Swiss Transparency Register: New Requirements for Companies Starting in 2026

What is the Swiss Transparency Register?

With the new Swiss Transparency Register, the federal government is introducing a central registry that records the beneficial owners of companies. The goal is to make corporate structures more transparent and to combat money laundering and terrorist financing more effectively.

The register will not focus on the companies themselves, but rather on the individuals who ultimately control a company. This control may be exercised, for example, through equity interests, voting rights, or other forms of influence.

When will the Swiss Transparency Register take effect?

The Swiss Transparency Register is scheduled to be introduced on October 1, 2026. From that date onward, many legal entities will be required to report their beneficial owners digitally.

For companies, this means that those who prepare early can avoid future delays, incomplete reports, or unnecessary administrative burdens.

Which companies are affected?

The reporting requirement applies in particular to companies and organizations with their own legal personality. These include, among others:

• Public limited companies (AGs)
• Limited liability companies (GmbHs)
• Cooperatives
• Foundations
• Other legal entities under Swiss law

Foreign companies may also be subject to the Swiss Transparency Register if they have a relevant connection to Switzerland. This may be the case, for example, if they have a branch office, real estate, or actual management in Switzerland.

Who is considered a beneficial owner?

A beneficial owner is a natural person who directly or indirectly controls a company. This is often the case when someone holds at least 25 percent of the capital or voting rights.

Individuals who exercise significant influence over a company in other ways may also be considered beneficial owners. Companies must therefore not only review their list of shareholders but also accurately document indirect shareholdings and control relationships.

How is the report submitted?

Reports to the Swiss Transparency Register must be submitted digitally. Companies must submit the relevant information accurately, completely, and up-to-date. It is particularly important that changes in shareholdings or control relationships be updated promptly in the future.

This means the Transparency Register will not be a one-time formality, but rather an ongoing compliance task for executive management, boards of directors, and trustees.

What should companies do now?

Even though the requirement does not take effect until 2026, it is worth preparing early. Companies should already be:

• Reviewing ownership and shareholding structures
• Identifying beneficial owners
• Defining internal responsibilities
• Updating relevant documents
• Defining processes for future changes

This assessment can be particularly challenging in cases involving holding structures, foreign shareholders, or multiple levels of shareholders.

Why is the Swiss Transparency Register important?

The Swiss Transparency Register is part of an international trend toward greater transparency regarding legal entities. The goal is to enable authorities to better understand who is behind a company and who actually exercises control.

For reputable companies, the registry primarily represents a new documentation and reporting requirement. Those who understand their structures and have them properly documented can efficiently meet the requirements.

Conclusion

The Swiss Transparency Registry introduces new obligations for many companies. Those primarily affected include AGs, GmbHs, cooperatives, foundations, and other legal entities. It is crucial to correctly identify the beneficial owners and provide the necessary information in a timely manner.

Companies should use the time leading up to the registry’s implementation to review their ownership structures and prepare internal processes. This will make the implementation of the Swiss Transparency Registry significantly easier and more reliable.