Swiss-Büro

How to write and address a letter in Switzerland

Writing to a property manager, insurer or public office? Use this simple letter structure and envelope guide. The letter explains your request; the postal address helps it reach the right recipient.

1. Structure your letter clearly

Swiss Post recommends white A4 paper and a readable standard font at 10–12 points for formal letters. The structure below is a practical writing aid; position the recipient address to match your window envelope.

  1. Sender: your name and full postal address.
  2. Recipient: company or office, contact person if relevant, street and house number, postcode and town.
  3. Place and date, followed by a specific subject. Include an existing customer or case reference to help identify your request.
  4. Formal salutation, a short explanation and a clear request. Swiss German letter style normally omits the comma after the salutation.
  5. Closing, signature and name. List any documents you enclose.

2. Address the envelope: sender and recipient

Use a left-aligned recipient address with three to six lines and no blank lines. Include the official street name, house number, correct postcode and full town name.

On a standard landscape envelope the address field may be on the left or right. Place the sender higher than the recipient; sender details may also go on the reverse. Large portrait envelopes have different zones, with the sender at the bottom left.

Keep the top-right postage zone and bottom coding zone clear. In a window envelope the full address must remain visible even if the sheet moves. Check Swiss Post’s specification for the exact clearances for your format.

For a PO box, copy the recipient’s supplied details: put «Postfach» on the second-last line, followed by the postcode and town.

Example business address

[Firmenname]
[Kontaktperson]
[Strasse und Hausnummer]
[PLZ und Ort]

3. Sample letter: asking for a postal address

Fictional German example. Replace every placeholder with your own details. This asks for an address; it does not cancel a contract.

[Ihr Vor- und Nachname]
[Ihre Strasse und Hausnummer]
[PLZ und Ort]

[Firma / Behörde]
[Kontaktperson]
[Strasse und Hausnummer]
[PLZ und Ort]

[Ort], [Datum]

Postadresse für mein Schreiben – Referenz [Nummer]

Sehr geehrte Frau [Nachname]

Ich möchte Ihnen mein unterschriebenes Schreiben per Post senden. Bitte teilen Sie mir die vollständige Postadresse und die zuständige Abteilung mit.

Vielen Dank für Ihre Rückmeldung.

Freundliche Grüsse

[Unterschrift]
[Vor- und Nachname]

4. Check before posting

  • Are the recipient, reference and current postal address correct?
  • Is your request clear, and have you enclosed every document mentioned?
  • Are the letter and envelope legible, is the letter signed, and is the entire address visible through the window?
  • For time-sensitive letters, check the recipient’s instructions for form, address and delivery method. An email does not automatically replace a required paper letter. Keep a copy.

Official sources

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Replying to a letter you received? The related guides help you understand its contents and prepare a response.

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