May 7, 20262 min

Swiss dunning process — from reminder email to debt collection

How to dun correctly in Switzerland, which deadlines apply, and when a Betreibung makes sense. With templates and 2026 late-payment interest.

#dunning
#collections
#switzerland
#betreibung

Swiss debtors usually pay on time — but when they don't, you have a clear legal toolkit. The essential steps for SMEs.

When does default kick in?

If a concrete due date is on the invoice, the debtor is automatically in default once it expires — no further reminder needed. Without a date, you need a first reminder to trigger default.

In practice: put a concrete date on every invoice, not just "30 days net". Example: "Payable by 12 June 2026". More tips in our freelance invoicing guide.

The typical three-stage process

Payment reminder (3–5 days after due date): friendly, email or SMS. No fee. "Your payment may have crossed in the mail."
First dunning notice (10–14 days after due date): formal letter or PDF. Fee CHF 10–30, late-payment interest from due date. New deadline: 10 days.
Second dunning notice (~21 days after due date): final deadline with clear Betreibung warning. Higher fee (max CHF 40 customary).

After that comes Betreibung.

Calculating late-payment interest

The statutory rate per Art. 104 CO is 5% per year. Formula:

Interest = Claim × 0.05 × (days in default / 365)

For a CHF 5'000 invoice and 30 days late, that's CHF 20.55. Higher rates only if agreed in your terms and accepted by the customer.

Initiating Betreibung

Via eSchKG or directly at the debt-collection office at the debtor's residence/business address. You need:

Full debtor address
Exact claim amount including late-payment interest
Reason (invoice number suffices)

The debtor can file a Rechtsvorschlag (objection) — you then have to request Rechtsöffnung at court, providing the invoice, reminders, and ideally a contract.

Key takeaways

Default kicks in automatically with a concrete due date (5% p.a. interest)
Three-stage process: reminder → 1st notice → 2nd notice → Betreibung
Betreibung costs CHF 50–200 advance and takes 3–12 months
Terms can specify higher late-payment interest (up to 12% customary)
A fast, correct QR-bill with a clear due date is the best dunning prevention — see SnapBill app

Frequently asked

What is the statutory late-payment interest in Switzerland?

Statutory late-payment interest is 5 percent per year under Art. 104 CO — applicable to all claims once the debtor is in default. In B2B you can agree higher rates in your terms (commonly 8–12 percent). In B2C, 5 percent is the standard.

Do I have to dun before initiating a Betreibung?

Legally no — if a due date is on the invoice, the debtor is in default after expiry. In practice it's worth it: a reminder often avoids court costs and preserves the relationship. Common practice: two reminders with 10-day deadlines each before Betreibung.

What does a Betreibung cost in Switzerland?

Costs depend on the claim amount, starting around CHF 33 for claims up to CHF 100. For a typical SME invoice of CHF 5'000, plan on CHF 100–150 advance to the debt-collection office. These costs can be charged to the debtor if the Betreibung is justified.

How long from default to money in the bank?

For a simple Betreibung without objection, about 3–6 months until seizure. With objection and Rechtsöffnung proceedings, 6–12 months. Faster results only via personal collection, phone reminders, and fair instalment offers.

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