Increase small loan - increase small loan in Switzerland
A small loan is often taken out to finance short-term or manageable expenses. Furniture, household appliances or minor renovations can be paid for easily.
However, it often turns out later that the original loan amount is not sufficient. Additional costs arise, a project becomes more expensive than planned or new expenses are added.
In such situations, an obvious question arises:
Can a small loan simply be increased?
In many cases, the answer is: Yes, an existing small loan can be adjusted or replaced by a higher loan under certain conditions.
If you would like to increase an existing loan, you will find a detailed overview on our page on the topic Top up credit Switzerland.
When a small loan can be increased
Banks review the financial situation each time a loan is increased. This involves not only the existing loan, but also the entire household budget.
The most important factors include
- Amount of income
- Monthly fixed costs
- existing loans or leasing contracts
- Creditworthiness and payment history
- Stability of the employment relationship
If there is sufficient financial leeway, an existing small loan can often be increased without any problems.
Table - Requirements for small loan top-up
| Prerequisite | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Income | Determines maximum loan instalment |
| Fixed costs | reduce available room for manoeuvre |
| Creditworthiness | Influences credit decision |
| Existing obligations | can reduce the maximum loan amount |
These factors determine whether a credit increase is possible.
Typical situations for a loan increase
A small loan is often taken out for specific purchases. However, additional investments may become necessary over time.
Typical examples are
- Household renovations
- new furniture or household appliances
- Repairs to the vehicle
- unexpected expenses
Instead of taking out several small loans, many borrowers decide to increase the existing loan.
Increase credit in Switzerland
Further topics on increasing credit
Anyone considering a loan top-up should not only read this individual page, but also compare requirements, current loans, possible amounts and alternatives.
How much additional credit is possible
The amount of a loan top-up depends heavily on the individual financial situation.
The following examples show typical scenarios.
| Income | Existing small loan | New loan amount | Additional payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'800 CHF | 10'000 CHF | 18'000 CHF | 8'000 CHF |
| 5'900 CHF | 15'000 CHF | 28'000 CHF | 13'000 CHF |
| 6'800 CHF | 20'000 CHF | 35'000 CHF | 15'000 CHF |
These figures are for guidance only. The actual possible loan amount is calculated individually.
Budget calculator before you increase a small loan
Before increasing an existing loan, it is worth analysing your own financial situation in detail. A budget calculator helps you to compare your income and monthly expenditure transparently.
This allows you to quickly recognise how much financial leeway is actually available and what monthly loan instalment remains affordable in the long term.
This step is particularly useful when increasing the loan amount. Although banks also carry out a creditworthiness check, borrowers can use a budget calculator to estimate in advance what additional loan amount is realistic.
👉 Calculate budget and check financial leeway
Increase credit through Debt rescheduling
A loan increase does not necessarily have to be with the same bank. In many cases, a loan comparison can offer better conditions.
If another bank offers more favourable interest rates, the existing loan is repaid in full and replaced by new financing.
This procedure is known as debt rescheduling.
Have the loan amount increased
Table - Example of debt rescheduling with a small loan
| Old loan | Interest rate old | New loan | Interest rate new |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12'000 CHF | 7.9 % | 22'000 CHF | 5.9 % |
| 15'000 CHF | 8.2 % | 28'000 CHF | 6.0 % |
| 20'000 CHF | 7.6 % | 35'000 CHF | 5.7 % |
A loan comparison can therefore provide both more financial leeway and better conditions.
Difference between a small loan and a consumer loan
Many borrowers use the two terms interchangeably, although they are technically slightly different.
| Credit type | Typical height |
|---|---|
| Small loan | mostly up to approx. CHF 20,000 |
| Consumer credit | Often up to CHF 250,000 |
A Small loan is therefore usually a smaller version of the classic Consumer credit.
Increase or reschedule your loan
Small loan top up
An existing small loan can easily be increased under certain conditions. The decisive factors are income, creditworthiness and the available financial leeway.
If these conditions are met, an increase in credit can create additional financial room for manoeuvre.
It can make sense to adjust existing financing, especially in the event of rising costs or new investments.
FAQ - Topping up a small loan in Switzerland
Is it possible to increase an existing small loan in Switzerland?
Yes, an existing small loan can be increased in many cases. Banks re-examine the borrower's entire financial situation. The decisive factors are income, monthly fixed costs, existing obligations and general creditworthiness.
If there is sufficient financial leeway, the existing loan amount can be adjusted or replaced by new financing with a higher total amount. In practice, the old loan is often cancelled in full and replaced with a new loan that includes the additional amount.
What requirements must be met in order to top up a small loan?
Certain requirements must be met before a small loan can be increased. A regular income and a stable professional situation are particularly important. Banks also check whether there is still sufficient financial leeway after deducting all fixed costs.
In addition, a creditworthiness check is carried out in accordance with the Swiss Consumer Credit Act. It must be ensured that the loan could theoretically be repaid within 36 months.
Is a new credit check carried out for a small loan top-up?
Yes, every loan increase is treated by banks in a similar way to a new loan application. The financial situation is therefore completely reassessed.
This includes income, existing obligations and possible entries with the ZEK. This check should ensure that the new loan amount remains sustainable in the long term.
How much can you increase a small loan?
The possible amount of a loan increase depends heavily on the individual financial situation. Banks take particular account of income, fixed costs and existing loans or leasing contracts.
In practice, additional loan amounts are often between a few thousand francs and around 20,000 to 30,000 francs. However, if you have a higher income or lower obligations, it may also be possible to obtain larger financing.
Can I increase a small loan even though I still have a loan outstanding?
Yes, a current loan does not preclude an increase in credit. In many cases, the existing loan is replaced by new financing.
The new loan then contains both the remaining debt from the old loan and the additional loan amount. This means that there is still only one loan agreement, while at the same time additional financial room for manoeuvre is created.
Is it possible to top up a small loan with another bank?
Yes, many loan increases are carried out by changing banks. In this case, the existing loan is repaid in full and replaced by new financing.
The new bank takes over the remaining debt of the previous loan and then pays the difference to the borrower. This procedure is known as debt rescheduling and can also enable better interest rates.
How long does a small loan top-up take?
If all the necessary documents are available, a loan top-up can be processed relatively quickly. In many cases, the entire process only takes a few days.
However, the exact period depends on whether the loan is increased at the same bank or whether there is a change of bank.
Can a small loan be increased several times?
Yes, in principle a loan can be adjusted several times. However, the prerequisite is always that the creditworthiness is still given.
Banks re-check income, fixed costs and creditworthiness with each new enquiry. If the financial situation has developed positively, a further increase in credit may be possible.
When is a loan top-up particularly worthwhile?
An increase in credit can be particularly useful if additional financial room for manoeuvre is required or major investments are planned.
In addition, debt rescheduling with a loan increase can also be financially interesting if other banks offer more favourable interest rates. This not only increases the loan amount, but also reduces the long-term interest costs.
Is there an alternative to a loan top-up?
In some cases, instead of an increase in credit, it may also be possible to Debt rescheduling may make sense. In this case, the existing loan is completely replaced by new financing.
This solution can be particularly interesting if better credit conditions are available or if several loans are to be combined into a single financing arrangement.