Switzerland: Beneficial ownership

glass office building invertedglass office building inverted

Switzerland: Beneficial ownership

The Parliament adopts the Federal Beneficial Ownership Register and aligns with international AML standards

September 18, 2025

Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
On September 11th, 2025, the Swiss Federal Parliament completed the legislative process towards the latest changes it will bring to its anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Switzerland aligns with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with some specific tweaks.

The main action taken by the Swiss legislator lays in the creation of a new Federal Beneficial Ownership Register.

Though Swiss companies are already bound to record the identity of their beneficial owners, this information was held solely by the companies’ management. The new legislation will now require these companies to declare the identity of their beneficial owners in a centralized, electronic and non-public federal register, managed by the Federal Department of Justice and Police.

Companies operating in or through Switzerland should assess how their compliance aligns with existing and new AML rules and how they may affect ownership structures, reporting obligations, and risk exposure.

Our team is tracking developments and assisting clients in preparing for the upcoming implementation phase.

The materials on the Eversheds Sutherland website are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the materials may not reflect the most current legal developments. Eversheds Sutherland disclaims liability for actions taken based on the materials. Always consult a qualified lawyer for specific legal matters. To view the full disclaimer, see our Terms and Conditions or Disclaimer section in the footer. Eversheds Sutherland is a provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. For further information about these entities and Eversheds Sutherlands' structure please see the Legal Notice page of this website.

Services

Key contacts

thomas.roullet@eversheds-sutherland.ch

Thomas Roullet

Partner

Geneva, Switzerland

oliver.beldi@eversheds-sutherland.ch Headshot Headshot Headshot

Oliver Beldi

Partner

Bern, Switzerland

marc.nufer@eversheds-sutherland.ch

Marc Nufer

Partner

Bern, Switzerland

Latest Insights

Latest News

Latest Events

  • in-person | September 23, 2026
  • virtual | September 29, 2026
  • virtual | October 08, 2026
  • in-person | October 08, 2026
Close up of two people signing documents in office

legal updates

September 17, 2026

Legal Alert | Deregulation of the Polish Commercial Companies Code

Modern office building glass facade exterior

legal updates

September 16, 2026

Commercially Connected shorts - 16 September 2026

Modern city high‑rise buildings glass exterior

legal updates

September 15, 2026

CMA places public procurement at the centre of its growth agenda

nature

legal updates

September 14, 2026

Global Sustainability & ESG Insights - August 2026

© Eversheds Sutherland 2026. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. For further information about these entities and Eversheds Sutherlands' structure please see the Legal Notice page of this website.

Eversheds Sutherland is the name and brand under which the members of Eversheds Sutherland Limited (Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP) and their respective controlled, managed and affiliated firms and the members of Eversheds Sutherland (Europe) Limited (each an "Eversheds Sutherland Entity" and together the "Eversheds Sutherland Entities") provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements and operate in accordance with their locally registered names. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client. For further information about these Eversheds Sutherland Entities and Eversheds Sutherlands’ structure please see the Legal Notices page of this website.