← FFCheckElectricity & gasDE
Electricity & gas · Switzerland
Checked 2026-09-27

🚪 I signed an energy contract at the door or by phone in Switzerland. Can I cancel?

The short answer

Contracts made at the door, by phone or online usually come with a cooling-off period in which you can cancel without giving a reason.

📜 The rules in Switzerland

Cooling-off period

For doorstep sales (including on the street or at promotional events) and phone contracts, you can cancel within 14 days if the value exceeds CHF 100. Swiss law gives no statutory right of withdrawal for online purchases.

Official source: ch.ch · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Find the dateThe period usually starts when the contract is made. Look at the confirmation you received.
  2. Cancel in writingSend a clear cancellation by e-mail or letter within the period and keep proof.
  3. Check your old contractIf a switch had already started, tell your old supplier you are staying and check that no exit fee was charged.
  4. Report pushy sellingMisleading or aggressive sales can be reported to the consumer organisation or the regulator below.

📇 Who to contact

Stiftung für Konsumentenschutz (SKS)Independent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.konsumentenschutz.ch
Eidgenössische Elektrizitätskommission ElComSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 +41 58 462 58 33🔗 www.elcom.admin.ch

❓ Questions

Do I need a reason?

No. During the cooling-off period you can cancel without a reason.

What if I already used energy?

You may have to pay for energy delivered at your request during the period, but not a penalty.

They said they were from my current supplier. Is that allowed?

No. Pretending to be your supplier is misleading. Report it.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 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.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

More help in Switzerland

All other problems: who handles whatWho do I contact?100+ things that go wrong — money, housing, work, safety, health, papers, government — and the one desk in Switzerland that actually handles each: phone, site, and what to say when they pick up.Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.