How many corporate bankruptcies are there in Switzerland?

In the first nine months of the year, 11,412 bankruptcies were recorded, 37% more than in the same period of 2025. The data were published by Crif, a company active in anti-fraud action, solvency checks and information for companies and individuals. The source does not indicate the total value of the debts or the outcome of individual cases.

Which sectors were hit the hardest?

There are three sectors indicated. Construction has 1380 companies involved, with a growth of 13%; catering 1019, with +20%; retail trade 895, with +51%. The source presents them as the sectors particularly affected, without adding data on individual companies or on the specific causes of each sector.

What has changed regarding corporate tax debts?

Since January 1, 2025, for companies entered in the commercial register, tax debts can be enforced through bankruptcy proceedings. Previously, the authorities could only collect unpaid taxes by means of garnishment. The source presents this legislative change as one of the reasons for the increase in bankruptcies, not as the only explanation.

How many new companies were established during the same period?

Between January and September, 40,487 new companies were created, 2% more on an annual basis. Business consulting recorded 3499 new companies and +25%; real estate 3032 and +6%; construction 2896 and +5%; retail trade 2823 and -12%. In Ticino there were 1806 new companies (+9%), in Graubünden 853 (+8.1%).

Corporate Bankruptcies in Switzerland: Up 37% in Nine Months

Di Marco Ferrari · Published on 2 October 2026

Swiss offices and shops in an editorial scene about the business sector.

In the first nine months, there were 11,412 bankruptcies in Switzerland, up 37% from 2025. Ticino and Graubünden were above average; 40,487 new companies were established.

Context

At a Glance

11,412 bankruptcies in the first nine months
+37% compared to the same period in 2025
Construction: 1,380 companies, +13%
Ticino: 721 bankruptcies, +48%

Key Facts

Source → Crif
Period → January–September
Change → as of January 1, 2025
New companies → 40,487, +2%

In the first nine months of the year, there were 11,412 bankruptcies in Switzerland, 37% more than in the same period of 2025. The report bears the ATS acronym, in the form Keystone-ATS, and is based on data published by Crif, a company active in anti-fraud measures, credit checks, and information services for businesses and individuals.

The Hardest-Hit Sectors

The construction sector saw 1,380 affected companies, representing a 13% increase. This is followed by the restaurant industry, with 1,019 businesses and a 20% increase, and retail trade, with 895 businesses and a 51% increase. The sectoral breakdown thus highlights three distinct areas, though the source does not provide further explanations regarding individual companies.

At the regional level, Ticino and Graubünden show variations above the national average: in Ticino, there were 721 bankruptcies, a 48% increase, while in Graubünden the number reached 218, a 95% increase. In absolute terms, the highest numbers were recorded in Zurich, with 1,850 bankruptcies and a 28% increase; in Geneva, with 1,369 and a 65% increase; and in Vaud, with 1,006 and a 30% increase.

Crif also reports a shift in new business activity. Between January and September, 40,487 new companies were established, a 2% increase year-over-year. Business consulting leads this segment with 3,499 new companies and a 25% increase; followed by real estate, with 3,032 (+6%), construction, with 2,896 (+5%), and retail trade, with 2,823 new businesses (-12%). In Ticino, there were 1,806 new businesses, up 9%; in Graubünden, 853, up 8.1%.

The rise in bankruptcies also has a regulatory component. Starting January 1, 2025, tax debts owed by companies listed in the commercial register can be enforced through bankruptcy proceedings. Previously, authorities could collect unpaid taxes only through seizure.

Operational details

How to Interpret the Data

The national figure alone does not reflect the situation of each individual company. The source provides data on bankruptcy proceedings, percentage changes, sectors, and cantons, but does not indicate the amount of debt, the number of employees involved, or the outcome of individual cases. The practical distinction is between absolute figures and percentage changes: one canton may have fewer cases but a more pronounced increase, while another may have a higher concentration of bankruptcies without exceeding the national average.

The Tax Change Alters the Interpretation

The reference to January 1, 2025, prevents the +37% figure from being treated as a pure measure of economic performance. Crif cites the legislative change as one of the reasons for the increase, not as the sole explanation. Starting in 2025, for companies listed in the commercial register, tax debt may be included in bankruptcy proceedings; previously, the collection of unpaid taxes was limited to seizure of assets. The source thus describes a change in the collection channel but does not specify new tax amounts or rates.

The term “tax debts” remains general. The report does not distinguish between direct federal tax, VAT, and cantonal or municipal taxes, nor does it indicate which tax authority initiated the individual cases. Therefore, it is incorrect to attribute a specific tax case to a canton that the text does not document. Those who need to clarify their situation can start with form dichiarazione delle imposte, but the source does not provide forms, individual deadlines, or a procedure different from the one described.

The statistical source must also be distinguished. These figures are published by Crif: they are not presented as a series from SECO, UST/BFS, or BNS/SNB. The available data comes from a company active in credit checks and providing information to businesses and individuals. Geographically, the comparison remains limited to cantons and regions, with no municipal data or a complete ranking.

The dual trend of bankruptcies and new businesses calls for the same caution. The source shows an overall 2% increase in new businesses, but also varying sectoral trends, including a 12% decline in retail trade. It does not provide a net figure, an average business lifespan, or a causal explanation. Any further conclusions would go beyond the published data.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

What to Check Before Using the Numbers

For a company, an employee, or anyone observing the cantonal market, the most prudent approach begins with five checks. These are not a failure-proof procedure; they are a way to avoid misinterpreting the available information.

A Five-Step Guide

1. Define the time period. The comparison covers January through September and measures bankruptcies relative to the same period in 2025. Do not automatically extrapolate the data to the entire year.

2. Identify the scope. Note the sector in question: construction, food service, or retail for bankruptcies; business consulting, real estate, construction, or retail for new companies. The trends vary by category.

3. Break down by region and size. For the canton in question, note both the absolute number and the percentage. A comparison between Ticino, Graubünden, Zurich, Geneva, and Vaud should not be interpreted based on a single indicator.

4. Verify the legal status. If the company is registered in the commercial register, note that as of January 1, 2025, tax debts may be enforced through bankruptcy proceedings. The source does not specify minimum amounts, additional deadlines, or required documentation.

5. Keep the two data streams separate. The 11,412 bankruptcies and the 40,487 new companies are different metrics. The source does not calculate a net figure between the two sets of data and does not allow the difference to be interpreted as a forecast for employment or income.

For those evaluating a company or an industry, this framework helps avoid two opposing errors: interpreting the +37% as if every case had the same cause, or using the creation of new companies to offset the increase in bankruptcies. The text does not provide a step-by-step procedure for handling individual cases; adding steps not described in the source would go beyond the scope of the source.

This guide can be used in conjunction with the editorial tools dedicated to aziende che assumono and dichiarazione delle imposte, without confusing the guide with Crif data. To estimate the effect on disposable income, use calcolatore stipendio e imposte.

Source: swissinfo.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

How many corporate bankruptcies are there in Switzerland?: In the first nine months of the year, 11,412 bankruptcies were recorded, 37% more than in the same period of 2025. The data were published by Crif, a company active in anti-fraud action, solvency checks and information for companies and individuals. The source does not indicate the total value of the debts or the outcome of individual cases.
Which sectors were hit the hardest?: There are three sectors indicated. Construction has 1380 companies involved, with a growth of 13%; catering 1019, with +20%; retail trade 895, with +51%. The source presents them as the sectors particularly affected, without adding data on individual companies or on the specific causes of each sector.
What has changed regarding corporate tax debts?: Since January 1, 2025, for companies entered in the commercial register, tax debts can be enforced through bankruptcy proceedings. Previously, the authorities could only collect unpaid taxes by means of garnishment. The source presents this legislative change as one of the reasons for the increase in bankruptcies, not as the only explanation.
How many new companies were established during the same period?: Between January and September, 40,487 new companies were created, 2% more on an annual basis. Business consulting recorded 3499 new companies and +25%; real estate 3032 and +6%; construction 2896 and +5%; retail trade 2823 and -12%. In Ticino there were 1806 new companies (+9%), in Graubünden 853 (+8.1%).