Electricity

OIBT: the regulatory framework

The OIBT (RS 734.27) requires every electrical installation in Switzerland to be performed or verified by a certified company. Work "behind the panel" (wiring modifications) is strictly reserved for licensed electricians.

Periodic inspection is mandatory:

• Private dwellings: every 20 years + at every change of owner
• Rental buildings: every 20 years
• Commercial activities: every 5 years
• Industrial installations: every 1-5 years depending on risk

The inspection report costs CHF 300-500 and its absence can lead to a power cut by the grid operator.

Complete electrical renovation

For a villa from the 1970s-1990s, a complete electrical renovation is often necessary to:

• Increase capacity (30 A → 40 A or more with heat pump, EV charger, pool)
• Add outlets (current standards: 10-12 outlets per living room)
• Install a 30 mA residual current device (RCD) on all circuits (OIBT requirement)
• Prepare for home automation and fibre optic

Indicative budget for a 150 m² villa: CHF 15,000 to 35,000 depending on number of circuits and scope.

Electric vehicle charging station

Since 2023, Switzerland has over one million electric or hybrid vehicles. Installing a home charging station (Wallbox) costs:

• 3.7 kW station (single-phase): CHF 1,500-2,500 installed
• 11 kW station (three-phase): CHF 2,500-4,000 installed
• 22 kW station: CHF 3,500-6,000 installed

Subsidies available in some cantons (GE, FR, VD): CHF 500 to 1,500. Check with your municipality.

Home automation and connected home

Popular home automation systems in Switzerland:

• KNX: European standard, robust, expensive (CHF 300-500 per point)
• Loxone: Swiss/Austrian system, highly integrated
• Zigbee/Z-Wave: wireless, retrofit possible, moderate price
• Matter/Thread: new open standard (2024+), maximum interoperability

Home automation budget for a villa: CHF 15,000 to 50,000 depending on sophistication level.

Alarm and video surveillance systems

Certified companies offer:

• Wired alarm: CHF 2,500-5,000
• Wireless alarm: CHF 1,500-3,500
• IP video surveillance: CHF 3,000-8,000 (4-8 cameras)
• Access control: CHF 1,500-4,000

To be insurance-approved (VdS/ESKA certification), the installation must be performed by a certified company.

Emergency repairs

An on-call electrician in French-speaking Switzerland charges on average:

• Weekend/night intervention: CHF 250-400 flat call-out fee
• Increased hourly rate: CHF 180-280
• Small complete repair: CHF 400-700

To avoid these costs, an up-to-date OIBT inspection + a modern electrical panel (RCDs, surge protectors) greatly reduces failure risks.

Mistakes to avoid

1. DIY without an electrician: any modification behind the panel is illegal and voids insurance in case of loss
2. Under-sizing the installation before adding a heat pump or EV charger
3. Forgetting OIBT inspection when buying a property (mandatory within 3 months in VD/GE)
4. Choosing a non-licensed contractor - check on the ESTI website

Official sources

• OIBT text
• ESTI - Federal Inspectorate for Electrical Installations
• Electrosuisse
• VSEI / USIE - Swiss Union of Electrical Installers