How fast do cantonal commercial registers work?
A speed check of the cantonal commercial registers by the Fasoon incorporation portal shows: Depending on the canton, an entry in the commercial register took up to 55 days in the first few months of the year.
While many commercial registers in Switzerland register companies quickly, some cantons are lagging far behind for various reasons. Figures from the company formation portal Fasoon show major differences - and waiting times of up to seven weeks.
Regular insights into the work of the commercial registers
Based on more than 3,000 company formations per year, Fasoon regularly analyzes the current processing times of the cantonal commercial registers. While a processing time of around two weeks is generally considered normal (from the time of application for entry in the commercial register to publication in Zefix), the data repeatedly shows major cantonal differences. The current study of Fasoon start-ups shows the figures for the months January to April 2025.
The chart above shows the total number of new registrations per canton from January to April 2025, as well as the median number of days it took to register a Fasoon company in the cantons (from the time of application for entry in the commercial register to publication in Zefix). It also shows which cantons register companies in the commercial register faster or slower than expected.
Processing times from 6 to 55 days
The fastest cantons in the first trimester of 2025 included Glarus, Uri, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Graubünden, Obwalden and Schwyz, with median processing times of between 6 and 7 days. At the other end of the scale is the canton of Thurgau (TG) with more than 55 days - more than seven weeks. At the end of April 2025, the Thurgau Commercial Register explicitly stated on its website that processing times take at least five working weeks - and is currently unable to guarantee accelerated procedures. The reasons given are: "Due to the continuing extremely high volume of business and resource-related reasons, a processing time of at least five working weeks is currently to be expected for a registration transaction from receipt of the documents ready for registration."
The Zurich Commercial Register, one of the largest and busiest in Switzerland, usually takes around two weeks and is considered reliable and constant. As it also has the most resources at its disposal, it can also compensate for fluctuations of various kinds more easily. At 15 days, the canton of Zurich was in the middle of the field for Fasoon start-ups.
Consequences and opportunities for founders
The choice of company domicile can be very important for the incorporation process in times of major differences in HR registration. If you want to get started quickly, you should bear in mind that some cantons currently work much faster than others. In urgent cases, incorporation in a faster canton with a later transfer of the registered office can also be considered - however, this incurs additional costs.
"Depending on the constellation, choosing the right canton for the company's registered office can save time and money, even if the registered office has to be adjusted at a later date. We also advise founders on choosing the right canton," explains Walter Regli, co-founder of Fasoon. Advice on the choice of location also includes a domicile service in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden.
Source: Fasoon
