Under Article 195 of the Swiss Criminal Code, pimping occurs when a person induces another into prostitution, controls their freedom of action, or dictates the conditions of their sex work in order to derive financial gain.
The penalty is imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine. The following are not considered pimping: renting rooms at market rates, one-time referral fees, or operating a salon with a business license—provided that sex workers are free to decide when, to whom, and how they offer their services.