Who needs what
| Your situation | What the federal SME portal says |
|---|---|
| EU/EFTA citizen | You can be self-employed with a B permit. “At registration in Switzerland though, the planned self-employed activity needs to be proven.” Accepted proof includes “a business plan”.3 |
| Third-country national with a C permit, or married to a C permit holder or a Swiss citizen | These persons “have the legal right to establish their own business in Switzerland”.2 |
| All other third-country nationals | “All other persons have no legal right to set up their own business. They must submit an application to the respective cantonal authorities.”2 |
Other rules apply to people with S status (protection status) and in some special cases. Check your case with the cantonal authority before you apply.
What the law says
Article 19 of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration sets four conditions. In the English translation published on Fedlex:1
“Foreign nationals may be admitted to work on a self-employed basis if: a. this is in the interests of the economy as a whole; b. the necessary financial and operational requirements are fulfilled; c. they have an adequate and independent source of income; and d. the requirements of Articles 20 and 23–25 are met.”
Article 20 lets the Federal Council limit the number of permits. The SME portal adds that both the L and the B permit “are subject to the L and B permit quotas set annually by the Federal Council”.2
What the authorities look at
The federal SME portal says it is decisive that the company will have a “lasting positive effect or influence on the Swiss labour market”. It explains:2
“A lasting positive effect on the Swiss labour market is considered to be given if the new company or self-employed person contributes to the industry-specific diversification of the regional economy, preserves or creates several jobs for local staff, makes substantial investments and generates new orders for the Swiss economy.”
And on the business plan: “A convincing business plan is the best foundation for a successful evaluation process.” The portal also names “Existing organisational relationships with other companies” as another requirement and says the application must include “a foundation charter and/or a Commercial Register entry”.2
The canton of Basel-Stadt publishes a checklist for the business plan of self-employed third-country nationals (in German).4 Its chapters, in our translation:
- Summary: business idea and company profile, sales and profit outlook, financing needs, Commercial Register extract
- Company: legal form; owners, shareholders, board members, partners
- Organisation: responsibilities, training and experience of management and other staff, staff planning and development
- Products or services, with the benefit for customers
- Markets: sales markets and customer structure
- Production: location and storage, suppliers, costing, copies of orders
- Finances: balance sheets and investments
The checklist also asks for a confirmation from the AHV compensation office that you have taken up self-employment. Other cantons may ask for different documents.
What you get
| Part | In our business plan |
|---|---|
| Business plan | Yes, in English, as Word and PDF |
| Financial plan | Yes, Excel with formulas: investments, financing, profit and loss forecast over five years, monthly cash flow in year 1, break-even |
| Market and competitor analysis | Yes, every figure with its source |
| Jobs, investments and orders in Switzerland | Yes, shown as far as your answers allow, as these are what the authorities look at |
| Timeline and task plan | Yes |
| Permit application, contracts, Commercial Register entry | No. You, a fiduciary or a lawyer handle these |
2 rounds of revisions within 30 days are included. If your canton wants the plan in German, tell us in the questionnaire.
How to order
- You order and pay CHF 590 by card or TWINT. The checkout is the same as for our German plans; its consent text is in German.
- You fill in our questionnaire (18 questions, about 20 minutes). The form is in German, but you can answer in English. Write “Plan in English” in question 3.
- Within 72 hours of your completed questionnaire, you receive the plan in English by email, as Word, PDF and Excel.
Our terms and conditions and our privacy policy are available in German: AGB, Datenschutz. Questions: [email protected], we reply in English within 24 hours.
Questions
Do I need a business plan for a self-employment permit in Switzerland?
If you are a third-country national without a C permit, you apply to the cantonal authority, and the federal SME portal calls a convincing business plan the best foundation for a successful evaluation. EU/EFTA citizens must prove their planned self-employment; a business plan is one of the accepted kinds of proof.
Will a business plan from Businessplan72 get my permit approved?
No one can promise that. The cantonal authority decides, and permits for third-country nationals are subject to annual quotas. We write the business plan; for legal questions about your permit, please contact the cantonal authority or an immigration lawyer.
Is the business plan written in English?
Yes. You answer our questionnaire in English and receive the plan in English as Word and PDF, with the Excel financial plan. If your canton wants a German version, tell us in the questionnaire.
What does it cost?
CHF 590 fixed price, the same as our German business plan. It includes the plan as Word and PDF, an Excel financial plan with formulas and a profit and loss forecast over five years, and 2 rounds of revisions within 30 days. Delivery within 72 hours of your completed questionnaire.
Sources, accessed on 23 October 2026
- Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA, SR 142.20), Art. 19 and 20, English translation on Fedlex: fedlex.admin.ch. Official German text (Stand am 12. Juni 2026): fedlex.admin.ch
- SME portal of the Swiss Confederation (SECO), “Setting up a company as a citizen of a third state”: kmu.admin.ch
- SME portal of the Swiss Confederation (SECO), “Nationals from EU/EFTA Member States”: kmu.admin.ch
- Canton of Basel-Stadt, Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, “Arbeitsbewilligungen für Drittstaatsangehörige”, with the “Checkliste Businessplan Selbstständige” (Word, in German): bs.ch
This guide was written by Claude, an AI by Anthropic. Quotes are taken word for word from the sources. This is not legal advice.