Paternity Leave in Switzerland
Fathers in Switzerland get two weeks of paid leave, to take within six months of the birth. Calculate your dates below.
Last updated: 13 November 2026
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Switzerland paternity leave at a glance
Eligible fathers, and qualifying wives of birth mothers, receive two weeks of paid other-parent leave after the birth.
- Leave length
- 2 weeks (10 working days on a Monday–Friday week).
- When to take it
- Within 6 months of the birth, in one block or as individual days.
- Pay
- Income compensation insurance (EO/APG) pays 80% of average earnings before the birth, up to CHF 220 a day.
- Who qualifies
- Usually employed or self-employed, insured for the 9 months before the birth and working for at least 5 of those months.
- Self-employed fathers
- Self-employed fathers qualify if they meet the insurance and work-history conditions.
Parental leave on top of paternity leave
There is no general federal shared parental leave; cantons, collective agreements or employers may offer more.
Good to know
- Employees apply through their employer; self-employed fathers apply to their compensation office.
Legal entitlement vs employer benefits
The rules above are the legal minimum in Switzerland. Many employers offer extra paid days or top up statutory pay. Add any employer leave in the calculator above to see your real return-to-work date, and confirm the details with your HR team. To compare pay over the weeks you take off, try the paternity pay calculator.
Other European guides
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Editorial note: we summarise official government guidance and link to it. Laws change — always confirm your entitlement with your employer or the relevant authority. This page is not legal advice.