Do I need a specific 'publishing license' in Switzerland?

No. Switzerland does not require a separate publishing license beyond standard business registration. After registering your GmbH or AG, pure publishing (acquiring, editing, distributing books) requires no additional license. Exception: financial services like crowdfunding platforms may require a financial license.

Can a non-resident open a publishing company in Switzerland?

Yes, but with conditions. At least one director must be a Swiss resident (B or C permit or permanent residence). Solutions: appoint professional nominee director or apply for Swiss residence permit. Requires minimum share capital (CHF 20k GmbH/CHF 100k AG), Swiss registered office, and notarized incorporation documents. Registration takes 2-4 weeks.

What is the book market like in Switzerland (multilingualism, key genres)?

Switzerland's book market generated $679.2M in 2024, with physical books accounting for 59% of sales. German-speaking Switzerland is largest market (sales fell 1.1% in 2024); French Romandie saw sharper 5.5% decline. Popular genres: fiction (crime, thrillers, literary), non-fiction (business, self-help, cultural history), academic/scientific (strong open access growth), and children's books. Multilingual editions maximize reach.

Do I need a physical office in Switzerland?

Not necessarily. Swiss law requires a registered office (legal address), but this can be either physical office (CHF 1,500-3,000/month Zurich; CHF 535-1,000/month Bern) or domiciliation (c/o) address (CHF 500-2,000/year). Domiciliation acceptable for remote management. Must have separate mailbox and receive registered mail. Check cantonal requirements for specific activities.

24.11.2025

How to open a publishing company in Switzerland

Opening a publishing company in Switzerland combines the country's reputation for stability and innovation with access to Europe's multilingual book market. This guide walks you through every step—from choosing your legal structure to registering for VAT and obtaining your first ISBN—so you can launch a compliant, competitive publishing business in one of the world's most business-friendly jurisdictions.

Business in Switzerland

Discuss with ChatGPT
Summarize in Perplexity
Analyze with Claude
Ask Grok on X
Summarize with Google AI

By Unknown Author

Position of the author

Contact us

If you would like a personal meeting with a lawyer at one of our offices, please use the contact form to specify your case