How long is the notice period?

At least 3 months for dwellings (CO Art. 266c), to a termination date. The lease may set a longer period, but not a shorter one.

Does the postmark count?

No. What matters is when the notice reaches the landlord or is ready for pickup at the post office. Send it registered, with a few days’ buffer.

Do both partners have to sign?

For a family dwelling (marriage or registered partnership), yes — both, even if only one signed the lease. On a joint lease, all tenants sign.

Can I move out early?

Yes, with a solvent and reasonable replacement tenant who takes over on the same terms. If the landlord rejects a reasonable one without good cause, you are free.

Which termination dates apply to me?

Those in your lease; if none, the local default dates (your district’s conciliation authority). Often 31 Mar / 30 Jun / 30 Sep, or any month-end except 31 December.

Tenancy

Ending your lease: notice periods, dates and the replacement tenant

Three months’ notice, on a termination date — and what counts is not the postmark but when the letter arrives. The latest day you can give notice, how to do it correctly, and how to leave early. With a calculator.

Updated 16 June 20263 min read

Statutory minimum notice · rented apartment

3 monthsto a termination date

What counts is not the postmark but when your notice reaches the landlord. To leave earlier, you need a reasonable replacement tenant.

CO Art. 266c; Swiss Tenants’ Association (2026).

Notice period vs termination date

Two terms decide it — and are often confused. The notice period is the lead time: at least three months for dwellings. The termination date is when the tenancy ends. So you don’t give notice "in three months" — you give notice for the next date that is at least three months away.

Which dates apply is set in your lease. If none are stated, the local default dates of your area apply (ask the conciliation authority). Common are the quarterly dates 31 March, 30 June and 30 September; in several cantons (e.g. BS, BL, SH, SZ) you can give notice for any month-end except 31 December.

The latest day you can give notice

Notice-deadline calculator

Want to move out by

Termination dates (per your lease)

Post the registered letter by

26 Dec 2026

Must arrive by

31 Dec 2026

Tenancy ends

31 Mar 2027

3-month notice period

The dates in your lease govern; if none, the local default dates apply (conciliation authority). What counts is receipt by the landlord (or availability for pickup) — not the postmark; hence a few days’ buffer. For a family dwelling both partners must sign.

How to give notice correctly

Give notice in writing and sign it by hand — a text or email does not suffice.
Send it by registered mail (or hand it over in person and have receipt confirmed on a copy).
On a joint lease, all tenants sign; for a family dwelling, both partners.
Send it in good time so it arrives before the notice period starts — the postmark does not count.

Leaving early: the replacement tenant

To leave before the next termination date, you need a solvent and reasonable replacement tenant willing to take over on the same terms (CO Art. 264). If the landlord rejects a reasonable replacement without good cause, you are released anyway. Best propose several suitable candidates in writing.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the notice period?: At least 3 months for dwellings (CO Art. 266c), to a termination date. The lease may set a longer period, but not a shorter one.
Does the postmark count?: No. What matters is when the notice reaches the landlord or is ready for pickup at the post office. Send it registered, with a few days’ buffer.
Do both partners have to sign?: For a family dwelling (marriage or registered partnership), yes — both, even if only one signed the lease. On a joint lease, all tenants sign.
Can I move out early?: Yes, with a solvent and reasonable replacement tenant who takes over on the same terms. If the landlord rejects a reasonable one without good cause, you are free.
Which termination dates apply to me?: Those in your lease; if none, the local default dates (your district’s conciliation authority). Often 31 Mar / 30 Jun / 30 Sep, or any month-end except 31 December.