Swiss Resident Director & Corporate Governance Services
Ensure your Swiss entity meets legal and regulatory requirements — with trusted, independent oversight and high-level governance.
Who We Serve
Make Switzerland Your Strategic Advantage
We work with ambitious founders and executives who are looking to establish or expand operations in Switzerland.
International Companies
International / Multinational corporations that want to establish (or have existing) operations in Switzerland, and require local representation.
- Swiss corporate law (Art. 718 para. 4 CO for an AG/ltd, or Art. 814 para. 3 CO for a GmbH/llc) mandates that Swiss companies must have at least one representative that resides in Switzerland.
- Indicator of substance and long-term regulatory alignment.
- Enhanced credibility with regulators, banks, and business partners.
- Caretaking of legal / regulatory requirements of operating an entity in Switzerland.
Swiss Startups & SME's
Swiss Startups and SME’s that are looking for a competitive edge to expand and optimize their operations, by installing a formal board and offloading corporate admin.
- Evaluating corporate objectives, strategies, and KPI’s, while offering a fresh external perspective.
- A trusted partner to guide on the digital transformation & innovation journey.
- Caretaking of the corporate governance, risk and compliance responsibilities placed on the board.
- Establishing and/ or streamlining and strengthening the board of directors.
What We Offer
Strategic Solutions to Establish or Expand in Switzerland
Board Mandates
Swiss directorship services and board member services in Switzerland, acting as a fiduciary administrator, non-executive director, or signatory, strictly following client instructions.
Swiss Resident Director (Board Member)
- Mandatory local representation (in accordance with Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) and the Ordinance on the Commercial Register (ORC).
- Execution of the formal duties of a Board Member.
- Official communication with Swiss authorities.
- Entry in Commercial Register.
- Signatory rights.
- Sole or joint appointments.
- Responsibilities tailored to needs.
- Quarterly board meetings.
- Annual shareholder meeting.
- Optional chairman role.
Swiss Resident Director (Non-Board Member)
- Mandatory local representation (in accordance with Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) and the Ordinance on the Commercial Register (ORC).
- Official communication with Swiss authorities.
- Entry in Commercial Register.
- Signatory rights.
- Sole or joint appointments.
- Responsibilities tailored to needs.
- Quarterly board meetings.
- Annual shareholder meeting.
- Optional chairman role.
Independent / Non-Executive Director
- Leverage specific domain expertise
- Strategic decision-making support
- Corporate governance & compliance support
- Execution of the formal responsibilities of a Board Member
- Entry in Commercial Register
- Quarterly board meetings
- Annual shareholder meeting
Swiss Branch Representative
A Swiss branch of a foreign company must have a representative resident in Switzerland, registered in the commercial register with signature authority.
- Entry in Commercial Register
- Signatory rights
- Quarterly board meetings
- Annual shareholder meeting
Board Governance Advisor
- No statutory obligations (no entry in CR, no member of the Board)
- Corporate governance & compliance advisory
- Board operation, impact & effectiveness
Ancillary Board Services
Complementary services to broaden the coverage for your core corporate governance, compliance and administration needs.
Corporate Secretarial Services
- Board Support:
- Preparation of board meetings and AGM/shareholder meetings. Drafting invitations, agendas, meeting minutes, resolutions, and reports.
- Corporate Record Keeping & Maintenance:
- Company records, share & beneficial ownership registers, commercial register updates, regulatory filings, fees payment.
- Secure physical and digital archiving of corporate records, audit-ready at all times
Incorporation
- Legal Entity Incorporation
- Capital deposit
- Documents preparation: incorporation report, articles of association, public deed
- Directors, Beneficial Owner, Controlling Person registers (+ KYC/AML checks, etc in preparation of new laws 2026 / current EU laws)
- Commercial register entry: company register filings, notary, etc.
- Coordination with third parties (legal, notary, commercial register, banks, etc)
* Ancillary Board Services are only provided as a complement to an active Swiss Directorship mandate, it is not offered as an individual service.
Third-Party Service Provider Oversight
Selection of, coordination with, and oversight of, third-party Swiss professional / corporate service providers. Acting as the company’s single point of contact with each provider, agreeing scope and deadlines with them, reviewing what they deliver rather than merely receiving it, and confirming that statutory filings, remittances and returns have actually been made.
Registered Office & Domiciliation
A registered office is the official legal address of a company recorded on public registers, while domiciliation is the legal arrangement or act of establishing that official address.
- Official legal address
- Mail handling & forwarding
- Office rental
Administrative Services
- Tax advisory & compliance
- VAT fiscal representation
- Accounting
- Payroll
- Insurances
- Audit
Legal & Compliance Services
- Corporate law
- Blockchain / Crypto law
- FINMA Licensing, SRO Membership
- KYC/AML Compliance
- Audit Preparation
Web3 / Crypto Services
- Tax & Accounting
- Blockchain / Crypto law
- SRO Membership
- KYC/AML Compliance
- AML Audit Preparation
Company Records Digitalization
- Incorporation
- Company register changes
- Share register
- Capital increases
- Board and shareholder meetings
- Tokenized equity
- Documentation (with qualified electronic signatures)
* Professional Services Oversight is only provided as a complement to an active Swiss Directorship mandate, it is not offered as an individual service.
Looking For Something Else?
Let’s discuss, we will find a solution.
Who We Are
Your Strategic Partner for Governance & Compliance
Beyond directorship formality, effective governance & compliance is a real strategic asset.
Marco van der Weijden
Principal, Director Suisse
Works in English, German and Dutch
Marco van der Weijden is a Swiss board director and strategic advisor, based in Zurich. He serves as a Swiss resident director for companies establishing and operating in Switzerland, and accepts independent non-executive appointments at technology-driven organizations. Marco advises founders, executives and boards on governance, compliance and transformation strategy across AI, blockchain and digital assets.
More than twenty-five years in technology and telecommunications: transformation programs at Swisscom, then the Swiss business of the IT consultancy TMNS, which he established and ran as managing director. Since 2015 he has run an independent advisory practice, and has worked in blockchain and digital assets since 2017, advising more than fifteen startup ventures across Europe, the United States and Asia.
Registered officer of five Swiss companies, three as a board member and two as managing director, he has founded or co-founded three ventures and served two companies from incorporation through liquidation to deletion.
Why Work With Us?
Whether you’re expanding into Switzerland, launching a token, or building a long-term operation — We help make it real, legal, and respected. The depth and breadth of our expertise allow us to bring exceptional insight and strategic value to every client, no matter your unique requirements or strategy.
Swiss: Privacy & Confidentiality
Independent, Personal & Selective
Tailored To Your Specific Requirements
AI-powered Efficiency & Oversight
Multilingual & Cultural Fluency
Network of Trusted Local Partners
How It Works
Straightforward Approach to Client Onboarding
01.
Intro Call
Discuss your requirements and assess fit
02.
Onboarding
Non-binding proposal, KYB/KYC, due diligence
03.
Mandate Setup
Contract signed, D&O insurance confirmed
04.
Registry Filing
Appointment registered with the commercial register
05.
Execution
Board meetings, compliance, governance support
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Swiss resident director to form a company in Switzerland?
Yes. Swiss law requires at least one person resident in Switzerland to be a board member or director of a GmbH or AG (Art. 718 para. 4 CO for an AG/ltd, or Art. 814 para. 3 CO for a GmbH/llc).
Do you accept board positions abroad (outside of Switzerland)?
Yes, absolutely. Please reach out to discuss further.
Can you help with incorporation?
Yes. We can coordinate with trusted Swiss legal partners to manage notary, registry, and capital deposit procedures. In Switzerland it is possible to incorporate a company with a deposit of cryptocurrency (and other valuable assets) as the starting company capital.
What types of companies do you work with?
Swiss-based and international companies that want to establish an entity in Switzerland. Startups, SME’s / SMB’s, Large corporations. Private and public companies. Limited liability companies (LLC, GmbH, Sarl). Limited companies (Ltd, AG, SA). Subsidiaries, branches, holding companies.
How quickly can we get started?
It typically takes 2–3 weeks from onboarding to commercial registration.
How much does it cost?
We tailor our services to your specific requirements. In the non-binding proposal we will present packaged pricing, with monthly and (discounted) annual payment options. VAT (8.1%) applies. D&O insurance provision is mandatory. Pricing does not include third party and local authorities fees.
Do you accept crypto payments?
Yes, of course. Payment accepted in selected cryptocurrencies, from a wallet attributed to the contracting entity, subject to screening and to the same onboarding checks as any other payment method. Services will be invoiced in CHF and Swiss VAT applied. Please inquire for details.
What do you not offer?
Four things commonly bundled with resident office mandates are deliberately outside of our service offering.
Registered office and domiciliation. Providing a registered address to a legal entity for more than six months is a supervised activity under the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act. We do not provide it. Where a registered address is required, we introduce a specialized provider at no charge, and that provider contracts with and invoices the company directly.
Formation and administration of non-operational entities. Domicile and letterbox companies, shelf companies, and entities not established or managed to conduct or support the operational activity of a business or a group, are outside our scope. This is a condition of engagement, not a preference.
Nominee and passive appointments.
Banking access. No bank signing authority is sought, and sole banking authority is declined if offered. Payment authority should sit with the operational management. That separation protects both parties. Read-only access to banking and accounting applications are mandatory to fulfill the directorship mandate.
These boundaries are deliberate. They keep the service focused on operating businesses with real activity in Switzerland, which is the only setting in which a genuinely engaged office holder makes sense.
What are the advantages of Switzerland for companies?
Switzerland provides a unique combination of low risk, low taxes, skilled staff, modern infrastructure, and excellent access to European and world markets, making it exceptionally attractive for establishing a company.
Political and Economic Stability
Switzerland is known for its consistent political system and resilient economy, providing a predictable and safe environment for businesses to operate and grow. This low-risk atmosphere is highly attractive to investors and entrepreneurs.
Favorable Tax Environment
The Swiss corporate tax system is competitive, with rates typically lower than many other European countries, sometimes ranging from 12% to 24% depending on the canton. Some regions and business types even benefit from generous tax incentives or exemptions, especially for innovation and export-focused activities.
Strategic Location and Market Access
Centrally located in Europe, Switzerland gives companies direct, unhindered access to European Union markets and benefits from world-class transportation infrastructure, facilitating cross-border business and logistics.
Skilled and Multilingual Workforce
Switzerland boasts one of the most highly trained and multilingual workforces worldwide, increasing business productivity and enabling companies to work effectively in international markets.
Quality Infrastructure and Innovation
Entrepreneurs can leverage modern and efficient infrastructure, including advanced IT and transport systems, supporting both manufacturing and tech-driven business models. Switzerland is also recognized for its innovative ecosystem and strong emphasis on research and development.
Flexible Labor and Business Laws
Swiss labor laws are relatively flexible, allowing for tailored employment contracts and reduced mandatory social charges, lowering costs for employers compared to other Western European countries.
Business-Friendly Regulatory Environment
Starting a company in Switzerland involves straightforward registration and relatively simple management procedures, with a wide range of business structures tailored to different enterprise types and growth ambitions. Swiss regulations also provide for business privacy and commercial discretion.
Reputation and Credibility
Swiss companies benefit from the country’s global reputation for transparency, reliability, and professionalism, which enhances credibility and opens doors to global markets, investors, and business partnerships.
Business, Customer, and Financial Confidentiality
Swiss law is historically recognized for emphasizing business secrecy, client confidentiality, and financial privacy, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology. Corporate information and customer data are protected by both strong civil and criminal penalties in cases of unauthorized disclosure.
Strict Data Protection and Privacy Laws
Switzerland has enacted a new Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP, effective 2023), which aligns closely with the EU’s GDPR. This ensures comprehensive protection for individuals’ data with obligations such as privacy by design, privacy by default, mandatory breach notification, and strict rules on profiling and data transfers. Swiss companies benefit by reassuring international clients and partners that their sensitive information is well protected—bolstering investor trust and market credibility. Furthermore, Swiss privacy standards enable seamless cross-border business with EU clients, since Switzerland is recognized as offering an “adequate level of data protection” under EU law.
Contact Us
Let's Get Started
Let us help you make Switzerland your strategic advantage — not just your mailing address.