Zurich sex work rules: every statute in force
Paid sex between adults is legal; street and window work only in marked city zones, at set hours. Checked September 17, 2026.
This legal text is past its check window
46 days since the last check; legal text is re-checked every 180 days. Read the register before you rely on it.
Federal lawStGB Art. 196StGB Art. 199
What this means for you
- Using street services outside a marked zone or its hours is a fineable offence.
- The person must be 18 or older.
What the law sayseach article, linked to its register
Federal law
Cantonal law
Cantonal law: no statute of its own on this subject in Zurich.
City ordinance
- Statute: PGVO Art. 7, Prostitutionsgewerbeverordnung (Amtliche Sammlung 551.140), City of Zurich, Art. 7 - Gebiete und Zeiten
- Statute: PGVO Art. 11, Prostitutionsgewerbeverordnung (Amtliche Sammlung 551.140), City of Zurich, Art. 11 - Bewilligung Salonprostitution
- Statute: PGVO Art. 17 Abs. 1 lit. a, Prostitutionsgewerbeverordnung (Amtliche Sammlung 551.140), City of Zurich, Art. 17 - Sanktionen
What venues must dolicensing, registration, signage
Licensing, registration and signage rules for venues in Zurich are not yet verified.
What is not alloweda short neutral list
The list of banned acts for Zurich is not yet verified. The offence articles are cited under "What the law says".
Common questionssix answers, each repeated from above
Is it legal in Zurich?
Paid sex between adults is legal; street and window work only in marked city zones, at set hours. Checked September 17, 2026.
What must a venue do by law?
Licensing, registration and signage rules for venues in Zurich are not yet verified.
What is not allowed?
The list of banned acts for Zurich is not yet verified. The offence articles are cited under "What the law says".
Does the law apply to a visitor?
This page states the law in force in Zurich, for residents and visitors alike. Whether a rule reaches your case is a question for the article text linked above. This page is not legal advice.
When did the law last change?
We record the date we last checked, not the date of the last amendment: checked September 17, 2026. The register linked under each article shows the article's history.
Where do I read the statute?
Each article under "What the law says" links to the official register that publishes it. A pending article shows no link until it is cited.
When we last checked thisChecked September 17, 2026
Checked Sep 17, 20265 sourcesby wave5-v146 days since the last check, past the 180-day window
Sources
