Public holidays in Switzerland: every canton, every date
The cantons decide which days are public holidays. Depending on the canton, 6 to 10 holidays count as equal to Sundays, including 1 August, the national holiday. New Year’s Day, Ascension Day, Swiss National Day, Christmas Day days are holidays in all 26 cantons.
| Canton | Holidays | on working days 2027 | Bridge days 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Bern | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Lucerne | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Uri | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Schwyz | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Obwalden | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Nidwalden | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Glarus | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Zug | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Fribourg | 9 | 5 to 6 | 1 to 2 |
| Solothurn | 6 to 9 | 3 to 5 | 1 to 2 |
| Basel-Stadt | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Basel-Landschaft | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Schaffhausen | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Appenzell Outer Rhodes | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Appenzell Inner Rhodes | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| St. Gallen | 9 | 6 | 1 |
| Grisons | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Aargau | 9 | 5 to 6 | 1 to 2 |
| Thurgau | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Ticino | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Vaud | 9 | 6 | 1 |
| Valais | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Neuchâtel | 9 to 10 | 4 to 5 | 1 to 2 |
| Geneva | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Jura | 9 | 6 | 2 |
Listed are the holidays the canton treats as equal to Sundays (Art. 20a para. 1 Labour Act). Other days may be free by custom or contract. Except for 1 August, whether a holiday is paid is a matter of the employment contract (SECO).
Source: SECO, public holidays in Switzerland (Stand 12.12.2024) · SLI-2026-10-10.39
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Switzerland have?
1 August is the only federal public holiday. All others are set by the cantons; 4 days are holidays in all 26 cantons.
Are public holidays paid?
1 August is a paid holiday. For the other holidays, the employment contract or the collective agreement decides whether wages are paid (SECO).
What is a bridge day?
A working day between a public holiday and the weekend, for example the Friday after Ascension Day. Taking it off gives you a long weekend.
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