In Switzerland, employees are entitled to at least four weeks (20 working days for a five-day worker) of paid annual leave per year under the Swiss Code of Obligations (Obligationenrecht, OR). Workers under the age of 20 are entitled to five weeks. Many employers, particularly in the private sector, offer five weeks of annual leave as standard.

Statutory entitlement

4 weeks (20 working days for a five-day worker) of paid annual leave per year. Workers under 20: 5 weeks. Many collective employment agreements (GAV) and individual contracts provide 5 weeks for all employees.

Eligibility

All employees are entitled to annual leave. The full entitlement is available from the start of employment, but the leave is pro-rated for partial years of service.

Employer obligations

  • Grant at least four weeks of paid annual leave per year (five weeks for workers under 20).
  • Pay the employee's normal remuneration during annual leave, including regular supplements.
  • Allow at least two consecutive weeks of annual leave.
  • Pay out unused annual leave on termination of employment (unless the employee voluntarily forfeited it).
  • Not require the employee to waive their statutory annual leave entitlement.

Employee rights

  • Right to at least four weeks of annual leave (five weeks for workers under 20).
  • Right to at least two consecutive weeks of leave.
  • Right to full pay during annual leave.
  • Right to paid leave payout on termination.

Common pitfalls

  • Not including supplements in holiday pay — regular allowances, overtime supplements, and commissions must be included.
  • Allowing the employee to waive annual leave — the statutory minimum cannot be waived. Only leave above the statutory minimum can be forfeited or paid out.
  • Not providing at least two consecutive weeks — the law requires that at least two weeks of leave be taken consecutively.

How annual leave is calculated

Annual leave is calculated in working days. For a five-day worker, four weeks equals 20 working days. Leave is pro-rated for partial years of employment at one-twelfth of the annual entitlement per month worked.

Holiday pay

Holiday pay is based on the employee's normal remuneration, including regular allowances, overtime supplements, and commissions. Some employers pay a holiday supplement of approximately 8.33% (for four weeks) or 10% (for five weeks) on top of salary, particularly for short-term or temporary workers.

Carry-over of unused leave

Unused annual leave can be carried over into the following year if the employer and employee agree, or if the employee was unable to take leave due to illness or other compelling reasons. The carry-over period is typically limited.

Frequently asked questions

Can annual leave be paid out instead of taken?

The statutory minimum of four weeks cannot be paid out — it must be taken as leave. Only leave above the statutory minimum can be paid out. On termination, unused statutory leave is paid out.

Does Switzerland observe public holidays?

Yes, but public holidays are not regulated at the federal level. Each canton determines its own public holidays, and most employers observe the cantonal holidays in addition to annual leave.

What is the typical annual leave entitlement in practice?

While the statutory minimum is four weeks, most Swiss employers offer five weeks of annual leave as standard, particularly in the private sector.

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited primary source for current law before making employment decisions.