The Swiss transparency register for beneficial owners takes effect on 1 October 2026. For many companies, this means identifying, verifying and reporting the natural persons who ultimately control the business.
Switzerland’s new transparency register primarily affects Swiss companies, including most AGs, GmbHs and cooperatives. Certain foreign legal entities are also in scope if they have a registered Swiss branch, are effectively managed in Switzerland or own Swiss real estate.
From 1 October 2026, affected companies must identify, verify and report the natural persons who ultimately control the business. Although transitional deadlines will apply, the work should start now. Ownership chains need to be checked, records may need to be updated and access to EasyGov should be prepared. Outsourcing the process can reduce the burden on management and help keep the filing on track.
A new obligation for most Swiss companies
The Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners will create a central, non-public register maintained by the Federal Office of Justice. The law enters into force on 1 October 2026, when the transitional periods for affected entities begin.
Most Swiss companies operating as legal entities are affected, including AGs, GmbHs, cooperatives and certain investment companies. Foreign legal entities may also fall within scope if they have a registered Swiss branch, are effectively managed in Switzerland or own Swiss real estate. Specific exemptions apply, so each entity should be assessed individually.
A beneficial owner is generally a natural person who holds at least 25 percent of the capital or voting rights, or who controls the entity in another way. Where ownership is indirect, the control chain must be traced through intermediate entities or other arrangements until the relevant natural person or persons are identified.
Swiss transparency register 2026: Do this now to prepare
1 October marks the start of the new regime, not the ideal time to begin preparing. Companies can already register on EasyGov, and the official guidance notes that validating access usually takes several days. More importantly, identifying and verifying beneficial owners can take time when records are incomplete or ownership structures cross several entities or jurisdictions.
Before filing, a company will need to:
- Confirm whether the entity is subject to the reporting obligation and which deadline applies.
- Map direct and indirect ownership and other forms of control.
- Collect and verify the required identity and control information.
- Resolve gaps or inconsistencies in shareholder and beneficial ownership records.
- Prepare access to EasyGov and coordinate the submission.
The obligation does not end with the first filing. Reported information must remain accurate and up to date, so companies also need a process for identifying and reporting future changes.
Why outsource the transparency register filing in Switzerland?
Responsibility for the filing remains with the company, but official guidance confirms that the task may be delegated to an authorised third party. This makes the process well suited to outsourcing, particularly for businesses without an internal legal or compliance team or with cross-border ownership structures.
The real burden is rarely the final online submission. It is determining the correct scope, tracing ownership, obtaining information from shareholders, documenting how control is exercised and keeping the process moving alongside other corporate deadlines. Leaving this until the reporting period has started can turn a manageable compliance task into a last-minute project for directors and management.
An external partner can coordinate the work, provide a clear point of responsibility and establish a repeatable process for future updates. Management remains informed without having to run every administrative step internally.
How our team can help
Our team can manage the practical work from the initial review through submission and ongoing maintenance. Depending on your structure, we can:
- Assess whether your company falls within the new law.
- Review the ownership and control structure.
- Identify the information and documents that must be collected.
- Coordinate with shareholders, group companies and other advisers.
- Prepare and submit the report through EasyGov as an authorised representative.
- Help establish a process for keeping the information current.
Outsourcing does not remove the company’s legal responsibility, but it makes the work more structured, easier to monitor and less disruptive to the business. Reach out to us.
Do not wait until the register opens
With the new rules taking effect on 1 October 2026, companies should use the remaining time to confirm their obligations and organise the required information. Early preparation is especially important where there is foreign ownership, indirect holdings, trusts, fiduciary arrangements or outdated corporate records.
Contact our team now to assess your reporting obligations and prepare the filing. We can take the administrative burden off management and help ensure your company is ready when the new regime begins.
