Switzerland

Last Update by , 06 Aug 2024

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Exchange Rate

01 Dec 2024

 

Cost of Living

Indicative value for a working adult in a city: Zurich

Publicly available data (Numbeo, etc..), verified by Marco’s in-country staff

Living Requirement Indicative Amount (CHF)
McDonalds Set Meal 16
Monthly Train and Bus Tickets 87
3 Bedrooms Rental (City Center) 3,405
3 Bedrooms Rental (Outskirt) 2,682

Current Inflation Rate

1.7%

Wage

Minimum Wages

  • There is no nationwide minimum wage in Switzerland, all different cantons sign individual agreements

Median Salary

Estimated based on general positions such as HR, Accounting, Admin roles, in tier one cities.

Job Level Monthly Salary (CHF)
Entry-Level
Fresh Graduate
 5,500
Mid-Level
5 Years
 6,500
Experienced & Managerial Level
10 Years
 >8,500
Specialized & Senior-Level
15 Years
 >9,000

Annual Salary Growth

1.5%

Statutory Contribution

Country Level

Type Employer Rates Employee Rates Notes
Old Age, Survivors Insurance (OASI) 4.35% 4.35% All staff
Disability Insurance (DI) 0.7% 0.7% All staff
Income Compensation Insurance (APG) 0.25% 0.25% All staff
Unemployment Insurance 1.1% 1.1% Salaries under 148, 200 CHF
Occupational Accident Insurance 0.17 % - 13.5% - Salaries under 148, 200 CHF
Non-Occupational Accident Insurance - 1% - 4% Salaries under 148, 200 CHF
Family Compensation 1%-3% - All staff
Occupational Pension Scheme Depending on employer- specific pension plan Depending on employer- specific pension plan Begins on January 1 after staff turn 24

Other Benefit

Other common employment benefits in Switzerland include:

  • Meal allowance: optional in the form of cheques -up to 180 CHF per month
  • Private Medical Insurance: Mandatory for all Swiss citizens and residents, health insurance is commonly offered by employers

Income Tax

Residents

  • 3 types of income tax in Switzerland: Municipal, Cantonal and Federal, each of the 26 Swiss cantons sets its own tax rates

Country Level

Taxable Income Rate
0 – 14,800 0%
14,800 - 32,200 0.77%
32,200 – 42,200 0.88%
42,200 – 56,200 2.64%
56,200 – 73,900 2.97%
73,900 – 79,600 5.94%
79,600 – 105,500 6.60%
105,500 – 137,200 8.80%
137,200 – 179,400 11%
179,400 – 769,600 13.20%
Over 769,600 11.5%

State/Province Level

Zurich

Taxable Income Rate
0 - 6,700 0%
6,700 - 11,400 2%
11,400 - 16,100 3%
16,100 - 23,700 4%
23,700 - 33,000 5%
33,000 - 43,700 6%
43,700 - 56,100 7%
56,100 - 73,000 8%
73,000 - 105,500 9%
105,500 - 137,700 10%
137,700 - 188,700 11%
188,700 - 254,900 12%
over 254,900 13%

Non-residents

  • Depends on the double taxation agreement between countries. Typically, only income originating in Switzerland is taxed. The tax rate depends on income level and canton

Working Hours

Statutory

40 hours/ 45 hours
8/9 hours a day, 5/6 days a week

Typical practice

40 Hours
Monday – Saturday

Overtime

Maximum 170 hours per year (contract with 45 hours per week)

  • 125% of the salary or additional time off
  • Night work: 125% normal salary (23:00-06:00)
  • Work on Sundays: 150% normal salary

Employment Contract

Permanent

Contract Format

Verbal or written, in Swiss German, French, Italian or Romansh depending on the region

Payroll Currency

CHF

Probation

1 - 3 months depending on experience and level

Contract Period

No minimum duration

Termination

  • Notice during probation for staff and employers:
    - From 7 calendar days - 1 month
  • Voluntary resignation and involuntary termination:
    - 1st year of service: 1 month notice
    - 2 - 9 years: 2 months notice
    - 10+ years: 3 months notice
  • Severance:
    - Unjustified termination without notice: salary staff would have earnt if notice was given

Public Holiday

Zurich & Geneva: 9 days

Country Level

Date Name
01 Jan New Year's Day
02 Jan Berchtold's Day
06 Jan Epiphany
01 Mar Republic Day
19 Mar St Joseph's Day
29 Mar Good Friday
31 Mar - 01 Apr Easter
01 Apr Labour Day
04 Apr Näfels Ride
09 May Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ
20 May Whit Monday
30 May Corpus Christi
29 Jun Saints Peter and Paul
01 Aug Swiss National Day
15 Aug Assumption Day
05 Sep Jeûne genevois
16 Sep Lundi du Jeûne
25 Sep Saint Nicholas of Flüe Day
01 Nov All Saints' Day
08 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec St Stephen's Day
31 Dec Restoration Day

Leave

Leave Type Entitlement Notes
Annual Leave 4 weeks
5 weeks 		All staff over 20 years old
All staff under 20 years old
Sick Leave Up to 730 days within a 900 day cycle All staff depending on seniority, the canton and collective agreements
Maternity Leave 14 weeks Staff insured under the OASI/AHV scheme for 9 months prior to birth
Paternity and Second Parent Leave 2 weeks Staff insured under the OASI/AHV scheme for 9 months prior to birth

Reference

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