ZEFIX, UID, and the Swiss Commercial Register Explained
Published 2026-10-19 · Updated 2026-10-19 · 2 min read · 3 sources · Verified Swiss federal benchmarks
Direct answer
The UID is your enterprise identification for tax and social insurance. ZEFIX is the public search portal over cantonal commercial register entries for GmbHs, AGs, and other registered entities.
Key facts
- UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) is assigned for business and tax purposes.
- ZEFIX aggregates commercial register data from all cantons.
- GmbH requires CHF 20,000 capital; AG requires CHF 100,000, each with at least one Swiss-resident signatory.
- Register entries show who may sign for the company and the registered office.
- VAT registration uses UID linkage with ESTV once turnover crosses CHF 100,000.
UID vs commercial register
The UID identifies your business to federal agencies for tax and social security. You receive it when registering the enterprise and cite it on invoices and official filings.
The commercial register adds legal publicity: company name, purpose, capital, and who may bind the company. Cantonal offices maintain the underlying entries ZEFIX displays.
Sole proprietors may operate with UID alone until turnover triggers broader registration duties.
Using ZEFIX
Search ZEFIX before signing supplier contracts or accepting invoices from new partners. Confirm that signatories on paper match register entries.
Updates appear after notarised changes are filed. Allow processing time after board resolutions or capital changes.
Export extracts for your compliance file when onboarding vendors above material spend.
Formation snapshot
Legal form decides minimum capital and governance. The table summarises common entities founders compare when relocating a business to Switzerland.
Residency rules for signatories are strict for GmbH and AG formations.
| Legal form | Min. capital | Register note |
|---|---|---|
| GmbH | CHF 20,000 | Notarised deed; at least one manager resident in CH |
| AG | CHF 100,000 | Board structure; signatory rules in statutes |
| Sole proprietorship | No capital rule | UID often enough; name in register if turnover high |
Worked example: verifying a vendor
A startup plans to pay a new IT contractor CHF 48,000 for a migration project. Accounts payable pulls the vendor GmbH from ZEFIX.
The extract shows one manager with individual signing authority matching the quote signature. UID on the invoice aligns with ZEFIX.
Payment proceeds with less counterparty risk than trusting a PDF letterhead alone.
Common mistakes
Confusing UID with VAT number suffixes causes rejected e-invoices at large customers.
Assuming instant ZEFIX updates after a board change leads to contracts signed by persons no longer authorised.
Forming a GmbH without a Swiss-resident signatory blocks notarisation.
Skipping register checks on small vendors repeats the same fraud surface as on large ones.
FAQ
- Is UID the same as VAT number?
- Related but not identical. VAT registration adds a suffix for tax reporting. ESTV links both on invoices.
- How fast does ZEFIX update after a change?
- Cantonal offices publish after notarised documents are filed. Allow several days for signatory changes to appear.
- Do branches of foreign firms appear in ZEFIX?
- Swiss branches of foreign companies can be registered. Search both name and UID to verify.
- Can I operate without a commercial register entry?
- Small sole proprietorships below turnover thresholds may skip full registration until thresholds are met. GmbH and AG always register.
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Keep reading
- Accounting Duties for a Swiss GmbHSwiss GmbHs need double-entry bookkeeping that shows assets, liabilities, and profit. Annual financial statements go to shareholders and the commercial register where required; business records stay archived for 10 years.
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