FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Work in Switzerland

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

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That depends on the canton. Geneva, Bern, Neuchâtel, Ticino, and Valais require sex workers to register. In Zurich, Basel-Stadt, and many other cantons, there is no individual license required, but operators of brothels, salons, and other establishments must obtain a business license. If you are self-employed, you must also register as a self-employed person with the AHV in all of these cantons.

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Restricted areas are zones where street prostitution is prohibited—typically residential neighborhoods, areas near schools, hospitals, or religious buildings. These zones are designated by the canton or municipality. Zurich has restricted street prostitution to a few streets; Bern permits it only in the Kocherpark area; Basel has no official restricted zones in the downtown area. Indoor sex work (apartments, salons) is generally not affected by restricted zones.

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In principle, yes, provided the apartment is rented as residential space and there is no excessive commercial use (Art. 257f of the Swiss Code of Obligations). Note: Many lease agreements contain clauses prohibiting commercial use—publicly advertising a salon can lead to termination of the lease. Condominium associations may restrict sex work through their bylaws. Discreet, one-on-one meetings are generally permitted, but a fully equipped salon with a storefront is not.

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Pimping (Art. 195 of the Swiss Criminal Code) occurs when someone induces a person into prostitution, controls their freedom of action, or dictates the conditions of their sex work in order to derive financial gain from it. Forcing someone to remain in prostitution is also a criminal offense. Renting rooms at market rates or acting as an intermediary for a one-time fee is not a criminal offense. The boundaries are fluid in individual cases—consultation with a specialized agency (Aspasie, Xenia, FIZ) is recommended.

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Ages 18 and older (Art. 196 of the Swiss Criminal Code). Sexual acts with minors in exchange for payment are punishable by law in Switzerland—both for the minor offering the service (protective measure) and, in particular, for the client, who faces a prison sentence of up to three 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 must report it on your tax return in your canton of residence—as self-employment or employment, depending on the circumstances. The tax authorities are not permitted to distinguish between “respectable” and “disreputable” income. Receipts, bookkeeping, and record-keeping are mandatory.

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At the cantonal AHV compensation office in your place of residence—via the online form or in person. You will receive a membership confirmation and pay contributions based on your declared annual income (minimum contribution of CHF 514 per year). Self-employed sex workers can voluntarily take out additional insurance against accidents (occupational and non-occupational) and illness (daily sickness benefits). Failure to register with the AHV may result in back payments plus late fees.

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Only if your annual turnover exceeds CHF 100,000 (Art. 10 of the Value Added Tax Act). Sex work is not exempt from VAT (unlike medical services)—you must then report 8.1% VAT and pay it to the FTA. Below the threshold, you are exempt from VAT, but you should keep accurate records because the tax office can make an estimate if it suspects undeclared work.

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Business-related expenses are fully deductible: rent for workspace (pro-rata), advertising (ads, website, photo shoots), work clothes and laundry, hygiene products, supplies, cell phone (for business use), travel expenses between multiple work locations, continuing education, accountant, and tax advisor. Personal clothing, cosmetic surgery, and vacations are not deductible.

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Call the police (117) or emergency medical services (144) immediately—even as a sex worker, you are fully protected under criminal law (Art. 189/190 of the Swiss Criminal Code, Federal Supreme Court ruling 2017). If you do not want to call the police directly: Aspasie (Geneva), Xenia (Bern), FIZ (Zurich), and ProCoRe will assist you anonymously, confidentially, and free of charge. If possible, do not wash away evidence, keep your clothing, and have any injuries documented by a doctor—even if you do not file a criminal complaint.

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Keep your work and personal lives strictly separate: use a separate phone with a prepaid SIM card, a stage name, and a separate bank account (Postkonto, Neon, and Yuh are discreet); avoid profile photos that can be found via Google Image Search (flip or crop images before uploading, and delete EXIF data). Regularly check your own images using reverse image search. WhatsApp obfuscation tools like ContactGuard help protect your real number.

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Recommendation from Checkpoints and SEXUAL HEALTH SWITZERLAND: a comprehensive screening every 3 months (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B/C). Free or low-cost testing available at: Checkpoint Zurich/Geneva/Lausanne/Basel/Lugano, Aspasie Geneva, Xenia Bern, Women’s Crisis Hotline. In case of sexual exposure to risk, PEP within 48 hours (hospital emergency room). HPV vaccination is also recommended.

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Warning signs: aggressive greeting, hostile reaction to safety questions, attempts to negotiate agreed-upon prices or practices, signs of alcohol or drug use, refusal to show identification, pressure to pay "cash only, no receipt." Safety best practices: Require a preliminary phone call, ask for real name and hotel name for outcalls, inform a backup person about the appointment (“buddy system”), agree on an emergency code word, track the appointment via an app (Find My / Google Maps Sharing).

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Online on specialized platforms (datehub.ch, ero-page.ch profiles, personal websites), in relevant print advertisements, and on personal social media accounts (subject to platform terms of service—Instagram and TikTok delete explicit profiles). Advertising is prohibited outside of designated media (posters, flyers in public spaces), in restricted areas, and at or near schools. Some cantons (e.g., Geneva) require advertisements to be clearly labeled.

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Defamatory or fabricated reviews constitute defamation or slander (Art. 173/174 of the Swiss Criminal Code) and are subject to civil and criminal prosecution. Step 1: Report the review to the platform (with an explanation). Step 2: Contact a lawyer or your legal protection insurance provider. Step 3: File a police report. Platforms like datehub generally have clear deletion criteria; non-European platforms are harder to reach.

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Yes, always. Sexual acts without your consent (including the removal of a condom without your knowledge = "stealthing") have been punishable in Switzerland as sexual harassment or rape since 2024 (Art. 198/190 of the Swiss Criminal Code, Revision of the Sexual Offenses Act). You have the right to refuse any act at any time. Additional consent for unprotected sex does not change the legal situation—stealthing remains a criminal offense, even after verbal consent.

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Yes, under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP). If you plan to work for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit (L for ≤ 12 months, B for > 12 months). If you are self-employed, you must register with the relevant cantonal migration authority, enroll in the AHV, and provide proof of your own business. For stays of less than 90 days per calendar year, the online registration procedure (EU registration procedure, easyrelease.admin.ch) is sufficient.

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Very limited. Non-EU/EFTA nationals require a residence and work permit for any gainful employment—and such permits are generally not granted for sex work (Art. 18 et seq. of the Foreign Nationals Act require “economic interest”). Staying on a tourist visa + sex work = illegal employment + violation of the purpose of stay. However, those who already live here through family reunification, asylum status (B/F), or permanent residence (C) are permitted to engage in sex work.

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The main support centers: Aspasie (Geneva, FR/EN/ES/PT), Xenia (Bern, DE/EN/RU/ES), FIZ Center for Trafficking in Women (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 with phone numbers: ero-blog.ch/anlaufstellen.

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PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) = emergency medication following possible HIV exposure; must be taken within 48–72 hours (available at any hospital emergency room). PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) = preventive pill against HIV infection; has been covered by health insurance under certain conditions since 2024. Counseling & Prescription: Checkpoints, HIV clinics at university hospitals, AIDS-Hilfe Schweiz.

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OnlyFans earnings are taxable business income (Art. 18 DBG)—regardless of whether they are generated as a hobby or professionally. Payments are usually made via SEPA or Paxum and must be fully reported. If annual revenue exceeds CHF 100,000, VAT (8.1%) applies. OnlyFans itself does not withhold Swiss taxes. Recommendation: For annual revenue of CHF 20,000 or more, engage a fiduciary, maintain monthly accounting records, and document all platform payments.

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Required information: Complete legal notice (Art. 322a StGB / Art. 3 UWG): Name, address, contact information — even for stage names, the legal notice must include a valid mailing address (which may be a P.O. box or business address). Privacy policy in accordance with revDSG (mandatory since 2023). Cookie banner for tracking. Age verification (at least a click confirmation) for explicit content. Paid content (e.g., price list) clearly declared; terms and conditions for bookings are recommended.

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Three avenues for legal protection: (1) Right to one’s own image (Art. 28 of the Swiss Civil Code) — infringement of personality rights, action for injunctive relief. (2) Copyright (Copyright Act) — if you took the photos yourself, you hold the copyright. (3) revDSG — unlawful processing of personal data (image = personal data). Practical steps: Report to the platform (DMCA notice); if necessary, consult a lawyer (affordable initial consultation via Aspasie/Xenia/FIZ); in cases of sextortion, also contact the police.

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Yes—the purchase of sexual services from adults is legal in Switzerland. There is no ban on buying sex (unlike in Sweden, Norway, and France). You are only committing a criminal offense if the person is a minor (Art. 196 of the Swiss Criminal Code, up to 3 years’ imprisonment), is a victim of human trafficking (you should have recognized that they were in a situation of duress), or if stealthing or assault occurs. Discretion and waiving the right to a receipt are common practices, but they are not legally required.

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Warning signs: the person does not speak the local language and does not know their address; their passport is allegedly being held "by the boss"; they cannot set their own schedule; they appear fearful or intimidated; a third person is sitting in a car outside the hotel; the prices are unusually low and non-negotiable. Report any suspicious activity immediately: ACT212 (national 0800 212 212), FIZ Zurich (044 436 90 00) — anonymous reporting is possible. Turning a blind eye makes you an accomplice.

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Only with the sex worker’s express consent and only for private use (Art. 28 of the Swiss Civil Code / Art. 179quater of the Swiss Criminal Code — Violation of privacy or the private sphere through recording devices). Secret recordings or distribution are criminal offenses (up to 3 years’ imprisonment following the 2024 revision). In case of violation: civil and criminal consequences plus damages. Best practice: Put away your cell phone; trust is the foundation of the business.

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