Switzerland, with its strong financial sector, innovation-driven economy, and high standard of living, is an attractive hub for global employers. From banking and pharmaceuticals to IT and manufacturing, Swiss talent is highly sought after. However, companies hiring in Switzerland must carefully comply with the Swiss Code of Obligations, cantonal regulations, and collective agreements.
The leave policy in Switzerland covers annual vacation, maternity and paternity entitlements, sick leave, and public holidays. Unlike labor laws in Switzerland, which are largely uniform across the country, Switzerland has canton-dependent rules, making compliance more complex for foreign employers.
This guide explains leave entitlements in Switzerland for 2025 and shows how Asanify simplifies compliance through Payroll processing and Global Contractor Management, backed by expertise from services like Employer of Record Services Switzerland.
Table of Contents
- Adoption Leave in Switzerland
- Earned Leave (Annual Paid Leave) in Switzerland
- Maternity Leave in Switzerland
- Parental Leave in Switzerland
- Paternity Leave in Switzerland
- Public Holidays in Switzerland
- Sick Leave Policy in Switzerland
- Casual Leave in Switzerland
- Unpaid Leave in Switzerland
- Other Special Leave Types in Switzerland
- Digital Leave Management in Switzerland with Asanify AI
- FAQs
Adoption Leave in Switzerland
Adoption leave in Switzerland is designed to support adoptive parents by giving them time to bond with their child and adjust to family responsibilities. It is regulated under the Swiss Code of Obligations and coordinated with federal social insurance (EO).
- Duration: Each adoptive parent is entitled to two weeks of adoption leave, which can be taken consecutively or spread over six months from the date the child joins the family.
- Special cases: Both parents are entitled to adoption leave individually, ensuring equal rights and flexibility in caregiving.
- Multiple adoptions: When adopting more than one child simultaneously, leave entitlements remain two weeks per parent, but cantonal or collective agreements may grant additional days.
Employers are obligated to grant this leave without discrimination. Employees must provide the official adoption documents and notify their employers in advance. Employers then coordinate with the Swiss social insurance system to ensure accurate payroll adjustments and reimbursements.
Earned Leave (Annual Paid Leave) in Switzerland
Annual leave is a cornerstone of Swiss employment rights.
- Employees receive a minimum of 20 vacation days (4 weeks) under federal law.
- Employees under 20 years of age are entitled to 25 vacation days.
- Many employers, particularly in banking and pharmaceuticals, offer 25–30 days.
- Leave must usually be taken during the year, although carry-over may be agreed upon.
As with labor laws in Switzerland, accurate Payroll processing ensures compliance, especially when vacation overlaps with cantonal holidays.
Suggested Read: The Complete 2025 Guide to Labour Laws in Switzerland
Maternity Leave in Switzerland
Maternity leave in Switzerland is strictly regulated to protect mothers.
| Feature | Details |
| Duration | 14 weeks (98 days) minimum |
| Payment | 80% of average earnings (capped), paid through Swiss social insurance (EO) |
| Eligibility | Employees must have contributed to social insurance for at least 9 months |
| Extensions | Some cantons or employers provide additional paid weeks |
Parental Leave in Switzerland
Unlike other European countries, Switzerland does not yet have statutory general parental leave beyond maternity and paternity entitlements. However:
- Parents may take unpaid leave by agreement with employers.
- Cantons or large employers may offer extended parental benefits.
- Federal discussions continue on expanding paid parental leave in the future.
Paternity Leave in Switzerland
Since 2021, Switzerland grants statutory paternity leave.
| Feature | Details |
| Duration | 2 weeks (10 working days) |
| Flexibility | Can be taken consecutively or spread over 6 months |
| Payment | 80% of average salary (capped), paid via Swiss social insurance (EO) |
This brings Switzerland closer in line with other EU nations such as Spain, which grants 16 weeks of paternity leave.
Public Holidays in Switzerland
Public holidays in Switzerland vary by canton rather than being uniform nationwide.
- Employees typically enjoy 7–9 public holidays per year, depending on canton.
- Common national holidays include:
- New Year’s Day (1 January)
- Swiss National Day (1 August)
- Christmas Day (25 December)
- New Year’s Day (1 January)
- Cantons may designate their own official holidays, such as Berchtold’s Day (Zurich) or St. Joseph’s Day (Valais).
Employers must apply the correct holiday entitlements based on employee location.
Sick Leave Policy in Switzerland
Switzerland’s sick leave system is designed to balance employee rights with employer obligations.
| Category | Entitlement |
| Standard entitlement | Paid sick leave for at least 3 weeks in the first year of service |
| Longer service | Sick leave entitlement increases with seniority under the Bern, Basel, and Zurich scales |
| Payment | Employers pay 100% or 80% of salary (depending on contracts/insurance) |
| Insurance | Many employers take out daily sickness allowance insurance (KTG) to cover longer absences |
Swiss sick pay rules vary by canton and employer agreements, making compliance more complex than in countries with uniform statutory systems.
Casual Leave in Switzerland
Switzerland does not define casual leave as a statutory right, but employers often grant short-term leave for:
- Family emergencies
- Weddings
- Moving house
- Bereavement
These entitlements are often covered in contracts or collective agreements.
Unpaid Leave in Switzerland
Employees may request unpaid leave (unbezahlter Urlaub), but it requires employer approval.
- Often used for education, travel, or extended family care.
- Employment and insurance contributions may be suspended unless otherwise agreed.
- Larger employers often have structured policies for unpaid leave.
Other Special Leave Types in Switzerland
- Caregiver leave: Since 2021, employees can take up to 14 weeks to care for seriously ill children (paid via social insurance).
- Short-term care leave: Up to 3 days per event to care for sick family members.
- Educational leave: Available under certain cantonal laws or employer agreements.
- Political leave: Time off granted to fulfill civic duties such as serving in cantonal or federal office.
Suggested Read: EOR Switzerland: Ultimate Guide on Employer of Record 2025
Digital Leave Management in Switzerland with Asanify AI
Managing leave in Switzerland can be especially challenging due to its canton-dependent rules, multiple leave categories, and varying sick leave entitlements. Manual tracking often leads to payroll disputes and compliance risks.
Here’s how Asanify simplifies leave management in Switzerland:
- Real-time leave balances across cantons, reducing administrative errors.
- Slack and mobile-based approvals for faster decision-making.
- Integrated Payroll processing to handle Swiss-specific vacation entitlements, sick leave payments, and EO reimbursements.
- Audit-ready reports to ensure compliance with Swiss federal and cantonal labor laws.
- Automated policies for maternity, paternity, and caregiver leave, reducing guesswork.
With Asanify, employers hiring in Switzerland stay compliant while ensuring a seamless employee experience. Asanify delivers precise support for complex regulations through automated solutions. The platform also enables Global Contractor Management, helping companies manage both employees and contractors across multiple markets within a single system.
FAQs
Employees receive a minimum of 20 vacation days per year, with younger employees and some industries granting 25–30.
Employees typically enjoy 7–9 public holidays per year, depending on their canton.
Maternity leave lasts 14 weeks (98 days), paid at 80% of salary through social insurance.
Fathers are entitled to 2 weeks of paid leave, which can be split over 6 months.
Employers must pay at least 3 weeks of sick leave in the first year of service, with entitlements increasing based on tenure or insurance.
Yes, but it requires employer approval, and social insurance contributions may be suspended.
Yes, adoptive parents can access parental leave benefits, and cantons may grant additional rights.
Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant or Labour Law expert for specific guidance.
