Q: How many public holidays does Switzerland observe in 2026?

Switzerland has only one federally protected public holiday — Bundesfeier on 1 August. All other holidays are cantonal. Federal labour law ( Arbeitsgesetz Art. 20a ) allows each canton to designate up to 8 additional paid public holidays alongside Bundesfeier. The actual count therefore varies by canton — typically 9 to 15 paid holidays per year .

Q: Which public holidays apply throughout Switzerland?

Only Bundesfeier (1 August) is federally protected. In practice, Neujahr (1 January), Auffahrt (Ascension Day) and Weihnachten (25 December) are also observed in all 26 cantons through cantonal law. All other holidays — including Karfreitag, Ostermontag, Pfingstmontag and Stephanstag — vary by canton.

Q: When is Easter in Switzerland in 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April . Karfreitag is 3 April and Ostermontag is 6 April . Karfreitag is a cantonal public holiday in 24 of 26 cantons (not in Valais and Ticino). Ostermontag is observed in 23 of 26 cantons (not in Geneva, Neuchâtel and Valais).

Q: What is the cantonal 8-day public holiday rule?

Under Swiss labour law ( Art. 20a Arbeitsgesetz ), each canton can designate up to 8 paid public holidays per year in addition to Bundesfeier. These cantonal holidays must be treated as Sundays for employment purposes — most employees do not work and receive their regular pay.

Question 1

How many public holidays does Switzerland observe in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Switzerland has only one federally protected public holiday — Bundesfeier on 1 August. All other holidays are cantonal. Federal labour law (Arbeitsgesetz Art. 20a) allows each canton to designate up to 8 additional paid public holidays alongside Bundesfeier. The actual count therefore varies by canton — typically 9 to 15 paid holidays per year.

Question 2

Which public holidays apply throughout Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

Only Bundesfeier (1 August) is federally protected. In practice, Neujahr (1 January), Auffahrt (Ascension Day) and Weihnachten (25 December) are also observed in all 26 cantons through cantonal law. All other holidays — including Karfreitag, Ostermontag, Pfingstmontag and Stephanstag — vary by canton.

Question 3

When is Easter in Switzerland in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April. Karfreitag is 3 April and Ostermontag is 6 April. Karfreitag is a cantonal public holiday in 24 of 26 cantons (not in Valais and Ticino). Ostermontag is observed in 23 of 26 cantons (not in Geneva, Neuchâtel and Valais).

Question 4

What long weekends does Switzerland have in 2026?

Accepted Answer

2026 offers strong long-weekend opportunities. Ostermontag (Mon 6 April) and Pfingstmontag (Mon 25 May) each create three-day weekends in most cantons. Auffahrt on Thursday 14 May creates a four-day stretch with a bridge day on Friday in every canton. In Catholic cantons, Fronleichnam on Thursday 4 June offers the same bridge-day bonus. Christmas Day on Friday 25 December closes the year with a long weekend together with Stephanstag.

Question 5

Are public holidays paid in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

It depends. Bundesfeier on 1 August is the only legally mandated paid public holiday. For cantonal holidays the rules vary, but most cantons require employers to treat them as Sundays for employment purposes — meaning employees receive regular pay. Collective bargaining agreements (GAV / CCT) typically extend full pay to all cantonal holidays.

Question 6

Why do Catholic cantons have more public holidays?

Accepted Answer

Switzerland's holiday landscape reflects its religious history. Catholic cantons (Fribourg, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug, Appenzell Innerrhoden) observe additional feasts like Fronleichnam, Mariä Himmelfahrt, Allerheiligen and Mariä Empfängnis. Protestant cantons (Zürich, Bern, Schaffhausen and others) typically observe fewer religious holidays but include Karfreitag and other Reformation-era days.

Question 7

Do shops open on public holidays in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

Generally no on Sundays and federal holidays. Each canton sets its own rules under cantonal trade laws. Exceptions vary by canton: shops at airports, major train stations, petrol stations, bakeries and pharmacies on duty are commonly allowed. Tourist regions may grant additional Sunday openings.

Question 8

What is the cantonal 8-day public holiday rule?

Accepted Answer

Under Swiss labour law (Art. 20a Arbeitsgesetz), each canton can designate up to 8 paid public holidays per year in addition to Bundesfeier. These cantonal holidays must be treated as Sundays for employment purposes — most employees do not work and receive their regular pay.

Question 9

What is Eidgenössischer Bettag (Federal Day of Thanksgiving)?

Accepted Answer

The Eidgenössische Dank-, Buss- und Bettag (Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer) is observed on the third Sunday of September — Sunday 20 September in 2026. It is recognised across Switzerland but is not a separate work-free day because it falls on a Sunday. Vaud uniquely observes the following Monday (Lundi du Jeûne, 21 September 2026) as a cantonal holiday.

Question 10

Do public holidays that fall on a weekend get an extra day off?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. In 2026 several Swiss public holidays fall on weekends: Bundesfeier (Sat 1 August), Mariä Himmelfahrt (Sat 15 August), Allerheiligen (Sun 1 November) and Stephanstag (Sat 26 December). Swiss labour law does not provide a substitute day off in these cases — individual cantons or collective agreements may differ.

Question 11

What about freelancers and interim managers — do they take holidays off?

Accepted Answer

Swiss freelancers and interim managers are not legally entitled to paid public holidays — but most factor them into project planning and day rates. On FRATCH, you can browse availability calendars before requesting a freelancer to plan around bridge days, Easter, Ascension and the Christmas break.

Public holidays in Switzerland 2026

Holiday summary

Every Swiss public holiday in 2026 — explained

New Year's Day

Berchtold's Day

Epiphany

Jura Republic Day

Saint Joseph's Day

Good Friday

Easter Monday

Labour Day

Ascension Day

Whit Monday

Corpus Christi

Jura Independence Day

Saints Peter and Paul

Swiss National Day

Assumption Day

Geneva Fast

Federal Fast Monday

Brother Klaus

All Saints' Day

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Christmas Day

Saint Stephen's Day

Restoration of the Republic

How many public holidays does Switzerland observe in 2026?

Which public holidays apply throughout Switzerland?

When is Easter in Switzerland in 2026?

What long weekends does Switzerland have in 2026?

Are public holidays paid in Switzerland?

Why do Catholic cantons have more public holidays?

Do shops open on public holidays in Switzerland?

What is the cantonal 8-day public holiday rule?

What is Eidgenössischer Bettag (Federal Day of Thanksgiving)?

Do public holidays that fall on a weekend get an extra day off?

What about freelancers and interim managers — do they take holidays off?

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