Minimum mobile contract term in Switzerland: what applies?
Quick answer: 12 or 24 months is common
A traditional mobile phone contract in Switzerland usually runs for 12 or 24 months. According to the telecommunications ombudsman, customers are generally committed for this period and can normally terminate only at the end of the contract term, subject to the notice period. When starting a comparison on internet-offer.ch, make the minimum term of a Swiss mobile phone contract your first filter, even before the monthly price.
There are also subscriptions with no minimum term and prepaid plans with a zero-month commitment. The term that applies to you is set out in the contract documents and the provider's general terms and conditions. The following sections explain how duration varies by contract type, how cancellation and renewal work, and what to check before signing up.
Contract term by type: with a device, SIM-only and prepaid
Subscription with a device. Swisscom's cancellation guide generally specifies a minimum contract term of 12 months; with a discounted device, it can be 24 months. Check the subscription, device financing and promotional conditions separately.
SIM-only subscription. No device does not automatically mean no minimum term. Sunrise warns that contracts may involve a commitment, including 24 months for certain promotions. Migros Mobile also specifies a 24-month minimum term and two months' notice to the end of a month for its currently advertised Swiss Classic plan. Digital Republic allows mobile subscriptions to be deactivated at the end of the paid period: monthly if you pay monthly, or at the end of the paid year if you pay annually. The specific offer determines the conditions.
Prepaid. With prepaid, you pay for credit or individual packages rather than a traditional monthly subscription. Still check package validity periods, automatic package renewals and the validity of the SIM and credit. Find out more in our prepaid plan comparison (in German). Daily prepaid prices are difficult to compare with monthly subscriptions, however. Data allowances and validity periods are what matter.
Notice periods and automatic renewal
The minimum term and the notice period are different. Swisscom specifies 60 days for most subscriptions. Migros Mobile Swiss Classic specifies two months to the end of a month. 60 days and two calendar months are not interchangeable.
Sunrise's cancellation guide specifies two months to the end of a month, while its separate notice-period page states 60 days to the end of a month. Have the applicable notice period and earliest termination date confirmed for your contract. A notice period from another country, or a generic one-month period, is not a reliable guide to Swiss contracts.
What happens after the minimum term depends on the agreed conditions. ombudscom's general reference to renewals of 12 or 24 months does not apply across the board to every current subscription. Check the actual renewal clause and have your termination date confirmed. For step-by-step guidance, see our guide to mobile contract notice periods in Switzerland (in German).
Early termination costs and device financing
Early termination may involve remaining subscription fees and outstanding device instalments. Swisscom mentions the remaining monthly fees when cancellation falls within the minimum term or fails to meet the notice period. Sunrise explains that its device plan can be terminated early after the first 30 days by paying the outstanding instalments. Before switching, ask for subscription and device costs to be itemised separately.
ombudscom describes possible termination costs as a flat fee or the subscription charges up to the normal end of the contract. Its recommendation to calculate a flat fee pro rata is not a promise of an automatic discount on all remaining charges. Disputed claims depend on the individual circumstances. See the guidance from Ombudscom.
An illustrative calculation, not a tariff quote: with a 24-month contract, a monthly fee of CHF 40 and cancellation after 6 months, 18 months remain. If all remaining subscription charges are payable, that is 18 × CHF 40 = CHF 720. A pro-rata assessment does not guarantee a lower amount. Outstanding device instalments or other agreed costs must be checked separately.
For devices, it is worth looking at the total cost. A discount or financing arrangement can bring additional commitments; even a SIM-only subscription may have a minimum term. For an overview of contract duration and network coverage, see our Swisscom subscription comparison (in German).
Before signing up: check the term, notice period and total cost
Before you sign, go through these points:
Minimum term: 0, 12 or 24 months? Does it also apply to promotions?
Notice period: How many days or months, and for which termination date (month-end or contract end)?
Renewal: Does the contract renew automatically, and for how long?
Device price: Is it paid off through the contract, and what becomes payable on early termination?
Total cost: Monthly fee × contract duration, plus activation fee, device and any roaming options.
Promotional period: Check when the promotion starts and ends, how long the discount lasts, the subsequent price and any minimum term. A price example without a currently confirmed tariff and conditions is not a reliable basis for a decision.
Always calculate the total cost over the full term, not just the monthly price. A low introductory price with a 24-month commitment can end up costing more than a slightly higher price without a commitment. If you travel frequently, check roaming too: Migros Mobile specifies that Data Travel is valid for 12 months from activation, with no automatic renewal.
You can generally keep your phone number when switching providers. For more help choosing, see our Swiss mobile subscription comparison for 2026 (in German). For transparency: prices and promotions change, so check them directly with the provider before signing up.
FAQ
How long does a mobile contract in Switzerland usually last?
Traditional terms are 12 or 24 months, particularly for contracts with smartphone financing. There are also subscriptions with no minimum term and prepaid plans with a zero-month commitment. The exact duration is stated in your contract documents.
Does a mobile contract renew automatically?
A subscription often continues unless it is cancelled. The contract conditions specify whether it renews for a fixed period or can subsequently be cancelled subject to a notice period. A new 12- or 24-month commitment does not automatically apply to every Swiss mobile subscription.
What does early termination cost?
Depending on the contract, remaining subscription charges, outstanding device instalments or a flat termination fee may apply. Have the calculation confirmed in advance. ombudscom's recommendation on a pro-rata flat fee does not replace an assessment of the specific claim.
Are there mobile subscriptions with no minimum term?
Yes. Digital Republic, for example, offers mobile subscriptions that can be deactivated at the end of the paid period. If you pay monthly, you can do this every month. With Sunrise or Migros Mobile, the brand alone does not establish that there is no commitment: check the current promotional conditions in particular.
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