Swiss public holidays: why they differ by canton
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Direct answer
Switzerland has only one federal public holiday: National Day on 1 August. All other public holidays are set by the cantons, so they differ across the country.
Key facts
- 1 federal holiday: 1 August
- Other holidays are cantonal
- Easter Monday is not a holiday everywhere
- Geneva has its own Jeûne genevois
Cantonal rules
Cantons may declare up to eight further days equivalent to Sundays. Which days they choose often reflects religious tradition, so Catholic and Protestant cantons differ.
Movable holidays
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension and Whit Monday move with Easter. Our holiday explorer calculates them for any year and canton.
FAQ
- How many public holidays does Switzerland have?
- One federal (1 August); the rest depend on the canton (up to 8 additional Sunday-equivalent cantonal holidays under Art. 20a ArG).
- Is Berchtoldstag (2 January) a holiday everywhere?
- No. It is observed in cantons such as Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Aargau, and Vaud, but is a normal working day in Basel, St. Gallen, and Geneva.
- Do I get a day off in lieu if 1 August falls on a weekend?
- No. Swiss law does not grant a substitute weekday when a fixed public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, unless your contract or collective agreement says otherwise.
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