In Zurich, Switzerland's leading financial centre, a loan between individuals is freely agreed under the Code of Obligations, while credit from a professional lender falls under the CCA, which requires a creditworthiness check and caps the rate at 10% in 2026.
The country's leading financial hub
Zurich is home to the Swiss National Bank, the SIX stock exchange and the head offices of major banks. This concentration attracts expatriates and international managers, but also fraudsters who mimic the style of Zurich finance to sell fake loans.
Expatriates and family loans sent from abroad
Many expatriates settled in Zurich borrow from relatives abroad for a rent deposit or a down payment. International transfers should state their purpose and remain documented. See our page on peer-to-peer loans for expatriates.
Lend, a Zurich platform authorised under the CCA
Switzerlend AG, which runs the Lend platform in Zurich, states in its terms and conditions that it holds an authorisation under the Consumer Credit Act. Investors fund loans to individuals there, but you should still compare rates, fees and duration.
Cashare and Swisspeers: other lending models
Cashare also connects individuals with investors, while Swisspeers focuses on financing small businesses. The term peer-to-peer loan therefore covers very different kinds of offers in Switzerland, so take time to read our report on peer-to-peer lending websites.
Maximum rate and creditworthiness check
Under the CCA, the lender must check that the borrower can repay without dipping into the subsistence minimum and consult the IKO credit information office. The effective annual rate is capped at 10% for cash loans in 2026, says the Federal Office of Justice.
A purely private loan contract
Between two Zurich residents, a loan remains a contract under the Code of Obligations. Drafted in German, English or French, it sets out the sum, interest, instalments and repayment account. Interest is only owed if it has been expressly agreed.
Zurich wealth and income tax
The Kantonales Steueramt Zürich expects the lender to declare the claim and the interest received, while the borrower reports the debt and the interest paid. Expatriates taxed at source should check whether they fall under a subsequent ordinary assessment.
Debt collection offices in the city of Zurich
The city of Zurich has several Betreibungsämter, debt collection offices organised by district. The creditor files the request with the office covering the debtor's address, and a signed acknowledgement of debt then allows provisional removal of objection to be sought from the district court.
Private mortgages and Zurich notary offices
In the canton of Zurich, notary offices are public bodies that also keep the land register. A mortgage certificate, the Schuldbrief, securing a private loan is drawn up there, with official fees that you should ask about before committing.
Fake English-language loans targeting expatriates
Fraudsters post private loan offers in English in Zurich expatriate groups, complete with fake bank logos. They then demand transfer fees in cryptocurrency, so see our page on the loan scam paid in cryptocurrency.
Debt advice services in Zurich
The Schuldenberatung of the canton of Zurich and Caritas Zurich support indebted households. The Stiftung für Konsumentenschutz, a consumer protection foundation, gives information on credit, and a Zurich lawyer remains advisable for a large contract or a property guarantee.
Filing a complaint with the Zurich police
In Zurich, a victim files a complaint with the city police or the cantonal police, the latter having cybercrime specialists. A report to the Federal Office for Cyber Security completes the process and helps take down fake websites.
Good habits for a private loan in Zurich
- Establish whether the offer comes from an individual, a platform or a professional lender subject to the CCA.
- Check the company name in the commercial register and on the FINMA warning list.
- Sign a contract stating the language, Swiss law, the amount in CHF and the repayment timetable.
- Make the transfer by bank and keep the confirmation, especially for funds coming from abroad.
- Report the claim or debt in your Zurich tax return, or flag it if you are taxed at source.
- If payments are long overdue, file for debt enforcement with the Betreibungsamt covering the debtor's address.
Costs of a peer-to-peer loan in Zurich
| Item | Indicative level (CHF) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Private loan between Zurich residents | Rate freely agreed | Written, with interest expressly agreed |
| Credit via a platform or CCA lender | 10% at most (indicative, 2026) | Annual effective rate, costs included |
| Platform fees for investors | As per published terms | Read them before investing |
| Zurich notary office fees | Official tariff | For a mortgage certificate |
| Fake fees paid in cryptocurrency | Near-certain loss | Report to the police and the NCSC |
Documents to gather in Zurich
- Passport and B, C or L permit
- Employment contract or payslips
- Recent extract from the Betreibungsregister
- Signed loan contract in German or English
- Proof of origin of funds for an international transfer
- Repayment schedule
- Withholding tax statement where applicable
Common frauds and mistakes in Zurich
- Trusting an English-language offer showing a fake logo of a major Zurich bank and a foreign phone number.
- Paying release fees in bitcoin or stablecoins before receiving a loan promised by a stranger.
- Confusing an authorised credit intermediary with an anonymous website that has no address or commercial register entry.
- Receiving a family loan from abroad without paperwork, then struggling to prove the origin of the funds to your bank.
- Underestimating the subsistence minimum and accepting instalments that cannot coexist with Zurich rent and health insurance premiums.
Peer-to-peer loans in Zurich: the key questions
Must an expatriate taxed at source in Zurich declare a private loan?
Depending on income and circumstances, an expatriate may be subject to a subsequent ordinary assessment that includes wealth and debts. The Kantonales Steueramt Zürich or a tax adviser can say whether the claim or debt belongs in a full tax return.
Can a private Zurich resident invest on Lend?
The platform lets private investors fund loans, subject to its registration conditions. Before investing, read the terms, the fees and how payment defaults are handled, and only commit sums you could afford to lose.
Can a Zurich loan contract be written in English?
Yes, Swiss law imposes no language for a loan contract between individuals. A Zurich authority may, however, ask for a German translation. A bilingual English and German version avoids that extra cost if a dispute arises.
How do you spot a fake lender in Zurich?
No verifiable address, contact only via WhatsApp, approval without a credit check and a demand for fees before payout are clear signals. A genuine lender subject to the CCA consults the IKO and never asks for an advance in cryptocurrency or gift cards.