Expired eggs: how long do eggs last?
Eggs carry a best-before date; in Switzerland and the EU it is at most 28 days after laying. Kept in the fridge, they are often still usable for up to about 6 days past that date, but only fully cooked, never raw or runny. Hard-boiled eggs in their shell keep about 1 week in the fridge. If an egg smells rotten when you crack it: throw it out.
How long do eggs last? Guidelines
| Situation | Guideline | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Raw eggs, in the fridge, before the date | until the best-before date | Use only very fresh eggs for raw dishes |
| Raw eggs past the date, in the fridge | often up to about 6 days | Only fully cooked, never raw |
| Cracked shell | use right away | Only fully cooked |
| Hard-boiled at home, in the shell, in the fridge | up to about 1 week | Rotten smell: throw it out |
| Boiled and peeled | 1–2 days | Covered, in the fridge |
| Store-bought boiled eggs with a date | often up to about 14 days past the date | Only if kept cold the whole time |
| Frozen raw (cracked and beaten) | up to about 12 months | Never freeze eggs in the shell |
Eggs past the best-before date: what applies?
In Switzerland and the EU, the best-before date on eggs may be no later than 28 days after laying. After that, if Salmonella is present, it has more time to multiply. So the rule is: eat eggs past their date only fully cooked, meaning hard-boiled, fried or baked until both yolk and white are firm. For tiramisu, mayonnaise or soft-boiled eggs, use only very fresh eggs, well before the date.
As a guideline, Swiss authorities allow raw eggs that were kept properly chilled to be passed on up to about 6 days after the date. That is not a guarantee: the longer the date has passed, the more careful you should be.
How to check an egg
- Crack and smell: Crack each egg into a cup on its own. If it smells rotten or sulfurous: throw it out.
- Look: A fresh yolk is round and domed, and the white is firm. A flat yolk and watery white mean an older egg.
- Float test: If the egg lies flat on the bottom, it is fresh. If it stands up, it is older. If it floats, it is old: when in doubt, throw it out.
The float test shows age, not safety
Over time, water evaporates through the shell and the air pocket inside grows. That is why an old egg rises. So the test tells you about freshness. You cannot see, smell or taste Salmonella. An egg that stays on the bottom is therefore not automatically safe. Past the date, the rule is always: only fully cooked.
How to store eggs in the fridge
- Put eggs in the fridge after shopping, ideally in their carton on a middle shelf, at or below 4 °C (40 °F). The door is warmer and less stable.
- Once chilled, keep them chilled. Moving them from cold to warm causes condensation on the shell, which helps germs.
- Do not wash eggs at home. It can damage the shell’s natural protective layer.
- Use cracked eggs right away and only fully cooked.
Switzerland, EU, USA: why the rules differ
In Switzerland and most EU countries, eggs are not washed, so the shell keeps its natural protective layer. In Switzerland, eggs may be sold for at most 21 days after laying, and the best-before date is at most 28 days.
In the USA, eggs are washed, so they must always stay refrigerated. US authorities say raw eggs in the shell keep about 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge. Wherever you live: keep your eggs in the fridge at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat eggs 2 weeks after the expiration date?
We advise against it. As a guideline, eggs are usable for up to about 6 days past the date, kept cold and only fully cooked. The longer the date has passed, the higher the risk. When in doubt, throw them out.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last?
Home-boiled eggs with an intact shell keep about 1 week in the fridge. Eat peeled eggs within 1 to 2 days. If they smell rotten or feel slimy: throw them out.
Is an egg that floats bad?
It is old. The float test shows age, not whether germs are inside. When in doubt, throw a floating egg away.
Can you freeze eggs?
Yes, but not in the shell. Crack them, beat them and freeze them in a tightly closed container. They keep up to about 12 months. Thaw in the fridge and use them fully cooked.
All figures are guidelines for food that is stored correctly and kept chilled. No guarantee: when in doubt, throw it out. Take extra care during pregnancy and with young children, older or vulnerable people.