With the entry into force of the Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners (TJPG) on 1 October 2026, Switzerland is introducing a central Transparency Register. The aim of this new legislation is to further strengthen the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing and to increase transparency regarding the ownership and control structures of companies. More than 500,000 companies will be affected by the new requirements.
What is the Transparency Register?
The Transparency Register is a central federal register in which the beneficial owners of legal entities are recorded. Beneficial owners are natural persons who directly or indirectly control a company – for example, through their capital interest or voting rights.
Companies will be required to identify these individuals, verify the information provided and ensure that the data remains up to date at all times.
Who is affected?
The reporting obligation applies in particular to:
- Public limited companies (AG)
- Limited liability companies (GmbH)
- Cooperatives
As a general rule, sole proprietorships, associations, foundations, listed companies and other legally defined exceptions are not subject to the reporting obligation. The exact scope of the legislation depends on the legal form and is defined by the Transparency Act.
How will the reporting process work?
In future, reports will be submitted via the EasyGov.swiss platform. Companies can already register today and prepare their user accounts.
As linking a company to an EasyGov account may take several days, the Swiss authorities recommend completing the registration process at an early stage.
What should companies do now?
Although the reporting obligation will only apply from 1 October 2026, it is advisable not to postpone the necessary preparations. Companies should, in particular:
- review their ownership and shareholding structure,
- identify their beneficial owners,
- gather the required documentation,
- prepare their registration on EasyGov, and
- establish internal processes for keeping the information up to date.
Further information is available here.
Our recommendation
Even though the reporting obligation only comes into effect when the law enters into force, it is worth reviewing your ownership and shareholding structures now. Taking action early can help reduce the administrative burden and ensure that your company is prepared for the new legal requirements in good time.
We are happy to support you in determining whether your company is affected, identifying the beneficial owners and preparing the necessary notifications to the Transparency Register.
Contact us for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.
Tell us about your situation. We will carefully review your matter, listen to your concerns, and provide a transparent assessment of whether and how we can assist you.