Swiss transparency register: does your company need to report?
Since 1 October, Swiss companies must report the people who really control them to a new federal register. Reporting is free, and most small businesses have a transition period to do it.
Kept by the Swiss Confederation, the transparency register (registre de transparence) records companies’ beneficial owners (ayants droit économiques): the people who really control a company, even when they do not appear in the commercial register. It is used to fight money laundering and is not public.
Which companies have to report?
Limited liability companies (Sàrl), public limited companies (SA) and cooperatives are covered, as are some foreign companies with a branch or property in Switzerland. Listed companies, and subsidiaries more than 75% owned by them, are exempt.
Who counts as a beneficial owner?
Anyone who holds at least 25% of the capital or voting rights, directly or through another company, or who controls the company in some other way. If nobody meets these conditions, the most senior member of management is reported. For each person, you give their identity, their address and how they exercise control. Reporting is free and done online, through EasyGov.
Be wary of letters pointing to “transparenzregister.ch”: that website does not belong to the Swiss Confederation.
What are the deadlines?
The deadlines depend on the company’s situation:
| Your company | Report by |
|---|---|
| All beneficial owners already appear in the commercial register, as partners or officers | 30 September 2028 |
| SA subject to an ordinary audit (large companies) | 31 December 2026 |
| Other company subject to an ordinary audit | 31 January 2027 |
| Other SA | 28 February 2027 |
| Other Sàrl, cooperative, etc. | 31 March 2027 |
| Change to the commercial register entry before those deadlines | within a month of the change |
| New company, then each change | within a month |
Are you the sole partner and manager of your Sàrl? You are, in principle, your own beneficial owner and already listed in the commercial register, so you have until 30 September 2028.
What happens if a company does not report?
Intentionally failing to make a required report, or giving false information, can lead to a fine of up to CHF 500'000. Failing to comply with a decision of the supervisory authority can cost up to CHF 100'000. The authority can also order corrections and, after repeated failures, suspend the rights of the partners concerned (voting, dividends). As a last resort, a company with no remaining business or assets can be dissolved.
How we can help
We work out with you who needs to be reported, even behind a holding company, and then prepare the report and its updates together.
A question about the transparency register? Call us or write to us.
+41 26 303 36 69