Switzerland is becoming the jurisdiction of choice for governments and operators who need more than launch capacity: they need legal certainty, neutrality and international alignment.
Switzerland is building one of the cleanest, clearest and most internationally trusted regulatory regimes for satellite activities – designed for operators, governments and investors who value predictability over politics.
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With its new Space Activities Act, Geneva’s proximity to the ITU and a uniquely stable commercial ecosystem, Switzerland offers a regulatory home that outperforms many traditional space nations.
Allegra LAW advises operators, space agencies, universities and investors on structuring and regulating satellite projects under Swiss law.
01 Why Switzerland
A strategic jurisdiction for space activities
Switzerland offers a uniquely stable and neutral environment for complex, international satellite projects.
A MODERN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Switzerland is introducing a dedicated Space Activities Act that will regulate authorisation, supervision, registration and liability for satellite operators. The new law is designed with the latest global best practices in mind, ensuring clarity and predictability for commercial and governmental clients.
STRONG INTERNATIONAL ALIGNMENT
As a party to all major UN space treaties and a signatory to the Artemis Accords, Switzerland combines legal certainty with global interoperability. Its updated national space policy focuses on innovation, sustainability and responsible behaviour in orbit.
DIRECT ACCESS TO GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS
Geneva hosts the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the central authority for frequency and orbit coordination. Through OFCOM, Switzerland provides a highly efficient interface for ITU filings, spectrum strategy and regulatory negotiations.
A TRUSTED COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT
Neutrality, institutional stability, a sophisticated financial market and a world-class arbitration ecosystem make Switzerland a preferred base for multinational space programmes.
ESA MEMBER, INDEPENDENT OF EU LAW
Switzerland participates fully in ESA programmes while maintaining its own regulatory autonomy — an advantage for non-EU partners seeking European cooperation without EU jurisdictional complexity.
02 Why Allegra LAW
No Rockets. No Chaos.
Just World-Class Satellite Regulation
Jurisdiction & Structuring
Designing end-to-end Swiss-law structures for satellite and space activities undertaken by international clients, including government-backed ventures.
Authorization & Licensing
Preparing operators for the forthcoming Space Activities Act: licensing strategy, compliance frameworks, liability allocation and insurance requirements.
Spectrum & ITU Coordination
Working with OFCOM to support ITU filings, frequency management, and regulatory due diligence for orbit and constellation planning.
Contracts Lifecycle
Drafting and negotiating manufacturing, launch, in-orbit services, ground segment, data and capacity agreements.
Risk Management & Disputes
Designing liability structures aligned with Swiss and international law and representing clients in arbitration or litigation related to space operations.
"Allegra LAW acts as your dedicated partner in navigating this emerging regulatory landscape – helping you structure, license and operate satellite missions under Swiss law."
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions on Swiss satellite law, ITU coordination, and space regulation.
What is Switzerland's Space Activities Act?
Switzerland is introducing a dedicated Space Activities Act (SpAG) that will create a comprehensive national legal framework for the authorization, supervision, registration, and liability of satellite operators based in or operating through Switzerland. The Act is designed to align with global best practices while reflecting Switzerland's neutrality and reputation for regulatory clarity. Once enacted, it will replace the current ad hoc regulatory approach and provide a single, predictable framework for commercial and governmental satellite projects. Allegra LAW closely monitors the development of this legislation and advises clients on structuring their operations to align with both current requirements and the incoming regime.
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How does ITU frequency coordination work from Switzerland?
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is headquartered in Geneva, making Switzerland uniquely positioned for satellite operators who need efficient access to ITU frequency coordination and orbital slot registration processes. Switzerland's national regulator, OFCOM, serves as the interface between operators and the ITU, filing frequency coordination requests and managing Switzerland's national frequency table. Allegra LAW works alongside technical consultants and OFCOM to support ITU filings, spectrum strategy development, and regulatory negotiations — helping clients secure and protect their frequency assignments and orbital positions in an increasingly congested spectrum environment.
What does satellite licensing in Switzerland involve?
Under the forthcoming Swiss Space Activities Act, satellite operators will need to obtain a national authorization to operate satellites launched or controlled from Switzerland. The licensing process will involve demonstrating technical compliance, insurance coverage, liability allocation, and adherence to international space law obligations — including debris mitigation and frequency coordination. Allegra LAW prepares clients for this process by developing compliance frameworks, drafting licensing applications, structuring liability provisions, and advising on insurance requirements appropriate to the mission's risk profile.
How is spectrum managed for satellite operators in Switzerland?
Spectrum management in Switzerland is handled by OFCOM under the Telecommunications Act and through Switzerland's obligations as an ITU member state. For satellite operators, this involves securing the necessary frequency assignments for uplink and downlink communications, coordinating with neighboring networks to avoid interference, and maintaining compliance with ITU Radio Regulations. Given Switzerland's direct access to the ITU in Geneva, OFCOM can facilitate a particularly efficient coordination process. Allegra LAW assists clients in developing spectrum strategies, preparing frequency filings, and navigating the technical and legal dimensions of ITU coordination.
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What are the benefits of Switzerland's ESA membership for satellite companies?
Switzerland is a full member of the European Space Agency (ESA) while remaining outside the European Union, offering a unique dual advantage: access to ESA's world-class R&D, launch programs, and industry networks, without being subject to EU regulatory jurisdiction. This is particularly attractive for non-EU companies seeking European cooperation without exposing themselves to EU law. Swiss companies benefit from ESA's industrial return policy, which allocates a proportion of contract value to member states, creating direct commercial opportunities. Allegra LAW advises clients on how to leverage Switzerland's ESA membership for structuring satellite projects, accessing funding, and positioning their technology within the European space economy.
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Who bears liability for satellite operations conducted from Switzerland?
Under international space law (particularly the 1972 Liability Convention), states bear international liability for space objects launched by or from their territory. In practice, this means Switzerland as a launching state carries potential liability for damage caused by Swiss-registered satellites. The forthcoming Swiss Space Activities Act will create a domestic framework for allocating this liability between the state and private operators — including requirements for insurance coverage and indemnification agreements. Allegra LAW designs liability structures that protect clients while meeting regulatory requirements, drawing on both Swiss law and international space treaty obligations.
Can Switzerland be used to structure cross-border satellite projects?
Absolutely — Switzerland is one of the most attractive jurisdictions for structuring international satellite ventures. Its political neutrality, sophisticated legal system, strong arbitration ecosystem, and proximity to global institutions make it a natural hub for multi-jurisdictional space projects. Swiss law provides a stable and well-understood framework for joint ventures, licensing agreements, and dispute resolution. Allegra LAW specializes in designing end-to-end Swiss-law structures for satellite projects with international participants, ensuring legal clarity, commercial protection, and regulatory compliance across all relevant jurisdictions.
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Why is Geneva important for global satellite regulation?
Geneva is home to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating shared use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbital positions globally. Having the ITU in Geneva means Swiss satellite operators and their legal advisors — including Allegra LAW — enjoy direct and efficient access to the world's central regulatory authority for spectrum and orbital coordination. This proximity, combined with Switzerland's reputation for institutional stability and neutrality, makes Geneva an unparalleled hub for resolving spectrum disputes, filing coordination notices, and engaging in the high-level regulatory diplomacy that underpins successful satellite operations.