Public Holidays in Switzerland for 2019
The Swiss people celebrate in fairs, parades, and so much more almost every month, making Switzerland a fun and festive country to live and run a business. The Swiss Confederation, however, recognises only the Swiss National Day as the official public holiday in Switzerland. Switzerland is made up of federated states called cantons. These cantons are wholly independent as each has its government, parliament and courts. As such, the laws secure holidays in each local government.
Fun, Fairs & Festivities
As a business owner, leave, holidays and employment benefits are part and parcel of an employment contract with an employee. Business owners operating a business in Switzerland must take note of the location of their company as it comes with a slew of local regulation, including local public holidays. Some local public holidays can also be seasonal celebrations, while other holidays are meant to keep traditions in check.
The following are public holidays commonly celebrated in Switzerland. These dates can change according to official announcements from local authority in each canton.
Dates of the Switzerland Public Holiday 2019
Date | Day | Holiday | Cantons |
1 January | Tuesday | New Year’s Day | National |
2 January | Wednesday | Saint Berchtold’s Day | AG, BE, FR, GL, JU, LU, OW, SH, TG & VD |
6 January | Sunday | Epiphany | GR, LU, SZ, TI & UR |
1 March | Friday | Republic Day | NE |
19 March | Tuesday | St Joseph’s Day | GR, LU, NW, SZ, TI, UR & VS |
4 April | Thursday | Nafelser Fahrt | GL |
19 April | Friday | Good Day | National except for TI & VS |
22 April | Monday | Easter Monday | National except for NE, SO, VS & ZG |
1 May | Wednesday | Labour Day | BL, BS, JU, LU, NE, SH, SO, TG, TI & ZH |
30 May | Thursday | Ascension Day | National |
10 June | Monday | Whit Monday | National except for NE, SO, VS & ZG |
20 June | Thursday | Corpus Christi | National except for AR, BL, BS, BE, GE, GL, NE, Sh, SG, TG, VD & ZH |
23 June | Sunday | Independence of Jura | JU |
29 June | Saturday | St Peter and St Paul | GR & TI |
1 August | Thursday | National Day | National |
15 August | Thursday | Assumption Day | AG, AI, FR, JU, LU, NW, OW, SO, SZ, TI, UR, VS & ZG |
5 September | Thursday | Jeûne Genevois | GE |
16 September | Monday | Day after the Federal Fast | VD |
22 September | Sunday | St Mauritius | AI |
25 September | Wednesday | Brother Klaus Festival | OW |
1 November | Friday | All Saints’ Day | National except for AR, BL, BS, BE, GE, GR, NE, SH, TG, VD & ZH |
8 December | Sunday | Immaculate Conception | AG, AI, FR, GR, LU, NW, OW, SZ, TI, UR, VS & ZG |
24 December | Tuesday | Christmas Eve | GL |
25 December | Wednesday | Christmas Day | National |
26 December | Thursday | St Stephen’s Day | National except for GE, JU, NE, SO, VS, VD & ZG |
31 December | Tuesday | New Year’s Eve | GL |
Job Benefits During Holidays
Within the Federal Constitution law of the Swiss Confederation, there is no specific law for compensation of work during public holidays. As such, during the hiring process, employers and employees would agree on the particular aspects of job benefits as outlined in the Federal Law and nationally recognised public holidays. Most employers are generous in providing time off to celebrate national holidays as well as canton holidays. Businesses in retail, logistics and supply continue business as usual through national holidays as consumer demands rise.
Doing Business in Switzerland
Ranked among the top wealthy country in the world, Switzerland is a land of opportunities for companies to expand and new businesses to flourish. Its prosperous and high technology economy enjoys great wealth even for the unskilled workers. Manufacturing factors most of its economy contributing factor. For entrepreneurs looking for a more tranquil environment, Swiss tourism may be an option. The Alpine landscapes have never failed to impress even the seasoned visitors of Switzerland. Business owners may find answers as to business in Switzerland is the right choice for your business expansion.