What criteria should I use to choose my company name?

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about setting up a company in Switzerland, related legal issues and general information.

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In principle, you are free to choose the company name. However, certain restrictions must be observed. For example, the name must not be misleading about the purpose of the company and the company name must not be descriptive.

  • Deceptive company name: For example, the name “Rudolf Stahlhandel PLC” would not be permitted if the company does not trade in steel but has the purpose of managing Mrs. Rudolf's apartment buildings.
  • Descriptive company name: The following examples would therefore not be permitted: “Auto PLC”, “Handels LLC” or “Maler PLC”. Allowed would be company names that are supplemented by further elements and thus the name appears individualized: e.g. “H. Meier Auto PLC”, “MiDio Handels LLC”, “Maler 2000 PLC”, “TATA Transport PLC”, “Lagerhaus Weinfelden PLC”.
  • Family name: In the case of a sole proprietorship, the family name (as it appears in the passport) must appear in the company name.