I am a US citizen looking to set up my own business in Switzerland. I have business partners in the USA and have a B permit.

Assuming I will be granted the authorization to set-up my own business here, does anyone know the requirements / process for establishing a Subsidiary or Branch office of an American company in Switzerland?

The major problem I see for you is that, unless you have millions to invest in your business, no Swiss bank is going to touch you. You're an American citizen and they simply won't want anything to do with you business-wise. It's hard enough getting/keeping a simple bank account here, the chances of getting a mortgage or business financing is practically non-existent.

I already have a bank account in Switzerland where i had my salaries paid for the last three years.

Why do you think it will become a problem when i have my own business?

I do not need any financing from Swiss Banks.

Thanks

Because you're American and because of the US's FATCA law. If you don't know of it, then do some research immediately because it's causing all sorts of problems here in Switzerland. There are plenty of threads on FATCA here on the forum. You have been filing your US tax returns I hope. And you will need a business account to pay your business' bills here. If you can ever get one!

Of course I have been filing my US tax returns. And I know the fines UBS and other banks paid to US government for not revealing their customer information. Thanks for the reminder

For a subsidiary, it should still be registered as a Swiss company (AG or GmBH). Accounting needs to be done according to Swiss norms (or at least so that it can be understood) for local tax and audit purposes and, I assume (but that depends upon your relationship to the holding company), also reported to the mother company the way they wish.

My advice is best is to involve a lawyer to help you set it up correctly.

Lawyer up. At least if you want to get it done this century.

pdf numero uno will give you an idea (to be done through a local law office as mentioned above)

http://www.zg.ch/behoerden/volkswirt...s-in-english-1

Setting up a branch office of a foreign company is very straight forward and any competent lawyer or accountant will be able to help you, it simply requires a couple of resolutions from the company and that the wish to set up a branch office and appoint a local EU/CH citizen to act as manager/representative for the company. In addition to this you'll need translated copies of the legal documents establishing you company in the US and these together with the resolutions can be used by the 'manager' to perform all the registrations required in Switzerland for VAT, Social Security and so on. However it is a very cumbersome way of establishing a business presence here.

It is probably also worth pointing out that the appointment of a third country national to the management position is not sufficient grounds to justify obtaining a work or residence permit for such a person. Such permits must be justified in the normal way.

__________________
"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela

Thank you very much, these are extremely helpful!