The Betreibungsamt (French: Office des poursuites; Italian: Ufficio d’esecuzione e fallimenti) is Switzerland’s cantonal debt enforcement authority. It implements the federal debt enforcement and bankruptcy law — the SchKG (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs, SR 281.1) — which applies uniformly across all 26 cantons. Whether you are a creditor pursuing an unpaid invoice, a debtor receiving a Zahlungsbefehl (payment order), or someone who needs a Betreibungsregisterauszug (debt enforcement register extract) for a rental or credit application, the Betreibungsamt is the authority you deal with. This guide covers how to find the correct office by canton, how to request an extract, and what each stage of the SchKG process entails.
What the Betreibungsamt Does
The Betreibungsamt handles all stages of the Swiss debt enforcement process. Its powers and procedures are set out in the SchKG, particularly Articles 38–88 SchKG (ordinary enforcement) and Articles 159–270 SchKG (bankruptcy).
Core functions:
- Betreibung (debt pursuit): Receives and processes Betreibungsbegehren — creditor applications to initiate proceedings against a debtor (Art. 67 SchKG)
- Zahlungsbefehl: Issues the payment order to the debtor within 3–5 working days of a valid Betreibungsbegehren (Art. 69 SchKG)
- Rechtsvorschlag handling: Records the debtor’s objection to the payment order; the creditor must then pursue Rechtsöffnung through the courts (Art. 74–79 SchKG)
- Pfändung (seizure): Seizes debtor assets after the objection period if no Rechtsvorschlag is raised (Art. 89–150 SchKG)
- Verwertung (realisation): Sells seized assets by public auction and distributes proceeds to creditors (Art. 116–143 SchKG)
- Konkurs (bankruptcy): For legal entities (AG, GmbH), initiates bankruptcy proceedings under a court’s bankruptcy decree (Art. 159–270 SchKG)
- Betreibungsregisterauszug: Issues official register extracts showing a person’s or company’s debt enforcement history (Art. 8a SchKG)
See also: Swiss debt collection procedures explained →
Betreibungsregisterauszug: What It Is and Why It Matters
The Betreibungsregisterauszug is an official document issued by the Betreibungsamt that shows:
- All current and historical Betreibungen (debt enforcement proceedings)
- Pfändungen (asset seizures)
- Verlustscheine (certificates of loss — where the creditor recovered nothing after enforcement)
- Bankruptcy proceedings
The extract is valid for 3 months and is routinely required for:
- Rental apartment applications — landlords request an extract as standard practice
- Employment applications — certain roles require a clean enforcement record
- Bank credit or mortgage applications
- Business transactions where a counterparty wants to verify solvency before signing a contract
Who can request an extract:
- The subject of the extract (self-extract) — always permitted under Art. 8a SchKG
- Third parties — permitted where a legitimate interest can be demonstrated; rules on what information is disclosed to third parties vary by canton and the age of the proceedings
When a Betreibungsregisterauszug Is Make-or-Break
Two situations where the debt register extract is not merely administrative but determinative:
SECO staff leasing licence applications: The responsible person named in the SECO licence application must provide a clean Betreibungsregisterauszug. Any Verlustschein (certificate of loss) or unresolved Betreibung on their record will result in the application being refused. SECO does not exercise discretion here — the requirement is binary. We have seen otherwise qualified applicants disqualified because of a CHF 800 mobile phone dispute from three years earlier that was never formally resolved and remained on the register.
Swiss bank account opening: Banks routinely request a Betreibungsregisterauszug for directors and beneficial owners of newly formed companies. A single entry — even a paid and resolved Betreibung — triggers enhanced scrutiny and can be the deciding factor in a rejection. PostFinance, in particular, applies this check rigorously. If you have any history of Betreibungen, resolve and document the resolution before applying for a corporate bank account. The extract remains on the register for five years regardless of payment, but a note showing “paid” or “Rechtsvorschlag raised successfully” is materially different from an open enforcement action.
How to Request a Betreibungsregisterauszug
Online: Many cantonal Betreibungsämter offer online extract requests through cantonal portals. The extract is delivered within 1–5 business days by post or digitally.
In person: Bring a valid identity document (passport or Swiss ID card) to the Betreibungsamt serving your commune of domicile, or the company’s registered address commune.
By post: Send a written request with a certified copy of your identity document and payment. The federal fee is CHF 17 per standard extract (set by the SchKG fee ordinance, GebV SchKG).
Processing time: Typically 1–5 business days. Urgent in-person requests at some offices may be processed same-day.
Betreibungsamt by Canton
The correct Betreibungsamt is determined by the domicile of the debtor (for individuals, Art. 46 SchKG) or the registered address of the company (for legal entities, Art. 51 SchKG). Switzerland is divided into Betreibungskreise (enforcement districts); within a canton there may be multiple offices.
German-Speaking Cantons
Zurich (ZH): Zurich has multiple Betreibungskreise. The principal office for the city of Zurich is the Betreibungsamt Stadt Zürich. Zurich’s cantonal portal (betreibungen.zh.ch) allows online extract requests and Betreibungsbegehren submissions.
Zug (ZG): The Betreibungsamt des Kantons Zug serves the entire canton from a single office. It handles debt enforcement for Zug’s substantial international business population — relevant for companies formed in Zug and their directors or shareholders resident there.
From our practice managing 300+ companies with Zug registrations, the Zug Betreibungsamt processes extract requests within one to two business days — faster than most larger cantons. For urgent matters (corporate transactions, bank account openings where a fresh extract is required), in-person requests at the Zug office can sometimes be processed same-day. The office is located at Aabachstrasse 1, 6300 Zug.
Berne (BE): Multiple Betreibungsämter organised by Verwaltungskreis (administrative district). Central coordination via the cantonal judiciary administration (Amt für Justizvollzug).
Lucerne (LU): Betreibungsamt Luzern (city) plus district offices in Entlebuch, Sursee, Willisau, and Hochdorf.
Schwyz (SZ): Betreibungsamt des Kantons Schwyz, with district offices in Schwyz, Höfe, and March.
Aargau (AG), Thurgau (TG), St. Gallen (SG), Graubünden (GR): Each canton has multiple Betreibungskreise — the relevant office depends on the debtor’s commune of domicile. Check the cantonal court website or the federal SchKG locator for the specific district.
Basel-Stadt (BS) and Basel-Landschaft (BL): Separate offices — Basel-Stadt is a city canton with its own Betreibungsamt; Basel-Landschaft operates district offices in Liestal, Arlesheim, and Waldenburg.
Solothurn (SO), Schaffhausen (SH), Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR), Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI): Each has cantonal Betreibungsämter covering their respective territories.
Uri (UR), Nidwalden (NW), Obwalden (OW), Glarus (GL), Zug (ZG): Smaller cantons typically operate a single cantonal office.
French-Speaking Cantons (Office des poursuites)
Geneva (GE): Office des poursuites et faillites du Canton de Genève — centralised for the whole canton. Online extract requests and pursuit filings are available via the canton’s official website. Geneva’s office handles a high volume of international enforcement cases given the city’s profile.
Vaud (VD): Office des poursuites by district — Vaud has multiple offices. The Lausanne district office covers the cantonal capital. Verify the correct district on the Vaud cantonal judiciary website.
Neuchâtel (NE): Office des poursuites et faillites de Neuchâtel — single cantonal office.
Valais / Wallis (VS): Bilingual canton with separate offices for German-speaking Upper Valais (Oberwallis) and French-speaking Lower Valais (Bas-Valais).
Fribourg / Freiburg (FR): Bilingual canton — separate German and French district offices.
Jura (JU): Office des poursuites et faillites du canton du Jura — single cantonal office.
Italian-Speaking Canton
Ticino (TI): Ufficio esecuzione e fallimenti — district offices in Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno, and Mendrisio. Ticino applies the same SchKG procedures but in Italian.
Filing a Betreibung Against a Debtor
If you are a creditor seeking to enforce an unpaid claim, the SchKG process runs as follows:
Step 1 — Identify the correct Betreibungsamt
The Betreibungsamt of the debtor’s domicile (for individuals, Art. 46 SchKG) or registered seat (for companies, Art. 51 SchKG). Use the federal Federal Justice office’s SchKG resources (bj.admin.ch) or the cantonal court website to locate the correct office.
Step 2 — File a Betreibungsbegehren (Art. 67 SchKG)
Complete the standardised form available at the Betreibungsamt or online:
- Creditor’s full identity and address
- Debtor’s full identity and domicile/registered address
- Amount claimed (principal, interest, costs)
- Legal basis of the claim (contract, court judgment, invoice, etc.)
Fee: CHF 20–100 depending on the amount of the claim (GebV SchKG, Art. 12).
Step 3 — Zahlungsbefehl issued (Art. 69–70 SchKG)
The Betreibungsamt issues the payment order to the debtor within 3–5 working days. The Zahlungsbefehl gives the debtor 20 days to pay.
Step 4 — Rechtsvorschlag or payment (Art. 74 SchKG)
Within 10 days of receiving the Zahlungsbefehl, the debtor may:
- Pay — proceedings end
- Raise a Rechtsvorschlag (objection) — proceedings are suspended; the creditor must apply to the court for Rechtsöffnung (lifting the objection)
- Do nothing — the creditor may apply for Pfändung (seizure) after the 20-day payment period
Step 5 — Pfändung or Konkurs (Art. 89 SchKG)
Where no Rechtsvorschlag was raised (or it was successfully lifted), the creditor applies for Pfändung. For legal entities (AG, GmbH), the next step is a Konkursbegehren (bankruptcy application) filed with the court — there is no Pfändung for corporate debtors. See our guide on bankruptcy proceedings in Switzerland → for the full corporate insolvency process.
Step 6 — Verwertung (Art. 116 SchKG)
Seized assets are realised (sold by auction) and proceeds distributed. If assets are insufficient, the Betreibungsamt issues a Verlustschein — the creditor’s evidence of an unpaid and unrecovered claim.
For guidance on dissolving a company following enforcement proceedings, see company liquidation in Switzerland →.
Costs and Timelines
| Stage | Approximate timeline | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Betreibungsbegehren to Zahlungsbefehl | 3–5 working days | CHF 20–100 |
| Zahlungsbefehl to Rechtsvorschlag deadline | 10 days | — |
| Rechtsöffnung proceedings (if objection raised) | 3–18 months | Court fees: CHF 200–2,000+ |
| Pfändung (seizure) after no objection | 1–3 months | CHF 50–200 |
| Verwertung (asset realisation) | 3–12 months | CHF 100–500+ |
| Total (unchallenged) | ~2–6 months | — |
| Total (challenged) | ~9–24 months | — |
Fees are governed by the GebV SchKG (Gebührenverordnung zum SchKG). Court fees for Rechtsöffnung vary by canton.
SchKG Legal Basis: Key Articles
The SchKG (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs), SR 281.1, on fedlex.admin.ch governs all debt enforcement and bankruptcy in Switzerland. Key articles:
- Art. 8a — Right to inspect the Betreibungsregister; conditions for third-party access
- Art. 38 — Scope: all debt enforcement in Switzerland follows the SchKG
- Art. 46–51 — Jurisdiction: debtor’s domicile determines which Betreibungsamt has competence
- Art. 67 — Betreibungsbegehren: formal requirements for a valid enforcement application
- Art. 69–70 — Zahlungsbefehl: content and issuance
- Art. 74 — Rechtsvorschlag: debtor’s right to object within 10 days
- Art. 79–84 — Rechtsöffnung: court proceedings to lift a Rechtsvorschlag
- Art. 89–150 — Pfändung and Verwertung (seizure and realisation)
- Art. 159–270 — Konkurs (bankruptcy) proceedings
The Federal Administration (admin.ch) publishes updates to the SchKG and related ordinances.
Processing Speed by Canton: Practical Comparison
Based on our experience filing Betreibungen and requesting extracts across multiple cantons:
| Canton | Zahlungsbefehl issuance | Extract processing | Online filing available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zug | 2-3 business days | 1-2 business days | Partial |
| Zurich | 5-7 business days | 3-5 business days | Yes (betreibungen.zh.ch) |
| Geneva | 5-7 business days | 3-5 business days | Yes |
| Berne | 4-6 business days | 2-4 business days | Partial |
| Lucerne | 3-5 business days | 2-3 business days | Partial |
| Basel-Stadt | 4-6 business days | 2-4 business days | Limited |
These figures assume complete, correctly filed applications. Incomplete filings — a missing debtor address, an unsigned form, a wrong Betreibungskreis — add 1-2 weeks as the office returns the filing for correction.
Summer holiday effect: Processing slows noticeably in July and August across all cantons. A Betreibung filed in mid-July in Zurich may not produce a Zahlungsbefehl until early August. Plan enforcement actions around this if timing matters.
Cantonal Variations Under the SchKG
While the SchKG is federal law applying uniformly, cantons have limited areas of discretion:
- Office locations and districts: Cantons determine how many Betreibungskreise they have and where offices are sited
- Online services: Some cantons (Zurich, Geneva) offer full online submission; others require paper forms or in-person attendance
- Third-party extract access: Cantons may restrict what information third parties receive, particularly for older proceedings or where the debtor has paid
- Language: German, French, or Italian depending on canton (Valais and Fribourg are bilingual; Graubünden is trilingual)
- Bankruptcy proceedings: While SchKG bankruptcy rules are federal, cantonal courts apply them. Cantonal civil procedure supplements the SchKG where gaps exist
For a canton-by-canton company registration comparison, see the commercial register by canton →.
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Received a Zahlungsbefehl or need to pursue a debtor in Switzerland?
Morgan Hartley and the Lawsupport team advise creditors and debtors on SchKG proceedings, Rechtsöffnung strategy, and cross-border enforcement. We work from Zug with clients across all Swiss cantons and internationally.
Lawsupport (Morgan Hartley Consulting) | Grafenauweg 4, Zug | +41 44 51 52 592 | [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Betreibungsamt?
The Betreibungsamt is Switzerland’s cantonal debt enforcement authority, operating under the federal SchKG. It handles all stages of debt enforcement: issuing Zahlungsbefehle (payment orders), executing Pfändungen (asset seizures), realising assets by auction, and issuing Betreibungsregisterauszüge. Each Swiss canton has its own network of offices.
What is a Betreibungsregisterauszug and how do I get one?
A Betreibungsregisterauszug is an official extract from the debt enforcement register showing all Betreibungen, seizures, and Verlustscheine against a person or company. It is valid for 3 months. You can request one online (in cantons with digital portals), in person at your local Betreibungsamt, or by post. The federal fee is CHF 17 per extract.
How does the SchKG debt enforcement process work?
The process starts when a creditor files a Betreibungsbegehren at the Betreibungsamt of the debtor’s domicile. The office issues a Zahlungsbefehl. The debtor has 10 days to raise a Rechtsvorschlag (objection). Without an objection, the creditor applies for Pfändung (seizure), followed by Verwertung (auction). For corporate debtors (AG, GmbH), enforcement leads to Konkurs (bankruptcy) rather than Pfändung. Full detail on each step is in the Swiss debt collection guide →.
What is a Zahlungsbefehl?
A Zahlungsbefehl is the formal payment order issued by the Betreibungsamt to a debtor following a Betreibungsbegehren (Art. 69–70 SchKG). It sets out the amount claimed and the creditor’s identity, and gives the debtor 20 days to pay. The debtor has 10 days from receipt to raise a Rechtsvorschlag if the debt is disputed.
What is a Rechtsvorschlag and what happens after one is filed?
A Rechtsvorschlag is the debtor’s formal objection to a Zahlungsbefehl under Art. 74 SchKG. Filing one suspends enforcement. The creditor must then apply to the court for Rechtsöffnung — provisional (based on a contract or invoice) or definitive (based on a court judgment). Rechtsöffnung proceedings take 3–18 months depending on the canton and complexity.
How do cantonal Betreibungsämter differ from each other?
The SchKG is federal law and applies identically in all cantons. Differences are organisational: cantons set the number of Betreibungskreise, the availability of online services, the language of proceedings (German, French, or Italian), and the rules on third-party access to extract information. Zurich and Geneva offer full online portals; smaller cantons may require in-person or postal requests.
How long does Swiss debt enforcement take?
An unchallenged Betreibung from filing to asset seizure takes roughly 2–6 months. A challenged Betreibung where the creditor pursues Rechtsöffnung through the courts can take 9–24 months in total. Corporate bankruptcy (Konkurs) proceedings are separate and typically take 1–3 years.
Does a Betreibung appear on my record even if I pay the debt?
Yes. Under Art. 8a SchKG, Betreibungen remain in the register for 5 years from the filing date, regardless of whether the debt was paid or the Rechtsvorschlag was successful. The record will note the outcome, but the initial proceeding remains visible to authorised third parties.
Why this matters for company directors: We advise all directors of newly formed Swiss companies to request their own Betreibungsregisterauszug before the bank account opening process begins. Discovering an old, forgotten Betreibung during the bank’s due diligence review — rather than beforehand — creates delays and awkward explanations. A proactive self-extract costs CHF 17 and takes two days. The alternative — a bank rejection followed by a six-week reapplication with a different institution — costs weeks of lost operating time.
Can a foreign creditor use the Swiss Betreibungsamt?
Yes. The SchKG does not restrict enforcement to Swiss creditors. A foreign creditor with a claim against a debtor domiciled in Switzerland can file a Betreibungsbegehren at the relevant cantonal Betreibungsamt. Foreign court judgments may serve as the basis for definitive Rechtsöffnung if recognised under Swiss private international law (IPRG).
What is a Verlustschein?
A Verlustschein (certificate of loss) is issued by the Betreibungsamt when enforcement is complete but the creditor has not recovered the full amount — usually because the debtor had insufficient assets. The Verlustschein gives the creditor the right to re-initiate enforcement within 20 years if the debtor later acquires assets (Art. 149 SchKG).
What is the difference between Pfändung and Konkurs?
Pfändung (seizure) applies to individuals and sole proprietors: specific assets are seized and sold. Konkurs (bankruptcy) applies to legal entities (AG, GmbH, cooperatives) and certain commercially registered individuals: the debtor’s entire estate is liquidated. The distinction follows from Art. 39–43 SchKG. See our guides on bankruptcy in Switzerland → and company liquidation → for what happens to companies.
How do I find the correct Betreibungsamt for a debtor?
The correct office is the Betreibungsamt of the debtor’s domicile commune (individuals) or registered address commune (companies). For companies, check the commercial register entry to confirm the registered address — this determines the Betreibungskreis. See the commercial register by canton → for how to look up a company’s registered seat.
Related Guides
- Debt Collection in Switzerland →
- Bankruptcy in Switzerland →
- Company Liquidation in Switzerland →
- Commercial Register by Canton →
- Company Formation in Switzerland →
Article by Morgan Hartley, Senior Corporate Lawyer & Partner, Lawsupport (Morgan Hartley Consulting), Grafenauweg 4, Zug, Switzerland. Last reviewed: 19 March 2026.