Emergency
What does a locksmith cost in Switzerland?
Updated 2026-07-28 · 6 min read
Standing outside a locked door is the kind of situation where you accept any price. That is exactly why emergency locksmith work is among the most reported sectors to Swiss consumer protection bodies. Knowing the going rates before you need them is the best protection.
Prices per job
Ranges observed in Switzerland, parts and labour included, during normal hours.
| Job | Price (CHF) |
|---|---|
| Opening a slammed door | 125 – 235 |
| Opening a locked door | 145 – 275 |
| Opening a security door | 190 – 380 |
| Extracting a broken key | 145 – 275 |
| Replacing a simple cylinder | 145 – 275 |
| Replacing a complete lock | 190 – 380 |
| Fitting a multipoint lock | 370 – 790 |
| Fitting an additional bolt | 190 – 380 |
| Unblocking a metal shutter | 235 – 480 |
| Door security assessment | 145 – 275 |
Night and weekend surcharges
No rates are regulated in Switzerland: prices and emergency surcharges are free. In practice a surcharge of 50 to 100 per cent applies at night, on Sundays and public holidays. A door opening billed at CHF 150 by day may therefore reach CHF 300 at two in the morning, which is legitimate provided it was disclosed before the job.
Differences between cantons are also marked: Geneva and Zurich sit well above average, rural cantons below. Call-out fees of CHF 30 to 80 are often added and must be shown separately.
Your household insurance may cover the call-out
This is the most cost-effective and most often forgotten reflex. Many Swiss household insurance policies include an assistance benefit covering door opening, sometimes limited to one or two cases a year. Some credit cards and mobility subscriptions also offer this service.
Known rip-off practices
- A price quoted by phone, then multiplied on site because of a supposedly special lock
- Systematic drilling of the cylinder in order to sell a replacement
- Referral platforms showing a fictitious local address and subcontracting remotely
- An emergency flat fee of several hundred francs never mentioned before arrival
- Refusal to put anything in writing before starting
- Payment demanded in cash, without a receipt
Two reflexes remove most of the risk: ask for the exact company name and UID number before anyone sets off, and insist on written confirmation of the price, even by message. If the final amount differs sharply, pay marking the invoice paid under reserve and then dispute it in writing.
How much does opening a slammed door cost in Switzerland?
CHF 125 to 235 during normal hours, with a 50 to 100 per cent surcharge at night, on Sundays and public holidays.
Are locksmith rates regulated?
No. Prices are free in Switzerland, including emergency surcharges. Only prior disclosure binds the tradesperson.
Does my household insurance cover a door opening?
Often yes, through an assistance benefit, sometimes limited to one or two cases per year. Check your policy before calling a random provider.
Should the lock be replaced after a break-in?
Yes if the lock was forced or keys are missing. Household insurance frequently covers the replacement on production of the police report.
What if the invoice is excessive?
Pay marking it as paid under reserve, then dispute in writing. You can report the case to consumer protection bodies and refer it to an ombudsman.
Estimate your project in 60 seconds
Locksmith · Switzerland
What is the problem?
Select the option closest to your needs