Public Holidays in Switzerland in 2025 and 2026

Public Holidays in Switzerland in 2025 and 2026: A Comprehensive and In-Depth Guide

Switzerland, with its federal structure and rich cultural diversity, boasts a varied and extensive calendar of public holidays in Switzerland for 2025 and 2026. While some dates are celebrated nationwide, the vast majority are cantonal or even communal holidays, reflecting unique regional specificities and local traditions. This comprehensive guide to public holidays in Switzerland for 2025 and 2026 will detail the official holidays and explain the associated remuneration rules, which are essential for both employers and employees.

Calendar of Public Holidays in Switzerland for 2025 and 2026

It is crucial to refer to the cantonal calendar for precise planning, as the recognition of a public holiday in Switzerland in 2025 and 2026 varies considerably from one region to another.

National Public Holidays (Observed in all Cantons):

• January 1 (New Year’s Day): Wednesday, January 1, 2025; Thursday, January 1, 2026

• Good Friday: Friday, April 18, 2025; Friday, April 3, 2026 (Observed in all cantons, except Ticino and Valais)

• Easter Monday: Monday, April 21, 2025; Monday, April 6, 2026 (Observed in most cantons, with notable exceptions in Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Valais, and Zug for certain sectors or companies)

• Ascension Day: Thursday, May 29, 2025; Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Celebrated throughout Switzerland)

• Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday): Monday, June 9, 2025; Monday, May 25, 2026 (Observed in all cantons except Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Valais, and Zug for certain sectors or companies)

• August 1 (Swiss National Day): Friday, August 1, 2025; Saturday, August 1, 2026 (A celebration across all cantons)

• December 25 (Christmas Day): Thursday, December 25, 2025; Friday, December 25, 2026 (A national public holiday)

Cantonal and Regional Public Holidays (Most Common Examples):

• January 2 (Saint Berchtold’s Day): Thursday, January 2, 2025; Friday, January 2, 2026 (Celebrated in several cantons: AG, BE, FR, GL, JU, LU, OW, SH, TG, VD, UR)

• January 6 (Epiphany): Monday, January 6, 2025; Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (GR, LU, SZ, TI, UR observe this holiday)

• March 1 (Establishment of the Republic): Saturday, March 1, 2025; Sunday, March 1, 2026 (Only in Neuchâtel)

• March 19 (Saint Joseph’s Day): Wednesday, March 19, 2025; Thursday, March 19, 2026 (GR, LU, NW, SZ, TI, UR, VS celebrate this day)

• May 1 (Labor Day): Thursday, May 1, 2025; Friday, May 1, 2026 (BL, BS, JU, LU, NE, SH, SO, TG, TI, ZH)

• Corpus Christi: Thursday, June 19, 2025; Thursday, June 4, 2026 (Widely celebrated in Catholic cantons, with exceptions in some like AR, BL, BS, BE, GE, GL, NE, SH, SG, TG, VD, ZH)

• August 15 (Assumption Day): Friday, August 15, 2025; Saturday, August 15, 2026 (Observed in many cantons: AG, AI, FR, JU, LU, NW, OW, SO, SZ, TI, UR, VS, ZG)

• September 5 (Jeûne Genevois): Friday, September 5, 2025; Saturday, September 5, 2026 (Specific to Geneva)

• Federal Fast Monday (Lundi du Jeûne Fédéral): Monday, September 22, 2025; Monday, September 21, 2026 (Observed in the canton of Vaud and generally in French-speaking Switzerland)

• September 22 (Saint Maurice’s Day): Monday, September 22, 2025; Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (Celebrated in Appenzell Innerrhoden)

• September 25 (Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day): Thursday, September 25, 2025; Friday, September 25, 2026 (A public holiday in Obwalden)

• November 1 (All Saints’ Day): Saturday, November 1, 2025; Sunday, November 1, 2026 (Observed in most Catholic cantons, except AR, BL, BS, BE, GE, GR, NE, SH, TG, VD, ZH)

• December 8 (Immaculate Conception): Monday, December 8, 2025; Tuesday, December 8, 2026 (Celebrated in many Catholic cantons: AG, AI, FR, GR, LU, NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR, VS, ZG)

• December 24 (Christmas Eve): Wednesday, December 24, 2025; Thursday, December 24, 2026 (Some companies or cantons, like Glarus, may observe this day)

• December 26 (Saint Stephen’s Day): Friday, December 26, 2025; Saturday, December 26, 2026 (Celebrated in most cantons, with a few exceptions like GE, JU, NE, SO, VS, VD, ZG)

• December 31 (New Year’s Eve / Restoration of the Republic): Wednesday, December 31, 2025; Thursday, December 31, 2026 (Specific to Glarus and Geneva)

Remuneration of Public Holidays in Switzerland: Principles and Practices

The remuneration for public holidays in Switzerland is a fundamental aspect of labor law, designed to ensure that employees do not suffer financial disadvantage when an official public holiday falls on a day they would normally work. These principles are governed by the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) and the Labor Act (LTr).

Right to Public Holiday Remuneration

In accordance with Swiss law, employees are entitled to remuneration for official national and cantonal public holidays, provided these days coincide with days they would normally be scheduled to work. This rule applies to both full-time and part-time employees.

Number of Paid Public Holidays

Swiss federal legislation stipulates a minimum of at least 8 paid public holidays per year. Among these, August 1 (Swiss National Day) is mandatorily a paid public holiday in all cantons. However, it is common for most cantons and employers to offer more than this legal minimum, often ranging from 12 to 15 paid public holidays per year, depending on the canton, the industry sector, and the provisions of the employment contract or the applicable Collective Labor Agreement (CLA). The policy for Salary and Wages in Switzerland incorporates this reality.

Calculation of Remuneration

Remuneration for a public holiday is generally calculated based on the usual salary the employee would have earned had they worked that day. This includes the basic salary and may also encompass other elements, such as fixed bonuses, regular allowances, or an average of overtime hours, if these provisions are specified in the employment contract or the CLA. Clarity on the calculation basis is essential for managing Salary and Wages in Switzerland.

Special Working Conditions on Public Holidays

In certain sectors (such as hospitality, catering, healthcare, transport, or security services) where working on public holidays is unavoidable, specific rules apply. If an employee is required to work on an official public holiday, they may be entitled to additional compensation. This compensation can take several forms:

• Increased pay: An additional percentage on the normal hourly rate (e.g., 150% of the normal rate, or more, depending on the CLA).

• Compensatory leave: The granting of a paid day off in compensation for the public holiday worked.

These provisions aim to acknowledge the burden placed on employees working during these collective rest days.

Public Holidays and Part-Time Employment

For part-time employees, the right to public holiday remuneration is proportional to their usual working hours and days. If a public holiday falls on a day when a part-time employee would not normally work according to their schedule, they generally do not have a right to compensation for that day. The management of Salary and Wages in Switzerlandfor part-time employees must consider this proportionality.

Absences and Probationary Periods

• Probationary periods: The rights to paid public holidays are generally acquired even during probationary periods, provided the employee is actively employed.

• Absences due to illness or accident: Employees on justified absence due to illness or accident with an appropriate medical certificate retain their right to remuneration for public holidays that fall during their incapacity to work, within the limits of the salary continuation periods provided by law or CLAs (e.g., the Berne Scale).

• Unjustified absences: If an employee is on unjustified absence on the day preceding or following a public holiday, they may lose their right to remuneration for that public holiday, as the employer may presume an abuse of right.

Cantonal Discrepancies and the Importance of CLAs

It is fundamental to emphasize that specific practices and the exact number of paid public holidays can vary considerably from one canton to another in Switzerland, due to cantonal sovereignty in this matter. Furthermore, Collective Labor Agreements (CLAs) play a major role, as they may include more favorable provisions than the law, particularly concerning the number of paid public holidays, increased remuneration, or compensatory leave. Companies may also have internal policies that offer additional benefits. Understanding these nuances is vital for the accuracy of Salary and Wages in Switzerland.

In summary, in Switzerland, public holidays are generally paid, and employees are remunerated as if they had worked, thus ensuring that these official rest days do not result in a loss of income. However, it is imperative for both employers and employees to carefully consult their canton’s official calendar and any applicable collective labor agreements for specific details related to their particular situation, to ensure compliant management of Salary and Wages in Switzerland