Updated: October 2026Editorial team: Umzugsexpress GmbHTeam: 17 years in moving and clearance
In Switzerland many tenancies end on a few locally customary dates. That’s why moving companies are heavily booked on those days. Here’s how to plan in time.
In short
In Switzerland tenants usually give three months’ notice for a customary local date – often the end of March, June or September. The lease is decisive; the notice must reach the landlord in time.
What are customary termination dates?
For flats, the notice period is usually three months to a locally customary date. Which dates apply depends on the canton and often the municipality. Common dates are the end of March, June and September; in some places any month-end is possible.
Where can I find what applies to me?
Your lease comes first. If it says nothing, the local customary dates apply. The municipality, the conciliation authority or the tenants’ association can tell you.
Customary notice dates: examples by canton
Strictly speaking there are no “official” moving dates: they are customary notice dates that differ by canton or town. They apply when the tenancy agreement names no others. Documented examples:
| Canton | Customary dates | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basel-Stadt | the end of any month except 31 December | Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband |
| Basel-Landschaft | the end of any month except 31 December | Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband |
| Schaffhausen | the end of any month except 31 December | Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband |
| Schwyz | the end of any month except 31 December | Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | the end of any month except 31 December | Schlichtungsstelle AR |
| Zurich (city) | 31 March and 30 September | Comparis |
| Zurich (other municipalities) | 31 March, 30 June and 30 September | Comparis |
| Aargau | 31 March, 30 June and 30 September | Comparis |
| Bern (city) | 30 April and 31 October | Comparis |
| Other cantons | often 31 March, 30 June and 30 September – but St. Gallen, for example, allows any month-end except December, and Lucerne and Geneva have no customary dates (Comparis) | Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband |
Your canton is missing? The conciliation authority of your district can tell you; the tenants’ association keeps an overview by place at mietrecht.ch.
Moving out early
If you want to leave before the date, you can propose a reasonable replacement tenant who is willing to take over the lease on the same terms. This usually releases you from your obligations.
What it means for your move
- Book early for official moving dates
- If possible, move a few days before or after the deadline
- Plan cleaning and handover together
When old and new rent overlap
An overlap of a few days is often useful: you can move, clean and hand over calmly. If the overlap gets too long, a replacement tenant or short-term storage can help.
Worked example: when must the notice arrive at the latest?
| Desired date | Notice period | Notice must arrive by |
|---|---|---|
| 30 September | 3 months | 30 June at the latest |
| 31 March | 3 months | 31 December at the latest |
| 30 June | 3 months | 31 March at the latest |
Moving dates 2027: weekdays and deadlines
In 2027 the three common dates all fall on a working day. Check your tenancy agreement to see which date applies to you.
| Date | Weekday | Notice must arrive by (3 months’ notice) |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2027 | Wednesday | 31 December 2026 (Thursday) |
| 30 June 2027 | Wednesday | 31 March 2027 (Wednesday) |
| 30 September 2027 | Thursday | 30 June 2027 (Wednesday) |
In 2027 Easter falls right before the spring date: Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday 29 March. If you move at the end of March, there are only a few working days beforehand – so book the move, cleaning and handover early.
Formal requirements for giving notice
- In writing and signed by hand – a simple email is not enough
- For a family home, both spouses or registered partners must sign
- Best sent by registered mail with a few days’ margin
- Keep a copy and the postal receipt
Template: notice letter for your flat
Replace the details in square brackets, print the letter and sign it by hand.
[Vorname Name]
[Strasse Nr.]
[PLZ Ort]
Einschreiben
[Name der Vermieterschaft oder Verwaltung]
[Strasse Nr.]
[PLZ Ort]
[Ort], [Datum]
Kündigung des Mietvertrags – [Strasse Nr., Stockwerk, PLZ Ort]
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren
Hiermit kündige ich / kündigen wir den Mietvertrag für die oben genannte Wohnung [sowie für den Einstellplatz / das Nebenobjekt Nr. …] unter Einhaltung der vertraglichen Kündigungsfrist auf den [Kündigungstermin].
Bitte bestätigen Sie mir / uns den Erhalt der Kündigung und den Kündigungstermin schriftlich und teilen Sie mir / uns einen Termin für die Wohnungsabgabe mit.
Freundliche Grüsse
[Unterschrift aller Mieterinnen und Mieter – bei Ehepaaren und eingetragenen Partnerschaften beide]Template without guarantee. Your tenancy agreement and the customary local dates are decisive. The notice must reach the landlord before the notice period begins. Letters to landlords are written in the local language: this is the German version – the French and Italian versions are on the French and Italian editions of this page.
What the dates mean for planning the move
On the big moving dates, moving companies, rental vans and parking spaces are scarce. If you can move a few days before or after, you have more choice. An overlap of old and new rent leaves time for moving, cleaning and handover.
The notice period calculator works out which date applies to you and by when the notice must arrive – including the dates for Zurich and Aargau.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give notice by email?
No. Terminating a residential lease requires written form with a handwritten signature. Best send it by registered mail.
What if I miss the date?
Then the notice only takes effect on the next possible date. Alternatively, propose a reasonable replacement tenant: Moving out early.
Related services
- Home removals – Flat or house: packed, carried, driven and reassembled in your new home.
- Move planning – Timeline, checklists and coordination of everyone involved.
- Budget move – For small budgets: you help carry, we provide the van and the pros.