When planning work or a holiday in Switzerland, it is worth checking in advance the public holidays in Switzerland in 2026. The holiday calendar is important not only for people who are already employed, but also for those who are just planning to take up work abroad. Statutory public holidays affect the organization of private life, the possibility of planning leave, as well as the rhythm of work in individual cantons.
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Public holidays in Switzerland – what is worth knowing?
The system of public holidays in Switzerland differs from that which employees from many EU countries are used to. Although there are a few nationwide holidays, some public holidays in Switzerland depend on the specific canton. This means that in one region a given day may be a statutory public holiday, while in another it may be a normal working day. Therefore, before starting employment, it is always worth checking the local holiday calendar applicable at the place of work.
How many statutory public holidays are there in Switzerland?
Across the entire country, the only holiday guaranteed by law in all cantons is Swiss National Day, celebrated on August 1. Other public holidays are determined at the cantonal level. In practice, this means that the number of statutory public holidays in Switzerland in 2026 usually ranges from 8 to as many as 15 days, depending on the region. The most commonly observed holidays include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Christmas Day.
January 1 – New Year’s Day – Neujahr / Nouvel An / Capodanno – Thursday
(Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Freiburg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Valais, Zug, Zurich)
January 2 – St. Berchtold’s Day – Berchtoldstag – Friday (Aargau, Bern, Jura, Thurgau, Vaud)
January 6 – Epiphany – Heilige Drei Könige / Épiphanie – Tuesday (Graubünden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri)
March 19 – St. Joseph’s Day – Josefstag / Saint Joseph – Thursday
(Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug)
April 3 – Good Friday – Karfreitag / Vendredi saint – Friday
(Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Freiburg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Zug, Zurich)
April 5 – Easter Sunday – Ostersonntag / Dimanche de Pâques – Sunday (all cantons)
Easter Monday – April 6 – Ostermontag / Lundi de Pâques (all cantons)
April 20 – Sechseläuten – Sechseläuten – Monday (Zurich)
May 1 – Labour Day – Tag der Arbeit / Fête du Travail – Friday
(Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Freiburg, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Ticino, Thurgau, Zurich – regionally)
May 14 – Ascension Day – Auffahrt / Ascension – Thursday (all cantons)
May 25 – Whit Monday – Pfingstmontag / Lundi de Pentecôte – Monday
(Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Zurich)
June 4 – Corpus Christi – Fronleichnam / Fête-Dieu – Thursday
(Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Freiburg, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug, Neuchâtel)
June 29 – St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day – Peter und Paul / Saint Pierre-et-Paul – Monday
(Graubünden, Lucerne, Ticino – regionally)
August 1 – Swiss National Day – Bundesfeier / Fête nationale – Saturday (all cantons)
August 15 – Assumption of Mary – Mariä Himmelfahrt / Assomption – Saturday
(Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Freiburg, Graubünden, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Zug)
September 10 – Geneva Fast – Jeûne genevois – Thursday (Geneva)
Knabenschiessen – September 14 – Monday (Zurich)
September 20 – Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer – Eidgenössischer Dank-, Buss- und Bettag – Sunday
(Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Freiburg, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Valais, Zug, Zurich)
September 22 – St. Maurice’s Day – Mauritiustag / Saint Maurice – Tuesday
(Appenzell Innerrhoden, Lucerne, Solothurn – regionally)
October 2 – St. Leodegar’s Day – Leodegarstag – Friday (Lucerne)
November 1 – All Saints’ Day – Allerheiligen / Toussaint – Sunday
(Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Freiburg, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug)
December 8 – Immaculate Conception – Mariä Empfängnis / Immaculée Conception – Tuesday
(Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Freiburg, Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug)
December 25 – Christmas Day – Weihnachten / Noël / Natale – Friday (all cantons)
December 26 – St. Stephen’s Day – St. Stephanstag / Saint Étienne – Saturday
(Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Uri, Zurich)
Public holidays in Switzerland and Swiss National Day
Swiss National Day holds a special place in the calendar. It is the only public holiday guaranteed by federal law and observed throughout the country. On this day, festivals, parades, and local events take place in cities and smaller towns. For employees, it is an excellent opportunity to relax and to learn more about Swiss culture and traditions.
How to combine public holidays in Switzerland with leave in 2026?
Skillful vacation planning makes it possible to make the most of public holidays in Switzerland in 2026. Many holidays fall on a Thursday or Tuesday, which allows employees to take one or two days of leave and enjoy a long weekend.
Public holidays in Switzerland and working abroad
Knowing the holiday calendar is an important part of preparing for work abroad. Public holidays in Switzerland affect work schedules, pay for work on public holidays, and the availability of offices and institutions. For many people, they are also an opportunity to recover and maintain a better work–life balance.
Finally, it is worth adding that all people looking for work abroad, including in Switzerland, can take advantage of current job offers available on our europa.jobs platform. It is a trusted place that helps candidates find legal employment tailored to their experience and expectations.
