Working Hours in Switzerland: Your Complete Guide

Switzerland offers one of the shortest work weeks in the developed world—averaging just 34.6 hours—while maintaining exceptional productivity. Only 0.4% of Swiss workers clock excessive hours, compared to the 10% OECD average.

But understanding Swiss labor law isn't always straightforward. Between federal regulations, cantonal variations, and industry-specific rules, knowing your rights (or obligations as an employer) requires clarity.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about working hours in Switzerland, from legal limits and overtime rules to public holidays and the rise of flexible work arrangements.

Standard Working Hours in Switzerland: What to Expect

Most full-time Swiss employees work 40-42 hours per week, typically spread across five days. A standard schedule runs Monday through Friday, roughly 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM with a lunch break.

The Swiss Labor Act (Arbeitsgesetz) sets maximum limits rather than standard hours:

• 45 hours per week maximum for industrial workers, office staff, technical employees, and retail workers in large companies
• 50 hours per week maximum for all other sectors (hospitality, agriculture, small businesses)

These aren't averages—they're hard caps designed to protect workers from exploitation.

How Part-Time Work Differs

Part-time employment is extremely common in Switzerland, particularly among women (43.3% work part-time versus 17.2% of men). Part-time typically means working 80-90% of full-time hours or less.

Your entitlements remain proportional: A 60% position gives you 60% of full-time vacation days, but the same hourly protections apply.

Real-World Example

Sarah works for a Zurich tech company with a 42-hour contract. Her typical week:

• Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (8 hours + 1-hour lunch)
• Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (7 hours + 1-hour lunch)
• Total: 39 working hours + 5 lunch hours = 42-hour week

Any hours beyond 42 count as contractual overtime.

Example Overtime Calculation

If your hourly rate is CHF 40 and you work 5 overtime hours:

• Base pay: 5 hours × CHF 40 = CHF 200
• Overtime premium (25%): CHF 50
• Total compensation: CHF 250

Alternatively, those 5 hours become 6.25 hours of compensatory time off (5 × 1.25).

Important exception: Senior managers and high-earning executives often waive overtime pay in their contracts. If you're in a leadership role earning above CHF 120,000-150,000 annually, check your contract carefully.

Rest Periods and Break Requirements

Swiss law mandates specific rest periods to ensure work-life balance:

Daily Rest

11 consecutive hours between work shifts. This can shorten to 8 hours once per week if the two-week average remains 11 hours.

If you finish work at 7:00 PM Monday, you cannot start before 6:00 AM Tuesday under normal circumstances.

Weekly Rest

One full 24-hour period weekly, traditionally Sunday. Saturday 11:00 PM through Sunday 11:00 PM is protected rest time.

Sunday work requires special authorization and typically includes premium pay (50% extra) plus compensatory time off.

Required Breaks During Work

Breaks don't count toward working hours—they're unpaid unless your contract specifies otherwise.

Night Work Restrictions

Work between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM is generally prohibited without special permits. Industries with authorized night work (healthcare, transportation, security) must provide:

• Health examinations before assignment
• Additional compensation or time off
• Extra rest periods

How Annual Leave Works

You must take at least 2 consecutive weeks annually. Employers can schedule the remaining days, but they must consider your preferences.

Carryover rules: Unused vacation typically expires at year-end, though exceptional circumstances may allow limited carryover. Upon termination, you're paid for unused vacation days.

Above-Legal Norms

Many collective bargaining agreements grant 5-6 weeks annually. Tech companies and multinationals often offer 5+ weeks to attract talent.

Some employers also provide additional vacation after 25+ years of service—sometimes up to 6 weeks total.

Public Holidays in Switzerland (2026)

Switzerland takes a unique approach to holidays: only August 1 (Swiss National Day) is federally mandated nationwide. Everything else varies by canton.

Universally Observed Holidays (Most Cantons)

• January 1 - New Year's Day (Wednesday)
• April 3 - Good Friday
• April 6 - Easter Monday
• May 14 - Ascension Day (Thursday)
• May 25 - Whit Monday
• August 1 - Swiss National Day (Saturday)*
• December 25 - Christmas Day (Friday)

*When August 1 falls on a weekend, most employers don't provide a substitute day off.

Cantonal Variations: Where You Work Matters

Cantons declare 9-17 total public holidays depending on religious and cultural traditions.

Catholic cantons (Valais, Ticino, Uri) observe more religious holidays:

• Epiphany (January 6)
• Corpus Christi
• Assumption (August 15)
• All Saints' Day (November 1)
• Immaculate Conception (December 8)

Protestant cantons might observe:

• Berchtold's Day (January 2)
• Different religious holidays or secular alternatives

Public Holidays by Major Expat Cantons (2026)

Work on public holidays requires employer authorization and typically includes 50% premium pay plus compensatory time off.

The Remote Work Revolution in Switzerland

The information and communications sector leads with 82.9% remote-capable positions. Even traditional industries now embrace hybrid models.

Flexible Working Hours

47.7% of Swiss workers have flexible schedules, though demand outpaces availability:

• 83% want flexible hours
• Only 55% currently have it
• 48% would reject jobs without flexibility

Men access flexibility more often (51.8%) than women (43.3%), despite women's higher part-time rates.

Legal Framework for Remote Work

Remote work must still comply with maximum hours, rest periods, and break requirements. Employers must:

• Track working hours accurately (time-tracking systems)
• Ensure home offices meet safety standards for regular remote work
• Respect right to disconnect (no expectation of availability during rest periods)

Magic Heidi tip: Our time-tracking features help remote workers and employers maintain compliance effortlessly while focusing on productivity.

The Cultural Context

Swiss workplace culture values:

• Punctuality: Meetings start on time; workdays end on time
• Efficiency over hours: Productivity matters more than face time
• Clear boundaries: Work stays at work; evenings and weekends are protected
• Trust-based flexibility: Many companies allow flexible schedules within legal frameworks

This cultural foundation makes the legal protections even more effective in practice.

The 4-Day Work Week Experiment

While Switzerland hasn't officially adopted a 4-day work week program, several companies are experimenting with compressed schedules:

• Longer daily hours (9-10 hours) over four days
• Same weekly total (40-42 hours)
• Mixed results: boosted productivity for some, increased stress for others

As of 2026, this remains experimental rather than mainstream. Most Swiss workers still prefer the traditional 5-day schedule with flexibility.

Cross-Border Workers

If you live in France, Germany, or Italy but work in Switzerland:

• Swiss working hour regulations apply during work
• Tax implications vary by residence canton and bilateral agreements
• Some flexibility around cross-border commute times
• Confirm which country's social security system applies

Managing Your Swiss Work Life Effectively

Understanding Swiss working hours regulations empowers you to negotiate better contracts, protect your rights, and maintain the work-life balance Switzerland is famous for.

Whether you're an expat navigating your first Swiss employment contract or an employer setting up operations, these rules aren't obstacles—they're the framework for sustainable, productive work.

Ready to simplify compliance? Magic Heidi's integrated time-tracking, invoicing, and accounting tools help Swiss businesses and freelancers manage working hours, track overtime, and handle administrative requirements effortlessly.

Focus on your work—let Magic Heidi handle the complexity of Swiss labor compliance.

This guide reflects Swiss labor law as of 2026. For specific situations, consult with a qualified employment lawyer or your cantonal labor office. Laws may be updated; verify current regulations for your canton and industry.