Blog 0: Self- employment law
Blog 0: Self-Employment and Chair Rental in Zurich – Legal Foundations for Hairstylists, Beauty Therapists and Co-Working Salon Spaces.
Welcome to the first-ever blog post on kollektiv.space
We're starting with the topic that matters most: Is it actually legal to work as a self-employed stylist in a co-working salon in Zurich? Short answer: Yes — but only if it's done properly, and Zurich is one of the few cantons that clearly allows it.
Understanding Self-Employment in Switzerland
To be recognised as self-employed in Switzerland, you must:
Work under your own name and on your own account
Take on financial risk
Decide your own schedule, pricing, and service list
You must register with the AHV compensation office to make it official. Learn more here:
👉 https://www.ch.ch/en/work/self-employment/
What Is Chair Rental (Stuhlmiete)?
Chair rental means you’re renting a station in a salon but running your own business. Zurich permits this model — but only if the stylist is truly independent, not just “self-employed on paper.”
How to Tell if You're Really Self-Employed
Here’s how to stay on the right side of the law:
You choose your own hours and set your own prices
You manage your own clients and bookings
You bring your own products and tools
You are not tied to the salon’s brand or payroll
More details here:
👉 https://leglobal.law/countries/switzerland/employees-vs-independent-contractors-switzerland/legal-framework-differentiating-employees-independent-contractors-20/
What Makes Zurich Different?
Zurich openly recognises chair rental setups if the stylist meets the legal criteria. Other cantons often don’t. That’s why kollektiv.space is based here — to provide a fully legal, flexible home for self-employed stylists.
Official info from Canton Zurich:
👉 https://www.zh.ch/de/migration-integration/eu-efta-angehoerige/selbstaendige-erwerbstaetigkeit.html
Setting Up Legally in Zurich (Checklist)
1. Register with the AHV/SVA:
👉 https://www.svazurich.ch/selbstaendigkeit-anmelden
2. Get your residence permit if you're from the EU/EFTA
3. Register your business (if turnover is over CHF 100k):
👉 https://www.hrazh.ch/
4. Register for VAT:
👉 https://www.estv.admin.ch/estv/en/home/mehrwertsteuer/fachinformationen/anmeldung-und-abmeldung/mehrwertsteuerpflicht.html
5. Understand the AHV/AVS system:
👉 https://www.ahv-iv.ch/p/1.01.e
Final Word
The chair rental model works beautifully when done right — and Zurich is the best place in Switzerland to do it. At kollektiv.space, we're here to support independent stylists to work freely, legally, and successfully.
Let’s work together — individually.
Ready to join us? Visit: https://www.kollektiv.space/contact
