Overtime pay in Switzerland 2026: premiums, limits and tax
Overtime, night work and work on Sundays and public holidays in Switzerland can earn a premium on top of your normal hourly pay, and the extra pay is taxed at your highest rate. The calculator above shows what you really keep. Below you will find the rules in brief, an example and answers to common questions.
The rules in brief
- Code of Obligations and Labour Act: Overtime beyond the contractual hours is paid with a 25% supplement unless the written contract says otherwise or it is compensated with time off. Work beyond the legal maximum week (45 hours in industry and offices, 50 hours in other sectors) is limited to 2 hours a day and 170 hours a year (140 with a 50-hour week) and must be paid with 25% extra. Night work is allowed only with a permit and Sunday work is paid with 50% extra.
Example: 8 hours of overtime a month
| Type | Rate | € / h gross (CHF) | € / h net (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overtime | +25% | 54.95 | 38.20 |
| Night premium | +25% | 10.99 | 7.64 |
| Sunday / holiday premium | +50% | 21.98 | 15.28 |
With a normal hourly rate of CHF 43.96 (annual salary ÷ 52 ÷ weekly hours), 8 hours of overtime a month at +25% add CHF 439.56 gross, of which you keep CHF 305.58 net a month. You keep 69.5% of each taxed extra unit. Over a year that comes to CHF 3,667 (net · CHF 5,275 gross).
More than 80 overtime hours a year exceeds the legal limit in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my overtime pay do I keep in Switzerland?
In the example, 69.5% of each extra unit of gross pay, i.e. CHF 305.58 net from 8 overtime hours a month. The share depends on your salary, because extra pay is taxed at your highest rate.
Is there a legal overtime premium in Switzerland?
The example uses +25% for overtime. The exact rules, including night, Sunday and holiday premiums, are listed above.
How many overtime hours are allowed?
The calculator uses this limit: 2 h / day, 170 h / year above the 45-hour week. See the rules above for averaging periods and exceptions.
Are these amounts exact?
They are estimates under the 2026 rules. Your contract or a collective agreement can set higher premiums or different limits.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” above. Last checked: October 2026. The amounts are estimates for information, not financial or legal advice.