Question 1

What is a NOGA code?

Accepted Answer

The NOGA code (General Classification of Economic Activities) is the official classification of economic activities in Switzerland. Maintained by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), it identifies a company's main activity in a standardised way. NOGA is the Swiss version of the European NACE classification and has 5 hierarchical levels: sections (letters A to V), divisions (2 digits), groups (3 digits), classes (4 digits) and types (6 digits).

Question 2

How do I find my company's NOGA code?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways. If your company is already registered, you can look it up in the Confederation's UID register (Business Identification Number). The FSO also provides KUBB, a keyword search tool. For a more intuitive approach, our NOGA Finder uses artificial intelligence to analyse the full description of your activity and suggests the most relevant code in seconds, without having to search keyword by keyword.

Question 3

What is the difference between NOGA 2008 and NOGA 2025?

Accepted Answer

NOGA 2025 is the revised version that replaces NOGA 2008, which had been in force for more than 15 years. It is aligned with the European NACE Rev. 2.1 and adds new sections to reflect how the economy has changed (digital, services, environment). Many codes have been reclassified, created or removed. Use our NOGA concordance tool to find the match between the two versions.

Question 4

Does the NOGA code affect my insurance premiums?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Accident insurers (UVG/LAA) use the NOGA code to assess your company's occupational risk and set your premiums. An incorrect code can lead to overstated premiums or, conversely, cover that doesn't match your actual activity. That's why it's important to check that your NOGA code matches your main activity.

Question 5

Can I change my company's NOGA code?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If your main activity has changed significantly, you can ask the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) to change your NOGA code. The change is usually based on an updated description of your actual activity. A change of company purpose in the Commercial Register can also trigger an automatic update of the code.

Question 6

Is a NOGA code required to start a company in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

You don't have to choose your NOGA code yourself. When you register with the Commercial Register, the FSO automatically assigns a NOGA code based on the company purpose stated in your articles of association. This code is not public by default — you can request it directly from the FSO.

Question 7

How many NOGA codes are there?

Accepted Answer

NOGA 2025 has 21 sections (letters A to V), which are subdivided into divisions, groups, classes and types. At the most detailed level, there are around 794 six-digit types of economic activity. This granularity makes it possible to classify each activity very precisely, from retail to specialised engineering.

Question 8

What is the difference between Zenyio's NOGA Finder and the FSO's KUBB?

Accepted Answer

KUBB is the FSO's official tool. It works by keyword search: you type a term and it shows the matching codes. Zenyio's NOGA Finder takes a different, AI-based approach. You describe your activity in plain language (like a company purpose), and the AI analyses the overall context of your description to identify the most relevant code. It's often faster and more intuitive, especially if you don't know the exact technical terms of the classification.

What is my NOGA code?

How does the NOGA Finder work?

Why knowing your NOGA code matters in Switzerland

NOGA 2025: the new Swiss classification

Frequently asked questions about NOGA codes