Switzerland
Switzerland guarantees a statutory minimum of 4 weeks annual vacation (5 weeks for under-20s), under the Code of Obligations (CO art. 329a). No federal sick pay law: jurisprudence (Bernese, Basel, Zurich scales) defines duration based on seniority.
Annual paid leave
CO art. 329a4 weeks minimum, 5 weeks for under-20s (CO art. 329a). Reference year = calendar year. No mandatory split but at least 2 consecutive weeks. Pay = normal salary during leave. Balance transferable per agreement/CLA.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual vacation | 4 sem | 100% salaire | ≥ 2 consecutive wks |
| Employees < 20 | 5 sem | 100% | Until 20th birthday |
| Accrual | Monthly pro rata | — | Includes year 1 |
| Termination | Balance allowance | 100% | If unused |
Public holidays
1 federal + cantonal variableOnly 1 mandatory federal holiday: August 1 (National Day). Other holidays are defined by each canton (8 to 15 depending on canton). Pay continued if it falls on a working day.
| Day | Date | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1er janvier | New Year | All cantons | — |
| Jan 1-2 (per canton) | Berchtoldstag | Variable | AG/BE/ZH… |
| April | Good Friday | Most cantons (except TI, VS) | — |
| April | Easter Monday | Most cantons | — |
| 1er mai | Labour Day | BS, BL, JU, NE, SH, TI, ZH… | Not federal |
| May | Ascension | All cantons | — |
| May-Jun | Pentecost Monday | Most cantons | — |
| 1er août | National Day | Mandatory federal | 1993 federal law |
| 15 août | Assumption | Catholic cantons | AI, FR, JU, LU, NE, OW… |
| 1er novembre | All Saints | Catholic cantons | — |
| 25 décembre | Christmas | All cantons | — |
| 26 décembre | St. Stephen’s | Most cantons | — |
Sick leave
CO art. 324a + scalesNo federal law fixing sick pay duration. CO art. 324a requires pay during 3 weeks in year 1, then by seniority (cantonal scales: Bernese, Basel, Zurich — most used). Beyond: sickness loss-of-earnings insurance (APGM) usually contracted by employer.
| Scenario | Waiting | Pay | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (3-12 months) | 0 days | 100% salaire 3 sem | CO art. 324a |
| Year 2-3 (Bernese scale) | 0 j | 100% 1 mois | — |
| Year 4-9 | 0 j | 100% 2 mois | — |
| Year 10-14 | 0 j | 100% 3 mois | — |
| APGM (after cap) | 0 j | 80% salary 720 days | Over 900 days |
Maternity, paternity, parental
14 wks mat. · 2 wks pat.Maternity 14 mandatory weeks (CO art. 329f) at 80% via APG (Loss of Earnings Compensation), capped CHF 220/day. Paternity 2 weeks since 2021 via APG (80%). No federal parental leave. Adoption 14 weeks planned but not yet in force.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity | 14 sem (98 j) | 80% LEC (max CHF 220/d) | CO art. 329f |
| Paternity | 2 sem (10 j) | 80% LEC | Within 6 months |
| Adoption leave | 14 wks (since 2024) | 80% APG | — |
| Caregiver leave | 14 sem (enfant grav. malade) | 80% APG | Enfant gravement malade |
| Breastfeeding | On working time | Payé jusqu’à 1 an | CO art. 35a OLT 1 |
Special leaves
Per CLA / regulationsNo federal blanket leaves for personal events. Collective agreements or internal rules often provide marriage 2-3 days, bereavement 1-3 days, moving 1 day. Some cantons add specific rules (BE, GE).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | 2-3 j | 100% | Per CLA |
| Spouse/child death | 3 j | 100% | CCT variable |
| Parent death | 1-2 j | 100% | CCT |
| Birth (father) | Included in 2-wk APG | — | — |
| Moving | 1 j | 100% CCT | CCT seulement |
| Military service | Per obligation | 80% LEC | OPP / Service civil |
| Training | Per CLA | Variable | — |
Information current as of last update. This guide does not replace local legal advice. For specific situations, consult a labor lawyer in the relevant country.
Centralize Switzerland absence management
Illizeo automatically applies Swiss CO/CLA rules (5 wks <20, APG, Bernese/Zurich scales) with cantonal holiday management.
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