Sick leave rules in Switzerland at a glance
Statutory rules for Switzerland, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | As soon as possible; ask your employer about deadlines |
|---|---|
| Self certification | Generally no certificate for the first 3 days, unless the employer or contract requires one |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Generally from day 4, or earlier if the employer or contract requires it |
| Certificate deadline | Ask your employer |
| Waiting days | None under the legal minimum; 1 to 3 days under daily allowance insurance |
| Employer pays | At least 3 weeks in the first year, or insurance usually at 80% |
| State sickness benefit | No mandatory state benefit |
| Maximum duration | Usually 720 or 730 days within 900 (insurance) |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, employer pay: at least 3 weeks in the first year, or insurance usually at 80%. State sickness benefit: no mandatory state benefit.
- EmployerAt least 3 weeks in the first year, or insurance usually at 80%
- State sickness benefitNo mandatory state benefit
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, a doctor's certificate is needed: generally from day 4, or earlier if the employer or contract requires it.
Self certification. Generally no certificate for the first 3 days, unless the employer or contract requires one
Certificate deadline. Ask your employer
Telling your employer. As soon as possible; ask your employer about deadlines
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Switzerland.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in Switzerland
How a 10 day absence runs in Switzerland, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | As soon as possible; ask your employer about deadlines |
| From day 4 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Generally from day 4, or earlier if the employer or contract requires it |
| During the absence | Employer | At least 3 weeks in the first year, or insurance usually at 80% |
| During the absence | State sickness benefit | No mandatory state benefit |
Maximum duration: Usually 720 or 730 days within 900 (insurance)
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in Switzerland?
There is no state sickness cash benefit.
Most employers take out daily allowance insurance, which usually pays 80% of salary for 720 or 730 days within 900. The certificate must not show a diagnosis.
What if you work in Switzerland but live in another country?
If you work in Switzerland and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Report sick by the rule in Switzerland (as soon as possible), and send any certificate to the body that pays you.
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body which format it accepts.
Switzerland relies on insurance for sick pay, so check the reporting rules of the fund or insurer that covers you.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
Switzerland has no mandatory state sickness cash benefit. If your job has lasted more than 3 months, your employer must pay at least 3 weeks of full salary in the first year of service. Most employers instead take out daily allowance insurance, which usually pays 80% of salary for 720 or 730 days within 900.
The rule for telling your employer in Switzerland: as soon as possible; ask your employer about deadlines.
Waiting days in Switzerland: none under the legal minimum; 1 to 3 days under daily allowance insurance.
The maximum duration of sick pay in Switzerland: usually 720 or 730 days within 900 (insurance).
Self certification in Switzerland: generally no certificate for the first 3 days, unless the employer or contract requires one.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Switzerland with Germany and Austria, or see all 42 countries side by side.
Have a question we did not answer? Ask the assistant.