← FFCheckWho do I contact?DE
Government · Switzerland
Updated September 2026

⚡ The power is out — who do I call, and can I claim for the damage?

Direct answer

Check the neighbours' lights and your fuse box; if it is not just you, call the outage line of Your grid operator — outage line — the grid operator, not your energy supplier; the number is on your bill and on the operator's outage map. Long outages give you a right to compensation in most countries after a set number of hours, paid automatically or on request; Preisüberwacher (preisueberwacher.admin.ch) sets the rules and decides disputes. Damaged appliances from a surge: claim from the grid operator or your insurer; Gemeindeverwaltung / Stadtverwaltung (ch.ch) if the cause was municipal works.

Call firstYour grid operator — outage line
Report toPreisüberwacher
If that failsGemeindeverwaltung / Stadtverwaltung

🗣️ What to say

"Power has been out at [address] since [time]. The neighbours are affected too / only my home. My fuses are fine. Is there a known fault, and what is the expected restoration time? I would also like to claim the outage compensation."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Fuse box, then neighboursOne flat only: your fuses or your wiring (landlord). Whole street: the grid.
  2. Outage line: Your grid operator — outage linePhone or the outage map; report even if it is already shown — it helps them locate.
  3. Unplug sensitive devicesSurges when power returns damage electronics. Keep the fridge closed.
  4. Compensation: Preisüberwacher rulesAfter a threshold (often 4–12 hours) a fixed sum per household; ask the operator in writing if not automatic.
  5. DamagePhotos, receipts, the operator's incident number. Claim from the operator; contents insurance often pays first.

📇 All contacts

Your grid operator — outage linePower cuts, damaged lines, meter faults (not the supplier)During an outage; the number is on your bill
PreisüberwacherReport excessive prices and feesFor tariff increases that do not add up🔗 www.preisueberwacher.admin.ch
Gemeindeverwaltung / StadtverwaltungMunicipal administration: residents, order, noise, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality regulates🔗 www.ch.ch
Ombudsman der Privatversicherung und der SUVAFree mediation in disputes with insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 044 211 30 90🔗 www.ombudsman-assurance.ch

❓ Frequently asked

Should I call my supplier?

No — suppliers sell you electricity; the grid operator delivers it and fixes faults. Calling the supplier just delays.

Medical equipment at home

Register with the grid operator as a priority customer in advance; during an outage call and say so — they prioritise and can supply a generator.

Planned works with no notice

Planned interruptions require advance notice; without it, compensation and a complaint to Preisüberwacher.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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

  • “power outage who to call Switzerland”
  • “grid operator outage line”
  • “power cut compensation hours Switzerland”
  • “appliance damaged power surge claim”
  • “electricity outage map”

🧭 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

⚡Energy bill dispute→🛢️Gas leak→📩Object to a decision→💡Broken streetlight→

Your tools for Switzerland

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · SwitzerlandElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Switzerland, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.