Do independents need to register with the commercial registry?

Can I run an independent business without registering with the commercial registry?

Yes, you can! Registering with the commercial registry isn't always mandatory. Whether you need to register mainly depends on your revenue and the type of activity you run.

When is commercial registry registration mandatory?

You must register with the commercial registry once your annual revenue from the previous financial year exceeds CHF 100,000. Certain activities also require mandatory registration regardless of revenue: buying, producing, or trading goods or services.

Special cases

Independents working in liberal professions aren't subject to the registration requirement, even if their revenue exceeds CHF 100,000. The professions listed below are exempt, as long as the activity isn't run as a large-scale commercial operation:

• Doctors
• Lawyers
• Notaries
• Engineers
• Architects
• Consultants

Voluntary registration with the commercial registry

You can choose to register voluntarily with the commercial registry, even if your revenue is below the CHF 100,000 threshold or you belong to an exempt profession.

Benefits of voluntary registration

• Image: you gain more credibility with clients and partners.
• Protection of your business name: your business name is protected in the canton where your registered office is located.
• Business bank account: banks usually require commercial registry registration to open a business account.
• Transparency: information about your business is easy to find, which builds trust in your brand.
• UID number: you get a unique identifier for business transactions.

Drawbacks

• Bookkeeping: keeping accounts becomes mandatory. Below CHF 500,000, you can still use simplified bookkeeping (income and expenses only).
• Administrative load: registering with the commercial registry involves several administrative steps.
• Registration fees: depending on the canton, registration fees range from CHF 100 to CHF 400 based on your file.
• Liability and debt enforcement: enforcement proceedings go through bankruptcy and affect both your business and personal assets (your entire estate). This liability extends up to 6 months after the business is deregistered.

Social security contributions (OASI/DI/APG)

Regardless of whether you're registered with the commercial registry, OASI/DI/APG contributions are the same either way:

When should you avoid registering?

Before registering with the commercial registry, weigh the pros and cons. You can start out as an independent without registering, test your idea, and register later. Avoid rushing into it if:

• Your revenue is stable but low, under CHF 50,000
• You're looking for administrative simplicity
• Your activity is a side project or still getting off the ground
• You want to avoid formal bookkeeping obligations