Private tutoring in Switzerland: rates, scheduling, payment

Yes. If you are allowed to work in Switzerland, you need no diploma and no special permit to tutor. Many upper-secondary pupils, university students and teachers tutor alongside school, studies or work.

Whether you count as self-employed is decided by the AHV compensation office. Teaching several pupils, setting your own hours and issuing your own invoices point to self-employment. If you teach for one family only, you are more likely to count as their employee.

There is no fixed rate. On the tutoring platform Tutor24, tutors earn about CHF 37 an hour on average, and offers start at around CHF 20 (October 2026).

Higher rates are common for upper levels and exam preparation, such as the Gymnasium entrance exam or the Matura, with a teaching diploma or a lot of experience, and when you travel to the family's home.

Many lessons last 45 or 60 minutes. The table shows what a lesson costs at different hourly rates.

You pay AHV contributions on earned income from 1 January after your 17th birthday. Before that, income from tutoring is not subject to contributions.

If you tutor as a self-employed side activity and earn at most CHF 2,500 a year from it, the AHV only collects contributions if you ask it to. The compensation office decides whether your tutoring counts as a side activity.

If you earn more, register as self-employed with your canton's compensation office. Contributions to AHV, IV and EO are 10% of income, less for incomes below CHF 60,500. The minimum contribution is CHF 530 a year (2026).

Income from tutoring is taxable, even small amounts. You declare it in your tax return: as income from self-employment or, if you are employed, with your salary certificate.

There is no VAT. Teaching is excluded from VAT (Article 21(2)(11) VAT Act), so your invoices show no VAT.

Keep a record of your income and keep receipts and invoices for 10 years.

Tutoring platforms help at the start. They bring enquiries, but some charge fees or a commission. Read the terms before you create a profile.

Over time, many enquiries come from recommendations: parents tell other parents who helped their child. A notice at the school or in the commune and your own booking link, easy to pass on, make it simple for them.

Tutoring works when it is regular. A fixed weekly slot, such as every Tuesday at 5 pm, saves everyone from arranging each date and gives you a predictable income.

Before the first lesson, decide how late a lesson can be cancelled, for example 24 hours before, and what applies to later cancellations. If the rule is on your booking page, there is no discussion later.

Plan for school holidays and public holidays. Many lessons drop out during the holidays; before exams, extra ones come in.

Cash after the lesson is simple. Write a receipt so both of you have a record; with our receipt template it takes a minute.

Many parents prefer to pay with TWINT. Our guide to TWINT for the self-employed explains the options and what they cost.

For weekly lessons, many tutors invoice monthly: one invoice with all of the month's lessons and a QR-bill that parents pay in their banking app. Or have each lesson paid at booking, so you never chase anyone.

With Zitli, parents book on your booking page, including a weekly series for the whole term. Your canton's public holidays are blocked, and a booking question records the child's name. Zitli adds every lesson to your calendar and sends the confirmations.

With Zitli Pro, parents pay at booking with TWINT or by card, or Zitli sends a Swiss QR-bill after the lesson. Online lessons get a Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom link.

The free plan covers one booking page. Try Pro free for 14 days, no credit card needed.