ZEFIX (Zentraler Firmenindex) is Switzerland’s central company register search tool, and it is the first place to look when verifying any Swiss company. It aggregates data from all 26 cantonal Commercial Registers and allows anyone to search for any registered Swiss company, access basic registration information, and download official register extracts — all free of charge. Whether you are conducting due diligence on a counterparty, verifying a director’s signatory authority, or checking whether a company exists at all, ZEFIX is the starting point.
This guide explains exactly how to use ZEFIX effectively.
What ZEFIX Is (and What It Cannot Tell You)
ZEFIX is operated by the Federal Office of the Commercial Register (EHRA — Eidgenoessisches Amt fuer das Handelsregister), part of the Federal Department of Justice and Police. It is the official federal index of all commercially registered entities in Switzerland. It is free, requires no account, and is the standard first step for any Swiss company verification.
But ZEFIX has limitations that catch people off guard:
- AG shareholders are not shown — only GmbH shareholders appear in the register
- Beneficial owners are not disclosed — Switzerland has no publicly accessible beneficial ownership register
- Data has a 1-5 business day delay from cantonal registration
- The free PDF extract is not accepted by most banks for KYC purposes — you need a certified extract from the cantonal register (CHF 30-50)
The ZEFIX database is updated continuously as cantonal registers process new filings. Most entries appear in ZEFIX within 1–5 business days of cantonal registration.
Access: zefix.ch — no account required, no fee.
What You Can Search
ZEFIX allows search by:
- Company name (Firma): full name or partial name. ZEFIX supports wildcard search — searching “Morgan Hartley Consulting” will return “Morgan Hartley Consulting AG”, “Morgan Hartley Consulting GmbH”, etc.
- UID number (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer): the unique Swiss business identification number in format CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX
- Canton: filter results by the 26 Swiss cantons
- Legal form: AG, GmbH, Einzelfirma, Genossenschaft, Stiftung, etc.
- Deleted entities: ZEFIX includes both active and deleted (geloeschte) entities — useful for historical due diligence
What ZEFIX Shows for Each Company
For each registered entity, ZEFIX displays:
| Field | Information Shown |
|---|---|
| Company name (Firma) | Full registered name |
| Legal form | AG, GmbH, Stiftung, etc. |
| UID | Unique identification number |
| Registered office | Canton and commune |
| Registration date | Date of first Commercial Register entry |
| Status | Active or deleted |
| Purpose clause | Authorised business activities |
| Share capital | For AG/GmbH |
| Directors/managers | Name, domicile (commune), signatory authority |
| GmbH shareholders | Name and quota (GmbH only — not AG) |
| Canton register link | Direct link to the cantonal register entry |
Downloading Register Extracts
From any ZEFIX company page, you can download the Handelsregisterauszug (commercial register extract) as a free PDF. This document is the official extract of the company’s current register entry.
Important: The free ZEFIX PDF is suitable for information purposes but may not be accepted for official use (banking KYC, notarial transactions, regulatory applications) where a certified extract is required. A certified extract must be ordered directly from the cantonal register office and costs approximately CHF 30–50. The certified extract carries the cantonal register’s official signature and is the document used for formal legal purposes, including bank account opening and FINMA licensing applications.
Using ZEFIX for Due Diligence
ZEFIX is the first step in any Swiss company due diligence. Before signing a contract with a Swiss counterparty or acquiring a Swiss entity, check ZEFIX for:
1. Verify the company exists A company claiming to be a registered Swiss AG or GmbH should appear in ZEFIX. If it does not, it is not registered — do not rely on unverified documents.
2. Confirm the current directors ZEFIX shows who currently has authority to bind the company (individual or collective signature). A contract signed by someone not shown as an authorised signatory may not be binding on the company.
3. Check signatory authority Swiss companies designate individual or collective signatory authority. If a director has “collective” authority, two signatures are required to bind the company. Verify this before relying on a document signed by a single person.
4. Read the purpose clause A Swiss company can only legally conduct activities within its registered purpose (Zweck). If a company is contracting for activities not included in its purpose clause, there may be validity issues. In practice, purpose clauses are typically broadly drafted, but verification is prudent.
5. Note the deletion status A company with a deletion entry (Loeschung) in ZEFIX has been struck off the register. You are not contracting with a legal entity. This is a critical due diligence flag.
6. Cross-reference the UID The UID (CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX) is the company’s unique identifier. If a company gives you a different UID from what ZEFIX shows, there is an inconsistency requiring explanation.
ZEFIX vs. Cantonal Register
| ZEFIX | Cantonal Register | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | zefix.ch (free) | Cantonal portal (free search) |
| Coverage | All 26 cantons | One canton |
| Data currency | 1–5 day delay | Immediate |
| Certified extract | Not available (free PDF only) | Available (CHF 30–50) |
| Historical entries | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Quick company lookup | Official documents, current data |
For time-sensitive due diligence or official documentation, always check the cantonal register directly. For the Zug Commercial Register: hr.zg.ch.
UID Numbers
Every registered Swiss company has a UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) in the format CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX. The UID is assigned at Commercial Register entry and is the company’s permanent identifier across all Swiss authorities — tax, VAT, social insurance, customs.
The UID is also used as the VAT number for companies registered for MWST (Swiss VAT), with the suffix “MWST” appended: CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX MWST.
You can verify a UID directly in ZEFIX or via the UID register at uid.admin.ch.
Related Tools
- uid.admin.ch — the federal UID register, searchable by company name or UID
- Betreibungsregister — for checking debt enforcement proceedings (Betreibungen) against a specific entity (available per canton, requires formal request in most cases)
- shab.ch — Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC / SHAB), where all Commercial Register publications appear; shows all historical register publications for any company
How ZEFIX Supports Company Formation
When forming a Swiss company, ZEFIX is the first tool you should use — before engaging a notary, before opening a bank account, before anything else.
Step One: The ZEFIX Name Check
Before registering a new company, search ZEFIX to confirm the proposed company name is not already taken. The Commercial Register will reject a name that is confusingly similar to an existing registered company in the same canton. This check takes 30 seconds and prevents the most common cause of formation delay: arriving at the notary with a name that the register will not accept.
The name check also reveals whether your preferred name is taken in other cantons. While Swiss corporate name protection is cantonal (not national), a company in Zurich with your exact name may still create brand confusion and trademark problems even if you register in Zug.
Post-Registration Verification
After your company is registered, its entry should appear on ZEFIX within 1–5 business days. This confirms the registration is complete and publicly visible. The company can begin operating from the moment of notarial signing — it does not need to wait for the ZEFIX publication to commence business activity.
The Domain Squatting Warning
Here is a pattern that catches founders repeatedly: the SHAB (Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce) publishes your new company name as part of the registration process. This publication is public and searchable. Domain squatters monitor SHAB publications and register domain names matching newly formed companies within hours of publication. If you have not already registered your domain before the SHAB publication date, you may find that yourcompanyname.ch (or .com) has been taken by a speculator by the time your register entry appears.
Register your domain before you file with the notary. The cost of a .ch domain is CHF 10-15 per year. The cost of recovering a squatted domain — or choosing a different one — is materially higher.
Case Study: The Company That Did Not Exist on ZEFIX
A non-resident founder signed contracts and began invoicing clients using his new AG’s name before the Commercial Register entry was complete. When a client ran a ZEFIX search and found no matching entity, they froze payments pending verification. The founder had not realised that while the company could legally operate from the moment of notarial signing, it would not appear on ZEFIX for 2-3 weeks after registration. The solution: provide clients with a copy of the notarial deed as interim proof of formation.
2025 Shell Company Transfer Rules
Companies researching shelf (shell) companies on ZEFIX should be aware of the 2025 regulatory changes that expanded the Commercial Register’s powers over shell company transfers. The register can now:
- Request financial documentation from shell companies that have been dormant and are suddenly showing ownership or board changes
- Void shell company sales where the register determines that the transfer does not comply with updated requirements
- Require changes in two stages: first the company name and board composition, then the business activity — rather than allowing all modifications in a single filing
These changes mean that shell company acquisitions now require more careful sequencing. A buyer who attempts to change the name, directors, address, and business purpose simultaneously may have the filing rejected. The two-stage approach adds 2-4 weeks to the transfer timeline but is now the standard procedure.
Trademark Coordination
A company name registered in the Commercial Register does not automatically confer trademark protection. ZEFIX confirms the corporate registration; trademark protection requires a separate application to the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).
For a broader overview, see our guide to Swiss Company Registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does our newly registered company not appear on ZEFIX?
ZEFIX aggregates data from cantonal registers with a 1-5 business day delay. Your company can legally operate from the moment of notarial signing, but it will not appear on ZEFIX until the cantonal register processes the filing. For the most current information, check the cantonal register directly (e.g., hr.zg.ch for Zug). Provide counterparties with the notarial deed as interim proof of formation.
Is ZEFIX free to use?
Yes. Searching ZEFIX and downloading the free PDF extract are entirely free, with no account required. Certified extracts ordered from cantonal registers carry a small fee (approximately CHF 30–50).
How quickly does ZEFIX update after a company is registered?
ZEFIX aggregates data from cantonal registers. Most entries appear within 1–5 business days of the cantonal register processing the filing. For the most current information, check the cantonal register directly (e.g., hr.zg.ch for Zug).
Can I find a company’s shareholders on ZEFIX?
For GmbH, yes — shareholders (Gesellschafter) and their quota contributions appear in the Commercial Register and are visible on ZEFIX. For AG, shareholders are not disclosed in the register. AG share ownership is recorded in the company’s private share register, which is not publicly accessible.
What is a UID number in Switzerland?
The UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) in format CHE-XXX.XXX.XXX is assigned at Commercial Register entry. It is the company’s permanent identifier across all Swiss authorities — tax, VAT, social insurance, and customs. The UID with suffix “MWST” also functions as the company’s VAT number.
What is the difference between ZEFIX and the cantonal Commercial Register?
ZEFIX is a federal index aggregating all 26 cantonal registers, with a 1–5 day update delay. Cantonal registers show immediately current data and issue certified extracts (CHF 30–50) required for official purposes. ZEFIX is best for quick lookups; cantonal registers are needed for official documentation.
Can ZEFIX show deleted companies?
Yes. ZEFIX includes both active and deleted (geloeschte) entities. A deletion entry indicates the company has been struck off the register and no longer exists as a legal entity. This is valuable for historical due diligence — for example, verifying a counterparty’s claim about a predecessor entity.
How do I verify if a Swiss company is real?
Search for the company name or UID number on ZEFIX at zefix.ch. Any company claiming to be a registered Swiss AG, GmbH, or other entity must appear in ZEFIX. If it does not appear, it is not registered with the Commercial Register. Do not rely on unverified documents from unregistered entities.
What information does ZEFIX show for each company?
ZEFIX displays the company name, legal form (AG, GmbH, etc.), UID number, registered office (canton and commune), registration date, active or deleted status, purpose clause, share capital, directors with signatory authority, and GmbH shareholders with quota amounts. It also provides a direct link to the cantonal register entry.
Can I use a ZEFIX extract for bank account opening?
Generally no. The free ZEFIX PDF extract is not accepted by most banks for KYC purposes. Banks and financial institutions require a certified extract (beglaubigter Handelsregisterauszug) ordered from the cantonal register office at a cost of approximately CHF 30–50. This certified document carries the cantonal register’s official signature.
What is collective signatory authority on ZEFIX?
Swiss companies designate individual or collective signatory authority for their directors and officers. Individual authority (Einzelunterschrift) means one person can bind the company alone. Collective authority (Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien) requires two authorised signatories to act together. Always verify signatory authority on ZEFIX before relying on a signed contract.
Request a Free Assessment
Whether you are conducting due diligence on a Swiss counterparty, verifying a company’s registration status, or planning to form your own Swiss company, our team can assist with the process.
Morgan Hartley — Senior Corporate Lawyer & Partner Morgan Hartley Consulting (Morgan Hartley Consulting) Baarerstrasse 135, 6300 Zug, Switzerland Phone: +41 44 51 52 592 | Email: [email protected]
This article reflects Swiss commercial register law and practice as of March 2026. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Contact Morgan Hartley Consulting at [email protected] for advice specific to your situation.