Shelf Company in Zug: Buy a Ready-Made Swiss Company
A shelf company in Zug is a clean, ready-made Swiss company, usually an AG or a GmbH, that already exists in a commercial register, has its capital paid in, and has never traded, with its registered seat in the canton of Zug. Instead of forming a Swiss company and waiting out the process, you take over a pre-registered entity and start operating in days, in the lowest-tax canton in Switzerland and the heart of its Crypto Valley. Müller Konsult handles the whole acquisition for international founders, from selecting a clean company to the resident director, bank account and tax registrations that follow.
To be clear from the outset: this is a clean, dormant shelf company, not an operating business advertised on a classified marketplace, and not a US “aged credit corporation”. We sell verified, never-traded Swiss entities, never a company with a hidden history.
What is a shelf company in Zug?
A shelf company, in Switzerland a Mantelgesellschaft or Vorratsgesellschaft, is a limited company that was incorporated, had its share capital paid in and was entered in a Swiss commercial register, but has never carried on business. It holds no debts, no contracts and no trading history. It sits “on the shelf” until a buyer takes it over by acquiring the shares.
A Zug shelf company is simply such a company whose registered office is in, or is moved to, the canton of Zug. Because the entity already exists in law, you are not founding anything; you are buying an existing AG or GmbH that is ready to operate. The seat matters because the canton you register in determines your cantonal and communal tax, and Zug is the most competitive in the country.
Why Zug? Low taxes and Crypto Valley
Zug’s reputation is built on low, transparent taxation rather than secrecy. Switzerland levies a flat federal corporate income tax of 8.5% on profit after tax (about 7.83% on profit before tax), and each canton adds its own cantonal and communal tax. Across Switzerland the combined effective rate runs from roughly 11.9% to 20.5% depending on location. Zug sits at the bottom of that range, with an effective combined corporate income tax of around 11.85%, among the lowest in the country.
Swiss value-added tax (MWST) is 8.1%, with registration generally required once turnover passes CHF 100,000. Zug is also the home of “Crypto Valley”, the cluster of blockchain, fintech and Web3 companies that grew up around the canton. Switzerland has no single crypto statute; instead, FINMA supervises financial activity under existing law and the AMLA, and the DLT Act has been in force since 1 August 2021 for tokenised securities. For founders weighing the wider picture, our guide to corporate tax in Switzerland and our crypto company in Switzerland page go deeper.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Effective rates depend on your municipality, activity and structure, and rules change. Confirm your position with a Swiss tax adviser before relying on any figure.
AG or GmbH: which Swiss shelf company?
Most Zug shelf companies are an AG (Aktiengesellschaft) or a GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung). Both give you limited liability and both are taxed the same in Switzerland; the choice is about capital, prestige and ownership disclosure.
| Factor | AG (Aktiengesellschaft) | GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | CHF 100,000 (at least CHF 50,000 / 20% paid in) | CHF 20,000 (fully paid in) |
| Typical use | Holding, fundraising, prestige, larger ventures | Smaller ventures, owner-managed businesses |
| Shareholder disclosure | Shareholders not public on the register | Quota-holders named in the register |
| Corporate tax | Same as GmbH | Same as AG |
| Resident representation | At least one Swiss-resident signatory required | At least one Swiss-resident signatory required |
| Best for | Investors wanting standing and flexible shares | Founders wanting lower capital and simplicity |
If you already know you want the company form preferred for holdings and fundraising, see our Swiss AG shelf company page. We match you to the structure that fits your business purpose rather than selling a one-size-fits-all package.
- 1. Consultation — We propose the right company and structure for your goals.
- 2. Due diligence — We confirm the company is clean, debt-free and compliant.
- 3. Notarial transfer — Ownership passes to you — remotely if needed (GmbHG §15).
- 4. Setup — Banking, tax, registered address and director are put in place.
Who should buy a Zug shelf company?
Buying a ready-made entity is the right move when speed, a low-tax seat and certainty matter more than building from scratch. It suits:
- Foreign and non-resident investors who want a Swiss company without relocating or waiting out formation.
- Fintech, blockchain and Web3 founders who want a base in Crypto Valley.
- Holding and IP owners drawn to Zug’s tax efficiency and stability.
- Entrepreneurs who need to sign a lease, supplier or client contract quickly.
- Buyers abroad who prefer to complete the purchase remotely, by power of attorney.
If you would rather build from scratch, we also handle company formation in Switzerland. For most clients in a hurry, a ready-made company is the more practical route.
The purchase process step by step
Our process keeps the acquisition safe and predictable from first call to handover:
- Consultation. You tell us your goals; we propose a clean AG or GmbH with a Zug seat that is debt-free, litigation-free and current on tax.
- Due diligence. We review the company’s legal, financial and tax position so you know exactly what you are buying.
- Purchase agreement. We draft and sign the agreement covering the share or quota transfer and all corporate documents.
- Transfer and notarisation. Ownership passes and the necessary changes are recorded, with a Swiss public deed where the law requires one.
- Resident director and signatory. We ensure at least one Swiss-resident person can represent the company; a nominee director is available.
- Commercial-register update. The new directors, shareholders and registered seat are filed with the Handelsregister in Zug, and the beneficial owners are recorded.
- Bank account. We help you open or transfer a Swiss business bank account, subject to the bank’s checks.
- Tax and ongoing support. We register the company for cantonal tax in Zug and for VAT where required, then support accounting and annual filings.
The Swiss-resident director requirement
Swiss law requires that a company can be represented by at least one person resident in Switzerland. For an AG this follows from the Code of Obligations (art. 718(4)); for a GmbH the equivalent rule sits in art. 814(3). This is independent of who owns the company, so a non-resident owner still needs to satisfy it. Where you do not have a suitable Swiss-resident contact, we can arrange a nominee or local director to meet the requirement.
Register and beneficial-owner update
Once the transfer is agreed, the change of directors, shareholders and registered seat is filed with the cantonal commercial register in Zug, and the company’s ultimate beneficial owners are recorded as the anti-money-laundering rules require. Filing these correctly is what secures your ownership and keeps the company in good standing. We handle the filings and the supporting paperwork.
What you need to provide (KYC and AML)
Swiss anti-money-laundering rules (the AMLA) apply to every company purchase, so we will ask you to:
- Identify the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) with passport identification.
- Provide details of the incoming director(s) and shareholders.
- Confirm the planned business activity and company purpose.
- Supply proof of address, plus corporate documents and the ownership chain if the buyer is a legal entity.
- Show source of funds where the bank requires it.
Our team coordinates these checks so the file is complete before the transfer and the bank onboarding.
- €25,000 — Germany — GmbH
- €10,000 — Austria — GmbH
- CHF 20,000 — Switzerland — GmbH
- CHF 50,000 — Liechtenstein — AG
Bar length is scaled to an approximate EUR equivalent; capital is stated in each country’s statutory currency. Sources: GmbHG §5, Austrian GesRÄG 2023, Swiss CO, Liechtenstein PGR.
Share capital and Swiss legal requirements
The numbers behind a Swiss company come from the Code of Obligations, and it helps to know them before you buy:
- A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 of capital, fully paid in.
- An AG needs CHF 100,000 of capital, of which at least CHF 50,000 (or 20%) must be paid in.
- Liability is limited to the company’s assets, so shareholders’ personal assets are protected.
- At least one Swiss-resident person must be able to represent the company (Code of Obligations art. 718(4) for an AG, art. 814(3) for a GmbH).
- AG and GmbH are taxed identically in Switzerland, so capital and disclosure, not tax, drive the choice.
With a ready-made company, the capital is already paid in and verified, so you are not arranging a fresh deposit during the purchase.
Timeline: how fast can you take over?
For a clean shelf company, the transfer can move quickly. In practice, full handover usually takes only a few business days once your KYC is cleared and the documents are signed, against the several weeks a fresh Swiss formation typically takes before the company is usable. Buyers outside Switzerland can complete most of the process remotely, with timing depending on how quickly identity and corporate documents are reviewed. Timelines vary by case, and we never guarantee a fixed turnaround.
What the price includes, and what costs extra
One frustration buyers tell us about is that Swiss sellers either hide the shelf price behind a “custom quote” or only quote a monthly service fee. We do it differently. It helps to see the cost as two parts: what is built into every purchase, and the optional extras you choose.
| Always included | Optional extras |
|---|---|
| The statutory share capital (CHF 20,000 GmbH / CHF 100,000 AG) | A Swiss-resident or nominee director |
| Notarisation and public-deed costs | A business bank account |
| Commercial-register (Handelsregister Zug) fees | VAT (MWST) registration |
| The full set of company documents and the transfer | A virtual office / registered address in Zug |
| An aged company (older registration date) | |
| Crypto / FINMA assessment and ongoing compliance |
A key point: the share capital is not a fee. It belongs to the company and works in its business once you own it. So a large part of any honest price is simply the capital that ends up working for you; the service element is modest by comparison. Contact us for a transparent, itemised quote.
Have questions about your specific situation? Request a free callback with our lawyers, with no commitment. Talk to our team.
Buying a Zug shelf company as a non-resident or from abroad
You do not need to live in Switzerland, or be an EU citizen, to own a Swiss company. Ownership is open to foreign buyers, and the purchase can be completed remotely using a power of attorney, though some steps require a Swiss public deed. The one fixed requirement is local representation: at least one Swiss-resident person must be able to act for the company, which our nominee-director arrangement covers. If you also intend to relocate, note that a non-EU founder’s residence is quota-based, so plan it separately; our Swiss business residence permit guide explains the route. For founders comparing jurisdictions, our Germany vs Switzerland vs Austria comparison sets Zug in context.
A bank account, VAT and crypto or FINMA setup
A company can only trade once it can move money and invoice, and for foreign owners these registrations are often the slowest part of starting up:
- Bank account. Opening a Swiss business account is usually the biggest bottleneck because of onboarding checks. We help you open or transfer one; a resident director often helps satisfy the bank.
- VAT. Registration for Swiss VAT (MWST, 8.1%) is generally required once turnover passes CHF 100,000, and we handle it where it applies.
- Crypto and FINMA. If you plan a fintech, token or custody business in Crypto Valley, FINMA supervision or self-regulatory-organisation membership may apply under the AMLA and the DLT Act. We assess this before you commit; our crypto company in Switzerland page covers the licensing picture.
Tax, banking, immigration and crypto outcomes are never guaranteed and depend on your circumstances and the authorities involved.
Is buying a shelf company a good idea? Risks and due diligence
Buying a shelf company is a sound, established route, but only when the entity is genuinely clean, which is exactly where the risk lies. The danger is buying an old company with hidden debts, undisclosed liabilities or a tangled history from an unverified seller or a classified listing. “Clean” and “debt-free” are easy claims to make, so we verify rather than assume.
Before any purchase we run due diligence on the company’s legal, financial and tax position to confirm there are no debts, no litigation, no tax arrears and no hidden obligations, and we tell you exactly what the record shows. A genuine never-traded shelf company has nothing to inherit, but the verification is what turns a described-as-clean company into a proven-clean one. If you want to understand the terminology, see the difference between a shell and a shelf company.
Ongoing compliance and after-sale support
Buying the company is the start, not the finish. A Swiss company carries real ongoing obligations that most sellers never mention, and we stay with you for them:
- Bookkeeping and accounting to Swiss standards.
- Annual financial statements and an assessment of whether a statutory audit applies.
- Tax and VAT filings with the federal and cantonal authorities.
- Register and beneficial-owner upkeep when ownership or management changes.
- Amendments to the articles, company name, registered seat or business purpose.
- Resident-director and representation support for as long as you need it.
Our goal is to keep your company aligned with Swiss legal and tax standards long after handover, so the entity stays in good standing.
Why buy a Zug shelf company from a lawyer-led provider
There is no shortage of websites and listings offering Swiss companies, and some are little more than checkout pages or classified ads. A Swiss AG or GmbH is a real legal entity carrying real obligations, so who you buy it from matters. With Müller Konsult you get:
- Legal sourcing grounded in the Code of Obligations, not marketing claims.
- Genuine due diligence, so you are not inheriting a hidden problem.
- Transparent pricing with the components above, not a vague “custom quote”.
- Resident-director handling built into the deal rather than sold as an afterthought.
- A named, accountable adviser with a real office and contact details, not an anonymous form.
That combination is the difference between buying a company and buying a company safely. To start, just buy a shelf company in Switzerland through our team or contact us for a recommendation specific to Zug.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shelf company in Zug?
It is a clean, pre-registered Swiss company, usually an AG or GmbH, with its registered seat in the canton of Zug, kept dormant and ready to transfer to a new owner. It has never traded, so it carries no debts or history. It is not a trading business for sale.
Is Zug really a tax haven?
Not in the secretive sense. Zug levies low, transparent taxes within Switzerland’s normal system. Its effective combined corporate income tax is around 11.85%, among the lowest of any canton, made up of the 8.5% federal rate plus competitive cantonal and communal tax.
Should I choose an AG or a GmbH for a Zug shelf company?
An AG (capital CHF 100,000) suits holdings, fundraising and ventures that value prestige and non-public shareholders. A GmbH (capital CHF 20,000) is cheaper and simpler but names its owners on the register. Both are taxed the same, so the choice is about capital and disclosure.
What is the minimum share capital?
A GmbH needs CHF 20,000, fully paid in. An AG needs CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 (or 20%) must be paid in. In a ready-made company the capital is already paid in and verified, so you do not arrange a fresh deposit.
Do I need a Swiss-resident director?
Yes. Swiss law requires that at least one person resident in Switzerland can represent the company (Code of Obligations art. 718(4) for an AG, art. 814(3) for a GmbH). This applies regardless of who owns the company. We can provide a nominee or local director.
Can a non-resident or non-EU buyer own a Zug company?
Yes. Ownership is open to foreign and non-EU buyers; there is no nationality requirement to hold the shares. The only fixed local requirement is that a Swiss-resident person must be able to represent the company.
Can I buy a shelf company in Zug remotely?
Largely, yes. Much of the purchase can be completed by power of attorney without travelling, although certain steps require a Swiss public deed. We coordinate the cross-border paperwork and tell you which steps, if any, need your physical presence.
How long does the transfer take?
For a clean shelf company, full handover typically takes only a few business days once your KYC is cleared and documents are signed, far faster than the several weeks a new Swiss formation needs. Timelines vary by case, and we do not guarantee a fixed turnaround.
Are the companies clean and debt-free?
Yes. We offer never-traded shelf companies that are debt-free and litigation-free, with taxes and obligations up to date. Every entity is checked through due diligence before transfer, and we share exactly what the record shows.
Is buying a shelf company a good idea?
It is a well-established, legitimate route when the company is genuinely clean. The risk lies in unverified sellers and listings with hidden liabilities, which is why due diligence matters. Bought from a checked source, a shelf company simply saves you the formation wait.
What ongoing taxes apply in Zug?
Federal corporate income tax is 8.5%, and cantonal and communal tax bring Zug’s effective rate to around 11.85%. Swiss VAT (MWST) is 8.1%, generally payable once turnover passes CHF 100,000. Your exact rate depends on your municipality and activity.
Can I run a crypto or fintech business?
Zug is “Crypto Valley”, so it is a natural base, but financial activity is regulated. There is no single crypto law; FINMA supervises under existing rules and the AMLA, and the DLT Act covers tokenised securities. A licence or self-regulatory membership may be required, which we assess in advance.
Does the company come with a bank account?
A Swiss business account can be arranged, but opening one always involves the bank’s own KYC checks, which can take time for foreign owners. A resident director often helps. We support the account opening or transfer as part of the handover.
What does the price include, and what costs extra?
Always included: the statutory share capital, notarisation and register fees, and all company documents. Optional extras: a resident or nominee director, a bank account, VAT registration, a virtual office, an aged company and ongoing compliance. The capital is not a fee; it belongs to the company.
Can I rename the company or move its seat to Zug?
Yes. After purchase we handle amendments to the company name, registered seat and business purpose through the commercial register, including relocating the seat into the canton of Zug if it is not already there.
Can the company own Swiss property?
Commercial property is generally open to a Swiss company. Residential property is restricted for foreign-controlled buyers under Lex Koller, so a property strategy needs separate advice. See our Swiss real-estate company page.
What ongoing compliance applies after I buy?
A Swiss company must keep accounts, prepare annual financial statements, assess whether a statutory audit applies, file tax and VAT returns, and keep its register and beneficial-owner entries current. We can handle all of it as part of after-sale support.
Why buy from a lawyer rather than an online listing?
Because a Swiss company carries real legal obligations and a wrong purchase is hard to unwind. A lawyer-led provider gives you legal sourcing, genuine due diligence, transparent pricing, built-in resident-director handling and a named, accountable adviser, not just a checkout page or a classified ad.
Official sources
- Swiss Code of Obligations (Obligationenrecht) — fedlex.admin.ch
- Commercial register, canton of Zug, and the federal register portal — zg.ch · zefix.ch
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) — finma.ch
- Swiss corporate income tax rates — PwC Tax Summaries
Ready to buy a shelf company in Zug?
Contact Müller Konsult for a clean, fully compliant ready-made Swiss company seated in the canton of Zug. We assess your goals, recommend an AG or GmbH, arrange the resident director and guide you through every step. Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback
Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026.
Related: Buy a shelf company in Switzerland · Swiss AG shelf company · Company formation in Switzerland · Corporate tax in Switzerland · Crypto company in Switzerland
