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Government · Switzerland
Updated September 2026

⚖️ A public body treated me unfairly — how do I complain to the ombudsman?

Direct answer

The ombudsman — Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt (ombudsman-ch.ch) — investigates how public bodies act: delays, silence, rudeness, lost files, refusal to explain, unequal treatment. It is free, independent, and its reports carry weight. Two conditions in most countries: you complained to the body itself first, and the complaint is within a deadline (often one year). The ombudsman does not overturn decisions — for that, object and appeal (see that page); Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des Kantons (ch.ch) helps with the legal route; Verwaltungsgericht des Kantons (bger.ch) is the court. Many countries have specialised ombudsmen too (children, patients, financial) — Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt redirects you.

Call firstOmbudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt
Report toUnentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des Kantons
If that failsVerwaltungsgericht des Kantons

🗣️ What to say

"I complain about [body] concerning [what happened, dates]. I raised this with them on [date] and [no answer / an unsatisfactory answer, attached]. I consider their conduct [unreasonable / unfair / negligent] because [reasons]. I ask you to investigate and to recommend [what]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Complain to the body firstIn writing; keep it. The ombudsman will ask for it.
  2. Within the deadlineUsually a year from the conduct, sometimes less. Later is possible with a reason.
  3. Complaint to Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der StadtOnline form: what happened, what you did, what you want. Attach the correspondence.
  4. InvestigationThe ombudsman asks the body for its side, may look at the file, and issues findings and recommendations. Months, not weeks.
  5. Decision itself wrong? Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des Kantons, Verwaltungsgericht des KantonsThe legal route runs in parallel and has its own deadline — do not wait for the ombudsman to appeal.

📇 All contacts

Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der StadtComplaints about administration, free (where it exists)When the authority does not answer or acts unfairly🔗 www.ombudsman-ch.ch
Unentgeltliche Rechtspflege (Gericht) / Rechtsauskunft des KantonsFree legal information and court costs on low incomeWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.ch.ch/de/gerichte/unentgeltliche-rechtspflege
Verwaltungsgericht des KantonsAppeals against administrative decisionsWithin 30 days of the decision🔗 www.bger.ch

❓ Frequently asked

Is the ombudsman's decision binding?

Recommendations are not binding, but public bodies follow the vast majority and parliament publishes those that do not.

Can I complain about the police, a hospital, a school?

Yes, for public services; some have their own complaints bodies first. Ombudsstelle des Kantons / der Stadt's site lists which.

Can the ombudsman award compensation?

It can recommend it, and many bodies pay on recommendation. For a right to compensation, the court.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “ombudsman complaint Switzerland”
  • “complain about government office unfair”
  • “ombudsman deadline complaint”
  • “public body no answer complaint”
  • “maladministration complaint”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

📩Object to a decision→📂Information request→💡Broken streetlight→🗑️Illegal dumping→

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