Holiday pay on an hourly wage: how to calculate it for your cleaner (2026)
Holiday Surcharge Calculator
Calculate the holiday surcharge for your household employee.
Basis: NAV ZH, Art. 8 Abs. 1
The holiday surcharge is added to each pay period when holidays are paid out continuously.
Next question: who shows the supplement correctly on the payslip every month?
Register with these numbers →Calculation example
Holiday compensation 2026
If you employ a cleaner or household helper on an hourly basis in Switzerland, you must correctly calculate holiday compensation and show it separately on the payslip. This article covers the legal basis, the correct percentages, and common mistakes.
The gross wage this surcharge applies to varies by canton. Details in our minimum wage guide.
Paying holiday compensation with every wage is only allowed for irregular assignments. It is then 8.33% of the gross wage for 4 weeks of holiday, 10.64% for 5 weeks and 13.04% for 6 weeks, and it must be shown separately on the payslip. With a fixed schedule, holiday pay is paid when the holiday is actually taken.
This applies when
For domestic workers paid by the hour (no fixed monthly salary). With a monthly salary, holidays are paid normally and no supplement is needed.
Official sources
Key takeaways
- 1The holiday surcharge must be shown separately on the payslip
- 28.33% (4 weeks), 10.64% (5 weeks) or 13.04% (6 weeks) on the gross wage
- 3Under 20: at least 5 weeks of holiday. From 50 it depends on your canton's NAV (sometimes only after some years of service); the calculator above shows your canton's rule
- 4Clino automatically calculates the correct surcharge on every payslip
Legal basis: CO Art. 329d and NAV domestic economy
The Swiss Code of Obligations (CO Art. 329d) requires the employer to pay full wages during holidays. For hourly pay with irregular work, this entitlement may exceptionally be compensated through a percentage surcharge on the gross wage.
The NAV domestic economy governs the minimum wages for household employees. The duty to show the holiday supplement separately comes from the case law on Art. 329d CO: without a clear, separate statement in the contract and on every payslip, the holiday pay counts as unpaid.
Our guide on public holidays for household help explains whether you need to pay her for a public holiday she would normally have worked.
Important
The 3 holiday surcharge percentages
The percentage depends on the number of holiday weeks. The formula: holiday weeks divided by (52 minus holiday weeks).
4 weeks holiday (legal minimum from age 20)
4 / (52 - 4) = 4/48 = 8.33%
5 weeks holiday (under 20; from 50 depending on your canton's NAV)
5 / (52 - 5) = 5/47 = 10.64%
6 weeks holiday (by contract, or from 60 where the NAV provides it)
6 / (52 - 6) = 6/46 = 13.04%
Most household helpers aged 20 or over are entitled to 4 weeks (8.33%). Employees under 20 are legally entitled to at least 5 weeks.
Who gets 5 weeks of holiday?
- • Employees under 20 (legal, CO Art. 329a)
- • From age 50, if your canton's NAV provides it, sometimes only after some years of service. The calculator above shows your canton's rule.
- • If contractually agreed
Calculation example: CHF 30/h, 4 hours per week
Let's take a typical example: a cleaner works on call, on average 4 hours per week, at a gross wage of CHF 30 per hour. She is over 20 years old and entitled to 4 weeks of holiday (8.33%).
Gross hourly wage: CHF 30.00
Holiday surcharge: CHF 30.00 x 8.33% = CHF 2.50
Total hourly wage: CHF 30.00 + CHF 2.50 = CHF 32.50
Weekly total: CHF 32.50 x 4h = CHF 130.00
Monthly wage (x 4.33): CHF 130.00 x 4.33 = CHF 562.90
Calculate your individual surcharge with our free vacation calculator.
How it must appear on the payslip
The case law on Art. 329d CO requires that holiday compensation be shown separately on the payslip. A correct payslip shows:
- 1. Gross wage (hourly rate x hours)
- 2. Holiday surcharge (percentage + amount)
- 3. Gross wage incl. holiday surcharge
- 4. Deductions (AHV, ALV, etc.)
- 5. Net wage
With Clino's payslip generator , you create a correct payslip in seconds.
The holiday surcharge must be shown separately on the payslip. A general note like 'holidays included in wages' is not sufficient.
5 common mistakes with holiday compensation
1Not showing the surcharge on the payslip
The surcharge must be listed separately. Even if the hourly rate is higher, the holiday portion must be declared.
2Paying the surcharge although the schedule is regular
With fixed working days the running settlement is not allowed, even when it is disclosed properly. Holiday pay is then paid when the holiday is taken.
3Using the wrong percentage
Under 20: minimum 10.64%, not 8.33%. When in doubt about age, use the higher rate.
4Forgetting the surcharge after a pay rise
If the base wage increases, the holiday surcharge must be recalculated. The percentage is always based on the current gross wage.
5Paying out holidays instead of granting them
In principle, holidays must be taken as time off; a payout is only allowed when the employment ends. With hourly pay and irregular work, the holiday wage is settled continuously via the supplement - but the days off must still actually be taken. What happens to untaken holiday days on termination is covered in the guide to ending the employment.
Start in your canton
All details on compensation office, contributions and registration.
Frequently asked questions about holiday compensation
How do I calculate holiday compensation on an hourly wage?
Multiply the gross hourly wage by the holiday surcharge (8.33%, 10.64% or 13.04%). At CHF 30/h with 4 weeks: CHF 30 x 8.33% = CHF 2.50 surcharge per hour.
What does 8.33 percent holiday pay mean?
8.33% is the surcharge for 4 weeks of holiday per year. It is added to the gross wage and shown separately on the payslip.
What is the holiday surcharge for a cleaner?
The minimum surcharge for a cleaner aged 20 or over is 8.33% (4 weeks). For younger employees: 10.64% (5 weeks). Check with our vacation calculator.
Conclusion: correct holiday compensation protects both sides
Correct calculation and declaration of holiday compensation is mandatory. The surcharge must be shown separately on every payslip.
With Clino, you don't need to worry about percentages and formulas. The platform automatically calculates the surcharge based on your employee's age and canton.
- ✓ Automatic calculation of holiday surcharge
- ✓ Correct payslip with separate listing
- ✓ Adjustment for age, years of service and the canton's NAV
- ✓ All social contributions included
Get started now: Register for free
Sources
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not replace legal advice. All information without guarantee.
As of: July 2026