Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Canton Lucerne
Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Canton Lucerne: the path to your own company.
Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Canton Lucerne
Lucerne is distinguished by its picturesque location on Lake Lucerne and its dynamic economy in the tourism and services sector. Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Lucerne can be particularly advantageous in the catering, event management, or healthcare sectors. The Lucerne Trade Registry supports entrepreneurs with an efficient registration process. In addition, Lucerne is a hub for national and international communication routes, facilitating access to business partners and customers. The proximity to Lucerne University of Applied Sciences offers additional opportunities for collaboration and networking. The city is also a significant cultural center with numerous festivals, museums, and theaters, which can help create a vibrant and stimulating environment for new businesses. The high quality of life in Lucerne, with its beautiful scenery and excellent infrastructure, makes the city an ideal location to start a Public Limited Company (PLC).
Founding a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Canton Lucerne: here's how to do it!
Calculate a non-binding offer
Enter your start-up project conveniently online and benefit from cost sharing from our partners. In just a few steps you can compose your customized start-up package.
Enter the details of the Public Limited Company (PLC)
After calculating the non-binding offer, enter your company details. At this point you can order the formation of the Public Limited Company (PLC).
Get in touch
Our attorneys will contact you within the specified time (often less than 24 hours). You will receive all incorporation documents, discuss any uncertainties, and schedule a personal consultation.
Check the documents
You can consult, print and sign all the constituent documents at your convenience at home.
Authenticate the signature
At this point you must obtain official certification of the signature (e.g., from the local authority). This confirms that the signature is indeed yours.
Entry in the commercial register
We submit all incorporation documents to the commercial register and ensure that your company is successfully registered in the commercial register. In the case of corporations, the paid-up capital is transferred to a business account after publication and is available to your company.
Celebrate
Congratulations on the successful founding of your company. Your Public Limited Company (PLC) is now active and can operate.
Definition of a Public Limited Company in Switzerland
We believe that personalized advice is the key to best understanding our clients' individual needs and challenges and offering tailored solutions.
Founding a PLC: Advantages
- Central location: Geographic heart of Switzerland — excellent transport links to Zurich, Bern, and Basel.
- Tourism & services: Strong market for hospitality, events, wellness, and retail businesses.
- Competitive taxes: Lucerne has one of the more attractive tax rates among larger cantons (~12% effective).
- University of Applied Sciences: HSLU provides talent and applied research partnerships.
- Quality of life: Lake, mountains, and compact city — attractive for retaining talent.
- Business-friendly administration: Canton Luzern actively promotes economic development and entrepreneurship.
Founding a PLC: Disadvantages
- Smaller market: Population base is limited — less suitable for businesses needing large local customer volumes.
- Tourism dependency: Parts of the economy are seasonal and sensitive to global travel trends.
- Minimum capital requirement: CHF 100,000 (min. CHF 50,000 paid in).
- Limited startup ecosystem: Fewer accelerators and VC firms compared to Zurich or Zug.
What do I need to consider when forming a Public Limited Company (PLC) in Canton Lucerne?
A minimum share capital of CHF 100,000 is required for the establishment of a PLC, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid up.
Info: The founder of a PLC or LLC cannot draw on pension fund money because he is employed in his own company on the basis of an employment contract. He is therefore not considered self-employed under OASI law.
PLC requires at least one shareholder and one managing director, which can be the same person. A managing director with signature authority must also be a resident of Switzerland.
The audit is mandatory for 10 or more employees. Under Article 727 CO, a PLC is subject to ordinary audit if it exceeds two of the following thresholds in two consecutive fiscal years: Balance sheet total: 20 million francs - Turnover: 40 million francs - Full-time employees: 250.
Your PLC is subject to value added tax only if its turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. However, you can also voluntarily apply VAT to a lower turnover.
What you need to know about the Public Limited Company (PLC)!
Key Facts: Founding a PLC in Lucerne
- Canton: Lucerne (LU) — central Switzerland, major tourist and services hub
- Register: Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Luzern
- Minimum share capital: CHF 100,000 (min. CHF 50,000 paid in)
- Min. shareholders: 1
- Required bodies: Board of Directors, General Assembly, Auditor (if applicable)
- Corporate tax rate: ~12% effective — one of the most competitive in Switzerland
- Key sectors: Tourism, hospitality, healthcare, IT, financial services
- Typical founding timeline: 1–3 weeks
Steps to Found a PLC in Lucerne
- Check name availability on Zefix
- Draft articles of association with a notary
- Deposit share capital at a Swiss bank
- Notarize founding deed in Canton Lucerne
- Register with Lucerne Commercial Registry
- Register for VAT if revenue exceeds CHF 100,000
- Register with AHV social insurance
Download the Checklist
Download the checklist for preparing for self-employment with a PLC in PDF format now!