How much does a locksmith cost? Prices and surcharges at a glance
The short answer: a simple door opening (slammed shut, not locked) typically costs 59 to 110 € during the day in Germany, and 140 to 220 CHF in Switzerland. Surcharges apply at night, on weekends and public holidays. It gets significantly more expensive if the door is locked or the lock is damaged.
The wide price range has a reason: the final price depends on time of day, door condition, travel distance and material. That is exactly why it pays off to ask for a binding total price before booking – or to compare several offers.
Guide prices in Germany
The following ranges summarize typical prices of reputable providers. Smaller cities are often at the lower end, large cities and peak times at the upper end.
| Service | Guide price (day) |
|---|---|
| Slammed door (simple opening) | 59 € – 110 € |
| Locked door (emergency opening) | 120 € – 210 € |
| Broken key | 150 € – 280 € |
| Car opening | 140 € – 250 € |
| Safe opening | from 250 € |
| Night surcharge | + 40 € – 100 € |
| Weekend/holiday surcharge | + 50 € – 110 € |
| Travel fee | 20 € – 40 € |
Guide prices, not fixed prices. Binding is the total price the provider quotes you before the job.
Guide prices in Switzerland
The price level in Switzerland is considerably higher, especially in Zurich. A simple door opening typically costs 140 to 220 CHF during the day, a locked door 170 to 260 CHF. Night surcharges often start as early as 6 pm.
These factors determine the price
- Time of day: surcharges apply at night, on weekends and holidays – sometimes 50 to 100 % on top of the base price.
- Door condition: a door that merely slammed shut can usually be opened non-destructively within minutes. Locked doors or multi-point locks mean more effort.
- Travel: a provider from your city charges less for travel than one driving 40 km. Check the business address in the offer.
- Material: if a cylinder or lock needs replacing, material costs are added – clarify in advance.
How to avoid cost traps
- Ask for a binding total price including travel and surcharges before booking.
- Distrust bait offers like "door opening from 15 €" – on site they often turn into several hundred euros.
- Do not pay cash under pressure. Reputable companies issue a full invoice with a company address.
- Do not allow drilling before a non-destructive opening has been attempted – for slammed doors it succeeds in the vast majority of cases.
- When in doubt, compare several offers instead of calling the first search result.
Frequently asked questions about locksmith costs
Why are locksmiths more expensive at night?
Night call-outs mean standby duty and unattractive working hours, which are compensated via surcharges. In Germany, 40 to 100 € extra is common. A surcharge of several hundred euros, however, is a warning sign.
Do I have to pay the travel fee if I cancel the job?
If you ordered a call-out, the provider may charge for travel – even without an opening. Therefore clarify the total price before anyone sets off. With offers via keynoby you see the price in chat before booking.
Is the cheapest provider automatically the best choice?
Not necessarily. Besides the price, compare reviews, arrival time and whether the price really includes all items. A serious offer names travel and surcharges upfront.
Does insurance cover the costs?
Household insurance usually only pays with a suitable add-on, for example for lost keys. For a slammed door, tenants usually pay themselves; for a defective lock through no fault of your own, the landlord may be responsible. Always keep the invoice.
Concrete prices for your city?
On the city pages you find local guide prices and can request verified locksmiths directly – free and non-binding.
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