Canton Zurich’s government has proposed replacing its general ban on begging with more narrowly defined rules, targeting only organised, intrusive or aggressive begging and prohibiting the practice in specific sensitive locations. The change is required to bring the law into line with a European Court of Human Rights ruling on fundamental rights.
Begging in the Canton of Zurich currently falls under the minor criminal offences law, regulated by the Criminal and Judicial Enforcement Act (StJVG). Under the existing rule, begging by oneself, or sending children or dependent persons to beg, is prohibited outright and punishable by a fine.
A ruling by the European Court of Human Rights has made it necessary to adapt this blanket ban so that it remains compatible with fundamental rights. In response, the Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat) has submitted a proposed amendment to the StJVG to the Cantonal Council (Kantonsrat).
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Begging Ban: What Will Actually Be banned?
Rather than prohibiting begging outright, the new rules would penalise specific behaviours and circumstances:
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Begging in an organised, intrusive or aggressive manner.
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Using deceptive or other unfair methods while begging.
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Sending other people, including children or dependents, to beg on one’s behalf.
Begging would also be banned at particularly sensitive locations where it disturbs public safety and order. The law specifies an exhaustive list of such locations, including:
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Markets.
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Public buildings.
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Train stations.
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Playgrounds.
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The vicinity of public transport stops.
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The vicinity of ticket machines, cash machines and payment terminals.
A Warning Before A Fine
For violations tied to these sensitive locations, police would first issue an order to leave the area (Wegweisung) rather than an immediate fine. A fine would only follow if the person is caught again — meaning repeat violations, not first-time offenses, would trigger financial penalties in these designated zones.
For the other category — organized, aggressive, intrusive or deceptive begging, or sending others to beg — a fine could apply directly, without the same escalation process described for location-based violations.
A Second, Unrelated Change: Face-Covering Ban Repealed
The same legislative proposal also removes the canton’s separate ban on facial coverings (Vermummungsverbot) from the StJVG. This cantonal provision is being deleted without replacement, because a federal law banning face coverings has applied uniformly across all of Switzerland since January 1, 2025, making the cantonal rule redundant.
The proposal was adopted as Regierungsratsbeschluss No. 900/2026 and now goes to the Cantonal Council for consideration. The council will need to approve the amendment before Zurich’s more targeted begging rules — and the repeal of the face-covering ban — take legal effect.
