Betreibungsamt Switzerland: Debt Enforcement Offices by Canton (2026)

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)

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

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.

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.

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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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.

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.

Article by Morgan Hartley, Senior Corporate Lawyer & Partner, Lawsupport (Morgan Hartley Consulting), Grafenauweg 4, Zug, Switzerland. Last reviewed: 19 March 2026.

Betreibungsamt Switzerland: Offices by Canton