How does maternity leave work in Switzerland for cross-border workers in the Canton of Ticino?

In Switzerland, maternity leave is regulated by the Federal Act on Compensation for Loss of Earnings (EO), which guarantees an allowance equal to 80% of the average income for 98 consecutive days (14 weeks), capped at CHF 220 gross per day.

What is the time limit for applying for maternity/paternity benefits in Switzerland if you work in the Canton of Ticino?

In Switzerland, the right to the maternity allowance can be exercised up to five years after the 14 weeks of leave.

What are the requirements for taking advantage of maternity benefits in Switzerland if I am a cross-border commuter?

To receive maternity benefits in Switzerland, you must have been insured under the Swiss OASI (AVS) scheme for the 9 months immediately before giving birth (8, 7 or 6 months in case of premature birth), have worked for at least 5 months during that period and be employed or self-employed at the time of birth. Insurance and work periods completed in an EU/EFTA state or the United Kingdom also count toward the 9-month requirement. The right can be exercised up to five years after the 14 weeks of leave.

Parental leave for cross-border workers in Ticino

By Marco Ferrari (editorial byline of the newsroom, AI-generated text) · Published on 25 February 2026 · Updated on 7 October 2026

Family walking near Lake Lugano in spring.

Maternity and paternity rights for cross-border workers: differences between Switzerland and Italy and how to apply for benefits.

Context

TL;DR

Swiss maternity leave: 14 weeks (98 consecutive days), 80% of average income, capped at CHF 220 gross per day
Italian maternity leave: 5 months, 80% of average daily pay (100% only if a collective agreement tops it up)
Other-parent allowance in Switzerland: 14 daily allowances within 6 months of birth, 80%, max CHF 220/day; paternity leave in Italy: 10 days
Cross-border workers employed in Switzerland receive the Swiss allowance (EO/IPG), not the INPS one

Key facts

Maternity leave: 14 weeks (98 consecutive days) in Switzerland, 5 months in Italy; Swiss allowance capped at CHF 220 gross per day
Other-parent allowance in Switzerland: 14 daily allowances within 6 months of birth, 80%, max CHF 220/day; 10 days of paternity leave in Italy
Salary compensation: 80% in Switzerland, capped at CHF 220 gross per day; 80% of average daily pay in Italy (100% only if a collective agreement tops it up)
Application deadline: in Switzerland up to 5 years after the 14 weeks of leave; in Italy 1 year from the end of the leave
Responsible institution: INPS in Italy; in Switzerland the AHV/AVS compensation fund the employer is affiliated with
Coordination: Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons and EU Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009
Claim in Switzerland: on the official forms (form 318.750), for employees through the employer; the G permit is not a legal requirement

Maternity and paternity: a right for everyone

Cross-border workers employed in Canton Ticino are entitled to maternity and paternity benefits, but understanding the differences between the Swiss and Italian systems is crucial. In Switzerland, maternity leave is governed by the Federal Act on Loss of Earnings Compensation (IPG), which provides an allowance equal to 80% of the average income for 98 consecutive days (14 weeks), capped at CHF 220 gross per day. The other parent's allowance (the father or the mother's wife) consists of 14 daily allowances within a 6-month framework period from the birth: 80% of income, capped at CHF 220 per day, taken as individual days, weeks or a block.

In Italy, the law provides for mandatory maternity leave of 5 months (2 before and 3 after childbirth), with 80% of average daily pay (100% only if a collective agreement tops it up). Paternity leave, extended to 10 working days in 2022, is also compensated at 100%. For cross-border workers the state-of-employment rule applies: anyone employed in Switzerland is insured in Switzerland and receives the Swiss allowance, not the INPS one, for that job.

💡 Tip: Ask your employer which AHV/AVS compensation fund it is affiliated with: that is the body that receives the claim and pays the allowance.

Operational details

How to apply for benefits

The procedure for applying for parental leave depends on the applicable system. In Switzerland, the claim is made on the official forms (form 318.750) and sent to the competent AHV/AVS compensation fund; for employees it normally goes through the employer, who certifies the length of employment and the salary. In Italy, the request must be submitted directly to INPS via the online portal or with the support of a patronato.

⚠️ Deadlines: In Switzerland, the right to the allowance can be exercised up to five years after the 14 weeks of maternity leave. In Italy, the deadline is much shorter: one year from the day after the leave ends.

Specific regulations apply to parents working across the border, with contributions paid in both countries. Coordination is governed by the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons and EU Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009; double taxation is instead governed by a separate agreement.

💡 Tip: If you have doubts about the applicable regulations, consult a tax expert or use the leave calculator on our site to simulate your situation.

Key points

Practical advice for new parents

For cross-border workers, planning parental leave requires attention to detail. If you work in Ticino, make sure to promptly inform your employer of your intention to take leave. Additionally, remember that in Switzerland the right exists by law once the conditions are met, but the allowance must be claimed from the compensation fund, which does not pay it automatically.

New parents residing in Italy but working in Switzerland cannot automatically combine the benefits of both systems: for the 9-month requirement, insurance and work periods completed in an EU/EFTA state or the United Kingdom also count. Careful analysis allows you to plan benefits correctly in case of mixed contributions.

💡 Practical suggestion: Use the leave calculator to find out how many weeks of leave you are entitled to and the daily allowance amount. Our tool will provide a simulation based on your earnings and paid social security contributions.

📅 Source: Editorial feature — Frontaliere Ticino (October 2023)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does maternity leave work in Switzerland for cross-border workers in the Canton of Ticino?: In Switzerland, maternity leave is regulated by the Federal Act on Compensation for Loss of Earnings (EO), which guarantees an allowance equal to 80% of the average income for 98 consecutive days (14 weeks), capped at CHF 220 gross per day.
What is the time limit for applying for maternity/paternity benefits in Switzerland if you work in the Canton of Ticino?: In Switzerland, the right to the maternity allowance can be exercised up to five years after the 14 weeks of leave.
What are the requirements for taking advantage of maternity benefits in Switzerland if I am a cross-border commuter?: To receive maternity benefits in Switzerland, you must have been insured under the Swiss OASI (AVS) scheme for the 9 months immediately before giving birth (8, 7 or 6 months in case of premature birth), have worked for at least 5 months during that period and be employed or self-employed at the time of birth. Insurance and work periods completed in an EU/EFTA state or the United Kingdom also count toward the 9-month requirement. The right can be exercised up to five years after the 14 weeks of leave.