(Photo: Maks Styazhkin)
The Swiss tattoo scene is growing and thriving—yet many reputable tattoo studios feel let down by the authorities. Although a registration requirement for tattoo artists has been in effect throughout Switzerland since 2017, its implementation remains patchy and largely opaque.
While professional studios invest a great deal of time, money, and effort to meet the highest hygiene and quality standards, many providers simply ignore these regulations. They take advantage of the fact that inspections rarely take place without official registration, are not required to comply with hygiene or quality guidelines, and advertise freely on Instagram and other social media platforms. As a result, reputable studios find themselves facing unfair competition.
Between the duty to report and the duty of confidentiality: Authorities fail to provide answers
tattoo.ch conducted extensive research and wrote to all cantonal enforcement agencies. We wanted to know:
- What are the benefits (besides legal certainty) for studios that officially register?
- Why isn't there a public list of reputable tattoo studios?
- What measures are the authorities taking against illegal and unlicensed tattoo artists who openly advertise on social media?
The result:Only a few agencies provided detailed responses. A more substantial response came from Dr. Alda Breitenmoser, president of the Association of Cantonal Chemists (VKCS). Her key points:
- There are no awards for registered studios.
- There is no legal basis for a public registry.
- Authorities rely primarily on tips from the public—systematic inspections of unlicensed tattoo artists are rarely feasible.
For many customers, this means they could unwittingly end up at unregistered studios. Reputable businesses, on the other hand, suffer from price dumping because illegal providers avoid costly regulations.
SafeTattoo.ch: When the community takes action
Since politicians and government agencies have so far failed to provide a solution, the Swiss tattoo community is now taking matters into its own hands. The new project is called SafeTattoo.ch—an online platform where only reputable and officially registered tattoo studios can list themselves.
“This makes it easy to spot the bad apples, because only legally registered studios are listed here. Together, we’re creating genuine transparency, strengthening consumer protection, and ensuring a level playing field in the Swiss tattoo market,” explains Benjamin Martin, founder of SafeTattoo.ch.
Let's get started: Sign up with no obligation and help shape the future
We are now accepting non-binding pre-registrations from interested studios. The more registrations we receive, the faster we can launch the platform.
The goal: SafeTattoo.ch is set to go live in just a few months!
Important:
- The purpose of this pre-registration is to gauge interest and determine the number of participating businesses.
- As soon as SafeTattoo.ch officially launches, the studios will be notified and will then be able to submit the required documents (e.g., registration, inspection report) confidentially.
Is the listing really free?
Yes, listing on SafeTattoo.ch is completely free.
What happens to my document?
The documents you submit will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be made public under any circumstances. They are used solely to verify your registration status. Your privacy is protected.
We’re counting on you: Let’s work together for quality and safety!
- Do you run a reputable, licensed tattoo studio?
Sign up now with no obligation—the more businesses that participate, the greater our collective impact! - Are you a customer looking for more transparency?
Tell your favorite tattoo studio about this initiative and suggest they sign up on SafeTattoo.ch. - Want to support the campaign?
Share SafeTattoo.ch on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms. The wider the reach, the more the entire Swiss tattoo scene benefits!
Together, we make a difference
Artists, studios, clients—together, we are the Swiss tattoo scene. We deserve respect, fairness, and transparency. Instead of waiting any longer for action from politicians, we are taking matters into our own hands to promote a strong, professional, and safe tattoo culture in Switzerland.
Who else but us?
Take a stand against illegal services: Sign up now atSafeTattoo.ch!