Severance pay in Switzerland 2026: notice, severance and unemployment benefit
When a job ends in Switzerland, the calculator above estimates the statutory severance pay, the notice period, the payment for unused leave and the unemployment benefit, with the tax on each part. Below you will find the rules in brief and examples for different lengths of service.
The rules in brief
- Notice and severance: After the probation period the notice is 1 month in the first year of service, 2 months from the second to the ninth year and 3 months after that, always to the end of a month (contracts may set longer periods). There is no general severance pay: only workers aged 50 or more with 20 years at the employer are owed 2 to 8 months’ pay, reduced by what the employer’s pension fund pays.
- Unemployment insurance: With at least 12 months of contributions in the last 2 years the unemployment fund pays 70% of your insured salary (80% with children or a low salary), at most CHF 12,350 a month, for 200 daily allowances (12 months of contributions), 260 (18 months) or 400 (22 months; 520 from age 55). There are 5 to 20 waiting days depending on income, and a suspension if you resigned without good reason.
Example: CHF 8,000 gross a month
| Years of service | Severance, net | Notice period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | 2 months (to the end of a month) |
| 2 | – | 2 months (to the end of a month) |
| 3 | – | 2 months (to the end of a month) |
| 5 | – | 2 months (to the end of a month) |
| 10 | – | 3 months (to the end of a month) |
| 15 | – | 3 months (to the end of a month) |
| 20 | – | 3 months (to the end of a month) |
| 25 | – | 3 months (to the end of a month) |
There is no statutory severance pay in Switzerland in this case, so the table shows the notice period only. Case: “Dismissed by the employer”, leaving on 31 December 2026, without unused leave. These are legal minimums; a contract or collective agreement may give more.
What you receive: an example
With 9.8 years of service and 10 days of unused leave, ending on 31 December 2026:
| Item | Gross (CHF) | Net (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Unused leave (5 days) | 1,846.15 | 1,290.60 |
| Total | 1,846.15 | 1,290.60 |
Unemployment benefit
In this example the unemployment benefit comes to about CHF 103,226 in total (CHF 5,600 a month (70% of your insured salary, at most CHF 12,350 a month) for 400 daily allowances (about 18.4 months); after a resignation the fund usually suspends 31–60 days). The conditions, such as the contributions you need, are listed in the rules above.
Frequently asked questions
How much severance do I get after 10 years in Switzerland?
None by law in this case. The notice period is 3 months (to the end of a month).
How long is the notice period?
In the example: 2 months (to the end of a month) after 1 year, 2 months (to the end of a month) after 5 years, 3 months (to the end of a month) after 10 years and 3 months (to the end of a month) after 20 years.
Do I get unemployment benefit?
In the example, about CHF 103,226 (CHF 5,600 a month (70% of your insured salary, at most CHF 12,350 a month) for 400 daily allowances (about 18.4 months); after a resignation the fund usually suspends 31–60 days). The conditions are listed in the rules above.
Are these amounts exact?
They are estimates of the legal minimum under the 2026 rules. Your contract, a collective agreement or a court decision can give more.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” above. Last checked: October 2026. The amounts are estimates for information, not financial or legal advice.