New Year's Day in Switzerland

A holiday set by the cantons

Switzerland has no general federal public holiday law for New Year’s Day: the federal holiday is August 1, while the cantons determine their other public holidays. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) lists January 1 as a holiday in every canton in its canton-by-canton calendar.[2]

Where a canton treats the day as equivalent to Sunday under employment law, employees are generally not to be employed, subject to the same exceptions that apply to Sunday work. Monthly-paid employees receive their usual monthly salary when hours are lost to a holiday; for hourly-paid workers, holiday pay generally depends on their contract or collective agreement. August 1 is the sole holiday that SECO says must be paid by law to hourly-paid employees.[1]

There is no general right to take a substitute day when a holiday falls on a day an employee does not normally work. SECO also says missed working time on a recognized holiday does not have to be made up. These rules describe employment law; individual agreements and exceptions can affect a worker’s circumstances.[1]

A regional custom around the turn of the year

A notable Swiss New Year custom takes place around, rather than only on, January 1. In rural parts of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, groups called Silvesterchläuse go from farm to farm, ringing cowbells and singing wordless yodels called Zäuerli to wish residents a happy New Year.[3]

The custom follows more than one calendar date in the region. It is held on December 31 in Herisau and some other communes; in Urnäsch and Waldstatt, the Silvesterchläuse also appear on January 13 for “Old New Year’s Eve” according to the Julian calendar.[3]

Shops, offices and getting around

Shop opening is not governed by one uniform Swiss rule: cantonal laws determine whether shops may open on Sundays. SECO lists exceptions to the Sunday-work permit requirement for certain businesses, including some shops serving travelers at major railway stations and airports, as well as some tourism-area businesses, kiosks, bakeries and flower shops. This means some outlets may open on January 1, but travelers should check locally.[4]

The SBB lists January 1 among Switzerland’s general holidays. Public transport schedules and services can vary, so check the journey planner for a specific route and date; SBB recommends checking before departure and notes that its timetable incorporates data from Swiss transport operators.[5]