An activity rate rather than a special status
Swiss job ads state a percentage, for example 50%, 60-80% or 90%. The Code of Obligations creates no separate regime: salary, holidays and any thirteenth-month salary are simply calculated pro rata to the rate agreed in the contract.
Sectors hiring most at 50-80%
Hospitals, nursing homes (EMS), schools, cantonal administrations, retail and financial services advertise many reduced-hours posts. In Lausanne or Geneva, management roles at 80% also exist, especially in large companies with a stated work-life balance policy.
Monthly salary or hourly wage
Regular part-time work is generally paid monthly. On-call or irregular work is often paid by the hour, with a holiday allowance of 8.33% for four weeks or 10.64% for five weeks, shown separately on the payslip.
LPP entry threshold and coordination deduction
Occupational pension cover under the LPP is compulsory only from an annual salary of 22 680 CHF with the same employer, and the coordination deduction of 26 460 CHF sharply reduces the insured salary. Some pension funds apply more favourable rules worth checking.
Accident insurance: the 8 hours per week limit
Under the LAA (Accident Insurance Act), an employee working fewer than 8 hours a week for one employer is covered for occupational accidents but not for non-occupational ones. They must then add accident cover to their LAMal basic health insurance.
Combining two part-time employers
Two 40% posts with different employers are common in healthcare and teaching. Each employer deducts AVS (old-age insurance) separately, but the LPP is assessed per employer: voluntary cover can be requested, for example from the LPP Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution.
Partial unemployment and interim earnings
Someone working at 50% and looking for a full-time job can register with the ORP (regional employment office) as partially unemployed. The rules are on our page about registering for unemployment benefits in Switzerland, and the unemployment fund decides each case.
Cantonal minimum wages for part-timers
In Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura, Ticino and Basel-Stadt, the cantonal minimum wage is set in francs per hour and applies to part-time work too. To compare pay levels by industry, see our guide to typical salaries in Switzerland.
Part-time work and residence permits
An EU or EFTA national can obtain a B or L permit with a part-time contract if the work is real and genuine. For third-country nationals, the cantonal employment office examines each application individually before any permit is granted.
French cross-border commuters on reduced hours
A 60% job in Geneva or Basel remains compatible with the G permit. Withholding tax and the split of remote work, however, have different effects depending on the canton, as explained in our guide to working in Switzerland as a cross-border commuter.
Students and side jobs at a reduced rate
At the universities of Lausanne, Geneva, Fribourg and Neuchâtel, many students work 15 to 20 hours a week. Non-EU international students face an hourly limit during term time, detailed on our page about student jobs in Switzerland.
Negotiating a move from 100% to 80%
In both German- and French-speaking Switzerland, a request to reduce your rate is made in writing, often several months ahead. There is no general right to part-time work in the private sector, but the federal administration and several cantons have specific provisions.
How to land a part-time position
- Define the rate you want and an acceptable range, for example 60-80%, then filter ads on jobs.ch or cantonal sites by that percentage.
- Check your right to work: B, L, G or C permit, or an application to the cantonal population office for third-country nationals.
- Prepare a Swiss-format CV with a photo, the target activity rate, languages and references, together with employment references from previous employers.
- State clearly in your cover letter which days you are available and how flexible you can be, a decisive point for hospital and retail rotas.
- Before signing, check the rate, LPP membership, non-occupational accident cover and how holidays are calculated in the contract.
- If you are looking for a higher rate, register with your local ORP to clarify your entitlement to partial unemployment benefits.
Key figures for part-time work in Switzerland
| Item | Amount or rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LPP entry threshold | 22 680 CHF per year (2026) | Assessed separately for each employer |
| LPP coordination deduction | 26 460 CHF per year (2026) | The fund's regulations may reduce it pro rata |
| AVS/AI/APG contributions | 5.30% paid by the employee | From the first franc, whatever the rate |
| Unemployment insurance (AC) | 1.1% up to 148 200 CHF of annual salary | Employee share, even when part-time |
| Holiday allowance on hourly pay | 8.33% (4 weeks) or 10.64% (5 weeks) | Must appear separately on the payslip |
| Gross salary | Indicative, pro rata to the rate | Varies by canton, collective agreement, experience and language |
Documents for a reduced-hours position
- Swiss-format CV stating the activity rate you want
- Cover letter showing your weekly availability
- Employment references from previous employers
- Diplomas and, if needed, a SEFRI or Swiss Red Cross recognition decision
- Residence permit or passport and, for cross-border commuters, proof of address
- Certificate from your other employer if you hold two jobs, for LPP and LAA purposes
- Language certificate (DELF, DALF, Goethe) for a job in another language region
Common pitfalls of part-time work
- Accepting fewer than 8 hours a week without adding accident cover to your LAMal policy, leaving leisure accidents uninsured.
- Overlooking that two part-time salaries below the LPP threshold build no compulsory pension, and discovering a retirement gap too late.
- Signing an on-call contract without guaranteed minimum hours, when your monthly income can then drop sharply from one month to the next.
- Applying in a German-speaking canton with a CV only in French, without stating your German level or providing translated employment references.
- Answering a work-from-home offer that demands advance payment for equipment or training, a typical scam pattern.
Your questions about part-time work in Switzerland
Does a 50% employee get the same number of holiday weeks as a full-timer?
Yes. They are entitled to at least four weeks a year, five up to age 20, just like a full-timer. Only the working days involved are proportional: someone working two and a half days a week therefore takes ten working days for four weeks.
Is part-time work compatible with a B permit for an EU citizen?
Yes, if the work is real and not purely marginal. The cantonal population office checks the contract and may grant an L or B permit depending on its length. A very low income may, however, raise questions about sufficient means, to be clarified with the canton.
How can I avoid a pension gap with several small jobs?
You can request voluntary LPP membership when your combined salaries exceed the entry threshold, or pay into a pillar 3a account. A pension fund or an independent pension adviser can work out the right solution for each situation.
Can an employer force me to go part-time?
No, reducing the rate changes an essential element of the contract and requires the employee's consent or a notice of change respecting the notice period. If in doubt, the cantonal employment office, a trade union or a legal advice service can review the situation.