Questions and answers on share registers and the transparency register
The key questions on share registers, registers of capital contributions and the transparency register. Hoop is a private provider, not a government authority: you keep your share register or register of capital contributions in Hoop and prepare the report there; it is submitted free of charge via EasyGov.
Share register and register of capital contributions
What is a share register?
The share register lists the registered shareholders of an AG with name, address and number of shares, plus any usufructuaries. The board keeps it, and it must be accessible in Switzerland at all times. → Keeping a share register
Legal basis: Art. 686 CO
Does a GmbH need a share register?
No, a GmbH keeps a register of capital contributions (Anteilbuch) for its partners and contributions. The obligation to identify beneficial owners and report them to the transparency register applies to both AG and GmbH. Hoop covers both.
Legal basis: Art. 790 CO
May I keep the share register digitally?
Yes. The law does not require paper; what matters are complete details, supporting documents and a traceable history. In Hoop, every change is saved as a version and approved with a qualified electronic signature. → Digital share register
How do I update the share register after a share transfer?
You enter the new shareholder, the number of shares and the date and file the supporting document, for example the purchase agreement. The board then approves the new version. → Documenting a change of shareholder
How long must I keep the supporting documents for the share register?
Supporting documents for entries must be kept for ten years after the person concerned has been removed. In Hoop, all versions and documents remain stored and can be exported as PDF.
Legal basis: Art. 686 CO
Can I transfer my existing share register to Hoop?
Yes. You enter the current shareholders and their shares once; Hoop takes the company data from the commercial register. From the first approved version onwards, everything continues digitally. → Share register with Hoop
How do the share register, commercial register and transparency register differ?
The commercial register is public and shows company name, registered office, officers and authorised signatories. The share register is kept by the company itself and shows the shareholders. The federal transparency register records the natural persons who ultimately control the company. → The three registers
Beneficial owners and transparency register
What is the transparency register?
The transparency register is a federal register of the beneficial owners of companies. It has applied since 1 October 2026 and is not public: access is limited to authorities and, under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, financial intermediaries and advisers. → Transparency register guide
Legal basis: Federal Office of Justice: transparency register
Who has to report to the transparency register?
Among others, AGs, GmbHs and cooperatives report their beneficial owners. Existing companies report within one month of their first commercial register change since 1 October 2026; otherwise transition periods of three months to two years apply depending on the situation. → In force since 1 October
Legal basis: Federal Office of Justice: transparency register
Who counts as a beneficial owner?
Any natural person who directly or indirectly holds at least 25 per cent of the capital or votes or otherwise controls the company. If no one can be identified, the highest-ranking member of the executive body counts instead, in an AG usually the chair of the board. → The 25 per cent threshold
How do I identify the beneficial owners in a holding structure?
You follow the chain of shareholdings through all companies up to the natural persons. What counts is who ultimately reaches the threshold directly or indirectly or exercises control. → Holding structures
How do I report to the transparency register?
The report is submitted free of charge via EasyGov. Hoop identifies the beneficial owners from the share register or register of capital contributions and prepares all details; on request, Hoop enters them with your power of attorney. Only details you have signed with a qualified electronic signature are submitted.
Is Hoop the transparency register?
No. Hoop is a private software provider, not a government authority. The transparency register is kept by the federal government; Hoop helps you keep the details up to date and prepare the report.
What do I have to do if shareholdings change?
You update the share register or register of capital contributions and report changed beneficial owners within one month. In Hoop, a new version is created and the report is prepared from the same data.
Is Hoop worthwhile for fiduciaries with many companies?
Yes. With the client option, you keep the registers of all your clients in one account. Costs arise only for changes, and dormant mandates cost nothing extra.
