The short answer: If you have an open debt collection proceeding, a certificate of loss, a wage garnishment, or personal bankruptcy, you will not receive a loan.
Loans with debt collection proceedings in Switzerland: what is possible and what is not.
The short answer: If you have an outstanding debt collection order, a certificate of loss, wage garnishment, or are in personal bankruptcy, you will not receive a loan. This is not a matter of the bank, but of the law – every lender must assess your creditworthiness and may not enter into a contract that leads to over-indebtedness.
For debt collections that have already been paid and cancelled In contrast, a loan is possible in many cases.
We're stating this so clearly because the internet promises the opposite. On this page, you'll learn how different cases differ, how to remove a debt collection notice from the register, and how to recognize fraudulent offers.
Three situations, three answers
No credit possible
- Outstanding, unpaid debt collections
- Certificates of loss
- Ongoing wage garnishment
- Private bankruptcy
In these cases, you will be considered ineligible for credit by all Swiss lenders. An application will result in a rejection, and this rejection will be recorded by the ZEK (Central Office for Credit Information) – further worsening your situation. Don't even bother trying.
Paid for, but still registered
A paid debt collection notice does not automatically disappear from the debt enforcement register extract – it remains visible for five years. As long as it is listed there, it will be seen by lenders and is generally viewed negatively.
The crucial step is therefore not just the payment, but the deletion. How to do this is explained below.
Paid for and removed from the register
In many cases, a loan is possible here. The usual criteria apply: permanent employment, sufficient income, and no ongoing probationary period. There's no guarantee, but a real chance.
Important regardless of the case group: Clear up any outstanding debts before submitting a request. Each rejected application leaves a record and makes the next attempt more difficult.
What you can do now
The solution almost always involves settling the outstanding debt – without taking out a new loan. These options work in practice:
- Pay from your own funds Savings, a 13th-month salary, a bonus, a tax refund, or the sale of an item you no longer need can all be used to finance a loan. A partial payment with an installment agreement is also often negotiable with the creditor.
- Short-term loan in the surrounding area Family or friends. Put the agreement in writing, including the amount and repayment date – this protects both parties and the relationship.
- Advance or loan from the employer It is granted more often than one might expect, especially for long-term employees. Repayment is then made through payroll deductions.
- Request deletion from the debt enforcement register The most important step – and the one most people skip. Details in the next section.
- Check the extract and dispute any errors. Even unjustified debt collection proceedings are recorded. If someone asserts a claim that doesn't exist, it will still appear in the extract. Order your debt collection register extract from the debt collection office in your place of residence and check each entry.
Have a debt enforcement entry removed from the extract
If the creditor initiates debt collection proceedings at the office return in writing,It disappears from the extract. Not only the notation "paid" – the entry itself is no longer visible. That is the major difference between a paid and a withdrawn debt collection proceeding.
A retreat is also possible in the case of a justified claim.However, they are dependent on the creditor's goodwill – the creditor is not obligated to cooperate. Experience shows that the willingness to cooperate is greatest when the claim, including interest and accrued costs, is paid immediately and in full.
What you need to expect
Some companies charge a flat "administrative fee" of up to 200 Swiss francs for withdrawing a statement. Whether such a charge is legal is disputed. In practice, those who need a clean statement usually pay anyway.
A practical tip
To reduce such demands, you can offer the creditor, to draft the withdrawal request itself and present it to him ready for signature. This eliminates his effort – and therefore usually also the need to justify the compensation.
The letter needs: your name and address, the debt enforcement number, the responsible debt enforcement office, the amount owed, and a statement that the debt enforcement proceedings are being withdrawn in full. Below this, the date and the creditor's signature field.
Beware of these offers
Precisely because a loan with an outstanding debt collection order is not possible, a market for such loans exists. Typical phrases:
- „"Loan despite debt collection proceedings – guaranteed approval"»
- „"Loan without ZEK inquiry" or "without SCHUFA"»
- „Financing via foreign banks»
- „"Financial restructuring" with binding contract confirmation
The pattern is always similar: You receive a letter that looks legitimate at first glance. Then, in one of the later paragraphs, it mentions a brokerage fee – payable in advance. The contract documents are supposedly only sent after payment is received. They never arrive.
Rule of thumb: A reputable loan broker will not require any money upfront. Anyone who demands payment from you before granting a loan is not a broker.
Furthermore, a ZEK credit check is not optional with Swiss lenders. An offer "without ZEK" does not exist in the regulated market.
If a loan is not the solution
Taking out an additional loan to pay off debts often only postpones the problem and makes it more expensive. If you have multiple outstanding debts, your income is no longer sufficient, or you are facing garnishment, debt counseling is the right approach – not a broker.
The cantonal advisory centers are working free and confidential. They negotiate with creditors, create budgets, and oversee debt restructuring. An overview is provided by the umbrella organization Debt Counselling Switzerland at [website address]. debts.ch.
Let's be frank: In such cases, we cannot help you, and we will not even try. It would be illegal and not in your best interest.
Common special cases
| situation | assessment |
|---|---|
| Credit card despite debt collection proceedings | A genuine credit card requires the same credit check and will be rejected. A Prepaid cardIt is pre-loaded, requires no credit check, and works online like a credit card. |
| Leasing despite debt collection proceedings | Leasing is also a form of consumer credit and is subject to the same checks. It will be rejected if there are outstanding debts. Buying a cheaper vehicle outright is the more realistic option. |
| Only one ZEK entry, no debt collection proceedings | A significantly better situation. A ZEK entry isn't automatically negative – even a loan that's being serviced properly is recorded there. The crucial factor is the entry's code. If it's a payment arrears code, it's best to wait until the statute of limitations expires. |
| Debt collection and unemployment | Without a stable earned income, creditworthiness is not guaranteed, regardless of any debt collection proceedings. Daily allowances are not considered permanent income. |
| Debt collection and ongoing seizure | No loan is possible during wage garnishment. The garnishable portion of the income is already earmarked; there is nothing left for an additional payment. |
| Inquire specifically with a particular bank | No Swiss lender makes a different decision regarding outstanding debt collection proceedings. Creditworthiness checks are legally required for all lenders. Comparing providers only makes sense once your credit report is clean. Click here for the comparison. |
Frequently asked questions
How does debt collection affect creditworthiness?
An open debt collection proceeding almost always leads to rejection because it shows that an outstanding debt has not been paid. A paid debt collection proceeding remains visible on the credit report for five years and is usually also viewed negatively. Only when the creditor withdraws the debt collection proceeding does it disappear from the credit report.
Is it possible to get a loan without a debt collection extract?
No. Creditworthiness checks are mandatory under the Consumer Credit Act, and a debt enforcement register extract is a standard document for this purpose. A lender who waives this requirement is either acting illegally or doesn't intend to grant you a loan at all.
I received a debt enforcement notice. What should I do?
In order:
- Check whether the claim is justified.
- Is she unjustifiedYou must file an objection with the debt enforcement office within ten days. This deadline is short and begins upon delivery.
- Is she justifiedPay as quickly as possible and simultaneously demand the withdrawal of the application from the office.
Doing nothing is the worst option – the process will then continue until the seizure of assets.
How long does a debt enforcement proceeding remain in the register?
Five years after the conclusion of the proceedings, the debt no longer appears in the extract – regardless of whether it has been paid. However, a withdrawal by the creditor takes effect immediately.
Can I use a loan to pay off my debts?
This is the most frequent request on this page – and usually not possible. As long as the debt collection proceedings are outstanding, the loan will be rejected. The order cannot be reversed: first settle the debt, then finance.
Where can I order my debt enforcement register extract?
You can obtain the extract from the debt enforcement office in your place of residence; in many cantons, this is also possible online. The cost is approximately 17 Swiss francs. For a loan application, the extract generally must be no more than three months old. If you have moved within the last two years, lenders usually also require an extract from your previous municipality of residence.
Will you review my situation free of charge?
Yes. We'll tell you honestly whether there's a chance – even if the answer is no. An inquiry with us will not trigger a report to ZEK.
Unsure how to classify your case?
Send us your situation. We'll review it and tell you whether a loan is realistic or what other options might be more helpful. No ZEK report, no costs, no obligation.
Get a free assessment of your situation Or directly: 062 823 08 03 · creditdesk@bestfinance.chBest Finance GmbH, Aarau – officially licensed credit broker since 2004. All information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Loan approval and interest rates depend on creditworthiness; each application is subject to a creditworthiness assessment in accordance with the Consumer Credit Act.
Lending is prohibited if it leads to over-indebtedness (Art. 3 UWG).