In Switzerland, individual companies can be established informally. Once they have begun with business activities, it is wise to register the company in the Commercial Registry of the Canton the business is located in.
This is the only important registry. Often private registries only incur unnecessary expenses without contributing to financial success. Only the entries in the Commercial Registry are legally valid in Switzerland.
As soon as the business begins to operate successfully (e.g. in three to six months after its founding) registration with the social insurance institution is an essential step in the procedure. The company has to prove that it has at least three clients or is attempting to find further clients.
Bogus self-employment does not get recognised as an individual company under social insurance legislation. This is one of the main reasons why registration with the social insurance institutions may fail.