Switzerland’s holiday system is highly decentralised. While the federal government mandates a minimum number of paid holidays, each of the 26 cantons determines its own public holiday calendar. Some cantons observe 15 holidays per year; others observe as few as 12. The specific holidays also vary — Catholic cantons observe different saints’ days than Protestant ones.
For employers in Switzerland, understanding cantonal differences is essential for accurate payroll and compliance. This guide maps the national and cantonal holidays, explains the variations, and helps you manage a multi-canton workforce.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Switzerland has 12-15 public holidays depending on the canton
- The federal government mandates a minimum of 7 holidays; cantons add more
- Catholic cantons generally have more holidays than Protestant cantons
- The Employee Benefits Act sets the minimum; cantonal law sets the actual entitlement
- Employers must apply the cantonal calendar of the employee’s work location
Federal Minimum Holidays
The Swiss Code of Obligations (OR Art. 20a) mandates a minimum of 7 paid public holidays for all employees:
| Federal Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January |
| Good Friday | Friday before Easter |
| Easter Monday | Monday after Easter |
| - Ascension Day | 39 days after Easter |
| Whit Monday | 50 days after Easter |
| National Day | 1 August |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
This is the floor — no canton can offer fewer than these seven. In practice, all cantons add more.
Cantonal Holiday Calendars
Catholic Cantons (More Holidays)
Catholic cantons observe additional holidays tied to the Catholic liturgical calendar:
| Cantonal Holiday | Typical Cantons |
|---|---|
| Berchtold’s Day (2 January) | ZH, SH, TG, SG, GR, AG, SO, BL, BS, BL, AI, AR, OW, NW, LU, ZG, SZ, UR |
| Epiphany (6 January) | SZ, UR, OW, NW, LI, AI |
| Joseph’s Day (19 March) | SZ |
| Sechseläuten (spring festival) | ZH (not a public holiday) |
| Corpus Christi | LU, SZ, UR, OW, NW, AI, AR, TI, GR |
| Immaculate Conception (8 December) | LU, SZ, UR, OW, NW, AI, AR, TI, GR |
| St. Stephen’s Day (26 December) | ZH, AG, BS, BL, NE, SG, GR, AI, AR, SO, TG, TI, SH |
Protestant Cantons (Fewer Holidays)
Protestant cantons tend to observe fewer additional holidays:
| Canton | Total Holidays |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 13 |
| Bern | 13 |
| Lucerne | 14 |
| Uri | 13 |
| Schwyz | 13 |
| Obwalden | 14 |
| Nidwalden | 14 |
| Glarus | 14 |
| Zug | 13 |
| Fribourg | 14 |
| Solothurn | 14 |
| Basel-Stadt | 13 |
| Basel-Landschaft | 13 |
| Schaffhausen | 14 |
| Appenzell A.Rh. | 14 |
| Appenzell I.Rh. | 14 |
| St. Gallen | 14 |
| Graubünden | 14 |
| Aargau | 13 |
| Thurgau | 13 |
| Ticino | 15 |
| Vaud | 12 |
| Valais | 14 |
| Neuchâtel | 12 |
| Geneva | 12 |
| Jura | 12 |
Ticino has the most holidays (15); Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva, and Jura have the fewest (12).
Key Cantonal Differences
Berchtold’s Day (2 January)
Observed in most German-speaking cantons but not in French-speaking cantons. This creates a discrepancy — an employee in Zurich gets 2 January off; an employee in Geneva does not.
Epiphany (6 January)
Observed only in Catholic cantons like Schwyz, Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden, and Liechtenstein (which borders Switzerland). This is a major Catholic feast day.
Corpus Christi
Observed in heavily Catholic cantons. Falls 60 days after Easter and is a public holiday in Lucerne, Schwyz, Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Appenzell, Ticino, and Graubünden.
26 December (St. Stephen’s Day)
Observed in some cantons but not all. German-speaking cantons tend to observe it; French-speaking cantons generally do not.
Employer Obligations
Cantonal Law Applies
The Employee Benefits Act sets the federal minimum, but cantonal law determines the actual holiday entitlement. An employer in Lucerne must observe Lucerne’s holidays, not just the federal minimum.
Work Location Rule
The cantonal calendar that applies is determined by the employee’s work location. If an employee works remotely from a different canton, the canton where they work determines their holidays.
Substitute Holidays
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, most cantons grant the following Monday as the substitute. If it falls on a Thursday, some cantons grant Friday as well (creating a long weekend).
Working on Holidays
Working on a public holiday is restricted in Switzerland. Exceptions apply for essential services, hospitality, and healthcare. Employees who work on a holiday must receive a compensatory day off within a set period, plus a 25% pay supplement for each hour worked.
Managing Multi-Canton Teams
Use Canton-Specific Calendars
Set up separate holiday calendars for each canton where you have employees. Never apply a single “Swiss” calendar — the variation is too significant.
Handle Remote Workers
If an employee works remotely from a canton different from the employer’s headquarters, the canton of work applies. An employee in Geneva gets 12 holidays; an employee in Lucerne gets 14.
Communication
Publish the relevant cantonal holiday calendar at the start of each year. Clearly communicate which calendar applies to each employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many holidays does Switzerland have?
Switzerland has between 12 and 15 public holidays depending on the canton. The federal minimum is 7; cantons add more based on local tradition.
Can an employer give fewer holidays than the canton mandates?
No. The cantonal holiday calendar sets the minimum. Employers can offer more, but not fewer.
Is 1 August a public holiday everywhere in Switzerland?
Yes. Swiss National Day (1 August) is the only nationally mandated holiday besides the seven federal minimum holidays. All cantons observe it.
Do part-time workers get public holidays?
Yes. Part-time workers are entitled to public holidays on a pro-rata basis. If a holiday falls on a day they would normally work, they receive the day off with pay.
Can cantonal holidays be moved?
Some cantons allow flexibility in when certain holidays are observed, but this is rare. Generally, the cantonal calendar is fixed for the year.