Chargeable numbers throughout Switzerland

Many companies offer a customer service hotline that you can call if you have any questions or problems. However, this is often a Chargeable number. Charges always apply, even if you have unlimited calls in Switzerland included in your subscription.

So that you know what costs you may incur for such calls, you can find out here the most important chargeable numbers in Switzerland. You will also learn which factors can have an influence on the amount of the costs and where the fee information can be found.

Brief overview: Which chargeable numbers are available in Switzerland?

Whether a telephone number is charged per call and how high the respective tariff is depends on the area code. Telephone numbers with the Dialling codes 084x and 090x generally cost per minute. Incidentally, this also applies if you have a flat rate and can actually make unlimited free calls in Switzerland.

090 numbers: These are usually the most expensive dialling codes. Be careful when calling such numbers that begin with 0901, 0906 or similar. For these a few centimes or even up to 10 francs per minute be offset.
0848 numbers: Because a customer service number begins with 0848, it is easy to recognise. Actually, these should not be more than 8.1 centimes per minute However, in practice the costs are often higher, as they are often rounded up to 10 centimes.
058 numbers: These are also typical prefixes for value-added services. They are often billed in the same way as a landline number and rarely have special tariffs.

Are customer service numbers always subject to a charge?

Customer service numbers within Switzerland are not always subject to a charge. Larger companies in particular often use 0848 numbers, but this does not have to be the case. If you see a regular 3-digit dialling code, e.g. 044, then these are not chargeable service numbers. There are also Free dialling code 0800which is not charged.

However, if you don't have a flat rate, you will of course still have to pay for the call. Telecommunications providers such as Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt usually charge a few centimes per minute or a fixed rate per call.

How high the tariffs are with a prepaid SIM can vary. With Swisscom for example, a call costs 29 centimes per minute. However, you pay for a maximum of 3 minutes, then the rest of the hour is free. With Sunrise you pay 30 centimes per minute, but for a maximum of 2 minutes.

Is a call from a mobile phone more expensive than from a landline?

While mobile phone providers used to charge a higher rate for mobile phone calls, they are no longer allowed to do so. The same tariff therefore always applies for special numbersregardless of which device you are calling from.

With a regular dialling code, however, different costs may apply depending on the subscription or model. So if you don't have a flat rate, it's best to check with your mobile phone provider.

How do I know if a number is chargeable?

If a company uses a chargeable number, it must always state the relevant tariff next to it.

In principle, however, you can assume that additional costs when calling a number with the dialling codes 0848 and 0900 accrue.

Numbers with the dialling code 0800 are against it always free of charge.

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How expensive are chargeable numbers?

Before you call a hotline, you probably want to know how much you will have to pay as a caller. Therefore, here is an overview of the charges for premium rate numbers.

How much do calls to 0800 numbers cost?

For service numbers with the dialling code 0800 you're in luck: these are free of charge. This means you don't have to pay anything, regardless of whether you are calling from a mobile or landline or whether you have a flat rate or not.

How much do calls to 0848 numbers cost?

If you are looking for a number with the 0848 area code call, you are actually allowed to maximum 8.1 centimes (7.5 centimes + VAT) per minute are incurred. This was recognised by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). However, many providers round up directly to 10 centimes.

If you try to reach customer service with a number like this and are stuck in the queue forever, it can unfortunately quickly become expensive. And these costs are unfortunately exactly the same, even if you actually have unlimited calls in your mobile phone subscription.

Many companies also deliberately use chargeable numbers to redirect consumers to other contact channels. If you are not in a hurry, it may be cheaper and more efficient to write the company an email or contact them via chat instead.

How much do calls to 0900 numbers cost?

0900 numbers are the most expensive Telephone numbers in Switzerland. These numbers are so-called Value-added service numbers and are often used to pay for a service. Many companies use them because they are allowed to charge for their services. If you dial such a number, you not only pay the telephone costs, but also directly for a chargeable information or service.

The costs for this can be up to CHF 10/minute amount. The amount must be stated directly next to the number. You should therefore be very careful here before you make a call to such a number.

This dialling code is popular for reservations or tickets for events. Fortunately, you can also make use of almost all of these services by booking online or using a contact form. If you want to book a ticket for an event at Ticketcorner, for example, this is probably quicker and cheaper via their website.

How much does a call to a chargeable number from abroad cost?

If you use your mobile phone Calls from abroad to Switzerland always fall Roaming charges to. In certain subscriptions, these are now integrated into a flat rate, so you may be able to call regular landline and mobile numbers in Switzerland free of charge.

Roaming charges vary depending on the provider and the country from which you are making the call. As a rule, however, the costs are at least CHF 1 per minute and can even up to over CHF 5 per minute rise. So it's best to check the conditions of your mobile phone provider before you make the call.

If you now have a chargeable 0900 or 0848 number If you make a call from abroad, the costs for the corresponding number are incurred in addition to the roaming charges. These are always the same, regardless of whether you are calling from Switzerland or abroad.

For example, if the 0900 number costs CHF 1.99/minute and roaming also costs CHF 1.29/minute, then you're quickly over CHF 10, even if you're not even in the queue for long.

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Conclusion on the article Chargeable numbers throughout Switzerland

Chargeable numbers can quickly make a call in Switzerland expensive. Caution is advised if a number begins with 0848 or 0900. While the charges for an 0848 number are still manageable at a maximum of 8.1 centimes per minute, 0900 numbers can cost up to CHF 10 per minute. This is because you are paying for a service at the same time.

Incidentally, the charges are always the same, regardless of whether you are calling from a mobile phone or a landline. And even if you have unlimited calls included in your mobile phone subscription, these calls to numbers for a special telephone service or for dating hotlines, for example, are charged additionally.

However, the corresponding costs must always be stated directly next to the telephone number. This allows you to estimate the costs you will incur before the call.

Source: Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)

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