Switzerland: templates and forms

For a passenger whose flight arrived three hours or more late, was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or who was denied boarding, on a flight covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004: every flight from an airport in Switzerland, the EU, Iceland or Norway, and flights into them on an airline from one of those countries. The letter claims the fixed compensation — €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, by distance — from the airline that operated the flight. The airline's own claim form and the EU complaint form are free and do the same job. Send it by registered post (Einschreiben); Swiss authorities work in their official language, not English.

A resignation letter in English for employees in Switzerland whose employer works in English: notice ending the employment with the contractual or statutory period (Art. 335c CO), or during probation seven days or the period agreed (Art. 335b CO), on the date you choose or else the next possible date, asking for confirmation, a reference (Arbeitszeugnis), the final pay and salary certificate (Lohnausweis), and settling remaining holiday. Send it by registered post or hand it over against a receipt. Swiss authorities and courts work in their official language — German, French or Italian — so this English version is for dealings between private parties.

For employees in Switzerland, in English: asks the employer for a full reference, an interim reference or a confirmation of employment (Arbeitszeugnis, Zwischenzeugnis, Arbeitsbestätigung) under Art. 330a CO, or for the correction of a reference that is wrong or incomplete, with the current and the requested wording and a deadline. You can ask at any time, also while still employed. Swiss authorities and courts work in their official language — German, French or Italian — so this English version is for dealings between private parties.

For tenants of a flat in Switzerland who deal with their landlord in English: the written notice ending the lease (Art. 266l para. 1 of the Code of Obligations, CO), with three months' notice to the lease's termination date, else to a local date (Art. 266c CO), and to the next possible date if the chosen one is missed. It has lines for every tenant and for the express consent of a spouse or registered partner where the flat is the family home (Art. 266m CO). Print, sign and send by registered post (Einschreiben). Swiss authorities and courts work in their official language — German, French or Italian — so this English version is for dealings between private parties.

For tenants in Switzerland who move out before the termination date: the letter to the landlord announcing the early return of the flat and proposing a replacement tenant (Nachmieter) who is solvent and willing to take over the lease on the same terms (Art. 264 of the Code of Obligations, CO). It gives the return date and the candidates, asks for an answer by a date and lists the documents enclosed. Print, have every tenant sign and send by registered post. Swiss authorities and courts work in their official language — German, French or Italian — so this English version is for dealings between private parties.

For people insured in Switzerland, in English: terminates the compulsory basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) after the new premium is announced, for 31 December (Art. 7 para. 2 KVG), or with three months' notice for the end of June or December, for you and children insured with you; it names your new insurer and leaves supplementary insurance running. To change on 1 January, it must reach the insurer by 30 November. The Federal Office of Public Health offers free German, French and Italian model letters on priminfo.admin.ch. Swiss authorities and courts work in their official language — German, French or Italian — so this English version is for dealings between private parties.