Swiss Public Holidays 2026 — What Expats Need to Know
Last updated: May 2026
Switzerland has only 8 national public holidays — far fewer than most European countries. But each of the 26 cantons adds its own regional holidays on top, and some communes add even more. Getting this wrong means missing a day off you were entitled to, or arriving at a Gemeinde office that is closed without warning.
The 8 national public holidays
| Holiday (EN / DE) | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day / Neujahrstag | 1 Jan | All cantons |
| Berchtoldstag | 2 Jan | Not observed in all cantons |
| Good Friday / Karfreitag | Varies | Most cantons except TI, VS |
| Easter Monday / Ostermontag | Varies | Most cantons |
| Ascension Day / Auffahrt | Varies | All cantons |
| Whit Monday / Pfingstmontag | Varies | Most cantons |
| Swiss National Day / Bundesfeier | 1 August | All cantons |
| Christmas Day / Weihnachten | 25 Dec | All cantons |
Canton-specific holidays — Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Zug and Basel
Cantons can declare additional holidays on top of national ones. Geneva has significantly more holidays than Zurich. Below are the most expat-relevant cantons.
Zurich
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Sechseläuten (afternoon) | 3rd Mon in April |
| Knabenschiessen (afternoon) | 2nd Mon in September |
| Stephanstag | 26 Dec |
Geneva
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Jeûne genevois | Thu after 1st Sun of Sept |
| Restoration of the Republic | 31 Dec |
| Labour Day | 1 May |
Bern
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Berchtoldstag | 2 Jan |
| Stephanstag | 26 Dec |
Zug
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi) | Varies |
| Mariä Himmelfahrt | 15 Aug |
| Allerheiligen | 1 Nov |
| Mariä Empfängnis | 8 Dec |
Basel-Stadt
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| 1 May | 1 May |
| Stephanstag | 26 Dec |
What expats always get wrong
- Assuming all shops close on national holidays — only some do, especially in train stations and airports.
- Assuming Berchtoldstag on 2 January is a national holiday — it is not. Many cantons (e.g. Geneva, Ticino) do not observe it.
- Planning a Gemeinde or bank visit on a canton holiday without checking the local canton calendar first.
How Swiss employers handle public holidays
If a public holiday falls on a weekend you are generally not entitled to a day off in lieu in Switzerland, unlike in the UK or Germany. This affects salary calculations and part-time workers in particular — your contract should specify how holidays are pro-rated. Always check your employment contract for the canton's stated list of holidays and how weekend overlaps are treated.
Your next step
New to Switzerland? Your canton checklist includes the key deadlines for your first 90 days — registration, health insurance and permit milestones — all specific to your canton.
Related on HowToSwiss
Get your personalised canton checklist
Free, tailored to your canton — permits, registration and health insurance deadlines all in one place. No signup.
Build my free checklist