Business Solutions for Diplomats in Switzerland
At the intersection of the Vienna Convention and Swiss Commercial Law, we provide secure, protocol-compliant business solutions. We simplify Swiss bureaucracy for Ambassadors and their families, ensuring seamless transitions and full regulatory compliance from day one.
At the intersection of the Vienna Convention and Swiss Commercial Law, we provide secure, protocol-compliant business solutions. We simplify Swiss bureaucracy for Ambassadors and their families, ensuring seamless transitions and full regulatory compliance from day one.
In Switzerland, your status is your asset; bureaucracy should not be your burden. Whether managing a residence or launching a family venture, we bridge the gap between "International Official" and "Swiss Employer." We navigate specific diplomatic restrictions and ensure you meet all mandatory insurance and legal obligations with total discretion.
For family members of CD/CC cardholders, Switzerland offers a unique entrepreneurial gateway. Through the specialized Ci Permit, your spouse or children can bypass standard "third-country" quotas and market restrictions. This allows for the immediate establishment of a Swiss company (SARL/SA) with the same agility as a local resident. We manage the transition from legitimation card to Ci status, ensuring your mission’s privileges remain unencumbered.
The three pillars of Diplomatic Entreprise
Bespoke Company Formation & Governance
Establishing a Swiss commercial entity while holding diplomatic status (CD/CC) requires a sophisticated understanding of the Host State Ordinance (HSO) and the Swiss Code of Obligations. We don’t just 'open a business'; we curate a corporate structure—typically a GmbH (Sàrl) or AG (SA)—that operates as a distinct legal personality.
Our specialized formation process includes drafting customized Articles of Association that specifically account for your diplomatic mission's constraints. We handle the entire lifecycle: from the opening of a notarized capital deposit account to the final entry in the Commercial Register (Zefix). This ensures that while the business enjoys full Swiss commercial rights, your personal diplomatic immunities remain shielded and separate from the entity’s liabilities.
Executive Resident Representation
Swiss law mandates under Art. 718 (CO) that every local company must be represented by at least one director domiciled in Switzerland with individual signatory authority. For international diplomats, finding a trusted partner who understands the nuances of 'Sovereign Discretion' is paramount.
We provide a network of vetted, high-level Swiss residents to serve as your local administrative anchor. This is not a 'nominee' service in the traditional sense, but a professional directorship that manages your daily interface with Swiss authorities, the Federal Tax Administration, and the Cantonal registries. Our directors act as your legal shield, ensuring your company remains in 'good standing' while you focus on your official diplomatic mandates.
Comprehensive Risk & Household Compliance
The transition from a diplomatic mission to a Swiss employer involves complex social security obligations that many officials overlook. Under the OASI (AHV/IV/EO) and ALV regulations, any gainful activity—including the employment of private household staff or business personnel—triggers mandatory contributions from day one.
We specialize in managing the Simplified Settlement Procedure for diplomatic households and new enterprises. Our services cover the full spectrum of mandatory Swiss insurance: from Accident Insurance (UVG) and Occupational Pension (BVG) to professional liability. We ensure that every employee is correctly registered with the compensation office, protecting you from the legal and reputational risks of non-compliance within the Swiss labor market.
FAQs for Your Clarity
Can a diplomat’s spouse or child own 100% of a Swiss company?
Yes. Under the Ci Permit framework, family members have full ownership rights. Switzerland encourages entrepreneurial integration for diplomatic families, provided the capital is transparently sourced and the business is a distinct legal entity (GmbH or SA).
Does opening a business affect my Diplomatic Immunity?
Your personal immunity remains governed by the Vienna Convention for your official acts. However, the Swiss business entity is a separate legal "person" under the Swiss Code of Obligations. It is subject to Swiss civil law, but this separation is precisely why we structure your governance to ensure your private interests never compromise your mission's status.
What is the minimum age for a child to start a business under a Ci Permit?
Children are eligible for a Ci Permit from the age of 18 (and up to 21, provided they arrived in Switzerland before 21). This allows young members of diplomatic families to launch startups or consulting firms with the same legal rights as Swiss residents.
Is a physical office mandatory, or is a "c/o" address sufficient?
For a premium presence, we recommend a Domiciliation Agreement in a prestigious district (e.g., Rue du Rhône in Geneva). While a "care of" address is legally possible for some registrations, the Commercial Register (Handelsregister) and Swiss banks generally require a dedicated business address to satisfy "Substance" requirements.
How long does the transition from a Legitimation Card to a Ci Permit take?
The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Once we submit the application to the Cantonal Population Office (OCPM in Geneva or ASEM in Bern), the family member is generally authorized to begin their business activity immediately upon receipt of the filing confirmation.