Special Leave in Switzerland

Statutory Special Leave Entitlements

Swiss law and GAV practice provide the following minimum special leave: Own marriage: 1 day (some GAV: 2–3 days). Death of spouse/partner, child or parent: 3 days. Death of sibling or grandparent: 1–2 days. Birth of own child: 2 weeks (paternity leave, since 2021, EO-funded at 80%). House move: 1 day (not universally guaranteed by law; most GAV include it). These are paid days off, employees receive their normal salary. GAV (collective agreements) often extend these entitlements significantly.

Paternity and Adoption Leave

The 2-week paternity leave (10 working days) is paid at 80% via the EO income replacement scheme (same as maternity leave). It must be taken within 6 months of the child's birth and can be taken as a block or day by day. For adoption of a child under 4: 2 weeks adoption leave since 2023, also at 80% EO. Same-sex registered partners have the same rights. Many large employers and GAV in pharma, finance and hospitality offer 4–6 weeks parental leave, far above the legal minimum.

GAV and Contract Extensions

Always check your GAV and employment contract for better terms: the L-GAV (hospitality) provides generous provisions; many cantonal civil service regulations grant 5+ days for marriage, 5 days for bereavement of close family. Unmarried partners: many GAV now include civil partners or cohabitating couples in bereavement and marriage leave rights. If your employer refuses special leave that your GAV grants, you can enforce it through the joint commission (PK) or civil court.

Context on the Swiss job market helps frame any career decision in Switzerland. Our gross-to-net salary guide shows what Swiss gross salaries look like after AVS, LPP and tax deductions. The salary negotiation guide covers how to use market data in offer discussions and which arguments work with Swiss recruiters. Our guide to working in Switzerland as a foreigner covers entry conditions, permit categories and practical relocation steps. The work permit guide explains B, C, G and L permit categories and processing timelines. For cross-sector salary benchmarks, the Switzerland salary guide covers all major roles and cities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Am I entitled to paid leave when a close family member dies?

Yes. The legal minimum is 3 days for death of spouse/partner, child or parent; 1–2 days for siblings or grandparents. Your GAV or contract may grant more. The days are paid at normal salary.

Can I take the 2-week paternity leave over several months?

Yes. The 2 weeks (10 working days) can be taken as a block or spread across individual days within 6 months of the child's birth. You must inform your employer in advance.

Am I entitled to a day off for my house move?

Not by federal law, but most GAV and employment contracts include it. If not explicitly in your contract or GAV, you would need to use holiday or take unpaid leave for a move.

What is the 13th month salary in Switzerland?

The 13th month salary in Switzerland refers to an additional monthly salary paid once a year, typically in December. It is included in annual salary benchmarks as standard: when a Swiss employer quotes CHF 120,000 per year, this normally means 13 monthly payments of approximately CHF 9,231 each, not 12 payments of CHF 10,000. The 13th month is governed by the employment contract or collective agreement (GAV), not by statute. It is subject to social contributions (AHV/ALV) and income tax. Always clarify with a prospective employer whether a quoted annual figure includes or excludes the 13th month.

How do Swiss notice periods work for employment contracts?

Under Swiss law (Code of Obligations, Art. 335c), notice periods during probation (default 1 month, up to 3 months by agreement) are 7 days. After probation, statutory notice periods are: 1 month during the first year, 2 months in years 2 to 9, and 3 months from year 10 onwards. Notice must be given in writing by end of calendar month (or end of the agreed notice period month). Contractual or GAV notice periods can be longer but cannot be shorter than statutory minimums. Protected periods exist (illness, accident, pregnancy) during which termination is suspended or prohibited.