Doing business in Greater Zurich: the business friendly location in the heart of Europe

Greater Zurich amplifies Switzerland’s competitive edge for businesses with a highly concentrated innovation ecosystem, direct access to top institutions like ETH Zurich, and a strategic location with seamless connections across Europe. 

It is home to: 

• European or global headquarters of companies like Google, Microsoft, Biogen, Amgen, On, DFINITY, Disney Research, and Cardano
• A thriving startup scene in sectors such as AI, robotics, life sciences, and fintech
• Competitive corporate and individual tax rates, with direct access to local authorities thanks to the decentralized government structure
• Long-lasting political and economic stability

Discover various international rankings for Switzerland and the Greater Zurich Area. 

Snapshot: Business strengths of Greater Zurich

With attractive corporate structures, suitable business properties, efficient and non-bureaucratic permits, and authorizations combined with easy recruitment, you can set up your business in Greater Zurich in record time. In Switzerland, the formation of a company takes 2-4 weeks from the submission of required documents to the date when the company is legally established. 

There are several options for establishing a business in Switzerland:

• Forming an unincorporated or incorporated company
• Setting up a branch office
• Acquiring an existing company in Switzerland (either unincorporated or incorporated)
• Formation of a joint venture (unincorporated or incorporated)
• Forming a strategic alliance with or without equity interest

The choice of the appropriate corporate structures depends on many factors: the business in general, the time frame, legal and tax conditions, strategic goals, etc. We at Greater Zurich Area Ltd can support and connect you with the right partners. Reach out for a free consultation: hello@greaterzuricharea.com

Greater Zurich offers a rare combination of high innovation output and low political and economic risk. With one of the highest GDPs per capita globally, the region supports business growth without volatility. Whether you're a fast-scaling AI company, a global life sciences leader, or a fintech innovator looking for a European base, Greater Zurich provides the conditions to thrive. 

Switzerland offers a technology-neutral regulatory framework, designed to enable innovation while maintaining high standards of safety and trust. The country's sector-specific approach to emerging technologies means: 

• No heavy-handed restrictions for fast-moving sectors
• Flexible pathways for pilot projects and R&D
• Legal clarity around IP, data protection, and company setup

In the Greater Zurich Area, you are located where innovations are created: The internationally renowned research and academic institutions and the close cooperation between research and industry have turned the region into a hub for companies in life sciences, artificial intelligence, fintech and blockchain, robotics and intelligent systems and advanced manufacturing.