In 2025, Switzerland recorded a significant rise in company bankruptcies. According to the latest debt enforcement and bankruptcy statistics published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), 12,485 company bankruptcies were opened during the year. This represents an increase of 61.2% compared with 2024.
The increase is striking, but it should be understood in context. A legal change that came into force on 1 January 2025 now allows creditors to request bankruptcy proceedings for unpaid public-law claims, such as taxes or social security contributions. Previously, these claims could generally only be pursued through seizure proceedings.
A sharp increase in bankruptcy proceedings
Overall, 13,612 bankruptcy proceedings were opened in Switzerland in 2025. Of these, 12,485 concerned companies and 1,127 concerned private individuals. Compared with the previous year, the total number of bankruptcy openings rose by 48.5%, mainly driven by the increase in company bankruptcies. Private bankruptcies, on the other hand, decreased by 20.9%.
The FSO explains that a large part of the increase is likely connected to the amendment of the Swiss Federal Act on Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy. However, the exact effect of the legal change cannot be quantified, as the statistics do not distinguish which bankruptcy proceedings were directly triggered by the new rule.
In the short term, the change has led to a visible rise in bankruptcy proceedings. In the longer term, it may contribute to removing companies from the market that are no longer liquid or effectively unable to meet their financial obligations.
More completed proceedings, but many without assets
The number of completed bankruptcy proceedings also increased in 2025. In total, 19,894 proceedings were completed, up 10.2% from the previous year. These figures include company and private bankruptcies, rejected inheritances, and dissolutions due to organisational deficiencies.
A key finding is that more than half of the completed proceedings ended because there were not enough assets available. In 55.9% of cases, proceedings were suspended due to a lack of assets. Around 32.6% were handled through ordinary or summary liquidation, while 11.5% were closed through revocation or for other reasons.
Financial losses from bankruptcy loss certificates reached almost CHF 1.8 billion in 2025. This corresponds to an increase of 17.8% compared with 2024. At the same time, the total proceeds distributed to creditors in bankruptcy proceedings amounted to just over CHF 192 million.
Liquidations due to organisational deficiencies slightly decreased
The report also provides insight into company dissolutions and liquidations caused by organisational deficiencies. In 2025, 2,755 companies were dissolved and liquidated for this reason, representing a slight decrease of 2.8% compared with 2024.
These cases do not necessarily mean that a company is over-indebted. A dissolution due to organisational deficiencies can occur when a company lacks a legally required body, such as a properly appointed board member or auditor, or when its corporate structure no longer meets legal requirements.
However, if over-indebtedness is identified during the process, bankruptcy proceedings may be opened.
Debt enforcement also remained high
The FSO statistics also show the scale of debt enforcement proceedings in Switzerland. In 2025, more than 3.1 million debt enforcement cases were initiated, and over 3 million payment orders were issued. The majority of these proceedings concerned natural persons, while 359,705 cases were directed against legal entities.
Debt enforcement proceedings led to 1,547,788 seizures, which corresponds to roughly half of the cases. Most seizures concerned income, while property seizures and seizures of physical assets or claims were much less frequent.
What this means for Swiss companies
The 2025 figures highlight how important it is for companies to keep their legal, financial, and organisational situation under control. Administrative issues, unpaid public-law claims, or a lack of required corporate bodies can quickly lead to formal proceedings.
For founders, directors, and business owners, the message is clear: acting early matters. Whether a company needs to update its Commercial Register entry, resolve an organisational issue, or close its business properly, handling the process in a structured and compliant way can prevent unnecessary complications.
When a company can no longer continue its activity, a proper liquidation allows it to be closed in an orderly manner.
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