fee schedule (Gebührenverordnung) for register services.

The EHRA acts as a quality control layer. Before any new entry or amendment is published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC/SHAB), the EHRA reviews it. If the EHRA identifies a legal deficiency, it can reject the entry and instruct the cantonal register to correct it. This two-tier review process is one reason Swiss register data is considered highly reliable.

What Information Is Publicly Available in the Commercial Register?

The Swiss commercial register contains detailed information about every registered entity, and all of it is accessible to anyone. All of this data is public and can be accessed by anyone, either through the cantonal register portal, through Zefix, or by ordering a register extract.

Core data fields for a typical company (GmbH or AG):

Additional fields for GmbH:

• Name and capital contribution of each quota holder (Gesellschafter). This is a significant transparency feature: unlike the AG, the GmbH’s ownership structure is fully public.

Additional fields for AG:

• Share structure (number and type of shares, nominal value). Shareholder names are not published.

For sole proprietorships:

• Owner’s name and domicile.

For branches of foreign companies:

• Parent company name, domicile, and registration in the home country.
• Branch representative domiciled in Switzerland.

The register also records the complete history of changes: amendments to the articles, capital increases or reductions, changes in directors, and changes in the auditor. Each change is timestamped and linked to the corresponding SOGC publication.

How Do You Search the Swiss Commercial Register?

There are three main ways to search for Swiss companies:

1. Zefix (Federal Level)

Zefix (Zentraler Firmenindex) is the free federal search tool operated by the EHRA. It aggregates data from all 26 cantonal registers and provides a single search interface. We cover Zefix in detail in the next section.

2. Cantonal Register Websites

Each canton provides its own online search portal. Cantonal portals typically show more detail than Zefix, including the full purpose clause, director details with specimen signatures, and the complete history of changes. The full list of cantonal register websites appears in the table further down this page.

3. UID Register

The UID register operated by the Federal Statistical Office allows you to search by UID number. It covers all enterprises in Switzerland, including those not in the commercial register (such as sole proprietorships below the revenue threshold that have voluntarily obtained a UID for VAT purposes).

Which tool to use when:

• Quick name check or company lookup: Start with Zefix. It is the fastest way to confirm whether a company exists and to find its UID, legal form, and canton of registration.
• Detailed company research: Go to the cantonal register. You will find the full purpose clause, director names, signing authority, capital structure, and historical changes.
• UID verification: Use uid.admin.ch when you have a UID number and need to verify it or find the associated company name.
• Ordering an official extract: Go directly to the cantonal register office (online or in person).

What Is Zefix and How Does It Work?

Zefix (Zentraler Firmenindex) is, by far, the most widely used tool for searching Swiss companies. Operated by the EHRA and available in German, French, Italian, and English, Zefix provides free access to the basic registration data of every entity in the Swiss commercial register.

What Zefix shows:

• Company name (current and historical)
• Legal form
• Registered office (canton and municipality)
• UID number
• Status (active, in liquidation, deleted)
• Date of registration and date of deletion (if applicable)
• SOGC publication references
• Direct link to the full cantonal register entry

What Zefix does not show:

• Director names and signing authority (for these, follow the link to the cantonal register)
• Purpose clause (partial display only)
• Share capital details
• Shareholder/quota holder names (GmbH)
• Historical amendments in full

Search tips for effective use:

1. Search by exact name or partial name. Zefix supports partial matching. Searching “Muster” will return all companies with “Muster” anywhere in the name.
2. Use the UID search. If you have a CHE number, enter it directly for an instant match. This is the most precise search method.
3. Filter by canton. If you know the company is registered in Zurich, filter to ZH to narrow the results.
4. Filter by legal form. Useful when searching common names that return hundreds of results across different entity types.
5. Check the status. Zefix shows active, in-liquidation, and deleted entities. Make sure the company you are researching is still active.
6. Follow the cantonal link. For full details, always click through to the cantonal register entry. Zefix is the index; the cantonal register is the source.

Zefix processes well over 200,000 searches per month. It is used by law firms, banks, fiduciaries, journalists, investors, and anyone conducting due diligence on a Swiss company. The data is updated daily as cantonal registers process new entries and amendments.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the Zefix interface, see our dedicated Zefix guide.

What Is the UID Number System?

Every enterprise registered in Switzerland receives a Unique Identification Number (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer, UID). The UID follows the format CHE-xxx.xxx.xxx, where CHE stands for Confoederatio Helvetica (the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation) and the nine digits uniquely identify the entity.

Key facts about the UID:

• The UID replaced the older CH-number system in 2011 under the Federal Act on the Business Identification Number (Bundesgesetz über die Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer, UIDG).
• It is assigned by the Federal Statistical Office (BFS) and recorded in the UID register.
• The UID is used across all government interactions: commercial register, tax authorities, social insurance, customs, and statistics.
• For VAT-registered companies, the UID replaces the old VAT number. The VAT identification takes the form CHE-xxx.xxx.xxx MWST (or TVA/IVA in French/Italian-speaking cantons).
• The UID is permanent. It stays with the company for its entire existence, even if the company changes its name, moves to another canton, or changes its legal form.

Where you will encounter the UID:

• Commercial register entries and extracts
• SOGC/SHAB publications
• Tax assessments and VAT invoices
• Social insurance correspondence
• Official correspondence from any federal or cantonal authority

For a full explanation of the UID structure and practical uses, see our UID number guide.

What Does a Register Extract Contain and How Do You Order One?

A register extract (Handelsregisterauszug, extrait du registre du commerce) is the official document that certifies a company’s current registration data. It is the Swiss equivalent of a certificate of good standing or company search certificate in other jurisdictions.

What a register extract contains:

• All data fields listed in the “What Information Is Publicly Available” section above
• An official stamp and signature (or digital certification) from the cantonal register office
• The date of issue
• A statement confirming that the data reflects the current registered status

Types of extract:

How to order:

1. Online. Most cantonal registers offer online ordering. You select the company, choose the extract type, pay by credit card or invoice, and receive the document by email (PDF) or post.
2. In person. Visit the cantonal register office. Some cantons issue extracts on the spot.
3. By post or email. Submit a written request to the cantonal register office with the company name or UID number.

Processing time varies by canton. Digital extracts from cantons such as Zurich, Zug, and Bern are typically available within hours. Physical certified extracts may take one to three business days.

For common use cases and ordering instructions for each canton, see our register extract guide.

What Is the SOGC/SHAB and What Does It Publish?

The Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt, SHAB, or Feuille officielle suisse du commerce, FOSC) is the official publication platform for all commercial register entries. Every new registration, amendment, and deletion in the commercial register is published in the SOGC.

What gets published:

• New company registrations (formation)
• Changes to registered data (directors, capital, address, purpose, auditor)
• Mergers, demergers, and conversions
• Liquidation proceedings and deletions
• Debt restructuring moratoriums and bankruptcy openings
• Capital increase and capital reduction announcements

When it is published:

The SOGC publishes daily on business days. After a cantonal register processes an entry and the EHRA clears it, the publication typically appears in the SOGC within one to three business days.

How to access it:

The SOGC is available online at shab.ch (German), fusc.ch (French), and fusc.ch (Italian). You can search by company name, publication date, or publication type. Archives go back to 2003 in digital form.

Legal significance:

Publication in the SOGC triggers the publicity effect under OR Art. 932. From the date of publication, registered facts are deemed known to the public. This is why banks, creditors, and courts rely on SOGC publications as evidence of a company’s status and authorised representatives.

For a deeper look at how SOGC publications work and how to monitor them, visit our SOGC/SHAB guide.

Who Must Register in the Swiss Commercial Register?

Swiss law distinguishes between mandatory and voluntary registration, and the rules vary by legal form. Mandatory registration:

Voluntary registration:

• Sole proprietorships below CHF 100,000 annual revenue may register voluntarily. Many do, because registration provides a public record that builds credibility with clients and suppliers.
• Associations not engaged in commercial activity may register voluntarily. Registration is recommended for associations that enter into contracts, employ staff, or hold significant assets.

Consequences of failing to register:

If an entity that is required to register fails to do so, the cantonal register office can enter the entity ex officio (without the entity’s application) based on OR Art. 934. The persons responsible for the failure to register may face fines and personal liability for any damage caused to third parties who relied on the absence of a register entry.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company?

Registration fees are governed by the federal fee ordinance (Gebührenverordnung zum HRegV) and supplemented by cantonal surcharges. The following table shows the typical ranges.

These are the registration fees alone. For a GmbH or AG, you must also account for notary fees (CHF 800-3,000), professional fees for document preparation, and the share capital deposit. Our company registration cost guide breaks down the full expense.

Amendments to existing entries (changing directors, capital increases, address changes) cost CHF 40-120 per mutation, plus the SOGC publication fee.

Where Are the 26 Cantonal Commercial Registers?

The table below lists every cantonal commercial register office with its official website. Use these links to search for companies registered in a specific canton or to order register extracts directly.

All cantonal register data feeds into Zefix, so if you are searching across cantons, Zefix is the faster option. Use the cantonal portals when you need the full file for a specific company, want to order a certified extract, or need to file an application.

For an overview of each canton’s business environment, including tax rates and regulatory climate, see our cantons guide.

The cantonal registers also differ in their digital maturity. Zurich, Zug, Bern, and Geneva offer fully digital application and ordering processes. Smaller cantons may still require paper-based submissions for certain types of changes. This is gradually changing as cantons modernise their systems under EHRA guidance.

Why You Can Trust This Guide

Every fact in this guide has been verified against primary sources: the Federal Commercial Registry Office (EHRA), the Zefix central index, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB), and the UID Register at uid.admin.ch. Statutory citations reference current provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR Art. 927-956) and the Commercial Register Ordinance (HRegV), last revised 1 January 2021. Register fees are cross-checked against the latest federal and cantonal fee schedules. The guide is reviewed by Florian Rosenberg, a fiduciary and private banking professional with over ten years of experience working directly with cantonal register offices across Switzerland, having overseen the formation of more than 200 Swiss companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Swiss commercial register free to search?

Yes. The federal Zefix portal (zefix.ch) provides free access to basic company data for all registered entities across all 26 cantons. You can search by company name, UID number, or registered address without creating an account or paying a fee. Cantonal register portals also offer free online search. However, ordering a certified register extract (beglaubigter Handelsregisterauszug) costs between CHF 17 and CHF 40 depending on the canton, because it is an official legal document with evidentiary value.

What is the difference between Zefix and a cantonal commercial register?

Zefix (Zentraler Firmenindex) is a federal search portal that aggregates basic data from all 26 cantonal registers into a single searchable index. It shows the company name, legal form, registered office, UID number, and status. The cantonal register holds the full record, including the articles of association, director details with signature authority, capital structure, and the complete history of all registered changes. Think of Zefix as the index and the cantonal register as the full file.

How do I get an official Swiss commercial register extract?

You can order a register extract (Handelsregisterauszug) directly from the cantonal register office where the company is registered. Most cantons offer online ordering through their commercial register website. The extract costs between CHF 17 and CHF 40 and is typically issued within one to three business days. Some cantons provide instant digital extracts. The extract contains all current registered data: company name, legal form, registered office, purpose, capital, directors, signing authority, and auditor.

What does a UID number look like and where do I find it?

A UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) follows the format CHE-xxx.xxx.xxx, where CHE stands for Confoederatio Helvetica and the nine digits are unique to each enterprise. Every registered company, sole proprietorship, association, and foundation in Switzerland receives a UID upon registration. You can look up any UID on the Federal Statistical Office's UID register (uid.admin.ch) or find it through Zefix. The UID also appears on every register extract and SOGC publication.

What changes must be reported to the commercial register?

Any change to a registered fact must be reported to the cantonal commercial register without delay. This includes changes to the company name, registered office address, purpose clause, share capital (increases or reductions), appointments or departures of directors and board members, changes in signing authority, appointment or change of auditor, and amendments to the articles of association. Failure to notify changes can result in fines and personal liability for the responsible officers under OR Art. 937.

Can I find out who owns a Swiss company through the commercial register?

It depends on the legal form. For a GmbH (LLC), yes: every quota holder's name and capital contribution is recorded in the commercial register and visible to the public. For an AG (corporation), no: shareholder names are not part of the public register. The AG maintains an internal shareholder register, but this is not publicly accessible. You can, however, see the board of directors and authorised signatories for both forms. For detailed ownership research, you may need to consult additional sources or engage a professional.

How much does it cost to register a company in the Swiss commercial register?

The commercial register fee for a new GmbH or AG is CHF 400-600, to which the SOGC publication fee of CHF 30-50 is added, giving a total of approximately CHF 430-650. A sole proprietorship costs CHF 120-200 for registration. These register fees do not include notary fees (CHF 800-3,000 for a GmbH or AG), professional advisory fees, or the capital deposit requirements (CHF 20,000 for a GmbH, at least CHF 50,000 for an AG). The total cost from first advice to commercial register entry typically ranges from CHF 1,500 to CHF 5,000 for a straightforward GmbH.

Can a foreign company register directly in the Swiss commercial register?

Foreign companies cannot register as a principal entity in the Swiss commercial register; they remain governed by their home jurisdiction. However, a foreign company can register a Swiss branch office (Zweigniederlassung) in the cantonal commercial register of the canton where the branch operates. The branch registration requires submission of the parent company's constitutional documents (apostilled and translated if necessary), the appointment of a Swiss-resident branch representative, and payment of registration fees of CHF 400-600. The branch is not a separate legal entity — the parent remains fully liable for its obligations.

How quickly must a change to a Swiss company be reported to the commercial register?

Swiss law requires that changes to registered facts be reported 'without delay' (unverzüglich) under OR Art. 937. In practice, most cantonal register offices expect notification within 30 days of the triggering event, such as a board resolution appointing a new director or a shareholders' resolution increasing capital. Operating with outdated register information is a violation of OR Art. 937 and can result in fines. It can also create liability if a third party suffers loss by relying on the outdated register entry. The responsible persons — typically the managing directors or board members — bear personal accountability for keeping the register current.

What happens if a company fails to register in the Swiss commercial register?

For entities where registration is constitutive — primarily GmbH and AG — failure to register means the company does not legally exist. The founders remain personally and jointly liable for any obligations entered into in the company's name before registration under OR Art. 645 (AG) and OR Art. 779b (GmbH). For sole proprietorships above CHF 100,000 revenue and partnerships that fail to register despite being obliged to, the cantonal register office may enter them ex officio under OR Art. 934 and charge additional fees. The responsible persons may also face fines for failing to comply with the registration obligation.