FAQ – Frequently asked questions about sex work in Switzerland

Yes. Sex work has been legal in Switzerland since 1942 and is listed as a recognized employment activity in the Federal Court (BGE 137 III 593). Sex workers enjoy the same basic rights as all other workers, including freedom of contract, property protection and social security rights. However, pimping (Art. 195 StGB), promoting the prostitution of minors and human trafficking (Art. 182 StGB) are prohibited.

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That depends on the canton. Geneva, Bern, Neuchâtel, Ticino and Valais have a reporting or registration requirement for sex workers. In Zurich, Basel-Stadt and many other cantons there is no personal permit, but brothel, salon and establishment operators require patents. To become self-employed, you must also register with the AHV as self-employed.

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Restricted areas are zones in which street prostitution is prohibited - usually residential areas, near schools, hospitals or religious buildings. The determination is made by the canton or municipality. Zurich has limited street prostitution to a few streets; Bern only allows it in the Kocherpark area; Basel has no official restricted areas in the city center. Indoor sex work (apartments, salons) is usually not affected by restricted areas.

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In principle, yes, provided the apartment is rented out as a living space and there is no excessive commercial use (Art. 257f CO). Attention: Many rental agreements contain clauses against commercial use - openly announcing the salon can lead to termination. Condominium associations can restrict sex work through regulations. Discreet, individual receptions are generally permitted, but a furnished salon with a shop window is not.

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Pimping (Art. 195 StGB) occurs when someone introduces a person into prostitution, monitors their freedom of action or determines the conditions of their sex work in order to derive financial benefits from it. Detention in prostitution is also punishable. Renting out rooms at market prices or brokering them for a one-off fee is not a criminal offence. The boundaries are fluid in individual cases - advice from a specialist center (Aspasia, Xenia, FIZ) is recommended.

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From 18 years of age (Art. 196 StGB). Sexual acts with minors for payment are punishable in Switzerland - both for the minor offering the service (protective function) and especially for the customer, who risks a prison sentence of up to 3 years. Switzerland raised the age limit from 16 to 18 in 2014.

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Yes. Income from sex work is fully taxable earned income (Art. 18 DBG). You have to declare them in the tax return of your canton of residence - as self-employed or employed, depending on the situation. The tax administration must not distinguish between “respectable” and “dishonorable” income. Receipts, bookkeeping and receipt collection are mandatory.

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At the cantonal AHV compensation office where you live - online form or at the counter. You will receive a membership confirmation and pay contributions based on your declared annual profit (at least CHF 514/year minimum contribution). Self-employed sex workers can voluntarily take out additional insurance against accidents (BU/NBU) and illness (daily sickness benefit). Without AHV registration there is a risk of additional payments plus interest on arrears.

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Only if your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000 (Art. 10 VAT Act). Sex work is not exempt from VAT (unlike medical services) - you then have to declare 8.1% VAT and pay it to the FTA. Below the threshold you are exempt from VAT, but you should keep clean accounts because the tax office can extrapolate if you suspect illegal work.

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Business-related expenses are fully deductible: rent of the work space (pro rata), advertising (advertisements, website, photo shoot), work clothing & laundry, hygiene products, consumables, mobile phone (business), travel costs between several work locations, further training, accountant, trustee. Personal clothing, cosmetic surgery and vacations are not deductible.

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Call the police (117) or paramedics (144) immediately - even as a sex worker you have the full protection of criminal law (Art. 189/190 StGB, Federal Court decision 2017). If you don't want to call the police directly: Aspasie (Geneva), Xenia (Bern), FIZ (Zurich) and ProCoRe will accompany you anonymously, confidentially and free of charge. If possible, do not wash traces, store clothing, have injuries documented by a doctor - even without filing a criminal complaint.

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Strictly separate work and private life: separate phone with prepaid SIM, artist name, separate bank details (postal account / Neon / Yuh are discreet), no profile photos that can be found in Google image search (mirroring/cropping images before uploading, deleting EXIF ​​data). Check reverse image search for your own images regularly. WhatsApp obfuscation tools like ContactGuard help protect the real number.

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Recommendation of the checkpoints and SEXUAL HEALTH SWITZERLAND: a complete screening every 3 months (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B/C). Free or cheap tests at: Checkpoint Zurich/Geneva/Lausanne/Basel/Lugano, Aspasie Geneva, Xenia Bern, women's emergency telephone. In the event of sexual risk exposure, additional PEP within 48 hours (hospital emergency room). HPV vaccination is also recommended.

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Warning signs: aggressive greeting, negative response to security questions, attempt to negotiate agreed prices/practices, alcohol/drug behavior, refusal to show identity, "cash only, no receipt" pressure. Security best practices: Request a preliminary telephone conversation, real name and hotel name for outcalls, inform backup person of appointment ("buddy system"), agree on emergency code word, track appointment in app (Find My / Google Maps Sharing).

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Online on specialized platforms (datehub.ch, ero-page.ch profiles, own website), in relevant print advertisements and on your own social media accounts (subject to platform terms and conditions - Instagram/TikTok delete explicit profiles). Advertising outside of designated media (posters, leaflets in public spaces), in restricted areas and at or near schools is prohibited. Some cantons (e.g. Geneva) require labeling for advertisements.

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Reviews that damage your reputation or are fabricated constitute the offense of slander or slander (Art. 173/174 StGB) and are subject to civil and criminal prosecution. Step 1: Platform report (with reasons). Step 2: Contact a lawyer or legal protection insurance. Step 3: Report to the police. Platforms like datehub usually have clear deletion criteria; Non-European platforms are more difficult to reach.

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Yes, always. Sexual acts without your consent (including unwanted removal of the condom = "stealthing") have been punishable as sexual harassment or rape in Switzerland since 2024 (Art. 198/190 StGB, revision of sexual criminal law). You have the right to refuse any action at any time. Additional bids for unprotected intercourse do not change the legal situation - stealthing remains punishable, even after verbal consent.

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Yes, within the framework of the free movement of persons (FZA). If you work for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit (L for ≤ 12 months, B for > 12 months). To be self-employed, you must register with the responsible cantonal migration authority, register with the AHV and provide proof of your own business. For < 90 days per calendar year, the online reporting procedure is sufficient (EU reporting procedure, easyrelease.admin.ch).

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Very limited. Third-country nationals (not EU/EFTA) need a residence and work permit for any employment - and this is usually not granted for sex work (Art. 18 ff. AIG requires "economic interest"). Staying with a tourist visa + sex work = illegal work + violation of the purpose of the stay. However, anyone who already lives here through family reunification, asylum status (B/F) or settlement (C) is allowed to engage in sex work.

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The most important contact points: Aspasie (Geneva, FR/EN/ES/PT), Xenia (Berne, DE/EN/RU/ES), FIZ Women's Trafficking Unit (Zurich, all languages), ProCoRe (national, DE/FR/IT), Fleur de Pavé (Lausanne), Antenna MayDay (Ticino), Lysistrada (Solothurn). Topics: Law, taxes, health, exit support, translation, legal representation. Complete list of telephone numbers: ero-blog.ch/anlaufstellen.

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PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) = emergency medication after possible HIV contact, must be taken within 48-72 hours (emergency treatment in any hospital emergency room). PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) = preventative tablet against HIV infection, has been covered by health insurance under certain conditions since 2024. Advice & prescription: Checkpoints, HIV consultation hours at university hospitals, AIDS Help Switzerland.

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OnlyFans income is taxable earned income (Art. 18 DBG) - whether from a hobby or professionally. Payouts are usually made via SEPA or Paxum and must be fully declared. For annual sales > CHF 100,000, VAT (8.1%) applies. OnlyFans itself does not withhold any Swiss tax. Recommendation: for sales of CHF 20,000 or more, engage a trustee, keep monthly accounting, and document all platform payouts.

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Mandatory information: complete imprint (Art. 322a StGB / Art. 3 UWG): Name, address, contact - even for artist names, a deliverable address must be included in the imprint (can be a PO box or business address). Data protection declaration in accordance with revDSG (mandatory since 2023). Cookie banner for tracking. Age verification (at least click confirmation) for explicit content. Payment content (e.g. price list) clearly declared, general terms and conditions for bookings recommended.

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Three legal protection paths: (1) Right to one's own image (Art. 28 ZGB) - violation of personality, action for injunction. (2) Copyright (URG) — if you took the images yourself, you have copyright. (3) revDSG — unlawful processing of personal data (image = personal data). Practical: Platform report (DMCA notice), if necessary a lawyer (inexpensive initial consultation about Aspasie/Xenia/FIZ), and in the case of sextortion, also the police.

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Yes - the consumption of adult sexual services is legal in Switzerland. No ban on buying sex (unlike Sweden, Norway, France). You are only committing a criminal offense if the person is a minor (Art. 196 StGB, up to 3 years imprisonment), is a victim of human trafficking (you should have recognized that there is a predicament), or if stealthing/assaults are taking place. Discretion and waiver of receipt are common, but not a right.

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Evidence: the person doesn't speak the national language and doesn't know his address, his passport is supposedly being kept by "the boss", he can't make appointments himself, he reacts fearfully/intimidated, a third person is sitting in the car in front of the hotel, the prices are unusually low and non-negotiable. Be sure to report any suspicions: ACT212 (national 0800 212 212), FIZ Zurich (044 436 90 00) — possible anonymously. Looking away is complicity.

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Only with the express consent of the sex worker and only for private use (Art. 28 ZGB / Art. 179quater StGB - Violation of secret or private areas through recording devices). Secret recordings or distribution are criminal offenses (up to 3 years in prison after the 2024 revision). In case of violation: civil and criminal consequences plus compensation. Best practice: cell phone away, trust is the basis of business.

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