Sex Work in the Canton of Bern: The PGG Explained

In the Canton of Bern, sex work is governed by the Prostitution Trade Act, known as the PGG. It applies across the entire canton, from the City of Bern to Thun and Biel. That is the big difference from the Prostitution Trade Ordinance of the City of Zurich: the PGVO ends at the city limits, the PGG does not. This article explains who needs a permit in Bern, why this also affects escort services and what you need to know as an independent escort. One note before we start: this article provides information, it is not legal advice.

What is the PGG?

The PGG is the cantonal act on the prostitution trade. The Grand Council passed it on 7 June 2012 and it has been in force since 1 April 2013. The act aims to protect sex workers from exploitation and abuse. It is meant to ensure that working conditions in the trade comply with the law. And it protects the public from disruptive side effects. That is what Article 1 says.

Important to know: sex work is legal. The PGG explicitly states that sexual services in exchange for payment are permitted. The details are set out in an ordinance, the PGV. Not to be confused with Zurich's PGVO. The names are similar, the level is different: the PGG is cantonal law, the PGVO a municipal ordinance. You can find the official legal text in Bern's collection of laws under number 935.90 (available in German and French).

Who needs a permit?

A permit is required by anyone who provides premises for sex work or arranges contacts between sex workers and clients. That is what Article 5 of the PGG says. The first case is the classic salon. The second case is the escort service. The ordinance even uses that exact term: contact arrangement is labelled «Escort-Service» in brackets. Bern thus explicitly makes escort agencies subject to the permit requirement. Hardly any portal explains this, but it is written in black and white in the ordinance.

Since 2023 there has been an exemption for micro businesses. Anyone who provides no more than two rooms where at most one additional person works does not need a permit. The cantonal government wanted to make it easier for individual sex workers to team up. Small teams protect against exploitation better than large establishments. The rule is almost identical to Zurich's micro salon.

The permit itself is valid for five years and can be renewed. It is personal and non-transferable. It is issued by the regional governor's office. There are ten of these in the canton, and the one at the business location is responsible.

What applies to independent escorts?

If you work alone, you do not need an operating permit under the PGG. The permit requirement applies to businesses, not to individual sex workers. A few obligations remain nonetheless. You register as self-employed with the AHV, the Swiss social security scheme, and pay tax on your income. You can read what else is involved in our guide on working legally as an escort.

For citizens of EU and EFTA states, immigration law comes on top. And here lies a trap that many are not aware of: you only count as self-employed if you work outside an establishment and nobody gives you instructions. If you work in a salon, you are considered employed under immigration law. That applies even if you only rent a room there. The operator becomes your employer and must obtain the permits for you.

To register as self-employed, the canton requires specific proof: the AHV registration confirmation or form A1, a rental contract and details of where you advertise your services. A personal interview follows. If you can prove your self-employment, you receive the residence permit. You can find the details and fact sheets on the sex work page of the cantonal migration service (in German and French).

What duties do businesses have?

Businesses must ensure that everyone works voluntarily. That is the most important duty under Article 11. Any form of coercion is prohibited. Anyone who restricts sex workers' self-determination also risks prosecution under Article 195 of the Criminal Code.

Further duties follow. No minors on the premises. Safe and clean rooms. Everyone must be entitled to work under immigration law. Counselling services must have access at all times. And the business keeps a register of everyone working there. The register must also show the financial relationship: what the room costs, what the advertising costs, which fees are charged. The authorities can inspect at any time and view the register. For you as an escort this means: a licensed business is not a lawless space. Fair conditions are not a courtesy, they are an obligation.

How does the application work?

The application goes to the municipality where the business is located, at least 60 days before the planned opening. There is a form provided by the licensing authority. The municipality reviews the application and forwards it with its assessment to the regional governor's office. That is where the decision is made. In the City of Bern, the trade police is the first point of contact.

The application includes details of the premises or the escort service. Which documents are required in detail depends on the business, the form guides you through. The permit comes with a fee. Its amount depends on the cantonal fee ordinance and the effort involved, the law does not name fixed amounts.

Where can you get support?

From Xenia Bern. The advice centre supports sex workers in the Canton of Bern free of charge and anonymously, regardless of residence status. Xenia publishes its own fact sheets on permits and explains the procedures in plain language. There is also a template contract for working in employment. You can find the information at xeniabern.ch (available in several languages). If you have questions about your own situation, direct contact is worthwhile. The counselling is confidential.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit as an independent escort in Bern?

No, no operating permit under the PGG. That only applies to salons and escort services. However, you register with the AHV, and if you are from the EU or EFTA you need an immigration notification or permit depending on your situation.

Does the PGG apply across the entire Canton of Bern?

Yes. The PGG is cantonal law and applies in every municipality, from Bern to Thun to Biel. Municipalities can only impose additional restrictions on street prostitution.

What is the difference between the PGG and Zurich's PGVO?

The level. The PGG is a cantonal act and applies across the entire Canton of Bern. The PGVO is an ordinance of the City of Zurich and ends at the city limits. In substance the two are similar, right down to the exemption for micro businesses.

What happens without a permit?

A fine of up to CHF 50,000. Attempting and aiding are also punishable. In case of danger, the authorities can shut the operation down immediately.

In summary

• The PGG applies across the entire Canton of Bern.
• Salons and escort services need a permit.
• Micro businesses with no more than two rooms have been exempt since 2023.
• As an independent escort you do not need an operating permit.
• Xenia Bern offers free and anonymous advice.

The PGG creates clear rules. Knowing them makes your work safer. The overview of escorts in the City of Bern on Gingr gives you an impression of the market in the capital. And if you work in the canton yourself: advertising in Bern takes just a few steps.