Working in Switzerland: where to start?

Despite its limited geographic size and lack of natural resources, Switzerland boasts a substantial industrial sector and plays a pivotal role as a global financial services provider. Furthermore, its stable political and economic environment has led numerous multinational corporations to establish their headquarters in the country.

There are various channels through which you can apply for employment in Switzerland. However, Swiss companies generally prefer personal connections and verbal recommendations. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to engage qualified professionals to optimize your application and secure a preliminary introduction before submitting a cold application.

For more information, please contact us at: job@reframed.it

A standard Swiss application dossier must include:

All documents must be written in one of the national languages: French, Italian, or German. Multinational corporations may also accept applications in English.

To stand out, meticulous attention must be paid to the presentation of your CV and supporting documents. The cover letter must effectively convince the recruiter that you are the ideal candidate for the vacancy. Always add a personal touch to your presentation and emphasize your expectations regarding the role.

The CV should not exceed two A4 pages and must present the following information in a clear, tabular format:

Swiss employers place great emphasis on qualifications and formal employment certificates. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is the government body responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign diplomas and certificates.

SERI issues “certificates of equivalence,” which verify that a qualification obtained outside of Switzerland aligns perfectly with the Swiss educational standard (Website: sbfi.admin.ch).

Please note that diplomas can only be formally recognized for regulated professions—meaning occupations that legally require a specific degree, certificate, or certificate of professional competence to be practiced. For the recognition of healthcare qualifications, please consult the Swiss Red Cross (redcross.ch).

Every employment contract must outline the nature of the work (job description and duties), working hours, probation period (maximum of three months), notice period, annual leave entitlement, salary, maternity leave, professional indemnity insurance, and pension fund details.

Legally, an individual employment contract does not require a specific format to be valid and can be concluded verbally. However, for practical and legal security, it is always strongly recommended to sign a written agreement.

By law, the maximum working week in Switzerland is 45 hours for industrial workers, office staff, technical personnel, and retail employees. For all other employees, a maximum limit of 50 hours per week applies. Temporary overtime performed at night, on Sundays, or during public holidays entitles the employee to special compensation or premium pay.

Annual Leave (Vacation)
The right to paid annual leave is a fundamental statutory requirement. The minimum legal vacation allowance per year is:

Employers may grant 5 to 6 weeks of annual leave if stipulated by a Collective Employment Agreement (CEA), such as in the construction sector.

Salary levels vary significantly depending on the economic sector and region. Switzerland does not have a statutory national minimum wage. However, certain Cantons have introduced their own minimum wage regulations. For example, in Ticino, the minimum wage ranges from CHF 19.75 to CHF 20.25 per hour.

In most instances, salaries are paid via direct deposit, meaning you will require a Swiss bank or postal account. To estimate the potential salary for your profession in Switzerland, you can consult official national salary calculators at:

The contractually agreed salary is stated as a gross amount. Social security contributions are deducted directly from this figure and are funded equally by the employer and the employee. Depending on your Swiss permit type, income taxes may be withheld at source (Imposition à la source).

Crucially, compulsory health insurance premiums in Switzerland are not part of standard social security payroll deductions. Employees are required by law to subscribe to a private health insurance plan independently.