If you’re a Swiss investor, you’ve probably noticed a pattern over the last few years: savings accounts pay almost nothing, traditional bonds feel a bit dull, and the stock market can be a roller coaster. Somewhere in the middle sits peer‑to‑peer (P2P) lending a way to lend your money directly to borrowers and earn a chunk of the interest that used to go to the banks.
By 2026, P2P lending has moved from a niche hobby to a serious alternative investment in Switzerland. You can fund business loans, real‑estate projects, or consumer credit with just a few clicks, and you stay in control of how much risk you’re willing to take. The key, of course, is choosing the right platforms and using them in a smart way.
This guide walks through how P2P lending works for Swiss investors, what to watch out for, and which types of platforms are often considered among the best choices in 2026.
How P2P lending actually works
Peer‑to‑peer lending platforms sit in the middle between people who need money and people who want to invest. Instead of depositing your money in a bank, you register on a platform, transfer funds to your investor account, and then allocate that money into individual loans or diversified portfolios.
The basic flow looks like this:
- Borrowers apply for a loan on the platform.
- The platform checks their credit, income, and security (if any).
- Approved loans are listed online for investors.
- You choose which loans to fund and how much to put into each.
- Borrowers repay in monthly instalments; you receive your share of principal and interest.
Some platforms focus on Swiss borrowers and use Swiss francs. Others are based in the EU and deal mainly in euros. A few specialise in one niche, like SME loans or property projects – while others act as large marketplaces with many loan originators.
As an investor, you’re effectively taking on the role of the bank. That means you keep more of the yield, but you also take the risk if borrowers don’t pay.
Why Swiss investors are looking at P2P in 2026
There are a few reasons P2P lending keeps turning up in conversations about modern Swiss portfolios:
- Better yield potential: Well‑chosen P2P portfolios can offer returns that comfortably beat most savings accounts or short‑term bonds.
- Diversification: Instead of putting everything into stocks or funds, you add a different type of asset to the mix.
- Control and transparency: You can see exactly what kind of loan you’re funding – a local business, a renovation, a personal loan – and decide your own strategy.
- Low entry amounts: Many platforms let you start with relatively small sums per loan, which makes diversification easier even with a modest account size.
Of course, none of this comes for free. P2P lending is a higher‑risk corner of the investment world, and it’s important to treat it that way.
Key risks you need to understand
Before chasing attractive interest rates, it’s worth pausing for the less glamorous part: risk.
- Credit risk (borrowers not paying)
No matter how good the underwriting is, some borrowers will default. Your overall return depends on how many of your loans go bad versus how much interest you earn on the rest. - Platform and originator risk
You’re trusting the platform to screen borrowers, handle payments, keep proper records, and manage wind‑down procedures if something goes wrong. On large marketplaces, you also rely on the underlying loan originators staying solvent. - Liquidity risk
Unlike a bank account, you usually can’t withdraw money on demand. Your cash is tied up until loans mature, unless the platform offers a secondary market where you can sell early – and even then, liquidity is not guaranteed. - Regulatory and legal risk
P2P lending is still evolving. New rules can change how platforms operate, what protections investors have, and how cross‑border investments are treated. - Currency risk
If you live in Switzerland but invest on euro‑denominated platforms, exchange‑rate swings can eat into your real return.
P2P lending can still make sense, but only if you go in with your eyes open and a sensible allocation that fits your overall financial plan.
What makes a strong P2P platform?
Not all platforms are created equal. When you compare options, pay more attention to quality than to the highest headline interest rate.
Things to look for:
- Regulation and transparency – Is the platform supervised in its home country? Does it publish clear statistics on funded volumes, defaults, and recoveries?
- Track record – How long has it been operating? Has it navigated market turbulence or economic downturns?
- Loan type and security – Are loans secured by property or other assets, or are they purely unsecured? What is the average loan‑to‑value ratio on real‑estate deals?
- Diversification options – Can you spread your money over hundreds of loans easily, or are you forced into concentrated positions?
- Secondary market – Is there a way to exit early by selling your loans to other investors?
- Alignment of interests – Does the platform keep “skin in the game” or work with reputable originators whose incentives are aligned with investors?
If you can’t easily find this kind of information on a platform’s website, that’s usually a sign to move on.
Types of P2P platforms popular with Swiss investors
By 2026, Swiss‑based investors tend to use a mix of three broad categories of platforms:
- Domestic Swiss P2P platforms
These focus on Swiss borrowers – often in Swiss francs – and operate under Swiss law. They may specialise in consumer loans, SME funding, or real‑estate projects. Investors like the familiarity and the absence of currency risk. - Swiss‑regulated platforms lending into Europe
Some newer platforms are headquartered in Switzerland but channel funds into loans across the EU. They combine Swiss oversight with wider deal flow and higher potential yields. - Large European marketplaces
These are big names with hundreds of thousands of investors and loans in many countries. They usually operate in euros and offer automated tools, secondary markets, and a broad choice of originators.
Each category has its own strengths and weaknesses, which are worth comparing side by side.
Comparison table: P2P lending options for Swiss investors (2026)
The table below gives you a snapshot view of how the main types of platforms typically compare. Exact numbers will differ by provider, but the overall picture is a helpful starting point.
| Platform type | Typical domicile | Main loan focus | Typical investor currency | Usual headline yield (before defaults) | Key strengths | Main weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss domestic platforms | Switzerland | Consumer, SME, and real‑estate loans to Swiss borrowers | CHF | Roughly 3-8% depending on risk level | Familiar legal environment, no FX risk, local borrowers, often good transparency | Smaller scale, fewer loans than EU giants, limited diversification across countries |
| Swiss‑regulated EU business platforms | Switzerland (with EU lending partners) | Short‑ to medium‑term business loans, often asset‑backed | Mainly EUR, sometimes CHF | Often 7-12% on selected projects | Higher yields, collateral on many loans, Swiss oversight plus EU deal flow | Currency risk if you think in CHF, younger platforms with shorter track records, higher borrower risk |
| Large European P2P marketplaces | EU countries such as Latvia, Estonia, etc. | Consumer, SME, and real‑estate loans from multiple originators | Mostly EUR | Wide range, often 6-12% depending on loan type | Huge diversification, auto‑invest tools, secondary market features, broad choice of strategies | Additional originator risk, cross‑border legal complexity, FX risk for Swiss investors, more complex to analyse |
| Niche and thematic platforms | Switzerland or EU | Specific sectors (green energy, litigation funding, property only, etc.) | CHF or EUR | Can be higher to reflect specialised risks | Targeted exposure, impact or thematic strategies | Narrow diversification, specialist risks that require more research, limited track record in some cases |
Use this table as a checklist when you evaluate actual platforms. The categories stay fairly constant, even as individual brands change and evolve.
Building a sensible P2P strategy in Switzerland
Once you have a feel for the landscape, the next question is: how do you actually put P2P to work inside a real portfolio?
1. Decide your allocation
P2P lending should rarely be the core of someone’s investments. Many investors keep it to a small slice – maybe 5–15% of their total investable assets – so that even a platform blow‑up doesn’t threaten their long‑term goals.
Ask yourself:
- How would I feel if I lost, say, 20–30% of the money in P2P?
- Would it affect my ability to pay rent, taxes, or other essential bills?
If the answer makes you nervous, dial back the allocation.
2. Diversify sensibly
Within that allocation, spread your risk:
- Use more than one platform, preferably in different categories.
- Within each platform, split your money across dozens or hundreds of individual loans rather than a few big ones.
- Avoid letting one borrower, one project, or one originator dominate your portfolio.
Many platforms offer auto‑invest tools where you set your criteria (interest rate, term, risk band) and let the system allocate small amounts into many loans automatically. That can save time and help avoid emotional, one‑off bets.
3. Match loan terms to your time horizon
If you might need the money in a year, it doesn’t make sense to lock it up in five‑year loans with no secondary market. Look at the average loan term on each platform and choose according to your own plans.
Some investors like to mix:
- Short‑term loans for flexibility.
- A few longer‑term, higher‑yield loans for better returns.
Just don’t forget that your capital is genuinely at risk until each loan is fully repaid.
4. Reinvest with a plan
When borrowers make monthly repayments, you’ll receive cash in your platform account. You can withdraw it or reinvest.
If the goal is growth, many people:
- Reinvest interest and principal into new loans to benefit from compounding.
- Check in every month or two to tweak settings and make sure the platform still matches their risk tolerance.
If you’re more cautious, you might choose to gradually withdraw some of the repayments and reduce your exposure over time.
Practical tips for new P2P investors in 2026
To keep things grounded, here are some simple habits that can make your first steps into P2P lending smoother:
- Start small – Use a modest test amount while you learn the platform’s interface and reporting.
- Read the statistics pages – Look for real numbers on late payments, defaults, and recoveries, not just pretty marketing claims.
- Skim investor forums and reviews – While you shouldn’t treat forums as gospel truth, recurring complaints can highlight issues.
- Check communication quality – Send a question to support and see how fast and clearly they respond. You learn a lot from that.
- Keep a record for taxes – Download statements and summaries; it’s much easier to stay organised from the beginning.
- Be suspicious of “guarantees” – Buyback promises and protection funds can be helpful, but they are only as strong as the company standing behind them.
Remember: if a platform tries to make P2P lending sound like a risk‑free savings account, walk away.
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Who should avoid P2P lending?
Despite all the upside, P2P lending is not for everyone. You may want to skip it – or keep exposure extremely low if:
- You don’t have an emergency fund in safer, more liquid places.
- You’re heavily in debt or struggling with cash flow.
- You find the idea of seeing your account balance fluctuate deeply stressful.
- You’re unwilling or unable to spend at least a little time understanding the platforms you use.
There is nothing wrong with sticking to simpler products if that helps you sleep at night. P2P is a tool, not a requirement.
Final thoughts: making P2P work for you in 2026
Peer‑to‑peer lending has earned its place on the radar of Swiss investors. It offers something that’s hard to find elsewhere: a blend of meaningful yield, direct access to borrowers, and the satisfaction of supporting real‑world projects rather than just trading paper.
Used wisely, it can:
- Add a new return driver to your portfolio.
- Help you stay diversified beyond stocks and traditional bonds.
- Let you choose between local Swiss loans and broader European exposure.
Used carelessly, it can expose you to avoidable losses and frustrating platform problems.
The sweet spot lies in treating P2P as one slice of a balanced investing approach: understand the platforms, respect the risks, diversify widely, and never put in money you can’t afford to see move around.
If you approach it that way, the best peer‑to‑peer lending platforms available to Swiss investors in 2026 can become a useful, and even enjoyable, part of your long‑term strategy.