What is the notice period for a domestic worker in Switzerland?

During probation (first month): 7 days. In the first year of service: 1 month to the end of a month. In the 2nd to 9th year: 2 months. From the 10th year: 3 months. These periods apply under CO Art. 335b/335c.

What is a protection period for termination?

During certain protection periods, the employer may not terminate. These include illness/accident (30 days in the 1st year, 90 days in years 2-5, 180 days from the 6th year), pregnancy and 16 weeks after birth, and military or civil service. Termination during a protection period is void.

Can a longer notice period be agreed in the contract?

Yes, longer periods can be agreed in the employment contract. Shorter periods can also be agreed in writing; going below one month is only possible under a collective labour agreement and only in the first year of service (CO Art. 335c para. 2).

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Notice Period Calculator for Domestic Workers 2026

Q: Must the notice be in writing?

Written form is not legally required - oral notice is also valid. However, written form is strongly recommended for evidence purposes, ideally by registered mail. Written form can be agreed in the employment contract.

Q: When does the notice period start?

The notice period starts when the other party receives the notice (receipt principle). For registered mail, the day the letter is collected counts, or the last day of the 7-day collection deadline.

Calculate in seconds which notice period applies to your domestic worker - including probation, protection periods and the correct last working day. Based on CO Art. 335b/335c. For background, see our guide to the NAV Domestic Work .

April 23, 2026·5 min read

CO-based All protection periods Free

Who is terminating?

We tailor notes and warnings accordingly.

Employment start

Date the employment started.

Planned notice date

Day the termination reaches the recipient.

Desired end date (optional)

If you have a target date, we back-calculate.

Canton

For cantonal notes and NAV context.

Contractual period (months, optional)

If the contract sets a longer period, it overrides the statute.

Probation still active

Auto-enabled if the start is less than 1 month ago (statutory default). Probation extended by contract (up to 3 months)? Enable manually.

Current situation (protection period check)

Worker is ill or had an accidentPregnancy or within 16 weeks after birthMilitary, civil protection or civil service

You have the date - now make it stick

The period is calculated. It only takes effect through a letter that demonstrably arrives.

1Put the date in the termination letter: write the last working day out in full. A letter without a concrete end date invites an argument about when the job ended.
2Send it in time and by registered mail: the period starts on receipt, not on sending. A few days of buffer stop the termination slipping to the next month end.
3Check the protection period before you post it: during illness, pregnancy or service the termination is void (Art. 336c CO). The check above shows it before the letter is on its way.
4Plan the remaining holiday and final pay: wage and holiday entitlement run until the last working day. Outstanding holiday days and a pro-rata 13th salary belong on the final payslip.

Mandatory details

The exact start date of the employment and the status of probation and any protection period. Without a start date the calculator can only guess, and that date decides between one, two or three months.

Most common mistake

Terminating to an arbitrary date instead of a month end. Outside probation the termination then moves automatically to the next month end - one more month of wages.

Write the letter with this date: termination letter generator

Statutory Notice Periods

Domestic workers are subject to the general notice periods of the Code of Obligations (CO Art. 335b/335c). Individual cantonal standard employment contracts may provide for different periods. Overview:

Length of Service	Notice Period	Effective
Probation (1st month)	7 days	Any day
1st year of service	1 month	End of month
2nd to 9th year	2 months	End of month
From 10th year	3 months	End of month

Important: The notice must be given early enough for the full period to expire before month-end. Example: With a 2-month notice period and termination on March 15, the employment ends on May 31 (not May 15).

Probation: The statutory default is a one-month probation period (Art. 335b CO). The contract may extend it to up to 3 months or waive it entirely.

Protection Periods (Dismissal Protection)

During certain protection periods, termination by the employer is void (CO Art. 336c). These protection periods also apply to domestic workers:

Illness and Accident

In the 1st year of service: 30 days. In the 2nd to 5th year: 90 days. From the 6th year: 180 days. The notice period is suspended during the protection period and continues afterwards.

Pregnancy and Maternity

Throughout the entire pregnancy and up to 16 weeks after birth, the employer may not terminate. Any termination during this period is void.

Military, Civil Protection and Civil Service

During service and - if it lasts longer than 11 days - four weeks before and after, the protection period applies.

Note: Protection periods only shield against employer termination. The employee may resign at any time. If notice was given before the protection period and the period runs into it, it is suspended and continues after the protection period ends.

Common Mistakes When Terminating

Notice period miscalculated

The period starts upon receipt of the notice, not the date of the letter. Send the notice by registered mail in good time and factor in postal delivery times.

Termination during a protection period

Termination during illness, accident, pregnancy or military service is void - it is treated as if it was never given.

No registered mail used

Without registered mail, you cannot prove receipt of the notice. In a dispute, you must demonstrate when the notice was received.

Final payslip forgotten

Upon departure, a final payslip must be prepared - including pro-rata vacation balance, 13th month salary (if agreed) and any overtime. Use our Payslip Generator for this.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the notice period for a domestic worker?▾

During probation (first month): 7 days. In the 1st year: 1 month. In the 2nd to 9th year: 2 months. From the 10th year: 3 months. After probation, employment always ends at the end of a calendar month.

What happens if notice is given during a protection period?▾

The termination is void - it is treated as if never given. The employer must give notice again after the protection period ends. If notice was given before the protection period, it is suspended and continues afterwards.

Must the notice be in writing?▾

Not legally required, but strongly recommended. Send the notice by registered mail so you can prove receipt. Written form can be agreed in the employment contract .

When does the notice period start?▾

From the moment the notice is received (receipt principle). For registered mail, the day the letter is collected counts. If not collected, the last day of the 7-day collection period at the post office applies.

Can a different notice period be agreed in the contract?▾

Yes, longer periods are always possible. Shorter periods can also be agreed in writing - going below one month, however, requires a collective labour agreement and is only allowed in the first year of service (CO Art. 335c para. 2).

What do I do with the calculated date?▾

It goes into the termination letter as the last working day, written out in full ("as of 31 October 2026"). After that only the delivery date matters: allow a few days for the post, otherwise the termination slips automatically to the following month end. Until that date wage, holiday entitlement and insurance all continue unchanged.

Can the date still move afterwards?▾

Yes. If your household employee falls ill, becomes pregnant or serves during the running notice period, the period is suspended and continues after the protection period (Art. 336c para. 2 CO). The last working day then moves to the next month end. The termination itself stays valid, it simply takes effect later.

Sources & further information

1CO Art. 335-335c - Notice periods - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/27/317_321_377/de#art_335
2CO Art. 336c - Protection periods (dismissal protection) - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/27/317_321_377/de#art_336
3Standard employment contract for domestic workers (SR 221.215.329.4) - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/724/de
4SECO - Employment law - www.seco.admin.ch/seco/de/home/Arbeit/Personenfreizugigkeit_Arbeitsbeziehungen/Arbeitsrecht.html

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