By Elizabete Klause

Filipino entrepreneurs can generally own a Swiss company without relocating. Compare GmbH and AG capital, formation costs, banking, taxes and Swiss property rules.

set up a Swiss company from the Philippines

In June 1887, a young Filipino doctor spent his 26th birthday in Geneva. His name was José Rizal. Today, two commemorative plaques at 3 Rue du Rhône recall his stay in Switzerland, more than a century after his writings helped shape Philippine national identity.

For a Filipino entrepreneur today, the Swiss connection may be less historical and more commercial: a new customer in Zurich, a technology partnership, an international investment or a family considering relocation.

Can you establish a Swiss company while continuing to live in the Philippines? Generally, yes. Filipino individuals and Philippine companies can normally own 100% of a Swiss GmbH or AG. The more important question is what the company will actually do, how much it will cost to operate and whether Switzerland is the right location for its business.

From Manila to the Swiss market

The Philippines and Switzerland have a longer commercial history than many entrepreneurs realise. Switzerland opened its first consulate in Asia in Manila in 1862, nearly a century before the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957.

Today, approximately 60 Swiss companies employ around 13,000 people in the Philippines. Their activities include manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, engineering, logistics and professional services.

The EFTA–Philippines Free Trade Agreement, in force since 1 June 2018, provides a framework for trade, services and investment.

A direct connection with Canton Schwyz

One of the most interesting connections lies in Schindellegi, in the Höfe district of Canton Schwyz, close to Wollerau.

Kuehne+Nagel International AG has its registered headquarters there. The global logistics group also operates in the Philippines, with local activities dating back to 1977 and offices serving customers in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

This illustrates an international headquarters coordinating activities across numerous countries while local teams perform the actual commercial and logistics work.

Another model is represented by Nestlé, headquartered in Vevey, whose Philippine business includes local manufacturing and distribution.

In technology services, Amihan Solutions connects Filipino professionals with international clients through a Swiss-managed business based in the Philippines.

These examples show three different ways businesses connect the two countries: international coordination, local manufacturing and cross-border service delivery. A Philippine entrepreneur does not necessarily need to reproduce any of these models. The appropriate structure depends on the actual business.

Establishing a Swiss company from the Philippines

1. Can my Philippine company sell directly to Swiss customers?

Yes. A Philippine business can generally sell goods or provide services to Swiss customers without creating a separate Swiss company.

The important considerations depend on the transaction.

A manufacturer shipping products from Cebu to Switzerland must consider transport, customs, delivery arrangements and product requirements.

A software company in Manila serving Swiss customers remotely has a different operating model.

The EFTA–Philippines agreement provides preferential trading arrangements for qualifying products. Switzerland also abolished industrial import tariffs in 2024, although customs formalities, import VAT and other requirements remain relevant.

For context, the Philippines generally applies 12% VAT, while Switzerland's standard VAT rate is 8.1%. The treatment of an international transaction depends on the actual supply and applicable rules, not simply on which rate is lower.

A Swiss subsidiary becomes useful when local employees, contracts, warehousing or customer responsibilities justify a separate company.

2. Can I own 100% of a Swiss GmbH or AG while living in Manila?

Generally, yes. A Filipino individual or Philippine company can own all the shares of a Swiss AG or all the participation interests in a GmbH.

The Swiss company must have a registered office in Switzerland and sufficient representation by an appropriately authorised person resident in Switzerland.

The shareholder does not normally need to relocate or introduce a Swiss equity partner.

However, ownership, corporate management, banking approval and immigration status are separate legal questions.

Swiss company formation for foreign owners.

3. What is the Swiss equivalent of a Philippine corporation or One Person Corporation?

The Philippines' Revised Corporation Code recognises both ordinary stock corporations and the One Person Corporation (OPC).

An OPC can have a single shareholder who is a natural person, trust or estate. It generally has no statutory minimum authorised capital unless a special law provides otherwise.

Both Swiss legal forms can also have a single owner, including a corporate shareholder.

  • Swiss GmbH: Often suitable for owner-managed businesses and closely held subsidiaries. Shareholders and their registered participation interests appear publicly in the Commercial Register.
  • Swiss AG: Often considered where investors, future share transfers or a broader governance structure are expected. Shareholders are generally not publicly listed merely because they own shares.

Neither form is universally better.

A Filipino business owner familiar with an OPC should pay particular attention to the ownership distinction: a Philippine OPC and a Swiss company owned by another corporation are not legally identical structures.

Our detailed guide explains the practical differences. Swiss AG versus GmbH: capital, ownership and governance.

First-year costs and Swiss banking

4. How much should I budget for the first year in Switzerland?

The first-year budget has two main components: one-time incorporation costs and yearly maintenance costs.

Alongside these, the business must plan for its capital contribution and operating funding.

One-time incorporation costs depend on the complexity of the company setup. Ownership, documentation, legal form, banking and the services required all affect the amount.

Existing Swiss banking relationships may influence the preparation involved. A newly established company still needs its own appropriate banking arrangements and remains subject to the bank's assessment.

The legal form also determines the capital requirement:

  • GmbH: CHF 20,000 share capital, fully paid at incorporation.
  • AG: CHF 100,000 nominal share capital, with at least 20% of each share's nominal value and at least CHF 50,000 in total paid at incorporation.

This capital belongs to the company. Once incorporation is completed and the bank releases the funds, it can generally be used for legitimate corporate expenses, subject to capital-maintenance rules.

Yearly maintenance costs depend on the company's size and activities.

Accounting, annual financial statements, tax administration, payroll, banking and any required Swiss representation contribute to the recurring budget.

The number of employees and office model matter. A registered office with occasional workspace involves different expenses from a dedicated office and a local team.

Finally, the canton and municipality influence corporate taxation. The location should also correspond to where management and business activities actually take place.

Our calculator provides an initial estimate based on the structure and selected services.

Company formation cost calculator, AG and GmbH comparison and Swiss corporate tax rates by canton and municipality.

5. Can a Filipino entrepreneur open a Swiss corporate bank account?

A Filipino-owned Swiss company can apply for a Swiss corporate bank account. Approval depends on the financial institution's assessment.

The bank considers the ownership structure, beneficial owners, source of funds, business model and expected transactions.

A Philippine consulting business receiving payments from several established Swiss customers has different banking requirements from an international trading company processing payments across multiple countries.

Existing Swiss accounts or personal banking relationships do not automatically guarantee approval of a new corporate account.

Switzerland and the Philippines have a double-taxation agreement, but that does not replace banks' separate compliance and client-acceptance requirements.

Swiss bank accounts for international entrepreneurs.

Corporate taxes and personal relocation

6. How does corporate taxation in Switzerland compare with the Philippines?

The Philippines generally applies a 25% corporate income-tax rate.

Qualifying smaller domestic corporations may benefit from a 20% rate where net taxable income does not exceed PHP 5 million and total assets do not exceed PHP 100 million, subject to the applicable conditions.

In Switzerland, corporate profit tax consists of federal, cantonal and municipal components.

For an ordinarily taxed company, the combined effective profit-tax burden in Wollerau, Canton Schwyz, is approximately 11.6% in 2026.

The actual tax burden depends on the company's circumstances and taxable activity.

A Philippine company qualifying for a special tax treatment has a different starting point from an ordinary corporation paying 25%.

The double-taxation agreement between Switzerland and the Philippines is also relevant for certain cross-border income and distributions.

A Swiss company's registration does not automatically transfer Philippine profits to Switzerland. The allocation must reflect actual business functions, management and applicable tax rules.

Compare Swiss corporate taxes by canton and municipality.

7. Can a Filipino entrepreneur move to Switzerland to run a business?

Potentially, subject to Swiss immigration and labour-market requirements.

Filipino citizens generally fall under Switzerland's rules for nationals from outside the EU and EFTA.

For an entrepreneur intending to establish or manage a business, the authorities consider its expected lasting economic benefit.

Investment, job creation, qualifications, commercial viability and opportunities for Swiss suppliers may be relevant.

Company ownership alone does not provide an automatic entitlement to residence or employment.

A genuine operating business and the founder's proposed role should therefore be assessed alongside the immigration position.

Swiss rules for entrepreneurs from third countries.

8. What happens to my personal taxes if my family moves to Wollerau?

The Philippines applies progressive personal income-tax rates ranging from 0% to 35%, depending on taxable income.

Under the ordinary Philippine rules, resident Filipino citizens are generally taxed on worldwide income, while non-resident citizens are generally taxed on Philippine-source income. Determining the applicable residence status is therefore important.

In Switzerland, personal income taxation depends on the canton, municipality, income and family circumstances.

Swiss cantons and municipalities also levy personal wealth taxes.

For example, Canton Schwyz's 2026 illustration for a married couple with two children and CHF 2.5 million in taxable assets shows annual wealth tax of CHF 2,610 in Wollerau, excluding church tax.

Shares in a privately held Philippine business may be relevant to the owner's Swiss wealth-tax assessment.

Could expenditure-based taxation be an option?

Some qualifying foreign nationals moving to Switzerland without pursuing gainful activity there may be eligible for expenditure-based taxation, sometimes called lump-sum taxation.

Canton Schwyz permits this system under specific statutory conditions.

The minimum cantonal income assessment base is CHF 600,000, with living expenditure and statutory comparison calculations potentially producing a higher figure.

This is an assessment base, not the annual tax payable.

A shareholder retiring from daily business management has different circumstances from a founder relocating to actively operate a Swiss company.

Eligibility for the tax regime and permission to reside in Switzerland must be considered separately.

Swiss property for Filipino investors

9. Can I buy Swiss commercial property while living in the Philippines?

Generally, yes. Foreign non-residents can often acquire genuine business premises under the commercial-property exemption from Lex Koller authorisation.

Qualifying property may include offices, shops, warehouses and buildings used for other commercial activities.

Such premises may also be rented to an independent commercial tenant.

Mixed-use properties with residential accommodation require closer assessment.

For an investor in Manila, the commercial comparison should include purchase price, financing, lease terms, maintenance and currency exposure between the Philippine peso and Swiss franc.

Our guide explains the main ownership rules. The property calculator offers an initial estimate of acquisition-related costs.

Can foreigners buy commercial property in Switzerland? and Swiss property purchase cost calculator.

10. Can I buy a Swiss apartment and rent it out?

For Filipino citizens remaining resident outside Switzerland, ordinary residential rental investments are generally restricted under Lex Koller.

Swiss companies controlled by persons abroad may also fall within those restrictions.

Moving to Switzerland can change the position.

A Filipino citizen with a B residence permit and genuine, lawful Swiss domicile can generally purchase a qualifying principal home for personal occupation, subject to the applicable conditions.

A person holding a C settlement permit and genuinely domiciled in Switzerland is generally treated like a Swiss citizen for Lex Koller purposes.

The ability to acquire residential investment property therefore depends on the buyer's residence status and the property's intended use.

Can a foreign investor buy residential property in Switzerland to rent out?.

Three distinctions worth remembering

  • A Swiss client is not the same as a Swiss company. Many Philippine businesses can serve Swiss customers directly. A local entity should perform a genuine commercial function.
  • Philippine corporate forms are not interchangeable with Swiss legal forms. Capital, governance and ownership requirements differ, particularly when comparing an OPC with a Swiss subsidiary.
  • The company's taxes and the owner's personal taxes are separate questions. A corporate tax comparison does not describe the tax position of a family moving to Switzerland with investments and company shares in the Philippines.

Planning your Swiss presence

For an entrepreneur in the Philippines, the decision may begin with an international customer, an investment project or a family's plans to relocate.

The appropriate Swiss presence should reflect the intended business activity, ownership, banking requirements, annual operating costs and location.

From Wollerau, Alpine Capital supports international entrepreneurs with company formation, banking, ongoing corporate administration and property considerations.

Discuss your Swiss project with Alpine Capital.

Sources and further reading

Philippines and Switzerland

Company law, banking and taxation

Related Alpine Capital guides and calculators

Information reviewed: 5 November 2026. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual legal, tax, banking, immigration or investment advice.

This overview is for general information and does not replace individual legal, tax or financial advice.

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