13 / 02 / 2026
8 Minute Read

Starting Escort Work in Switzerland: Basic legal rules made simple

 

Starting out as an escort in an unfamiliar country is no easy feat. This is precisely why many escort-girls and escort-boys choose to remain in their home country or in one they know well, where everything is familiar. But once the decision to leave has been carefully considered, questions arise concerning administration, logistics, organization, and the legal aspects of this work. A growing number of sex workers are choosing Switzerland as their destination, and this choice is not insignificant. In this article, I will address, in a clear yet comprehensive way, the legal aspects of sex work in Switzerland, as these are recurring questions among foreigners considering working as escorts in Switzerland. So, if you are an escort wondering about the legal side of this work in Switzerland, this article is for you. You'll read things you probably already know, but you'll discover new things too, I'm sure of it!

 

Is escort work legal in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, prostitution has not only been legal since 1942 but also regulated since 1992. The regulations governing prostitution evolve with time and societal norms and are therefore revised accordingly. It is important for an escort wishing to work in Switzerland to understand that, although prostitution is officially legal throughout the country, Switzerland does not have a federal law on prostitution. Its application is therefore governed by the cantons. Switzerland has 26 cantons, meaning there are 26 different approaches to prostitution. Each canton defines the parameters and rules governing prostitution within its territory.

This explains the significant disparities between cantons. Some regions have a high concentration of sex workers, while others have far fewer. In some cantons (such as Geneva, Ticino and Fribourg), it is mandatory to register with the Morals Police before starting work; in others, people are encouraged to take training to raise awareness and inform them about this profession (this is the case in the canton of Vaud); in other regions, it is not possible to work officially as a self-employed worker unless you have a work permit (this is the case in the canton of St. Gallen and Aargau, for example, which is why there are more erotic studios and clubs than independent escorts); in the canton of Zug, prostitution in private residential apartments – particularly in the city of Zug – is prohibited (and police checks are frequent); while other cantons, such as the canton of Zurich, have a much more liberal approach to this industry, especially with regard to self-employment.

Therefore, depending on where you choose to work in Switzerland, the legal context of the canton will greatly influence your experience and earning potential as an escort. The fact that prostitution is applied differently from one canton to another, and that many foreigners sex workers are unaware of this nuance, can often make starting out as a sex worker in Switzerland quite difficult, especially for those who are keen to work as independent escorts.

 

What are the requirements to work legally as an escort in Switzerland?

If you do not hold Swiss citizenship, a temporary residence permit (such as an L, G, or B permit), or a permanent residence permit (a C permit), then you will need to hold a passport from a European Union country.

Indeed, although Switzerland is located in the heart of Europe, it is part of the Schengen Area (allowing the free movement of goods and people) but not of the European Union. Nevertheless, thanks to numerous treaties signed between Switzerland and the European Union, agreements allow holders of an EU passport to work in Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year. These 90 days can be taken either all at once or spread out throughout the year. I really want to stress the importance of having such a passport because many girls who have a permanent residence permit in a European Union country but a nationality of a third country (for example, Latin America) think they have the right to work in Switzerland, which is not the case. They can indeed stay in Switzerland as tourists, but not legally work as escorts. Therefore, for foreigners, the first requirement to legally work as an escort in Switzerland is to hold a European Union passport.

Next, you must register online so that the authorities know you are present in the country to work and so that these working days can be correctly deducted from the 90-day limit for working in Switzerland. Some cantons allow this online registration to be completed the day before you start work (this is the case in the canton of Zurich), but other cantons are much stricter and require that this registration be completed at least 8 days before you begin working.

Finally, as I explained in the previous paragraph, some cantons have additional requirements to be considered legal. If you have any doubts, my advice is to contact the sex workers' association in the Swiss canton where you wish to work. These organizations are of public interest and are often partially or fully funded by the canton in which they are located. They will be able to answer most of your questions regarding engaging in paid sex work.

 

Do I need a work permit or a residence permit to escort in Switzerland?

As explained in the previous paragraph, as a foreign national holding a European Union passport, no work permit or residence permit is required: a simple declaration of your short-term paid activity is sufficient. This declaration is made online and will only take a few minutes. However, if you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) country, please note that currently, there is no possibility in Switzerland of obtaining a work permit specifically for working in the sex industry. If you wish to work longer than the 90 days granted to you as an EU passport holder, you have two options.

The first is the possibility of extending your right to work in Switzerland for an additional four weeks. Note, however, that as an independent sex worker, you cannot complete this process yourself, as it must be done by an employer, usually the erotic studio or club where you work at the time of application. Once granted, this extension of your right to work in Switzerland is valid for only four weeks and authorizes you to work for the employer who obtained the extension for you.

The second option (only available after your initial 90 days have passed) is to apply for a work permit. Here again, several options are available to you. Either the establishment where you work will apply for you (for an L, G, or B permit), or you can apply for a B permit as an independent sex worker. While obtaining a work permit allows you to work longer in Switzerland, keep in mind that this permit comes with significant fees, charges, and taxes payable in Switzerland. Too many people in the sex industry underestimate the downside and end up giving up their Swiss work permit after a few months or not renewing it. Depending on your country of residence in the EU, in this industry in Switzerland, it is often more advantageous to stay within the 90 days allowed annually than to go through the work permit process. In any case, it's a personal choice to consider carefully, and you should weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

 

How do I register as a self-employed escort in Switzerland?

Since March 17, 2025, the website for registering as an independent escort in Switzerland is: https://www.easygov.swiss/easygov/#/en/landing/wpmv . It is available in English, German, French, and Italian. The site is quite user-friendly, and it will only take you a few minutes to register. Between January 1st and December 31st of any given year, you are allowed to work up to 90 days in Switzerland. All paid work must be declared (before it begins) by registering on the website mentioned above (ideally at least 8 days before the start of the activity). The website will then deduct the number of days worked from your annual allowance of 90 days.

 

What taxes do I need to pay as an escort?

Despite the relevance of the question, the answer isn't straightforward. The taxes you'll pay as a freelance escort in Switzerland (income taxes, meaning the money you have earned while working as an escort in Switzerland) will depend primarily on where you declare your income. If your work in Switzerland doesn't exceed 90 days, your tax residence will remain your country of residence (generally an EU country).

Therefore, you'll declare your Swiss earnings as a freelance escort in that country. The same applies if you hold a G work permit, which is the cross-border worker permit, as obtaining this permit means your primary residence remains your country of permanent residence. However, if you decide to settle in Switzerland temporarily (by obtaining an L or B permit), your tax residence changes, and you become taxable in Switzerland. Swiss citizens and those with permanent residency in Switzerland (C permit) are taxable in Switzerland as long as they reside there continuously.

Regarding the 25 CHF daily work fee that some erotic studios/clubs will ask you to pay, it's important to know that in practice, it's not required in all cantons (but in some cantons, it's the norm, such as St. Gallen and Aargau). It will depend on both your employment status and your place of work.

 

Who should you contact for more information?

The advice I've just shared with you comes from my many years of experience in this industry in Switzerland, which led me to create an authentic and transparent website that enjoys a good reputation, particularly in the Zurich area. As a Swiss citizen, I also know how intimidating the complexity of our federal system (albeit a very efficient one) can be for those unfamiliar with our country's regulations. Nevertheless, for more information and personalized legal advice, I encourage you to contact a legal professional (lawyer or legal advisor) who can better guide you. A relevant online search will provide you with the names of several law and accounting firms specializing in the adult entertainment industry in Switzerland.

Also, be aware that most cantonal sex workers' associations offer free advice and services, legal and social support, information on your rights and obligations, assistance with paperwork and taxes, as well as health and safety assistance. Don't hesitate to contact the one in the canton where you'd like to work.

 

Janet – The Velvet Rooms

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