Netflix Account Sharing Switzerland: What's Allowed and What It Costs
Netflix has tightened its account sharing rules. What was once silently tolerated – sharing a subscription with friends or flatmates – is now clearly regulated. For Swiss households this means: you need to understand how Netflix defines the term «household», what extra members cost and what options you have. This guide explains everything you need to know.
What Netflix Means by a Household
Netflix defines your household as the people and devices located at your primary place of residence that use your Wi-Fi. In concrete terms:
- All people living under the same roof are considered one household.
- Devices regularly connected to your home network are assigned to the household.
- Netflix identifies the household using the IP address, device IDs and other network information.
This sounds simpler than it is. Netflix does not distinguish between two people in a two-room flat and a family of four. What matters is the shared place of residence – not the number of people.
What Happens During Trips and Stays Away from Home?
When you're travelling, you can continue to use Netflix on your personal devices – that is, on the smartphone or laptop you regularly use at home. Netflix allows this as long as you regularly log in on your home network. As a general rule: anyone who is away from the household for more than 31 days must update the location of the primary household in the settings or set up an extra member.
For people who permanently live elsewhere – such as students in another city or flatmates – the rule is clear: they are not considered part of the household.
Extra Members: Costs and How It Works
Netflix offers the option to add people outside the household for an additional fee. These so-called extra members receive their own access with their own profile and their own password.
Which Plans Support Extra Members?
| Plan | Extra members possible | Cost per extra member (CHF/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | No | – |
| Standard | Yes (max. 1) | approx. CHF 6.– |
| Premium | Yes (max. 2) | approx. CHF 6.– |
Note: Exact prices may change. Check the current rates directly on netflix.com/ch.
The cheapest plan – Standard with ads – does not support extra members. Anyone who wants to legally include people outside the household therefore needs at least the Standard plan.
What Can an Extra Member Do?
- Own profile with personalised recommendations
- Own password
- Access to the same content as the main account
- Can set their own household as the primary location
An extra member is therefore not a second user on the same account, but an independent access option – with their own data and their own login.
Practical Tips for Multi-Person Households and Families
For Families Under One Roof
If all family members live at the same address, you don't need to change anything. All people in the household can use the subscription – regardless of whether they have their own profile or not. The Premium plan allows up to four simultaneous streams, which can make sense for large families.
Tip: Set up a separate profile for each person. This way everyone gets personalised recommendations and the watch list stays organised.
For Flatshares
Things get more complicated here. Technically, a flatshare counts as one household, as long as all members are registered at the same address and use the same Wi-Fi. Netflix generally recognises this as a shared household.
Problems arise when flatmates move out or when you share the subscription with someone in another city. In this case you either need an extra member or each person needs their own subscription.
For Couples Living at Separate Addresses
If you and your partner live in different places, you are considered two separate households. You can add your partner as an extra member – this costs around CHF 6.– per month extra. Alternatively, it may be worth considering a separate subscription, depending on the plan.
For Students
Students living in another city cannot simply continue using their parents' subscription. They must either be set up as an extra member or take out their own subscription. The cheapest entry-level option is the Standard with ads plan.
What Happens If You Don't Follow the Rules?
Netflix does not block accounts immediately. Instead, you will be asked to verify the household. Devices that are not recognised as part of the household receive an error message asking them to log in on the home network or set up an extra member.
This typically happens when:
- A device is used outside the home network for an extended period
- Multiple people log in simultaneously from different locations
- Netflix detects unusual usage patterns
You will then receive an email or a message in the app that guides you through the verification process.
Alternatives to Netflix in Switzerland
If the new rules seem too restrictive to you or you're looking for cheaper options, it's worth taking a look at other streaming services:
| Service | Household sharing | Price from (CHF/month) | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Own household only + extra members | approx. CHF 7.– | Largest selection |
| Disney+ | Own household | approx. CHF 5.– | Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar |
| Apple TV+ | Up to 5 family members | approx. CHF 9.– | Family sharing |
| Amazon Prime Video | Household + 1 person | included in Prime subscription | Combined with shopping benefits |
| Sky Show | Household | from approx. CHF 15.– | Sport, series |
Note: Prices and conditions change regularly. Check the current offers directly with the respective provider.
Apple TV+ stands out because family sharing allows up to five people – even at different locations. That is significantly more flexible than Netflix.
Frequently Asked Questions and Common Issues
«My device is not being recognised as part of the household – what should I do?»
Connect the device to your home network and open Netflix. Follow the instructions for household verification. Netflix will send you a code by email or SMS which you enter. After that, the device will be assigned to the household.
«Can I change the household location?»
Yes, you can update the primary household in the account settings. This is useful if you move. However, Netflix only allows this once every 12 months.
«What happens to my profiles if I become an extra member?»
You can transfer your existing profile – including your watch list and recommendations – to the new access. Netflix offers a profile transfer function in the settings for this purpose.
«Is it worth having your own subscription instead of being an extra member?»
It depends on the plan. The Standard with ads plan costs around CHF 7.– per month – just CHF 1.– more than an extra member. For that price you get a complete, independent subscription. In many cases, this is the more sensible choice.
What You Should Do Now
First check who in your household uses Netflix and who doesn't. Then decide:
- Everyone lives together: No action needed. Set up additional profiles if required.
- Someone lives elsewhere: Set up an extra member or consider a separate subscription.
- You share the subscription with multiple people at different locations: Each person needs either an extra member slot or their own subscription.
If you're thinking about optimising your streaming package or combining it with an internet subscription, it's worth taking a look at our TV and streaming comparison. Many Swiss providers bundle streaming services with their internet subscription – which can be cheaper than separate subscriptions.
For an overview of all streaming options in Switzerland, you'll find more information in our advice section.
