Founding an association: the key points to bear in mind in Switzerland

14.10.2026

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What do I have to bear in mind when founding an association? How many people do I need? What should my articles of association include? We show you the basics and make recommendations for you to successfully found an association in Switzerland. Here are the seven most important steps, including a checklist.

At a glance

 

  • An association is suitable for several people pursuing a non-profit purpose together. Other legal forms are usually better suited to economic activities.
  • To found an association, you need written articles of association and a founders’ meeting. The association is formed once the articles of association have been approved.
  • A clearly formulated purpose, suitable articles of association and committed co-founders provide a good basis for collaboration.
  • Check early on whether obligations such as an entry in the commercial register, accounting or insurance are relevant to your association.

With our checklist, you can always keep track of the most important requirements, documents and next steps for founding your association.

Download the “Founding an association” checklist

Step 1: Check whether an association is the right legal form

An association is a group of people who jointly pursue a non-profit purpose. The basis for founding an association are written articles of association and a founders’ meeting. A common interest or commitment is at the heart of every association.

If, on the other hand, a business idea is to be used to generate profits or to permanently employ assets for a specific purpose, another legal form is often more suitable. The best legal form depends on your initiative’s purpose.

Although an association may generate revenue, for example from an association’s refreshments or festival activities, such activities must serve the association’s purpose and may not become the actual purpose of the association. If an association operates a commercially run business, an entry in the commercial register may be required.

Quick check: which legal form is most suitable for which initiative?

Your goalSuitable legal form
Your goal
You’re working together for a non-profit purpose.
 Suitable legal form
Association
Your goal
You want to manage a company with the aim of making profits.
 Suitable legal form
Sole proprietorship, limited liability company (GmbH) or private limited company (AG)
Your goal
You want to employ assets permanently for a specific charitable purpose.
 Suitable legal form
Foundation

Step 2: Acquire co-founders who will help manage the association

As a general rule, two people are sufficient to found an association. But for an idea to become an active association, you need people who are willing to take on responsibility and help shape the association.

That’s why it’s a good idea to consider early on who wants to make a long-term commitment. Depending on the size and purpose of the association, people are needed to sit on the board, organize events, manage finances or help with projects.

Involve these people in the preparation. Together, you can refine the association’s purpose, draw up the articles of association and plan the founders’ meeting. This will make it easier to get things started and ensure that important decisions are shared from the outset.

Who takes on which tasks?

It’s worth discussing the most important roles before the founders’ meeting. These include:

  • Chair: leads the association and represents it internally and externally
  • Secretary: sets down resolutions and takes minutes
  • Treasurer: manages finances and keeps an eye on income and expenditure
  • Other board members or managers

Not every role has to be filled definitively at the start. However, a common understanding of the tasks involved will make it easier to work together after the association has been founded.

Step 3: Formulate the association’s purpose

The association’s purpose describes why the association exists and what goals it pursues. It forms the basis for the association’s work and is one of the statutory components of the articles of association.

Formulate the purpose as clearly and comprehensibly as possible. This will allow members, public authorities and other interested parties to see at a glance what the association is actively engaged in. At the same time, the association’s purpose serves as a guideline for the board’s work and for future decisions.

The association’s purpose does not have to list every individual service or every planned activity. A general formulation will give the association sufficient leeway for development.

Depending on the focus, the association’s purpose can be formulated differently, for example:

  • Promoting recreational sport in the region
  • Supporting cultural activities and events
  • Promoting dialogue and networking among specialists
  • Supporting social or charitable projects

You can also draw inspiration from the articles of association of existing associations when formulating the association’s purpose. It’s important that the purpose fits with your initiative and reflects the planned activities.

Step 4: Select a suitable association name

Your association’s name gives a first impression and often accompanies it for many years. With this in mind, you should select a name that’s appropriate for the association’s purpose and easy to understand.

As a rule, you’ve got a great deal of freedom when choosing a name. However, the association’s name shouldn’t be misleading and needs to be distinct from existing association names. This will avoid any confusion and make it easier for interested parties to find your association.

Before you make a definitive decision, it’s worth doing a little research online. If your association needs to be entered in the commercial register, you can also check the name on The link will open in a new window Zefix, Switzerland’s Central Business Name Index. However, this only lists associations that have to be registered or that have been voluntarily registered.

If your association needs a public presence, you should also check whether suitable domain names and social media names are still available. This will make it easier to publicize the association later on. 

Step 5: Draw up the articles of association

The articles of association form the basis for your association. In this document, you set out in writing what the association’s purpose is, how it’s organized and how important decisions are made.

To found your association, first create a draft of the articles of association with the following statutory components. As a starting point, you can use The link will open in a new window sample articles of association (in German, PDF) and adapt them to your association.

At the founders’ meeting, the founding members discuss the draft and adopt the articles of association. Upon their adoption, they become the binding basis for the association’s organization and activities.

Swiss association law stipulates certain minimum contents. The articles of association need to document:

  • The intention to found an association
  • The association’s purpose
  • The name and headquarters of the association
  • The association’s governing bodies
  • How the association finances its purpose, for example through membership fees, donations or events

Depending on the association’s purpose, it may be worth noting further points in the articles of association. These include:

  • The tasks and competencies of the association meeting and the board
  • The admission and departure of members
  • The amount and due date of membership fees
  • The organization of votes and elections
  • Liability for the association’s debts

The clearer these issues are regulated, the easier it will be to make subsequent decisions.

Practical tip

Draw up the articles of association together with the future board members. This will allow different expectations to be discussed early on and documented jointly.

Step 6: Commercial register and other obligations

If your planned association operates a commercially run business or is legally obliged to carry out audits, registration in the commercial register is required.

An auditing obligation exists if the association exceeds at least two of the following thresholds in two consecutive financial years:

  • Total assets of 10 million francs
  • Sales revenue of 20 million francs
  • An average of 50 full-time equivalents

Entry in the commercial register takes place at the association’s headquarters and obliges the association to ensure proper accounting.

It’s also advisable to check early on whether your association needs insurance, such as liability, property or vehicle insurance. Which insurance policies are worthwhile depends on your association’s activities.

Good to know

Even if your association doesn’t have to be entered in the commercial register, it’s worth organizing your finances properly from the outset. A budget, clear accounting and a separate association account make administration easier and create transparency for members. 

Depending on the size and organization of your association, association software may also be useful. It can provide support with member management, communication and accounting, for example.

Step 7: Prepare for the founders’ meeting

The association is formed at the founders’ meeting. On this date, the founding members adopt the articles of association and elect the governing bodies provided for in the articles of association.

Set the date in good time, invite the founding members and compile the necessary documents. These include, in particular, the draft articles of association and a list of agenda items. It’s advisable to send both to the founding members before the meeting. This will allow outstanding questions to be clarified in advance, making the founders’ meeting more efficient.

The following points are usually discussed at the founders’ meeting:

  • Resolution on founding the association
  • Approval of the articles of association
  • Election of the board
  • Election of the auditors, if this is necessary
  • Allocation of other functions, such as chair, secretary or treasurer

Then record the resolutions in the minutes of incorporation. These include the names of the founding members, the approval of the articles of association and the elected persons and their functions.

Model template for minutes of incorporation (PDF) The link will open in a new window

Your association has been founded – what comes next?

A separate association account is recommended for managing membership fees, donations and current expenses. This allows you to separate your association’s finances from private accounts and to keep an eye on them.

To open an association account with PostFinance, you need the articles of association and the election records. For the telephone appointment, you should also have information on the association’s purpose, the purpose of the account and the beneficial owners to hand.

Find out what services the association account from PostFinance offers and how to open an account.

More about the association account

FAQs about founding an association in Switzerland

  • In principle, two people are sufficient to found an association. However, it’s worth involving other committed members early on for an association to work over the long term, They can take on board-level tasks or support the association with projects and events.

  • Founding an association usually involves little expense. Costs are usually only incurred when organizing the association. Depending on its activity, you may incur expenses, such as for the founders’ meeting, insurance, an association account or, if necessary, an entry in the commercial register. Plan these expenses early on and draw up a budget before the founders’ meeting.

  • No. An entry is only required under certain conditions, such as if the association carries out a commercial activity or is legally obliged to carry out audits. For most smaller associations, there is no obligation to create an entry.

  • A separate association account is not required by law, but this does make it easier to manage membership fees, donations and other income and expenses. At the same time, it ensures transparency for members and simplifies accounting.

  • Yes. Charitable associations can be exempted from profit tax and capital tax under certain conditions. For this to be the case, the association has to be selflessly committed to the common good and use its resources exclusively for this purpose. The relevant cantonal tax authority decides on the tax exemption.

Note: This article provides the key principles for founding an association. Depending on the project, additional legal or tax issues may arise. If needed, seek advice from a legal or fiduciary professional.

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