Can you flush the toilet at night in Switzerland?
Yes. No Swiss law forbids flushing the toilet at night; the famous ban is a myth. What is real are the quiet hours: in Zurich, 22:00 to 07:00.
Ep. 2 · Ding or Clonk? · 61 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
The joke is a famous internet myth: that Swiss law bans flushing after 22:00. It does not. What is real is the night quiet, set by the commune and the house rules: in Zurich from 22:00 to 07:00, no loud music, no drilling. As a newcomer, flush freely, shower briefly, and save the full bath and the drill for daytime.
Blüemli's verdict: Clonk. Myth. No Swiss law forbids flushing the toilet at night.
RUHEZEIT: literally: “rest time”; really: quiet hours Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Flush. Then sleep.
Learn more: Swiss Sunday rules
The rule, explained
The story that flushing after 22:00 is illegal in Switzerland has been around for years. Swissinfo calls it baseless, and PolitiFact rated it false; a tenants' association said a house rule banning it would go too far. What does exist is the Nachtruhe, the night quiet. In the city of Zurich it runs from 22:00 to 07:00 (in summer time, from 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). No loud music, no drilling. A short shower after 22:00 is allowed, according to SRF, but house rules may forbid filling a full bath, because it is loud.
Sources: SWI swissinfo.ch; PolitiFact, 12 July 2023; City of Zurich, Was ist erlaubt; SRF Kassensturz Espresso, 18 September 2025
Questions people ask
Is it illegal to flush the toilet after 10 pm in Switzerland?
No. No Swiss law forbids it, and tenants' lawyers say a house rule banning it would go too far.
Can you shower at night in Switzerland?
A short shower after 22:00 is allowed. House rules may forbid a full bath, because filling the tub is loud.
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