Switzerland EOR & PEO

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Hire in Switzerland

Horizons ensures day-to-day guidance to help your business navigate Switzerland labor laws and regulations. Horizons also ensures payroll is processed weekly or fortnightly (the standard periods in Switzerland), and that taxes are withheld as required. As the Switzerland Employer of Record, Horizons is responsible for employee income tax withholding, payment of payroll taxes to state authorities, and submission of tax returns to the Switzerland Tax Office. Partnering with our Switzerland EOR is the quickest and most cost-effective way to enter the Switzerland market.

Note, a Switzerland Employer of Record is also known as a Switzerland Professional Employer Organization (PEO).

Facts & Stats

stay compliant with Switzerland labor laws

Employment & Labor Laws in Switzerland

Employment contracts in Switzerland

We strongly recommend providing all employees with a formal contract of employment in Switzerland. Contracts should have any relevant details of the employment arrangement, such as salary, vacation leave, and termination terms. Swiss francs should be used when referencing salary/wage.

By partnering with our Switzerland EOR, Horizons’ team of local experts can provide assistance for drafting strong employment contracts that are compliant with local regulations.

Fixed-term

Indefinite

Working hours in Switzerland

Working hours in Switzerland vary for different types of employees, and is between 45 and 50 hours per week. However, in practice, the standard working week for more employees is around 40 hours. Overtime is paid at a rate of at least 25% more than normal pay, and the exact terms are usually laid out in each employment contract.

Public holidays in Switzerland

Employees in Switzerland are entitled to one national public holiday (National Day), but the different cantons also have their own holidays for residents. The most commonly followed are:

Holiday Schedule in Switzerland [2024]

Switzerland has a range of national public holidays that are celebrated annually. In 2024 these holidays are:

Date	Holiday name
January 1, 2024	New Year’s Day
March 29, 2024	Good Friday
April 1, 2024	Easter Monday
May 9, 2024	Ascension Day
May 20, 2024	Whit Monday
August 1, 2024	National Day
December 25, 2024	Christmas Day
December 26, 2024	St. Stephen’s Day

Vacation leave in Switzerland

All employees in Switzerland are entitled to at least 20 days of paid leave. Some employers may choose to offer more, or employees may negotiate more on an individual basis.

Sick leave in Switzerland

In an employee’s first year with a company, their employer must offer up to three weeks of paid sick leave, but the precise amount depends on the canton. The employee must provide a medical note for absences of over three days in a row. The allowance may change after one year of employment, but the length depends on the role, amount of time in the role, and canton.

Parental leave in Switzerland

Mothers in Switzerland can take paid maternity leave as long as they have been employed with one employer for at least three months continuously and paid their social security contributions for a certain period of time. Mothers in every canton except Geneva can take 14 weeks after her child is born (at 80% pay). In Geneva, the allowance is 16 weeks. Their job roles are also protected for 26 weeks after their child’s birth.

Mothers are also entitled to special allowances to protect their health, such as being able to avoid physical work, night shifts, and more.

Fathers are not entitled to any paid paternity leave, but some companies offer an allowance as part of their benefits packages.

Taxation in Switzerland

The national tax rate for employers is on a progressive scale, ranging from 0% to 11.5%, but there is an additional rate charged by each canton that depends on location.

The corporate tax rate in Switzerland is approximately 8% at a national level, but each canton also charges its own rate so it is important to understand the local regulations wherever you operate.

Health coverage in Switzerland

Switzerland’s healthcare system is excellent, and insurance must be arranged by employees. Some employers do offer coverage, but it is not necessarily required.

Terminations and severance in Switzerland

The amount of notice that must be provided to employees before termination is determined by length of employment:

Up to one year of employment = One month of notice
Between two and nine years = Two months of notice
Ten years or more = Three months of notice

For employees in a probation period, the notice period is at least seven days.

Severance payments are not legally required.

Navigating employee terminations and handling severance packages can be complicated for companies expanding overseas for the first time. Horizons’ Switzerland EOR can mitigate risk for foreign companies and provide guidance through this process.

hassle-free Switzerland compensation & benefits

Switzerland compensations & benefits

Compensation laws in Switzerland

Switzerland’s cantons set their minimum wages. For example, one of the cantons, Geneva, pays CHF 20 per hour.

Minimum Wage Country Comparison Chart	(Per month in USD)
Switzerland (Geneva)	$4,000
Italy	$2,255
Australia	$1996
Algeria	$156
Uzbekistan	$22

Benefit management in Switzerland

Setting up a benefits system for your Swiss employees can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the country and its unique labor laws, which can differ from region to region. If you want to independently set up your benefits system, you can expect it to take weeks or even months, potentially presenting significant delays to your Swiss expansion.

Horizons offers an alternative to massively simplify the setup and running of your Swiss benefits system. Our outsourcing services can cover all of your benefit setup and ongoing management, helping you focus on a faster and more successful expansion.

Switzerland Employer Of Record Peo

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Hire in Switzerland

Employment & Labor Laws in Switzerland

Working hours in Switzerland

Public holidays in Switzerland

Switzerland compensations & benefits

Frequently asked questions

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With Horizons, you get quick service, transparent pricing, and expert support.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Switzerland PEO and a Switzerland EOR?

Generally speaking, the terms “Switzerland PEO” and “Switzerland EOR” are used interchangeably.

Can an EOR in Switzerland hire both local and foreign nationals to work in Switzerland?

An EOR in Switzerland can feasibly hire both local and foreign nationals to work in Switzerland.

However, the ability of Horizons to sponsor your foreign national employee in Switzerland may be limited due to visa quotas practiced in many countries.

Contact us with your requirements and our Global Mobility team with review the case and get back to you within 2 business days.

How long does Horizons' Switzerland EOR service take to hire an employee?

In most cases, Horizons’ Switzerland EOR can hire & onboard your employee within 24 hours. The actual start date of the employee will depend on their notice period obligation to their previous employer as well as any relevant hiring rules in Switzerland.

Is it possible to get a work visa in Switzerland?

It is possible to get a work visa in Switzerland. Horizons’ Global Mobility team is a dedicated team of work visa experts. They assess the details of each case to determine feasibility and costs before Horizons applies for the work visa on behalf of your employee. If the Global Mobility team determines that your case is feasible, the process is smooth and transparent. Visa spots in Switzerland are limited, however—get started today to secure your employees’ visa spot.

Switzerland EOR & PEO

Start hiring in Switzerland

SIMPLE, COMPLIANT HIRING WITH HORIZONS EOR

Hire in Switzerland

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stay compliant with Switzerland labor laws

Employment & Labor Laws in Switzerland

Employment contracts in Switzerland

Fixed-term

Probationary period

Termination notice period

Severance

Indefinite

Probationary period

Termination notice period

Severance

Working hours in Switzerland

Public holidays in Switzerland

Vacation leave in Switzerland

Sick leave in Switzerland

Parental leave in Switzerland

Taxation in Switzerland

Health coverage in Switzerland

Terminations and severance in Switzerland

hassle-free Switzerland compensation & benefits

Switzerland compensations & benefits

Compensation laws in Switzerland

Benefit management in Switzerland

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