Frequently asked questions about the Transparency Register

A central, non-public federal register. Legal entities must have their beneficial owners entered there – that is, the natural persons who ultimately control a company. It is run by the Federal Office of Justice.

The TJPG is the Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners. The TJPV is the related ordinance that governs the details. You can find more in our summary of the TJPV.

The TJPG and TJPV enter into force on 1 October 2026. The transition periods for the first report also begin on that date.

It is intended to close gaps in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing and to align Switzerland with international standards. Authorities should be able to identify quickly who actually controls a company. More on this in the Explanatory Report.

Legal entities under Swiss private law – in particular limited companies (AG), GmbHs, cooperatives and investment companies (e.g. SICAV) as well as the limited partnership for collective investment. In addition, certain foreign entities with a connection to Switzerland and trustees with their registered office or residence in Switzerland.

Sole proprietorships and partnerships (general and limited partnerships) are not legal entities within the meaning of the TJPG and do not have to register. Associations and foundations also do not have to report themselves.

Among others: listed companies, their subsidiaries held to more than 75 per cent, occupational pension institutions and companies owned by a public-sector body. Equivalent transparency requirements already apply to these.

Yes, if there is a connection to Switzerland – such as effective management in Switzerland, real estate or a branch entered in the Commercial Register. Such constellations are often complex; a professional assessment is advisable.

Trustees with their registered office or residence in Switzerland – or those who administer a trust from Switzerland – must report the trust's beneficial owners (including settlor, trustee, protector, beneficiaries). Special rules apply to trusts.

The natural persons who ultimately control a company – through a holding, voting rights or by other means. It is always about people, not intermediary companies.

For a direct holding, from at least 25 per cent of the capital or voting rights.

Control through intermediary companies: it exists when someone holds more than 50 per cent in one or more intermediary companies which in turn hold at least 25 per cent in your company.

A controlling influence without a sufficient holding – for example the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors, veto rights on key decisions, or voting and shareholder agreements.

If no beneficial owner can be identified, the most senior member of the management body (e.g. the chair of the board or the management) is deemed, on a subsidiary basis, to be the beneficial owner and must be reported.

If several persons coordinate their conduct in order to exercise control, their holdings are added together. For the thresholds, the jointly held interest is then decisive, not the individual share.

From 1 October 2026. The specific deadline depends on whether your company is new or existing and whether the beneficial owners are already listed in the Commercial Register.

Companies newly formed from 1 October 2026 report within one month of their entry in the Commercial Register.

If all beneficial owners are already listed in the Commercial Register as shareholders or as a body, the longest transition period of two years applies. Otherwise a shorter, staggered deadline of three to six months applies – depending on legal form and type of audit.

Changes to the reported information must each be updated within one month. A change in the size of a holding only has to be reported if it causes a threshold to be exceeded or fallen below.

Generally electronically via the EasyGov.swiss platform, or alternatively via the commercial registry office. It is advisable to register early.

Yes. A GmbH with exclusively natural persons as shareholders and a single-shareholder limited company can confirm their beneficial owners in a simplified way, provided the respective conditions are met.

For each beneficial owner: surname and first name, date of birth, nationality(ies) and residence, as well as the nature and extent of control (ranges 25–50 %, over 50–75 %, over 75 %). In addition, the OASI number must be clarified; if it is missing, a copy of an ID document is required.

The supporting documents for identifying the beneficial owners must be kept for 10 years.

No. The Transparency Register is not public. Access is limited to the competent authorities as well as financial intermediaries and advisers in the context of their due diligence obligations.

Yes. Every query and transmission is logged and kept for two years. In the event of use that does not comply with the purpose, access can be blocked.

The reporting obligation arises automatically by law – not only upon request. An intentional breach can be punished with a fine of up to CHF 500'000.

The most senior management or administrative body is responsible – i.e. the board of directors in a limited company (AG), and the management in a GmbH.

A control body at the Federal Department of Finance checks accuracy, completeness and up-to-dateness on a risk basis and by random sampling.

Entry is free of charge, even if it is made via the commercial registry office.

Fees only apply to special services: a register extract costs 40 francs; reminders, requests and rulings are charged by time spent at 100–150 francs per hour.

No. transparenzregister.ch is an independent, private information service and is not part of the Confederation. You can find the official register at transpareg.admin.ch.

The Express Check answers free of charge whether you are affected and which deadline roughly applies. The detailed check goes deeper: identifying the beneficial owners, the reporting procedure and a checklist of the required details.

No. All content is intended for initial guidance and does not replace legal advice. For a binding assessment, please consult a qualified professional.