Many entrepreneurs, bloggers and influencers ask themselves: do I have to state my real name and my home address in the legal notice of my website or in my social media profiles? In the digital age, where privacy is becoming ever more important, this question matters a great deal.
What does Swiss law say?
Switzerland has no explicit "legal notice requirement" as Germany does, but the Federal Act against Unfair Competition (UCA) and the Federal Act on Electronic Signatures (ZertES) require providers of electronic services to disclose their identity.
This means that, as a provider, you must give clear details about yourself or your company in order to build trust and ensure that you can be reached legally. As a rule this includes:
- The full name of the natural person (sole proprietor) or the company name (for a GmbH, AG etc.)
- The physical address (domicile address) relevant for court and official deliveries. A mere P.O. box is generally not sufficient.
- An email address and/or phone number for quick contact.
Why a pseudonym or stage name is not enough
Even if you are primarily known under a pseudonym or stage name, you must disclose your real natural or legal person in the legal notice. Stating only a pseudonym does not meet the legal requirements and can lead to legal problems, because the provider's identity cannot be established beyond doubt.
Protecting your privacy
If you work as a sole proprietor or freelancer, you understandably do not want to make your home address public. One of the best ways to meet the legal requirements while protecting your privacy is to use a rented business address:
- Legal certainty: you receive an official business address for service that meets all legal requirements.
- Privacy: your home address remains protected and is not spread publicly on the internet.
- Professional presence: a business address at a representative location in Switzerland lends your company credibility.
Conclusion
To avoid warning letters and legal risks, make sure your legal notice contains correct and complete details. Renting a business address through a provider such as adresse-mieten.ch offers the ideal solution: you meet the legal obligations and protect your personal privacy at the same time.
Appear legally compliant without publishing your home address.
If you need a robust address in Switzerland for your legal notice, social media or business mail, an external business address is the direct route.