Obtaining Special Permits and Licenses in Switzerland

Certain companies are required to obtain a business license in Switzerland. Below, our law firm in Switzerland presents the main types of business permits that can be obtained in this country. You can work with our lawyers if you want to obtain such a license.

Quick Facts
Business licensing regulations	– the Company Act, – special legislation depending on the industry.
Business licensing requirements for companies in Switzerland (YES/NO)	Yes, some companies must apply for special business permits.
Possibility to obtain a business permit as a natural person (YES/NO)	Yes, it is possible for natural persons to apply for business licenses.
Special licensing requirements for foreign companies (if any)	Yes, they must apply for licenses or authorizations, depending on the operational sector.
Special licensing conditions for foreign citizens (if any)	For some professionals, having their diplomas or certification recognized is mandatory.
Types of business permits in Switzerland	– general business licenses, – industry-related permits.
Authorities that issue business/trade licenses in Switzerland	– federal authorities, – cantonal municipalities, – specific governmental bodies.
Types of general business licenses	Licenses issued at cantonal level for using certain premises, fire safety certificates, etc.
Special business permits	– banking, – recruitment, – transport, – HoReCa, – gambling.
Activities that require a professional business license	– dentistry, – engineering, – architecture, – accounting.
Documents for obtaining a business permit	The documents to supply depend on the issuing authority. Our Swiss lawyers can advise for this purpose.
Special business licensing conditions (if any)	Some permits are subject to renewal.
Timeframe for business license issuance	Depends on the issuing organization.
Business permit validity	Depends on the type of authorization obtained.
Support in filing for business/trade licenses in Switzerland (YES/NO)	Yes, our law firm in Switzerland can assist in applying for a business permit.

Are all Swiss companies required to obtain a business permit?

No. The requirement to apply for a business license depends on the sector of activity of the Swiss company.

What are the sectors to obtain a Swiss business permit in?

Here is a list:

cryptocurrency-related activities, as they now benefit from specific licensing rules;
hotels and restaurants need to apply for retail permits issued by the cantonal authority;
liquor licenses are also required for companies selling alcoholic beverages, and they are issued by the cantonal authorities (the former Swiss Alcohol Board was integrated into the federal customs administration in 2018);
opening a financial company – the issuance of the license is carried out by the country’s financial regulator, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA);
opening an insurance company – such companies also need a license that is issued by FINMA;
opening a transportation company – such licenses depend on the types of activities developed by the company (transportation of goods or persons);
when opening a recruitment agency – the license is also needed in the case of persons who are hired as recruiters in a recruitment agency;
when opening a casino – there are several types of gambling licenses, for both online activities and traditional gambling operations.

If you need support in applying for any of the above-presented special business permits, you can rely on our lawyers in Switzerland.

More details on the Swiss special permits and licenses are available in the video below:

Do I need to comply with any requirements before applying for a business license in Switzerland?

Yes. For most activities licensing follows company registration (banks, however, must obtain their FINMA licence before entry in the Commercial Register); as such, you must also register for taxation, open a bank account, and, in some cases, even hire employees before filing for a business permit.

Also, the conditions differ from one sector to another and can refer to:

certain share capital requirements;
a specific level of expertise;
having acquired a license to practice or acknowledgment from a certain authority;
having completed a designated course, such as the hygiene course in the case of restaurant staff.

Is there a universal trading license available for all businesses in Switzerland?

No.

Who issues business licenses in Switzerland?

Most licenses are issued by the local (municipal or cantonal) authorities. However, there are large sectors, such as the financial one, which require the license to be issued by a federal authority – the Financial Market Supervisory Authority.

Do I need to apply for a business license in Switzerland if I am self-employed?

Yes. In this case, you enter a special category of licensees for which professional business permits are available.

Among them, we mention physicians, dentists, accountants, and pharmacists.

Medical practitioners must complete several steps when obtaining their license. Among these are:

having their degree recognized by the national authorities in Bern;
obtaining the right to practice in the canton where they will offer their medical services.

We also have an infographic on this topic:

Do I need to apply for a Swiss business permit if I own a foreign company?

Yes. When you start operating a branch or subsidiary in Switzerland, you must abide by the national licensing regulations.

An exception to this rule is the representative office, which does not require a business permit given that it cannot undertake commercial activities.

What do I need to consider when applying for a business license in Switzerland?

Here are some key aspects:

make sure you check the requirements imposed by the authority in the respective sector;
prepare the necessary documents, as required by law;
check the validity/renewal conditions of the license to make sure you are not subject to penalties.

How long does it take to obtain a business permit in Switzerland?

The duration depends a lot on the issuing authority, so there is no timeframe to apply to all licenses.

Are business licenses in Switzerland renewable?

Specific conditions apply, which means that some of them are renewable, while others do not expire.

Depending on the activities undertaken, the Swiss company applying for a special permit or license may also be subject to other requirements. Our lawyers in Switzerland will be able to provide you with more information about obtaining a Swiss trade license for your business’ premises. You can also contact us if you need help with the company registration procedure.