01 · SECO permit
Federal and cantonal permits, filed for you.
Recruitment and staff-leasing permits at SECO, hospitality and tobacco licences cantonally, taxi licences municipally. From CHF 1,900 per application. Free 30-minute scoping call.
02 · Three permit categories
Recruitment, hospitality, specialised trade.
Recruitment / staff leasing
Personalverleih and Arbeitsvermittlung permits under the AVG (Federal Recruitment Act). Required to operate as a staffing agency or to lease workers in Switzerland. Filed with SECO. Capital deposit (CHF 50,000–100,000) required.
Hospitality (Gastgewerbe)
Restaurant, bar, hotel licences are cantonal. Each canton sets requirements (Wirtepatent or equivalent), training requirement, and inspection conditions. We file with the relevant cantonal authority.
Tobacco / taxi / specialised trade
Tobacco-trade permits, taxi licences, and certain specialised-trade authorisations. Cantonal or municipal authority depending on activity. We confirm the right body at the scoping call.
03 · Pricing
Flat from CHF 1,900. Free first call.
| Service | Our fee | Market range |
|---|---|---|
| SECO permit (tobacco / hotel / taxi / recruitment) — application | from CHF 1,900 | CHF 2,000–8,000 |
| Hourly rate above flat-fee scope | CHF 250 / hour | CHF 250–550 |
| Initial regulatory consultation (30 min) | free | CHF 0–350 |
Authority office fees passed through at cost. SECO recruitment / leasing capital deposit (CHF 50,000–100,000) is held by the bank or as a guarantee, not charged by us.
04 · Mandate scope
Eligibility, dossier, filing, follow-through.
- Eligibility assessment for the relevant permit category
- Document checklist (qualifications, capital deposit, premises, insurance)
- Drafting of application forms in German, French or Italian as required
- Filing with SECO and/or the cantonal/municipal authority
- Tracking of application status and response to clarification requests
- Coordination of any required training / examination (e.g., Wirtepatent)
05 · Process
Eligibility → documentation → filing → decision.
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01
Eligibility
Confirm permit category and the right authority (SECO, cantonal, municipal). 1–2 days. Free for the first 30 minutes.
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02
Documentation
Assemble qualifications, capital deposit confirmation, premises lease, insurance, business plan. 2–4 weeks (typically client-side).
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03
Filing
Application submitted to the relevant authority. Office fees range CHF 100–2,000 depending on permit type.
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04
Decision
SECO recruitment permit: 8–16 weeks. Cantonal hospitality: 4–8 weeks. Municipal taxi: 6–12 weeks.
06 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
When does my activity need a SECO permit?
Specific activities are subject to federal authorisation under sectoral statutes — the most common federal permit involves staff leasing and recruitment under the AVG. Other activities (hospitality, taxi, certain trades) are licensed at cantonal or municipal level. We confirm the right authority at the scoping call.
What is the AVG recruitment permit?
The Bundesgesetz über die Arbeitsvermittlung und den Personalverleih (AVG) regulates two related activities: Arbeitsvermittlung (placement) and Personalverleih (staff leasing). Both require a SECO authorisation, a capital deposit (CHF 50,000 for placement, CHF 100,000 for leasing), and a Swiss-resident manager. Foreign placement requires an additional federal authorisation.
How much capital do I need for a recruitment / leasing permit?
CHF 50,000 deposit for Arbeitsvermittlung (placement). CHF 100,000 for Personalverleih (staff leasing). The deposit is held in a blocked account or as a bank guarantee and serves as collateral for employee claims if the permit holder defaults. The capital is returned when the permit is surrendered (subject to no outstanding claims).
What is a Wirtepatent?
Cantonal hospitality-trade certification required to operate a restaurant, bar or hotel in many cantons. Requirements vary: some cantons require attendance of a 1–2 week course and an exam; others accept equivalent professional experience or qualifications. Zurich and Geneva have stricter requirements; Zug and Schwyz are more lenient.
Do I need a permit to import tobacco for retail?
Yes. The tobacco trade is regulated at federal level for production and import; retail sales are licensed cantonally. The federal regulator imposes labelling, advertising, and youth-protection rules. We file the cantonal retail licence and coordinate with import-side counsel where needed.
Is the initial consultation really free?
Yes — first 30 minutes by call to confirm permit category, authority, and approximate timeline. No charge, no obligation. Where a quick read of the activity is sufficient, we may answer the basic question on that call without a follow-up engagement.
07 · Get started
Tell us the activity.
One-line brief: planned activity, target canton, expected start date. We confirm permit category, authority, and approximate timeline within 24 hours.