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Home / Swiss Company Name Check — Verify Availability on Zefix

Swiss Company Name Check — Verify Availability on Zefix

Check whether your desired company name is available in Switzerland. Search the official Zefix register and understand the naming rules before you file.

How Do You Search the Official Zefix Register?

Zefix — short for Zentraler Firmenindex (Central Company Index) — is the official name search tool for the Swiss commercial register. It is operated by the Federal Office of Justice and covers every company registered across all 26 cantons.

What Zefix shows for each entry:

  • Registered company name
  • Legal form (AG, GmbH, Einzelfirma, etc.)
  • Registered domicile (municipality and canton)
  • UID number (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer)
  • Company status (active, in liquidation, deleted)
  • Date of registration and last modification

Search Zefix Now →

Free to use. No account or registration required. Data updated daily from all cantonal commercial registers.

To run a name check, enter your proposed company name — or the distinctive part of it — into the Zefix search field. Review the results for exact matches and similar names. Pay attention to names that sound alike or differ only in minor ways (e.g. “Alpine Solutions” vs “Alpin Solutions”), as these may still cause a conflict.

Zefix also offers an advanced search that filters by canton, legal form, or status. Use the “active” filter to exclude companies that have already been dissolved.

What Are the Swiss Company Naming Rules?

Company names in Switzerland are governed primarily by the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR, Art. 944–956) and the Commercial Register Ordinance (HRegV, Art. 38–45). The EHRA (Eidgenössisches Amt für das Handelsregister) enforces these rules when processing registrations.

Uniqueness across Switzerland

A company name must be distinguishable from every other registered name in the entire country, not only within the canton of registration. Two GmbHs cannot share the same name even if one is domiciled in Geneva and the other in St. Gallen. The EHRA assesses similarity based on overall impression — phonetic resemblance, visual similarity, and semantic overlap all count.

Every company name must include the correct legal form designation:

  • AG (Aktiengesellschaft) for a corporation
  • GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) for a limited liability company
  • Einzelfirma or no suffix for sole proprietorships (special rules apply)
  • KlG for general partnerships, KmG for limited partnerships
  • Genossenschaft for cooperatives

The suffix may appear in any of the four official Swiss languages or in their standard abbreviations (SA, Sàrl, Sagl).

No misleading names

The name must not create a false impression about the company’s purpose, geographic reach, or affiliations. A firm called “Swiss Federal Consulting AG” would likely be rejected because it implies a connection to the federal government. Similarly, a name suggesting nationwide operations may face scrutiny if the company’s actual activities are purely local.

Geographic terms

Words such as “Swiss”, “Zurich”, “Geneva”, or “Helvetic” are permitted, but the EHRA applies heightened review. A geographic term should not mislead the public about where the company operates. Using “Zurich” in the name while being domiciled in Ticino, for example, could trigger a rejection.

Personal names

Sole proprietorships (Einzelfirma) must include the owner’s surname in the company name (OR Art. 945). Partnerships must include at least one partner’s surname. Corporations and GmbHs have no such obligation but may include personal names voluntarily.

Language

Swiss law permits company names in any language, provided the name uses Latin script. Names in Chinese characters, Arabic, or Cyrillic are not accepted. English, French, German, Italian, Romansh, and any other Latin-script language are all valid.

Reserved and restricted terms

Certain words are reserved for licensed entities:

  • “Bank” and “Bankier” — restricted to FINMA-licensed banks
  • “Versicherung” (insurance) — restricted to licensed insurance companies
  • “Genossenschaft” (cooperative) — restricted to entities actually structured as cooperatives
  • “Stiftung” (foundation) — restricted to actual foundations under Art. 80 ZGB
  • “Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft” and similar official state designations — prohibited for private entities

Why Do Company Names Get Rejected?

The EHRA rejects a significant number of proposed company names each year. Understanding the most frequent reasons helps avoid delays during registration.

Too similar to an existing name. Even if the exact name is free, a name that could be confused with an existing registered company will be refused. “Alpina Tech AG” may fail if “Alpina Tec AG” already exists.

Purely descriptive without a distinctive element. Names that merely describe an activity without adding something unique are vulnerable to rejection. “Swiss Consulting GmbH” or “Zurich Import Export AG” may be deemed too generic. Adding a coined word, a founder’s name, or an unusual combination solves this.

Misleading about company purpose or scope. If the name suggests the company does something it does not — or implies a scale of operations that does not match reality — the EHRA will intervene.

Contains restricted terms without a licence. Using “Bank”, “Versicherung”, or other protected words without holding the corresponding FINMA licence is an automatic rejection.

Missing legal form suffix. Submitting “Alpine Solutions” instead of “Alpine Solutions AG” or “Alpine Solutions GmbH” will be bounced back.

Trademark conflicts. The commercial register does not check trademarks directly, but a registered trademark owner can challenge a company name after registration. This risk sits outside the EHRA process but creates real exposure.

How Do You Choose a Strong Company Name?

Selecting the right name before approaching a notary saves time and money. These steps reduce the risk of rejection and legal disputes.

Search Zefix for exact and similar names. Do not stop at an exact match search. Try variations — different spellings, abbreviations, partial matches. If your desired name is “Vortex Solutions AG”, also check “Vortex”, “Vortex Consulting”, and “Vorteks”.

Check the Swiss trademark register. Even if a name clears the commercial register, it may conflict with a registered trademark. Search Swissreg (the IPI’s online trademark database) and consider an international search via WIPO’s Global Brand Database.

Add a distinctive element. The easiest way to secure approval is to include something unique — a coined word, a founder’s surname, or an unexpected combination. “Müller Digital Solutions GmbH” is far safer than “Digital Solutions GmbH”.

Consider domain availability. Check whether a matching .ch or .com domain is available before finalising the name. A good company name loses value if the obvious domain is taken.

Think about multilingual readability. Switzerland has four official languages. A name that works in German may cause unintended meanings in French or Italian. Test how the name reads across languages, especially if the company will operate nationally.

Prepare two or three backup names. If the first choice is rejected or already taken, having alternatives ready avoids a second notarial session. Discuss all options with the notary at the initial appointment.

How Does the Name Check Fit into the Registration Process?

The name check is one of the earliest steps in forming a Swiss company. Here is how it fits into the broader registration sequence:

  1. Choose a company name and verify availability on Zefix
  2. Engage a notary to draft the articles of association (Statuten), which include the company name
  3. Hold the founding meeting before the notary and sign the deed of incorporation
  4. Notary submits the application to the cantonal commercial register
  5. EHRA reviews the name as part of its approval process
  6. Registration is confirmed and published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC/SHAB)

If the EHRA raises an objection to the name at step 5, the entire process stalls until a new name is proposed and the articles are amended. In some cantons this requires a fresh notarial deed, adding CHF 500–1,500 in costs and several weeks of delay.

For a complete walkthrough of each step, see the guide to registering a company in Switzerland. For detailed naming rules and examples, read the company name rules page.

Data Sources and Accuracy

Name availability results are drawn from Zefix, the official central company index maintained by the Federal Office of Justice. Naming rules are based on the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR Art. 944-956) and the Commercial Register Ordinance (HRegV Art. 38-45). Trademark references point to Swissreg, operated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). All data is updated daily from the 26 cantonal commercial registers. Content is reviewed by Florian Rosenberg.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a company name is available in Switzerland?
Search for your desired name on Zefix (zefix.ch), the free official index of the Swiss commercial register. Zefix covers all 26 cantons and shows every currently registered company. If no exact or confusingly similar match appears, the name is likely available. However, final approval rests with the EHRA (Federal Commercial Registry Office), which may reject names that are misleading, too generic, or conflict with existing entries.
What are the main rules for Swiss company names?
The company name must be unique across all of Switzerland (not just your canton). It must include the legal form designation (AG, GmbH, GmbH i.G., etc.). It must not be misleading about the company's purpose, geographic scope, or relationships. Names that are purely descriptive without a distinguishing element may be rejected. Foreign-language names are permitted but must use Latin script.
Can I use an English company name in Switzerland?
Yes. Swiss law permits company names in any language, provided the name uses Latin script. English names are common, especially for technology and internationally oriented businesses. The legal form suffix must still appear: for example, 'Skyline Solutions GmbH' or 'Alpine Tech AG'. The EHRA applies the same uniqueness and non-deception rules regardless of language.
What happens if the EHRA rejects my company name?
If the EHRA rejects the proposed name, the commercial register will not process the registration until an acceptable name is submitted. The notary typically receives the rejection notice and communicates it to the founders. A new name must be chosen, the articles of association amended, and in some cases a second notarial session may be required, adding cost and delay. Checking Zefix thoroughly before the notarial appointment avoids this.
How long does it take for Zefix to update after a company is registered?
Zefix is updated daily from all 26 cantonal commercial registers. New entries typically appear on Zefix within one business day of the cantonal register processing the filing. In practice, there is a brief window between a company's entry in the cantonal register and its appearance in Zefix. If you are concerned about a specific company that may have registered very recently, check the cantonal register directly (the cantonal Handelsregister website) as well as Zefix to ensure you have the most current data.
Can I reserve a company name in Switzerland before completing the full registration?
No. Swiss law does not provide a formal company name reservation mechanism. Names are only protected once the company is entered in the commercial register. The only way to secure a name is to complete the full formation process — which includes drafting and notarising the articles of association — and have the register entry confirmed. Some founders work quickly through the formation steps precisely to lock in a desired name. If another company registers an identical or confusingly similar name between the time you check Zefix and the time your application is filed, the EHRA may reject your chosen name.
Does a Swiss trademark protect a company name, and vice versa?
Trademark registration and commercial register entry are separate systems with different legal effects. A commercial register entry gives the company the exclusive right to use that name in the context of its business across Switzerland, and the EHRA will refuse to register confusingly similar names. However, it does not automatically confer trademark rights on distinctive elements of the name. Conversely, a registered trademark does not prevent another company from incorporating with a similar name if the EHRA judges the names to be sufficiently distinct. To protect a brand fully, register both the company name in the commercial register and the distinctive elements of the name as trademarks via the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI, swissreg.ch).
What is a confusingly similar name under Swiss commercial register rules?
The EHRA assesses similarity based on overall impression, considering phonetic resemblance, visual similarity, and semantic overlap. A name that differs only in a minor element — a single letter, a common word substitution, or a slight spelling variation — is likely to be considered confusingly similar. For example, if 'Alpina Solutions AG' is registered, the EHRA may reject 'Alpiner Solutions AG' or 'Alpina Solution AG'. The assessment is stricter when both companies operate in the same industry. Adding a clearly distinctive element — a founder's surname, a coined word, or a number — is the most reliable way to avoid a similarity objection.
Does the commercial register check for trademark conflicts before registering a company name?
No. The cantonal commercial register and the EHRA do not conduct trademark searches as part of the registration process. Their review is limited to whether the proposed name conflicts with other names already in the commercial register — not with trademark registrations held at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) or internationally via WIPO. This means a company name can be accepted by the register while still infringing an existing trademark. To avoid this exposure, always search both Zefix and the Swissreg trademark database before finalising your company name.
Register a Company in Switzerland Step-by-step guide to company formation, from choosing a legal form to receiving your UID number. Company Name Rules Detailed naming requirements under Swiss law, with examples of accepted and rejected names. Swiss Commercial Register How the Handelsregister works, what it records, and how to search company filings. Swiss Tax Calculator Compare corporate tax rates across all 26 cantons using official ESTV data.

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