Removing a debt-enforcement entry from the register: where to start
Updated on 7 July 2026
A registered debt-enforcement proceeding can block a flat search or a job application, even after payment. Depending on your situation, the law (Art. 8a Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (SchKG)) provides several routes to have it withdrawn, made invisible to third parties or annulled. Here is each one, explained simply.
The 4 routes at a glance
| Route | When to use it | Effect on the extract | Timing | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-disclosure | Objection lodged, over 3 months passed, creditor unsuccessful | Hidden from third parties (stays on internal file) | At the earliest 3 months after the payment order, then 20 days given to the creditor | CHF 40 official fee (Art. 12b GebV SchKG) |
| Withdrawal by the creditor | Debt paid or proceeding unjustified | Erased for third parties | Immediate effect if the creditor agrees | No official fee (debt settled or unjustified) |
| Court route | Withdrawal refused, debt disputed or already paid | Proceeding annulled by judgment | Court proceedings (several weeks) | Court costs + lawyer |
| Automatic deletion (5 years) | No fast route applicable | Automatic disappearance from the extract | 5 years after closure | Free (automatic) |
Making a debt-enforcement proceeding invisible: non-disclosure
Since 2026, you can ask the office to stop disclosing a contested debt-enforcement proceeding to third parties. Conditions, procedure and concrete steps.
Having a debt-enforcement proceeding withdrawn by the creditor
A paid or unjustified debt-enforcement proceeding can be withdrawn by the creditor: often the simplest route when they agree. How to request withdrawal, step by step.
Challenging an unjustified debt-enforcement proceeding
Debt-enforcement proceeding for a non-existent or already paid debt, and the creditor refuses? The actions under Art. 85 and 85a SchKG and how to prepare your case.
How long does a debt-enforcement proceeding stay on the register?
A debt-enforcement proceeding stays visible for five years after the proceeding closes. When it disappears, and how to erase it sooner depending on your situation.
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