Paternity Leave in Switzerland: What Expats Need to Know in 2026
Switzerland introduced paid paternity leave in 2021—relatively late compared to neighboring countries. If you're an expat expecting a child in Switzerland, you're entitled to two weeks of paid leave, but the application process, income caps, and short timeframe can be confusing.
Quick Facts: Swiss Paternity Leave at a Glance
Switzerland offers two weeks of paid paternity leave—modest by European standards but available to all employed fathers, including expats. Understanding eligibility, payment calculations, and application procedures ensures you receive your full benefits.
Two weeks paid leave
10 working days at 80% incomeUp to CHF 3,080
Capped at CHF 220 per day6-month deadline
Must be taken within half a yearWhat Changed in 2024: Expanded Eligibility
Since January 1, 2024, paternity leave officially became "leave for the other parent." This change extends benefits to wives in same-sex marriages following Switzerland's introduction of marriage equality in 2022.
The official name change reflects Switzerland's evolving family structures while maintaining the same two-week benefit structure introduced in 2021.
Who Qualifies for Paternity Leave in Switzerland?
You're eligible for paternity leave if you meet these requirements at the time of your child's birth.
Legal Status
You're the legal father at birth (or become so within 6 months through acknowledgment or marriage). Legal status determines eligibility, not biological relationship.
- Married to the mother at birth
- Acknowledged paternity before birth
- Paternity established within 6 months
- Same-sex marriage partner (since 2024)
Employment & Insurance
You must be employed or self-employed when the child is born and have proper insurance history.
- Currently employed or self-employed at birth
- Compulsorily insured with AHV/AVS for 9 months
- Worked at least 5 months during those 9 months
- Work permit type doesn't affect eligibility
Expat-Specific Considerations
As long as you're legally employed and paying AHV/AVS, you qualify—including frontaliers commuting from neighboring countries.
- All work permit types eligible
- Frontaliers from France/Germany/Italy included
- Part-time workers receive proportional benefits
- Citizenship doesn't affect eligibility
How Much Will You Receive?
The paternity allowance pays 80% of your average income before your child's birth, with a daily cap of CHF 220. Here's how it works in practice.
- 💰80% of Income
Based on average pre-birth earnings
- 📊Daily Cap at CHF 220
Maximum CHF 3,080 total benefit
- 🏦Taxable Income
Benefits count as regular salary
- ⚖️Part-Time Proportional
60% employment = 60% benefit
- Rechnung #3
Magic Heidi
CHF 500
Jan 29
- Rechnung #2
Webbiger LTD
CHF 2000
Jan 24
- Rechnung #1
John Doe
CHF 600
Jan 20
Real-World Payment Examples
Scenario 1: Monthly salary CHF 6,000
- Daily rate: CHF 6,000 ÷ 30 × 80% = CHF 160/day
- Total benefit: CHF 160 × 14 days = CHF 2,240
Scenario 2: Monthly salary CHF 10,000
- Daily calculation would be CHF 267/day, but capped at CHF 220/day
- Total benefit: CHF 220 × 14 days = CHF 3,080 (maximum)
High earners note: If you earn more than CHF 8,250 per month (CHF 99,000 annually), you'll receive less than 80% of your actual income due to the daily cap.
Part-Time Workers
Your benefit is proportional to your employment level. If you work 60%, you receive 60% of the full allowance—meaning you won't face a disproportionate income reduction during your leave.
Taking Your Leave:
Timing and Flexibility
Unlike maternity leave, Swiss paternity leave offers notable flexibility in how and when you take your two weeks. You can split it into individual days or take it as one block.
Must be used within half a year of birth
Take consecutively or split into separate periods
36% of fathers take leave flexibly
Unused leave expires after 6 months
Typical Usage Patterns
According to 2021 data, fathers most commonly take:
- One week immediately after birth to support their partner during initial adjustment
- A second week when their partner returns to work to provide continuity of care
- Individual days spread across the first few months for medical appointments or challenging periods
This flexibility is unique to paternity leave—maternity leave must be taken consecutively. The 6-month deadline gives you time to identify when your family needs support most, but planning ahead prevents losing unused days.
How to Apply for Paternity Benefits
Your benefits come from Switzerland's Loss of Earnings Compensation scheme (EO/Erwerbsersatzordnung), not directly from your employer. Follow these steps to claim your entitlement.
Complete Application Form
Download form 318.747 from www.ahv-iv.ch or get it from your employer. The form is available in German, French, and Italian.
- Birth certificate (Geburtsschein/Acte de naissance)
- Proof of paternity if not married
- Employment confirmation
- AHV/AVS number
Submit Through Proper Channel
The submission path depends on your employment status. Most employed workers submit through their employer.
- Employed → Submit through employer
- Self-employed → Apply to cantonal office
- Unemployed → Apply to cantonal office
- Processing takes 2-4 weeks
Receive Payment
Payment method depends on whether your employer continues salary during your leave or if benefits come directly to you.
- Employer continues salary → They receive benefit
- No salary continuation → Direct payment to you
- Self-employed → Direct payment
- Benefit is taxable income
Your Rights and Protections
Swiss law provides important job protections when taking paternity leave that expats should understand.
Job Security
If your employer terminates your employment before you've taken all your paternity leave, the notice period extends by the number of remaining leave days. This ensures you don't lose your entitlement due to termination timing.
Vacation Days Protected
Your employer cannot reduce your regular vacation entitlement because you took paternity leave. The two weeks of paternity leave are completely separate from your annual vacation days—they don't count against each other.
No Employer Refusal
Your employer cannot refuse your paternity leave if you meet eligibility requirements. However, coordinating timing to minimize workplace disruption shows professionalism and maintains good relationships.
How Switzerland Compares
Switzerland's paternity leave is modest by European standards. Understanding where Switzerland ranks helps set realistic expectations for expat families.
| Country | Paternity Leave | Payment Rate | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 16 weeks | 100% salary | Must be consecutive |
| Sweden | 90 days per parent | ~80% salary | High flexibility |
| Germany | Up to 14 months shared | 65-100% salary | Very flexible |
| Switzerland | 2 weeks | 80% (capped CHF 220/day) | Block or individual days |
| France | 28 days | 100% salary (capped) | Moderately flexible |
| United Kingdom | 2 weeks | Flat rate ~£172/week | Must be consecutive |
Switzerland ranks 35th out of 38 OECD countries for family leave entitlements. Combined maternity and paternity leave (16 weeks total) falls well below the OECD average of 51 weeks for mothers and 10.6 weeks for fathers.
What this means for expats: If you're from countries like the US (which has no federal paid paternity leave), Switzerland's two weeks represents progress. However, if you're from Germany, Nordic countries, or even neighboring France, you'll notice significantly reduced benefits.
Common Questions Expats Ask
Can my employer offer more than 2 weeks?
Yes. The federal minimum is two weeks, but employers can offer additional paid leave through employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements. Some multinational companies maintain their home-country policies for Swiss employees. Check your employment contract or ask HR about company-specific benefits.
What if I'm on a temporary work permit?
Your permit type doesn't affect eligibility. As long as you're legally employed and paying AHV/AVS contributions, you qualify. This includes B permits, L permits, and frontaliers with G permits working in Switzerland.
Can I extend the 6-month deadline?
No. Unlike maternity leave (which extends if the baby requires hospitalization), paternity leave has a firm 6-month deadline with no extensions. Any unused leave after 6 months expires completely—you cannot carry it forward or receive compensation for unused days.
What happens if my child is born premature or needs intensive care?
You still have the same two weeks, but the 6-month clock starts from the birth date. Consider whether taking leave immediately or waiting until your baby comes home makes more sense for your family. Some fathers split their leave between hospital time and homecoming support.
How does this work if I'm self-employed?
Self-employed individuals apply directly to their cantonal compensation office. You receive benefits if you've been paying AHV/AVS contributions for at least 9 months before the birth and worked at least 5 months during that period. The same payment calculations and deadlines apply.
What if I have twins or multiples?
You receive two weeks total regardless of the number of children born at once. Unlike some countries, Switzerland doesn't multiply the leave for multiple births. However, some employers may offer additional leave through company policy.
Does my wife's citizenship affect my eligibility?
No. Your eligibility is based entirely on your employment status and AHV/AVS contributions, not on your or your partner's citizenship. As long as you meet the employment and insurance requirements, citizenship doesn't matter.
What if a parent dies?
Since January 2024, new protections apply. If the mother dies within 14 weeks of birth, the father receives an additional 14 weeks of paid leave. If the father dies, the mother receives an additional 2 weeks (20 working days) beyond standard maternity leave.
Special Circumstances and Cantonal Differences
Enhanced Cantonal Benefits
While federal law provides the baseline, some cantons and municipalities offer more generous benefits:
Fribourg: The city became the first in Switzerland to introduce 40 days of paternity leave for public sector employees in April 2024—four times the federal minimum.
Geneva: Offers 16 weeks of maternity leave (versus 14 weeks nationally), though federal rules blocked their proposed 24-week expansion.
Check with your canton's human resources department or family affairs office to see if enhanced benefits apply to you. Public sector employees often receive better benefits than private sector workers.
Adoption
Since January 2023, parents adopting a child under 4 years old receive two weeks of paid parental leave. The same eligibility requirements and payment structure apply—one parent gets two weeks at 80% of income, capped at CHF 220 per day.
Financial Planning Tips for Expats
High earners and self-employed expats need to plan for income gaps during paternity leave due to the daily payment cap.
Calculate Your Real Income
With the CHF 220 daily cap, high earners should calculate actual take-home reduction to avoid surprises.
- Calculate 80% of your normal daily rate
- Compare to CHF 220 cap (take lower amount)
- Multiply by 10 working days
- Subtract from normal two-week salary
Budget for the Gap
If you earn above CHF 99,000 annually, budget for reduced income during leave.
- Use savings to cover the income gap
- Negotiate with employer for supplemental pay
- Consider taking some leave as vacation days
- Factor in continued expenses during leave
Tax Planning
Paternity benefits are taxable income that will appear on your annual tax statement.
- Benefits count as regular income for tax
- May affect your tax bracket slightly
- Could require adjusted advance tax payments
- Include in annual tax return calculations
Future Changes: What's Coming?
Multiple initiatives aim to expand Swiss parental leave beyond the current two weeks.
Popular Initiative "Family Time"
A new initiative proposes 36 weeks of combined parental leave (18 weeks per parent, non-transferable). Organizers have until October 1, 2026, to gather 100,000 signatures for a referendum. If successful, Swiss voters would decide whether to dramatically expand family leave.
Federal Commission Proposal
The Federal Commission for Family Affairs proposed increasing total leave from 16 to 38 weeks, with flexible distribution requiring fathers to take a minimum 15 weeks. This would bring Switzerland closer to Nordic country standards.
Political Reality
Based on the 20-year journey to achieve two weeks of paternity leave, significant expansion faces political hurdles. Switzerland's tradition emphasizes individual responsibility over state support for family decisions.
However, the 2020 referendum passed with 60% support, suggesting growing acceptance of family-friendly policies. Expats planning long-term careers in Switzerland may see expanded benefits within the next decade.
Making the Most of Your Two Weeks
While two weeks isn't long, strategic planning helps maximize this time with your new family while handling essential Swiss registrations.
Birth Registration
Register at municipality within 3 days of birth.
Baby Documents
Apply for first Swiss ID and health insurance.
Child Benefits
Register for Kinderzulagen through your employer.
Paternity Application
Submit form 318.747 through proper channels.
Need Support with Swiss Administration?
Understanding Swiss parental leave is just one piece of settling into life in Switzerland. From registering with authorities to navigating health insurance and employment regulations, the Swiss system can be complex for newcomers.
Ready to Navigate Swiss Administration with Confidence?
Magic Heidi helps expats handle essential administrative tasks, from residence permits to tax registration and family benefits. We make settling in Switzerland straightforward, so you can focus on your growing family.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information current as of 2025 and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Individual circumstances vary. For specific questions, consult official government sources, your employer's HR department, or a legal professional. Cantonal rules may provide additional benefits beyond federal minimums.
Official Resources:
- Federal Social Insurance Office: www.ahv-iv.ch
- Application form 318.747: Available in German, French, Italian
- Cantonal compensation offices: Find yours through BSV/OFAS website