How it works
Creditor files → you receive a payment summons (Zahlungsbefehl) → you have 10 days to object (Rechtsvorschlag – one signature, no reason needed) → objection forces the creditor to prove the claim in court. Never ignore the summons: unanswered, it proceeds toward seizure.
The register problem
Entries stay visible for years even for disputed or paid claims – and Swiss landlords request the extract (Betreibungsregisterauszug) with almost every application. Paid entries can be marked; unfounded ones can be removed via a formal request or court – worth pursuing before flat-hunting.
Prevention beats repair
Most Betreibungen start with forgotten bills, not real inability to pay. A budget that shows every open recurring bill is the cheapest legal protection there is.
Track these costs in your own budget: create your free Swiss budget in BudgetHub – in English, with Swiss categories built in.