Public holidays in Switzerland are regulated at both federal and cantonal levels. The federal government mandates only 4 public holidays, while each of the 26 cantons adds additional holidays — bringing the total to 15-18 depending on where your employees work. As an employer, you need to know which holidays apply to each canton, how to pay employees, and how to navigate the significant regional variations.
Switzerland’s public holiday system is among the most decentralised in Europe. A holiday in Zurich may not be a holiday in Ticino, and the number of mandatory holidays varies from 15 (Geneva) to 18 (Valais). This guide covers all Swiss public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under the Swiss Code of Obligations.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your canton.
Federal Public Holidays
These holidays apply across all 26 cantons:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Neujahr) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday (Karfreitag) | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday (Ostermontag) | 6 April | Monday |
| Ascension Day (Auffahrt) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) | 25 May | Monday |
| Swiss National Day (Bundesfeier) | 1 August | Saturday |
| Christmas Day (Weihnachten) | 25 December | Friday |
| St. Stephen’s Day (Stephanstag) | 26 December | Saturday |
Cantonal Public Holidays
Each canton adds additional holidays beyond the federal minimum. Here are the key variations:
German-Speaking Cantons
| Canton | Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Zurich | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan), Sechseläuten (spring) |
| Bern | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Lucerne | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan), Josef’s Day (19 Mar) |
| Uri | Founding Day (varies) |
| Schwyz | Founding Day (varies) |
| Obwalden | Founding Day (varies) |
| Nidwalden | Founding Day (varies) |
| Glarus | Founding Day (varies) |
| Zug | Founding Day (varies) |
| Fribourg | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan), Corpus Christi |
| Solothurn | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Basel-Stadt | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Basel-Landschaft | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Schaffhausen | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| St. Gallen | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Graubünden | Founding Day (varies) |
| Aargau | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Thurgau | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
| Ticino | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan) |
French-Speaking Cantons
| Canton | Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Vaud | Jeûne genevois (Thu after 1st Sun in Sep), Restoration of the Republic (23 Dec) |
| Valais | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan), Corpus Christi, All Saints’ Day |
| Neuchâtel | Jeûne genevois (Thu after 1st Sun in Sep) |
| Geneva | Jeûne genevois (Thu after 1st Sun in Sep), Restoration of the Republic (31 Dec) |
| Jura | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan), Corpus Christi |
Italian-Speaking Cantons
| Canton | Additional Holidays |
|---|---|
| Ticino | Berchtold’s Day (2 Jan), St. Charles Borromeo (4 Nov) |
Total Holidays by Canton
| Canton | Total Holidays |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 15 |
| Bern | 15 |
| Lucerne | 15 |
| Uri | 15 |
| Schwyz | 15 |
| Obwalden | 15 |
| Nidwalden | 15 |
| Glarus | 15 |
| Zug | 15 |
| Fribourg | 16 |
| Solothurn | 15 |
| Basel-Stadt | 15 |
| Basel-Landschaft | 15 |
| Schaffhausen | 15 |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 15 |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | 15 |
| St. Gallen | 15 |
| Graubünden | 15 |
| Aargau | 15 |
| Thurgau | 15 |
| Ticino | 15 |
| Vaud | 15 |
| Valais | 18 |
| Neuchâtel | 15 |
| Geneva | 15 |
| Jura | 16 |
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Fixed Salary Employees
Fixed salary employees receive their regular monthly salary for public holidays. The holiday is included in their salary.
Hourly Employees
For hourly-paid employees:
- If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they receive pay for their normal hours
- If the public holiday falls on a non-working day, they receive nothing (unless the employment contract provides otherwise)
Calculating a Day’s Pay
- Fixed salary: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 22)
- Hourly: Hours normally worked × hourly rate
Example: An employee earning CHF 7,000/month works Monday to Friday. Swiss National Day (1 August) falls on a Saturday. If the employee doesn’t work Saturdays, they receive no additional pay unless the canton provides a substitute day.
Working on Public Holidays
Swiss law permits work on public holidays only in specific circumstances:
- Essential services: Hospitals, fire services, utilities, transportation
- Continuous operation industries: Manufacturing, hospitality, media
- Emergency situations: Fire, flood, industrial accident
- Special authorisation: The cantonal labour inspectorate may grant permission
Compensation for Working
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They receive their regular pay
- They receive a substitute day off — within the period set by the employer or collective agreement
- Premium pay may be required — check your collective agreement
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave (Urlaub) do not count as leave days. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on leave, their leave is extended by one day.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 24-26 December 2026. Christmas Day (25 December) falls within this period. The employee uses 1 leave day (24 December), not 2. St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) also falls within the period — the employee uses 0 additional leave days for that holiday.
Swiss National Day
Swiss National Day (1 August) falls on a Saturday in 2026. This is significant because:
- Federal employees observe the preceding Friday (31 July) as the substitute day
- Private-sector employees may or may not receive a substitute day — check your canton and collective agreement
- Many employers grant the day off anyway as a goodwill measure
Common Mistakes
Not Checking Cantonal Holidays
A federal list is not enough. You must know which holidays apply in the specific canton where each employee works.
Forgetting Substitute Days
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, the canton may provide a substitute day. Check the rules for your canton.
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave is a common compliance error.
Incorrect Pay Calculations
Using the wrong divisor (e.g., 30 days instead of 22 working days) can result in incorrect daily pay calculations.
Key Takeaways
- Switzerland has only 4 federal public holidays; cantons add up to 14 more
- Total holidays range from 15-18 depending on the canton
- Always check the cantonal holiday list for each employee’s location
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, check the canton for substitute day rules
- Swiss National Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 — check your canton for the substitute
Managing Swiss public holidays across multiple cantons — each with its own set — requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates cantonal holiday calendars so you never miss an entitlement.