
Payroll and Benefits Guide Switzerland – Zurich
Last updated: May 16, 2023
Contributions
Employer
Employer Payroll Contributions
8.17% – 23.50% | Total Employment Cost |
5.30% |
Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (AHV/IV/EO) |
1.10% |
Unemployment Insurance (Maximum 148,200.00 CHF) |
0.50% |
Supplementary Unemployment Insurance (Above 148,200.00 CHF) |
1.00% – 3.00% |
Family Compensation Fund |
0.17% -13.50% |
Supplemental Unemployment Insurance (maximum 148,200.00 CHF) |
0.10% |
Vocational training Fund |
Occupational Pension Scheme |
Dependent on pension plan and is employer specific |
Employee
Employee Payroll Contributions
7.90% – 10.90% | Total Employee Cost |
5.30% |
Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance |
1.10% |
Unemployment Insurance (Maximum 148,200.00 CHF) |
0.50% |
Supplemental Unemployment Insurance (Above 148,200.00 CHF) |
1.00% – 4.00% |
Non-Occupational Accident Insurance (Maximum 148,200.00 CHF) |
Occupational Pension Scheme |
Dependent on pension plan and is employer specific |
Medical Insurance |
Dependent on coverage and private insurance |
Employee Income Tax
Single Taxpayer – Zurich Cantonal Tax: |
|
0.00% |
Less than 6,700.00 CHF |
2.00% |
6,700.00 CHF – 11,400.00 CHF |
3.00% + 94.00 CHF |
11,400.00 CHF – 16,100.00 CHF |
4.00% + 235.00 CHF |
16,100.00 CHF – 23,700.00 CHF |
5.00% + 539.00 CHF |
23,700.00 CHF – 33,000.00 CHF |
6.00% + 1,004.00 CHF |
33,000.00 CHF – 43,700.00 CHF |
7.00% + 1,646.00 CHF |
43,700.00 CHF – 56,100.00 CHF |
8.00% + 2,514.00 CHF |
56,100.00 CHF – 73,000.00 CHF |
9.00% + 3,866.00 CHF |
73,000.00 CHF – 105,500.00 CHF |
10.00% + 6,791.00 CHF |
105,500.00 CHF – 137,700.00 |
11.00% + 10,011.00 CHF |
137,700.00 CHF – 188,700.00 CHF |
12.00% +15,621.00 CHF |
188,700.00 CHF – 254,900.00 CHF |
13.00% + 23,565.00 CHF |
Over 254,900.00 CHF |
Married Taxpayer – Zurich Cantonal Tax |
|
0.00% |
Less than 13,500.00 CHF |
2.00% |
13,500.00 CHF – 19,600.00 CHF |
3.00% |
19,600.00 CHF – 27,300.00 CHF + 122.00 CHF |
4.00% |
27,300.00 CHF – 36,700.00 CHF + 353.00 CHF |
5.00% |
36,700.00 CHF – 47,400 CHF + 729.00 CHF |
6.00% |
47,400.00 CHF – 61,300.00 CHF + 1,264.00 CHF |
7.00% |
61,300.00 CHF – 92,100.00 CHF + 2,098.00 CHF |
8.00% |
92,100.00 CHF – 122,900.00 CHF + 4,254.00 CHF |
9.00% |
122,900.00 CHF – 169,300.00 CHF + 6,718.00 CHF |
10.00% |
169,300.00 CHF – 224,700.00 CHF + 10,894.00 CHF |
11.00% |
169,300.00 CHF – 224,700.00 CHF +10,894 CHF |
12.00% |
284,800.00 CHF – 354,100.00 CHF + 23,045.00 CHF |
13.00% |
Over 354,100.00 CHF + 31,361.00 CHF |
Employer taxes
Employee taxes
Minimum Wage
General
No national minimum wage. However, minimum wages can be established by way of collective bargaining agreements.
Zurich has discussed the idea at length; however, no uniform standard has yet been set.
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Zurich: The payroll cycle is generally monthly, with payments made on the 25th of each month.
13th Salary
While not compulsory, a 13th salary is very common, and if due, will be outlined in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
Working Hours
General
A 40-44 hour workweek is common, dependent on collective bargaining agreement in place.
Zurich: Standard working hours in Zurich are 45 hours per week, with a possible additional 2 hours a day (170 hours per year) in the case of unforeseen emergency circumstances.
The maximum weekly and daily working hours can increase to 50 hours per week if stipulated in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement and in accordance with the specific role requirements.
Overtime
Zurich: Hours worked in excess of the standard contracted hours per week are to be paid as overtime and are regulated by the employment contract or collective bargaining agreements. In general, overtime is paid at 125% of the regular salary rate (capped at 2 hours per day).
Working Week
Monday–Friday
Leave
Paid Time Off
Employees over the age of 20 and under 50 receive 4 weeks of paid holiday. Under the age of 20 and over 50 receive 5 weeks of paid holiday.
Public holidays
Most public holidays are set by each individual canton.
Public holidays that fall on the weekend are usually lost.
Sick Days
All employees are entitled to paid sick leave based on the number of years of continuous employment. During the first year of employment, the employee receives up to 3 weeks of paid sick leave.
Alternatively, employers and employees may agree to opt for a daily benefits insurance scheme where employees will receive up to 80% of their last salary for a maximum of 720 days. the employee is required to provide a doctor’s note.
Maternity Leave
Maternity allowance is given to employees who have contributed to the OASI for at least 9 months preceding the delivery and have worked for at least five months.
Mothers (both full-time and part-time employees) are paid 80% of their wages in the form of a daily allowance for 98 days (up to a maximum cap of SFr 196 per day). However, Geneva law provides an additional two weeks, amounting to a total of 16 weeks. The employee is required to provide the birth certificate.
Paternity Leave
Fathers in Switzerland are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave and federal employees will now be entitled to 4 weeks of paternity leave. This leave can either be taken either on a weekly basis (weekends included) or on the basis of individual days. As is the case with maternity leave, weekends are included in the compensation. Consequently, the father has 14 daily allowances and is entitled to a total of 10 days off work. The paternity leave must be taken within six months of the birth of the child and the employee is required to provide the birth certificate.
Paternity leave benefits will equal 80% of the employee’s average salary prior to the baby’s birth but will be capped at a total of CHF220 per day.
Parental Leave
There are no statutory laws on parental leave.
Other Leave
Care leave: 14 weeks of paid leave to provide care for a seriously ill or injured child. The employee is required to provide a doctor’s certificate.
Death leave: The law does not specifically define how many hours or days an employee can take off in case of a relative’s death. Employers may decide this. Normally, three days to five days are given in case of close relatives and one to three days in other cases.
Wedding leave: The law does not specifically define how many hours or days an employee can take off in case of a wedding. Employers may decide this. Normally one to three days are given.
Termination
Termination Process
Termination in Switzerland has the principle of freedom of dismissal, making it possible to terminate a contract of employment without there being an important reason, provided that such termination is not discriminatory or abusive. The reason for the dismissal must be explained when the other party requests it. Even if the dismissal is valid through oral termination, it is advisable to do so in writing for evidentiary purposes.
Notice Period
Termination is considered legally valid from the moment the recipient receives it.
The statutory notice periods are as follows:
- 7 days during the trial period
- 1 month during the first year of service
- 2 months during the second to the ninth year of service
- 3 months from the tenth year of service
Alternatively, the parties can contractually agree on a notice period. Notice begins at the end of the calendar month. Garden leave can be utilized during this period.
A fixed-term employment contract ends upon the expiry of the agreed period.
Severance Pay
Severance pay is stipulated within the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the statutory severance payment is only applicable to employees of at least 50 years of age who have completed at least 20 years of employment and provided there is a shortfall in pension benefits. Due to this last condition, this statutory entitlement is very rare. The severance payment due in this instance is calculated at between two and eight months’ pay.
Probation Period
The probation period is 1-3 months for indefinite employees.
Common Benefits
General
- Mobile phone allowance
- Work from home allowance
VISA
VISA
In Switzerland, there are two ways you can obtain a residence permit. This permit grants the permission to work in Switzerland:
A citizen of an EU member state or a citizen of the European Free Trade Association (and can enter Switzerland for 3-6 months while they search for a job):
- L (short-term resident): This is a permit valid from 3-12 months for individuals that have a valid employment contract.
- B (resident foreign nationals): This permit is for foreign nationals that have a valid employment contract for at least 12 months. This permit is valid for up to 5 years and can be extended automatically if the duration of the employment is extended.
- C (settled foreign nationals): This permit is valid indefinitely after one has resided in Switzerland for 5 uninterrupted years.
- G (cross-border nationals): For citizens who work in Switzerland but reside in a different country. Cross-border commuters must return home at least once a week.
Note that the EU Blue Card is not valid in Switzerland.
Non-EU/EFTA nationals: When an EU/EFTA citizen cannot be hired for a job, a company can extend a job offer to a third-party national. The employer must be able to show that they have made efforts to hire an EU/EFTA or any individual that already resides in Switzerland and must be able to show why the candidate was not fit for the job. For non-EU/EFTA nationals, permits L, B, and C can be applied for. However, there is no limit to how long it may take to obtain the work permit.
VAT
General
7.70% standard VAT.
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Version History
Fathers are now entitled to 14 days of paternity leave after the birth of a child.

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Payroll and Benefits Guide
in Switzerland – Zurich
What’s covered in this guide:
- Employer/employee contributions
- Minimum wage
- Working hours
- Visa requirements
And more...
Public Holidays Calendar
Day | Date | Holiday | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Sunday | Jan-1 | New Year’s Day | |
Monday | Jan-2 | Berchtold’s Day | Aargau, Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Jura, Luzern, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Vaud |
Friday | Jan-6 | Epiphany | Graubunden, Luzern, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri |
Wednesday | Mar-1 | Republic Day | Neuchatel |
Sunday | Mar-19 | St Joseph’s Day | Graubunden, Luzern, Nidwalden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais |
Friday | Apr-7 | Good Friday | Aargau,Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft,Basel-stadt, Bern, Fribourg,Geneva, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Zug. Zurich |
Monday | Apr-10 | Easter Monday | Aargau,Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau, Uri, Vaud, Zurich |
Thursday | Apr-13 | Nafelser Fahrt | Glarus |
Monday | May-1 | Labour Day | Basel-Landschaft, Basel-stadt, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Schaffhausen, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Zurich |
Thursday | May-18 | Ascension Day | |
Monday | May-29 | Whit Monday | Aargau,Appenzell Ausserrhoden,Appenzell Innerrhoden,Basel-Landschaft, Basel-stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Vaud, Zurich |
Thursday | Jun-8 | Corpus Christi | Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Graubunden, jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud |
Friday | Jun-23 | Independence of Jura | Jura |
Thursday | Jun-29 | St Peter & St Paul | Graubunden, Ticino |
Tuesday | Aug-1 | National Day | |
Tuesday | Aug-15 | Assumption Day | Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg,Jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud |
Thursday | Sep-7 | Jeune genevois | Geneva |
Monday | Sep-18 | Ascension Day | Vaud |
Friday | Sep-22 | St Mauritius | Appenzell Innerrhoden |
Monday | Sep-25 | Brother Klaus Festival | Obwalden |
Wednesday | Nov-1 | All Saints’ Day | Appenzell Innerrhoden,Fribourg, Glarus,Jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino, Uri, Valais |
Wednesday | Nov-8 | All Saints’ Day | Zug |
Friday | Dec-8 | Immaculate Conception | Aargau, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Fribourg, Graubunden, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Zug |
Sunday | Dec-24 | Christmas eve | Glarus |
Monday | Dec-25 | Christmas Day | |
Tuesday | Dec-26 | St Stephen’s Day | Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-stadt,Bern, Fribourg, Glarus, Graubunden, jura, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, St. Gallen, Thurgau,Uri, Ticino, Zurich |
Sunday | Dec-31 | New Year’s Eve | Glarus |
Questions & Answers