Public holidays 2026: Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel and Jura

Geneva: public holidays in 2026

9 official dates, including 8 falling on Monday to Friday. These figures list the dates in the calendar; they do not determine each employee’s individual entitlement to paid time off.

Official source: Canton of Geneva — official calendar (French).

Geneva Fast falls on Thursday 10 September 2026. It is different from Federal Fast Monday, observed in Vaud on 21 September. Geneva also observes the Restoration of the Republic on 31 December.

Vaud: public holidays in 2026

9 official dates, including 8 falling on Monday to Friday. These figures list the dates in the calendar; they do not determine each employee’s individual entitlement to paid time off.

Official source: Canton of Vaud — official calendar (French).

Vaud observes 2 January and Federal Fast Monday, 21 September 2026. Geneva Fast is not a Vaud public holiday. For teams working at several sites, use the calendar applicable to the workplace.

Valais: public holidays in 2026

9 official dates, including 6 falling on Monday to Friday. These figures list the dates in the calendar; they do not determine each employee’s individual entitlement to paid time off.

Official source: Canton of Valais — official calendar (French).

In Valais, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Whit Monday are not among the nine official public holidays. Local practices and contractual arrangements may nevertheless grant additional leave. In 2026, 1 August and 15 August fall on Saturday, and 1 November falls on Sunday.

Official source: Valais — 2026 working calendar (PDF) (French).

Neuchâtel: public holidays in 2026

7 official dates, including 5 falling on Monday to Friday. These figures list the dates in the calendar; they do not determine each employee’s individual entitlement to paid time off.

Official source: Canton of Neuchâtel — official calendar (French).

Le Landeron also observes Corpus Christi on Thursday 4 June 2026. This is a local exception, not an additional holiday throughout the canton.

Easter Monday, Whit Monday and Federal Fast Monday are not canton-wide legal public holidays in Neuchâtel. Shops are generally closed and the cantonal administration has leave on these dates; distinguish these closures from statutory public holidays.

In 2026, 2 January and 26 December are not legal public holidays in Neuchâtel. The substitute-day rules apply when New Year’s Day or Christmas Day falls on Sunday, which is not the case in 2026.

Official source: SECO — Le Landeron exception, annex page 5 (PDF) (French).

Jura: public holidays in 2026

13 official dates, including 10 falling on Monday to Friday. These figures list the dates in the calendar; they do not determine each employee’s individual entitlement to paid time off.

Official source: Canton of Jura — official public holidays (French).

* Not all Jura public holidays have the same legal status. Under the cantonal law, 2 January, 23 June, 15 August and 1 November are official public holidays but are not treated as Sundays under the federal Employment Act. Check the relevant rules before deciding whether work is authorised or leave is paid.

St Martin’s Monday, 16 November 2026, is not an official canton-wide public holiday. A local custom or an employer’s policy should not be presented as a legal holiday for the whole canton.

Official source: Canton of Jura — public holiday legislation (French).

What these calendars mean for work and payroll

A public holiday calendar is a starting point for planning. The applicable workplace, the sector, an employee’s work pattern, the employment contract and any collective employment agreement all matter. A holiday at the employer’s registered office should not automatically be applied to every worksite.

Employers should distinguish statutory public holidays, administrative or shop closures, contractual days off and company “bridge days”. Record each category consistently when setting annual schedules and processing payroll.

A holiday falling on a day an employee normally does not work does not automatically create a replacement day off. In particular, Swiss National Day falls on Saturday in 2026; Monday 3 August is not an automatic substitute holiday. More favourable contractual provisions may apply.

Employees on a monthly salary generally receive their usual salary without a reduction for an applicable public holiday. Swiss National Day has a specific statutory paid-holiday rule. For other holidays, particularly for hourly paid employees, check the contract, collective agreement and applicable rules.

Public holidays do not mean that every workplace must close in every circumstance. Certain sectors and authorised activities may operate, subject to the rules on Sunday work, rest and compensation. Our guides to working hours in Switzerland and employment contracts explain the wider framework.

Official source: Valais — public holidays and the Employment Act (French).

Frequently asked questions