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Good practice Imported

Switzerland Statutory Paternity Leave — Two-Week EOG Entitlement after September 2020 Referendum

Switzerland · Bern · See the Switzerland profile · See the Bern profile

Evidence: Observational / pre–post Top 45% 74/100 · Ask Evidence Copilot about this practice

Approved by Swiss referendum (60.3% Yes, Sept 2020) and in force since 1 Jan 2021, the statutory two-week paternity leave pays 80% of salary (max CHF 196/day) via existing income-replacement insurance. Over 50,000 fathers used it in 2022, exceeding initial government projections.

50000 fathers
Fathers using paternity leave (2022)
60.3%
Referendum approval (Sept 2020)

Details

Maturity
Established
Promoter
Federal Social Insurance Office (BSV / OFAS)
Period
2021–present
Region (NUTS)
CH02
Keywords
government, parental leave, social insurance

Context

Switzerland had no statutory paternity leave until a 27 September 2020 referendum (60.34% Yes) introduced 10 working days of paid leave, in force since 1 January 2021 and financed through the existing Income Compensation Act (EOG/LAPG) via a small shared employer/employee contribution — no new tax or scheme.

Results

SECO data show more than 50,000 fathers used the benefit in 2022, exceeding initial government projections. The Federal Assembly is now debating a proposed 38-week shared parental leave, indicating continued institutional momentum.

Implementation

Implementation detail (cost, timeline, staffing, conditions for success) is not yet available for this practice.

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Data sources

Where this practice's information was retrieved from, and when.

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