Opening a capital deposit account in Switzerland : the complete guide for founders

What is a capital deposit account ?

A capital deposit (or “blocked”) account is a temporary bank account into which you deposit the share or participation capital before your company is registered in the commercial register.

The bank issues a deposit confirmation required for incorporation. After registration, the funds are released and converted into a regular business account.

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Legal framework :

• GmbH : CHF 20 000 capital (min. CHF 10 000 paid-in)
• AG : CHF 100 000 capital (min. CHF 50 000 paid-in)

No registration without deposit confirmation.

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Who needs this account :

• New incorporation of a GmbH or AG
• Capital increase of an existing company

Not required for sole proprietorships or partnerships.

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Documents required by the bank :

• IDs of all founders and officers
• Beneficial owner declaration
• Proof of source of funds
• Contact details and correspondence address

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Step-by-step procedure :

1. Check and reserve company name.
2. Choose a bank (speed, digital process, fees, e-banking).
3. Prepare all documents.
4. Open the account (online or in branch).
5. Deposit the capital :
6. • GmbH : min. CHF 10 000 (or CHF 20 000)
7. • AG : min. CHF 50 000 (or CHF 100 000)
8. Receive deposit confirmation.
9. After registration, the bank releases the funds and converts the blocked account into a business account.

Timing : a few days for the bank; several days to weeks for registration.

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Costs :

• Opening and confirmation : CHF 0 – 1 000
• Account maintenance : often free or low
• Conversion to business account : usually free

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Common pitfalls :

• Unclear origin of funds
• Inconsistent names or addresses
• Underestimating timeframes
• Payments from incorrect accounts

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Recommended banks (Startups.ch partners)

• ‍UBS – fast, professional, strong digital process, seamless transition to business account.‍
• Valiant Bank – SME-oriented, clear processes, accessible and transparent.

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Conclusion :

A capital deposit account is central to any incorporation. Proper preparation and the right banking partner save time and stress.

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Recommendation :

Let Startups.ch handle the process – document preparation, notarisation coordination, and business account activation after registration.