Labour Day

The next dates

• 2026Friday, 1 May
• 2027Saturday, 1 MayWeekend
• 2028Monday, 1 May

In which cantons is Labour Day a holiday?

• 6cantonspublic holiday throughout the canton
• 1cantonpublic holiday only in parts or under conditions
• 2cantonscantonal rest day
• 1cantoncustomary day off
• 16cantonsnot a holiday

Origin

1 May goes back to an international workers' congress in Paris, which in 1889 called on workers' organisations in all countries to demonstrate for the eight-hour day on this date. In Switzerland, the first May Day celebrations took place in 1890. Switzerland is one of the few European countries where the tradition has never been interrupted since. In 1919, the trade unions made 1 May the deadline for introducing the 48-hour week. In Basel, the day has been a holiday since 1923, and other cantons followed from 1964.

Sources: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz: Erster Mai

What the three types mean

Public holiday

Treated like a Sunday (Art. 20a Labour Act). Employees have the day off.

Cantonal rest day

Public rest day under cantonal law, e.g. shops are closed. Under employment law it is a working day.

Customary day off

Not a public holiday, but many employers give the day off. Your employment contract decides whether you are off.