Swiss Debt Enforcement Register Extract | Magic Heidi

A debt enforcement register extract (Betreibungsregisterauszug) can help you assess a customer. It shows neither every debt nor future ability to pay. Order it for a specific business purpose and understand its coverage before supplying on credit.

What the extract shows — and what it does not

The extract covers the relevant debt enforcement district. According to ch.ch, a fuller picture requires extracts from the districts where the person lived over the previous five years. A new address can therefore produce an unremarkable extract even though enforcement proceedings exist elsewhere.

An entry is not a court finding that the claimed debt actually exists. The person may have lodged an objection. Ask about the procedural status and give the customer an opportunity to explain.

A clean extract does not guarantee: sufficient cash, no unpaid invoices, no bank debt or timely payment for your next project. A commercial register entry and registered capital do not replace a credit assessment either.

Who can request information about customers?

Under Article 8a SchKG, access requires a credibly demonstrated interest. Concluding or carrying out a contract can provide such an interest. Curiosity alone is insufficient; the office assesses the evidence.

In practice, there are two routes:

• Order with the customer's signed authorisation and the identification documents required by the office.
• Provide evidence of your own interest, such as documents concerning a specific prospective contract or an existing claim.

For your own extract, the office requires proof of identity. For companies, check who has authority to represent them. Refusing to grant authorisation is not proof of insolvency.

Ordering: office, costs and delivery time

1. Identify the relevant district and open the official office website.
2. Select the correct request: your own extract, representation or third-party information.
3. Prove identity or interest as the office requires.
4. Check the total price and delivery method before submitting.

According to ch.ch, the extract usually costs CHF 17.00 plus postage. Private intermediaries may charge service fees. A higher price does not automatically mean faster official processing or more complete information. Check the final price rather than relying on a general 24-hour promise.

Counter, postal and electronic ordering options vary by office. Use current forms and ask the competent office about delivery time. Do not send identity copies to an intermediary without checking who it is.

Five years: disclosure is not the same as deletion

Article 8a paragraph 4 SchKG generally ends third parties' right of inspection five years after proceedings conclude. This does not promise destruction of every official record. Statutory exceptions apply to court and administrative proceedings.

Article 8a paragraph 3 identifies proceedings that are not disclosed to third parties, including withdrawal by the creditor and, subject to conditions, an application for non-disclosure. Payment alone does not automatically remove an entry. Ask the office which procedure fits the case.

Additional rules apply to certificates of loss. Do not assume that every certificate disappears after five years or that the underlying claim expires then. A claim documented by a seizure certificate of loss generally has a 20-year limitation period (Article 149a). Register disclosure and limitation of the claim are separate questions.

A risk-based customer-check process

There is no statutory project value above which an extract is compulsory. What matters is the work you finance in advance, the potential loss and your payment experience.

• Before a new engagement: Identify the contracting party and authorised signatory; check companies in Zefix.
• For substantial advance work: Consider an extract within the permitted scope alongside references and previous payment experience.
• For unclear entries: Ask for an explanation and, where appropriate, payment evidence. Do not automatically allege fraud.
• Limit exposure: Agree appropriate advances or milestones before contracting. These do not replace assessment either.

Entirely fictional decision scenario: A graphic designer would need to finance a CHF 12,000.00 project well before payment. She reviews available documents and negotiates a CHF 6,000.00 advance. This limits unsecured work in progress, but guarantees neither the balance nor a particular project outcome.

Record a reasoned decision rather than imposing a blanket rule such as “anyone with an entry never pays”. Do not stop work on an existing engagement solely because of an extract; whether you may withhold performance needs separate assessment.

Store extracts responsibly

Use customer data only for the justified purpose. Restrict access, avoid unnecessary copies and decide when the extract is no longer needed and should be deleted. Five-year register disclosure is not a general requirement to keep your customer copy for five years. In a dispute, consider necessary evidence preservation and data protection together.

Frequently asked questions

Is the current address enough?

Not for a complete historical picture. The extract is local; earlier enforcement districts may be relevant.

Does a blank extract mean supplying on credit is safe?

No. It is only a geographically and temporally limited signal. Also assess advance work, payment history and contract terms.

What if the customer later fails to pay?

First check the invoice and any objections. Use a payment reminder; if necessary, make a separate decision about debt enforcement.

Sources

• ch.ch: ordering a debt enforcement register extract: access, local coverage and costs.
• SchKG on Fedlex: Articles 8, 8a and 149a.

General information, not individual legal or credit-assessment advice.