Cancel a mobile contract in Switzerland: notice periods explained
Quick answer: check the minimum term first, then the notice period and cancellation channel. 60 days is not the same as two months to the end of a month. If you want to keep your number, coordinate the switch with your new provider before cancelling yourself.
Provider | Published general rule | Stated contact method |
Swisscom | Usually 60 days; minimum term generally 12 months, possibly 24 with a device | Callback/contact through cancellation help |
Salt | Generally 60 days before the contract ends | 0800 780 100 or registered letter |
Sunrise | 2 months to month-end; no earlier than the end of the minimum term | Phone or live chat |
Wingo Mobile | 2 months to month-end; check promotional commitments | 0800 70 71 72, contact form or post |
Provider help pages checked on 1 November 2026; these are not universal rules for every contract version. The table concerns ordinary cancellation. Number porting, early termination, device financing and withdrawal must be checked separately.
If you want to switch mobile subscriptions, the first stumbling block is almost always the correct notice period. Three things matter when cancelling a mobile subscription in Switzerland: the provider's notice period, the minimum term and the provider receiving your cancellation on time. This overview helps you distinguish notice periods from contract terms, check possible exit costs and prepare your switch. The comparison details were checked on the provider help pages linked below; individual contracts and promotions may differ. Your contract documents and your provider's terms and conditions remain decisive.
Provider notice periods compared: Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise and discount brands
There is no single notice period for all Swiss mobile subscriptions. The table shows the published general rules of Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise and Wingo. Compare them with your plan, contract version, any minimum term and your confirmed cancellation date.
The notice period and contract term are two different things. The notice period states how far before a date your cancellation must arrive. The minimum term determines the minimum contractual commitment; you must also consider the notice period, termination date and any device instalments. Confusing the two could, in the worst case, unintentionally extend your contract by another cycle. For more on individual providers, see our researched Wingo subscription assessment and our overview of mobile subscriptions without a fixed-term commitment (in German).
Minimum terms and early cancellation costs
The minimum contract term depends on the plan and any device or promotional benefits. Sunrise also explicitly states that subscriptions may have a minimum term. Cancellation before its end or without observing the notice period may incur costs. Before terminating early, ask for a written breakdown of remaining fees, device instalments and other contractual costs.
With several months remaining, these can quickly add up.
So do the sums before cancelling early. Compare exit costs with the savings from a cheaper plan. Switching to a discount provider without a fixed commitment generally only pays off if your old contract was very expensive or the remaining term is short. If a device is financed through the contract, outstanding instalments are additional, so check whether it must be paid off separately. If you are considering changing plans anyway, the prepaid SIM card comparison shows alternatives without a long commitment.
Legal basics: withdrawal, price increases and written notice
The applicable contract terms matter for how you cancel. Check which channels your provider accepts and obtain confirmation. General references to individual legal provisions do not replace this check.
Withdrawal is different. For contracts initiated by telephone, a 14-day right of withdrawal may exist when the legal conditions are met. It does not apply to every telephone sale: according to ombudscom, it is excluded in particular if you expressly requested the contract negotiations yourself. A call to cancel, however, is not automatically a contract renewal initiated by you. When the period starts also depends on the required withdrawal information. Keep evidence of withdrawal and its timely transmission. If the conditions are disputed, ombudscom can examine the individual case.
For price changes, your contract, the announced change and the provider's notification matter. A special right to cancel should not be promised for every price increase. Check the stated rights and deadlines promptly and seek help if anything is unclear. For ordinary cancellation, Sunrise says it requires a phone call or live chat; letters and emails are not accepted as valid cancellations. Use the specified channel and keep the written cancellation confirmation instead of relying solely on a letter.
Cancelling step by step: calculating deadlines, cancellation letters and hotlines
What you need before step 1:
Your contract or terms and conditions showing the term and notice period
Your customer number and phone number
The contract start date or most recent renewal date
Step 1: check your contract details
Note the minimum term, notice period and next possible termination date. These details are in your contract or customer account.
Step 2: calculate the deadline
Count backwards from your desired contract end, noting whether the agreement specifies days or calendar months and month-end dates. Days and months are not interchangeable: for the example contract end of 31 December 2026, the calculated 60-day deadline is 1 November 2026; with two months to month-end it is 31 October 2026. These are purely calendar examples, not confirmation of your contract end. Submit earlier, observe the required receipt date and have the termination date confirmed in writing.
Step 3: write your cancellation letter
Give your name, address, customer number and phone number. State clearly that you are cancelling at the next possible date and request written confirmation. A template is available from myright.ch in its legal tip on cancelling a mobile contract.
Step 4: send it through the right channel
Send the letter by registered post if the provider accepts postal cancellation. Check directly with the provider which cancellation method is currently accepted for your plan. Where phone or chat is required, record the date, time and the name of the person you spoke to. Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt list their hotlines on their websites.
Step 5: wait for and keep the confirmation
Request confirmation if it does not arrive automatically and keep it until the final bill. Afterwards, check that no further payments are taken.
Keeping your number, eSIM and prepaid: what to consider when switching
You can take your mobile number to your new provider, as myright.ch's legal guidance explains. Cancellation and porting must be coordinated. A blanket waiting period of 120 days is not a reliable rule for every mobile subscription. Clarify the process with the new provider in advance. It often handles cancellation as part of porting and coordinates the timing with the old provider.
Plan the transition to your new SIM too. If switching to an eSIM, activate it only once the switching date is fixed. Coordinate activation and porting with your new provider to avoid interruptions and unnecessary overlap. Our article on prepaid eSIMs in Switzerland explains how it works and which providers to consider.
Prepaid can be a temporary solution if you do not want another commitment straight away. With prepaid you pay for the service you book or use; still check possible bundle renewals and SIM validity rules. Whether a subscription or prepaid suits you better depends on your data needs; find guidelines in How much internet do I need?.
Finally, look at the total costs. Compare current offers before cancelling so you do not end up on a more expensive plan. A plan comparison and the Offer Check can help you assess whether switching would be cheaper after all costs. Keeping notice periods, contract terms and number porting in mind helps you cancel without unpleasant surprises.
Sources checked: 1 November 2026. The linked primary sources support the expressly stated verified information; individual contract terms and later price changes remain subject to variation.
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