Yes, prostitution is legal in Switzerland. It surprises many outsiders who see the country as a conservative nation of dairy farmers and buttoned-up bankers; but, Switzerland has long embraced socially liberal values and free thinking among its citizens. In , Switzerland raised the legal age for sex workers from 16 to 18 years old.
Today, there are more than 20, registered sex workers in Switzerland who choose one of its many red light districts, brothels or other unusual venues through which to practice their profession. Of course as with everything in Switzerland, the work is highly regulated and meticulously organized. Not only is prostitution legal, but it is considered a form of independent economic activity — taxed and regulated as much as any industry in Switzerland.
Sex workers must have health insurance and work visas in order to apply for the necessary permits from the government. Most importantly, sex workers must declare that they are entering the field voluntarily; anything else is considered human trafficking. Each Strassenstriche has its own set of rules, opening hours, hygiene regulations and even reception areas. Although the Strassenstriche looks different in each canton, the rules about working out of these zones or outside of the regulated hours are similar — sex workers will be fined, and risk losing their license if done repeatedly.
For example, in Zurich these fines start at a minimum of Swiss francs. Apart from the Strassenstrich zone, Zurich introduced yet another special facility for sex workers: sex boxes.
These so-called boxes essentially allow a drive through sex service, offering the sex workers a space with everything they need to run their business. The boxes are equipped with showers as well as security alarms, offering the prostitutes a way to perform their job in a safe space and away from possibly violent pimps.
