On which public holidays am I not allowed to work in Switzerland?
It depends on the canton — only 1 August applies nationwide. The only federal public holiday equated to a Sunday nationwide is 1 August (National Day). All other public holidays are cantonal: cantons may equate up to 8 further days to Sundays (Art. 20a Labour Act). On such Sunday-equated holidays, employing workers is generally prohibited; work on these days needs a Sunday-work permit. Canton of Zürich example (illustrative): including New Year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ascension, Whit Monday, 1 August, Christmas and St Stephen's Day. Which days exactly apply varies by canton. In short: on 1 August nationwide, otherwise depending on the canton.
📋 The rules
- Only 1 August is a federal holiday
- All other holidays are cantonal
- Cantons: equate up to 8 further to Sundays
- On such days: employment generally prohibited
- Work needs a Sunday-work permit
🔓 Exceptions
- Zürich: 9 statutory, Sunday-equated holidays
- Locally recognised holidays possible in addition
- Lost time need not be made up
⚠️ Penalties & fines
An employer who employs workers on a Sunday-equated holiday without a permit breaches the Labour Act and risks fines and conditions from the authorities. Beware a myth: "all public holidays apply the same across Switzerland" is false — only 1 August is federal, and all other holidays and their number differ from canton to canton. Tip: check your canton's holiday list (and any communal holidays), plan work on holidays with the necessary permit, and note that lost working time need not be made up.
📎 Official sources
- SECO · public holidays Switzerland →
- Canton of Zürich · public holidays →
- ch.ch · holidays and public holidays →
❓ Frequently asked
Which holidays apply across all of Switzerland?
Only 1 August, the National Day, is a federal public holiday equated to a Sunday nationwide. All other public holidays are regulated cantonally. Cantons may equate up to eight further days to Sundays, which is why holidays differ from one canton to another across the country.
Can I work on a public holiday?
On a Sunday-equated holiday, employing workers is generally prohibited, as on a Sunday. Work on such days needs a Sunday-work permit. The self-employed aren't directly affected, but for employees the protective provisions of the Labour Act apply on these days.
Which holidays apply in the canton of Zürich?
In the canton of Zürich, New Year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ascension, Whit Monday, 1 August, Christmas and St Stephen's Day, among others, count as statutory Sunday-equated holidays. Locally recognised holidays can be added. Other cantons have partly different holidays.
Do I have to make up lost working time?
No. If working time is lost due to a Sunday-equated holiday, it need not be made up. The holiday is treated like a work-free Sunday. This applies to the cantonally recognised holidays. Check the specific rule of your canton and your employment relationship for details.
Do the same holidays apply everywhere?
No. Apart from 1 August, all holidays are cantonal, and both the number and the days differ. Some cantons have additional religious holidays, others fewer. So check the holiday list of your canton of residence and work, as it's decisive for your working time.
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