Anyone who wants to become self-employed in Switzerland must first figure out how to register as a self-employed person. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about this topic here.
Registering as Self-Employed: Here’s How It Works
Date of Registration as a Self-Employed Individual
Once you have started your business, you should register your self-employment with the AHV. If you have established your self-employment by forming a company (i.e., by registering it in the Commercial Register), you must register with the AHV as of the date the company was formed.
It is not possible to register as self-employed before starting work. The reason for this is that the social insurance fund requires certain invoices, receipts, and contracts at the time of registration. The federal government generally recommends registering with the social insurance fund during the first few months of self-employment. This allows you to obtain social security coverage more quickly and benefit from the protection provided by social insurance.
Where and How to Register as Self-Employed
Self-employed individuals who are members of a professional association can register with the association’s compensation fund. If you are not a member of a professional association, you must register with the cantonal compensation fund. The cantonal compensation fund must be the one in the canton where your place of business is located. You can find an overview of the cantonal social insurance agencies and compensation funds here. Self-employed individuals can register using the form available on the respective social insurance agency’s website.
Before Registering as Self-Employed: Requirements
Old-Age and Survivors’ Insurance (AHV), Disability Insurance (IV), and the Income Replacement Scheme (EO) distinguish between two different categories: self-employed individuals and employees. Not every form of self-employment is considered self-employment: Every application for self-employment status must be reviewed by the relevant cantonal compensation office.
According to the federal government, the following requirements must be met in order to be classified as self-employed:
- work in one’s own name and on one’s own account
- Work in an independent capacity
- Working at one’s own financial risk using one’s own infrastructure
As a general rule, self-employed individuals are free to decide independently on their work methods and activities and are not subject to anyone’s authority. They usually have their own business and work for multiple clients.
The compensation fund checks at regular intervals whether the self-employed person’s activities meet the requirements mentioned above. This is because a certificate of self-employment issued once does not serve as a general authorization for all future assignments.
If the requirements are no longer met—because the self-employed individual generates more than 50% of their annual income from a single contract—the arrangement can no longer be considered self-employment, as the contractor is economically dependent on the client. This is then interpreted as bogus self-employment. You can find more information on this topic in our article on bogus self-employment.
Self-Employed Professions and Activities Requiring a License
No specific requirements are necessary for unregulated activities. Certain professions and activities are regulated and subject to licensing requirements. For regulated professions, you must have completed specialized training or be able to demonstrate substantial professional experience in that specific field. You can find out which professions are regulated and whether a license is required on the federal government’s website.
Contributions to the AHV, IV, and EO for Self-Employed Individuals
Start of the Obligation to Pay Contributions
Anyone who is employed in Switzerland must pay contributions to the AHV, IV, and EO. This applies regardless of whether you are self-employed or an employee. The obligation to pay contributions begins on January 1 following one’s 17th birthday. As soon as a person ceases to be gainfully employed, the obligation to pay contributions ends.
Amount of AHV Contributions Paid by Self-Employed Individuals
The total contribution requirement for self-employed individuals is 10% of their income. This amount consists of contributions to the AHV, IV, and EO. Here are the individual percentages:
- AHV: 8.1%
- IV: 1.4%
- EO: 0.5%
For incomes between 10,100 and 60,500 CHF (as of 2025), a sliding scale of contributions applies. For incomes of 60,500 CHF or more, the full contribution rate of 10.0% applies.
In addition to contributions to the AHV, IV, and EO, self-employed individuals must also pay contributions to the Family Allowance Fund (FAK). Family allowances vary by canton. You can find the amounts paid by the FAK here.
Registering as Self-Employed: Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to register as self-employed?
Anyone who is employed in Switzerland must pay contributions to the AHV. This also applies to self-employed individuals. It is recommended that you register your self-employment with the compensation office within the first few months of starting your self-employed activity. If you are self-employed only as a side job and earn less than 2,500 CHF per year (effective January 2025), you do not need to register.
How much does it cost to start your own business?
The costs of starting a business vary on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the legal structure, you’ll need start-up capital. In addition, there are other administrative expenses (such as the cost of registration in the commercial register), marketing expenses, and product development costs.
How do I register as self-employed?
You can register as self-employed online using a form. You must register with the SVA in the canton where your business is headquartered.
Are self-employed individuals subject to AHV?
Yes. Whether self-employed or employed by others, every person engaged in gainful employment in Switzerland is subject to AHV. In the case of self-employment, self-employed individuals must pay their AHV contributions themselves.
When is a person considered self-employed?
You are considered self-employed if you work under your own name, on your own account, in an independent capacity, and at your own financial risk.
How much do self-employed individuals pay in AHV?
AHV employee contributions for self-employed individuals are the same as those for employees. Together with EO and IV, they amount to about 10% of income. However, self-employed individuals must also pay the employer contributions to the AHV themselves.
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