Costs and time frame for commercial register changes in Switzerland

Changes to the commercial register are a necessary part of everyday business for companies in Switzerland – whether due to a change in the board of directors, a name change, or revisions to the articles of association. But every change raises the question of how much it will cost: How expensive is it actually? And when does the change officially take effect?

The fees for commercial register changes are based on a nationwide tariff framework. The basic fees for simple changes range from CHF 30 to CHF 120. More complex changes, such as amendments to the articles of association, can cost between CHF 200 and CHF 400. In addition, notary fees (e.g., for a deed of incorporation or notarization) may be incurred, which vary depending on the notary – an additional CHF 300 to CHF 1,000 should be expected here.

There may also be costs for the preparation of new documents (e.g., minutes, articles of association) by trustees or lawyers.

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Time required

The processing time depends heavily on the canton and the complexity of the change. In Zurich, the average processing time for simple changes is 3 to 5 working days according to the Commercial Register Office. However, the process can be significantly delayed in the case of more complex changes or missing or incorrect documents.

Important: The change to the commercial register only becomes legally valid upon publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB) – this usually happens one to two days after registration.

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Conclusion

If you are planning any changes, you should prepare the necessary documents in good time and keep an eye on the cantonal fees. Good preparation saves time – and stress.

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