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Minimum wage in Switzerland
Payroll in Switzerland
Statutory benefits in Switzerland
Other employee benefits in Switzerland
Compliant, seamless payroll and benefits in Switzerland and beyond
Payroll and benefits in Switzerland
When it comes to payroll, every country has its own rules and regulations. If you want to set up and run payroll in Switzerland you’ll need to understand the intricacies of the social security system, which can be complicated. You’ll also need to know about crucial payroll obligations for employers like providing payslips and keeping payroll records. Switzerland is also unusual for a European country in that it has no national minimum wage, though certain industries and regions have minimums you should be aware of as an employer.
Employees in Switzerland are also entitled to extensive benefits, which are provided either directly by employers or through the social security system. Of course, employers in Switzerland can also choose to offer additional benefits to support their teams and better attract and retain talent. We’ll list some of the extra benefits that are most appreciated by Swiss employees at the end of this section.
Minimum wage in Switzerland
Overview of Minimum Wage Regulation in Switzerland (2026)
Switzerland does not have a national minimum wage. Instead, wage regulation is determined at the cantonal level, and in some cases through collective bargaining agreements that set sector-specific minimums. A federal initiative proposing a nationwide minimum hourly wage of CHF 22 was rejected by popular vote in 2014, and the country has retained its decentralized wage-setting framework. As a result, minimum wage entitlements depend on the canton in which the employee works and, in certain industries, on the applicability of sectoral collective agreements.
Cantonal Minimum Wages in Switzerland (2026)
Several cantons continue to apply statutory minimum wages in 2026, reflecting variations in cost of living across the country. As of recent adjustments, Geneva maintains one of the highest minimum wages globally, while other cantons also apply statutory wage floors. Current reference rates include Geneva at CHF 24.32 per hour, Basel-Stadt at CHF 21.70 per hour, Neuchâtel at CHF 21.09 per hour, Jura at CHF 20.60 per hour and Ticino at CHF 19 per hour. These figures represent some of the highest minimum wages in Europe and globally. Cantons without statutory minimum wages typically rely on market standards or conditions defined in collective agreements. Despite the absence of a national wage floor, remuneration levels in Switzerland remain high when compared to European and international norms.
Minimum Monthly Wage by Canton (2026)
Monthly minimum wage calculations in Switzerland depend on both the applicable cantonal minimum hourly rate and an employee’s working hours. For example, an employee in Geneva working a 40-hour week at the statutory minimum wage would earn approximately CHF 4,215.47 per month before taxes and social insurance contributions. Monthly earnings will therefore vary significantly between cantons and work schedules. Employers must ensure that wages comply with the relevant cantonal rate and take into account working time arrangements defined in employment contracts.
Collective Bargaining Agreements and Sector-Specific Minimum Wages (2026)
In several industries, minimum wages are established through collective bargaining agreements negotiated between trade unions and employer associations. These agreements may apply universally across a sector when declared binding or may only bind employers that have signed the agreement. Collective agreements may define wage categories based on job roles, qualifications or seniority. Employers must verify whether a sectoral minimum wage applies to their workforce, particularly in industries such as hospitality, construction and cleaning where such agreements are common.
Minimum Wage for Students in Switzerland (2026)
There is no dedicated minimum wage for students working in Switzerland. Students engaged in part-time or temporary employment are entitled to receive at least the applicable cantonal minimum wage if one exists, or the wage defined under any relevant collective bargaining agreement. In cantons without a statutory minimum wage, employers must ensure that student workers are compensated fairly according to market standards and contractual terms.
Payroll in Switzerland
Every country has its own regulations and customs when it comes to payroll. In Switzerland, these are set by both labour law and collective agreements, which sometimes provide additional requirements for employers. Running payroll in Switzerland is particularly challenging because of the 26 separate tax authorities, which each have their own reporting specifications.
Basics of payroll in Switzerland
In Switzerland, it’s mandatory to conduct payroll monthly and to pay employees by the last working day of the month. Most employees receive their pay on the 25th of the month, and the normal payment method is by bank transfer. The tax year in Switzerland runs from 1 January to 31 December, and the local currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF).
Payslips and payroll records in Switzerland
Employers in Switzerland must provide their employees with a detailed payslip after each payroll run. This can be in either digital or paper form, and must include the following information:
- Pay period and date.
- Details of employer and employee.
- Gross salary.
- Social security deductions.
- Child and education allowance.
- Bonuses.
- Holiday pay, sick pay, and pay for public holidays.
- Advance payments.
- Other deductions.
- Reimbursement for expenses.
Employers must keep payroll records for at least 10 years.
Income tax in Switzerland
Employees in Switzerland must pay both federal and cantonal income tax on their income from employment. Federal tax rates range from 0.77% to 11% (1% to 11% for married taxpayers). Annual income up to CHF 17,800 is exempt from federal income tax. Cantonal tax rates vary significantly from one canton to another, and even between different municipalities in the same canton. Members of religious institutions are required to pay church tax, which is also levied at the cantonal level.
Unlike in most of Europe, income tax is not deducted at source by the employer in Switzerland. Instead, employees must submit an annual tax return and pay taxes themselves either in one single payment or in instalments throughout the year. Employees are required to file their tax return by 31 March each year. Married taxpayers file a joint return.
The exception to this rule is foreign employees temporarily living in Switzerland without permanent residence and cross-border commuters who work in Switzerland but live in another country. In these cases, employers must calculate the taxes each employee owes and deduct them from the employee’s monthly income. They must file a quarterly payroll tax report detailing the tax they have withheld.
Social security contributions in Switzerland
Unlike income tax, social security contributions must be withheld at the source by employers in Switzerland. Employers also make contributions based on their employees’ salaries. The Swiss social security system includes the following social insurances:
- Old age, survivors’ and disability insurance (AHV and IV).
- Unemployment insurance (ALV).
- Insurance coverage for family allowances (FAK).
- Income compensation for maternity and military services (EO).
- Occupational pension insurance (BV).
- Occupational and non-occupational accident insurance (BU/NBU).
Health insurance (KVG) is also compulsory, but this is handled privately by employees. Employers must register for all other social insurances withhold employee contributions from their salaries.
13th salary in Switzerland
The 13th salary payment is not compulsory in Switzerland, but it is very common. Certain collective agreements mandate that employees must receive a 13th salary, usually at the end of the year.
Statutory benefits in Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its robust social protections, which are provided through various forms of social insurance and funded by contributions from both employers and employees. The social security system in Switzerland provides employees with benefits including pensions, loss of earnings compensation, family allowances, and medical expenses in the case of accidents.
The Swiss social security system has five branches:
- Old-age, survivors’ and invalidity insurance (pension): This is paid to employees who are no longer able to work, either because they reach the retirement age or because of a disability or illness. Employers and employees must pay into both old age and survivors’ insurance and an occupational pension scheme. Employees can also choose to set up a private savings scheme to supplement their pension.
- Health and accident insurance: Everyone in Switzerland is obliged to take out a basic health insurance policy with a provider of their choice. They pay a monthly premium, which varies based on the provider and the plan chosen. Adults can choose a deductible ranging from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 annually, which also impacts the monthly cost.
- Loss of earnings compensation: This allows employees to receive an income both in the case of military or other civilian service and while on maternity and paternity leave. This is paid at 80% of the employee’s most recent pay, up to a cap.
- Unemployment insurance: Employees who lose their jobs in Switzerland are entitled to unemployment benefits, subject to certain conditions, for a maximum of 250 days. This is paid at a rate of 70% of the employee’s average salary, or 80% in certain situations.
- Family allowance: Employees in Switzerland are entitled to a family allowance of CHF 200 per month for each child under the age of 16. For children in education up to the age of 25, the allowance is CHF 250 per month. This payment is dispersed by the employer with the employee’s monthly salary payment and reimbursed by the social security system.
Employer-provided benefits in Switzerland
In addition to the benefits provided by social security in Switzerland, employers are also obliged to provide certain benefits directly to their employees. These include:
- Annual leave: Employees are entitled to four weeks of annual leave per year (five weeks for employees under the age of 20). They are also entitled to time off on public holidays, which vary by canton.
- Maternity leave: Employees have the right to 98 days of paid leave when they have a baby, paid at 80% of their usual salary up to a cap. Some cantons have provisions for extended maternity leave.
- Paternity leave: Fathers in Switzerland are entitled to two weeks of paid time off when their partner has a baby, paid at the same rate as maternity leave. They must take this leave within six months of the birth.
- Sick leave: This is either paid by the employer or covered by their sickness allowance insurance if they have taken out a policy.
Other employee benefits in Switzerland
In Switzerland, it’s common for employers to offer additional benefits, particularly to senior employees. Providing a benefits package that goes above and beyond your legal obligations as an employer in Switzerland can help you to stand out as an employer and more easily attract talent.
Here are some of the most common additional employee benefits in Switzerland:
- Private pension plans: In addition to mandatory occupational pensions and old-age and survivors’ insurance, some employers in Switzerland choose to offer their employees private pension plans, helping them plan for retirement.
- Private health insurance: Although health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland, employees can choose to offer sponsored insurance for their employees and their dependents, which can be a valuable employee benefit.
- Additional annual leave: While all employees are entitled to at least four weeks of annual leave, additional time off can be a valuable employee benefit in Switzerland.
- Stock options: Offering employees stock options gives them a stake in the company, ensuring that their motivations are aligned with the company’s objectives. Since a company’s value hopefully grows over time, stock options can represent a significant reward.
- Bonuses: Many companies in Switzerland choose to offer their employees annual bonuses, which could be company-wide, or individual based on performance. In some cases, a 13th salary payment is obligatory according to the collective agreement that applies.
- Transportation allowances: Some companies in Switzerland provide their employees with company cars as an employee benefit. However, many now choose to offer car or transportation allowances instead since this is more tax effective.
- Training and education: Some companies offer their employees coaching and training, which can help employees to develop in their careers.
- Flexible working arrangements: It is becoming more common for employers to offer flexible working arrangements including remote working, flexible hours, and even compressed or reduced work weeks.
- Meal allowances: Many employers in Switzerland provide their employees with either lunch checks or a cafeteria providing subsidised meals in the workplace. This second option is most common with large enterprises.
Compliant, seamless payroll and benefits in Switzerland and beyond
Getting payroll and benefits right is not just a legal issue. Every country also has its own customs, norms and expectations about employee compensation. And if your operations aren’t in line with your workers’ expectations, they may not stick around for long.
Thankfully, we know what we’re doing. When you work with CXC to engage workers in Switzerland, we’ll handle everything from tax withholding to employee bonuses on your behalf.
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