Cross-border guide
Minimum wage in Switzerland 2026
Switzerland has no national minimum wage: only five cantons legislate one (the highest is CHF 24.59/h) and elsewhere the floor comes from collective agreements. Here is the full 2026 picture for cross-border workers.
Updated on 21 July 2026
Unlike Italy and most European countries, Switzerland has no federal statutory minimum wage. The matter is regulated on two levels: some cantons introduced a statutory cantonal minimum wage (after popular votes), while everywhere else the wage floor comes from sector collective labour agreements (CCL/GAV), often declared universally applicable. What matters to a cross-border worker is the figure in force at the workplace: where both a cantonal minimum and a collective-agreement minimum exist, the one more favourable to the employee applies.
Statutory cantonal minimum wages 2026
| Canton | In force since | Hourly minimum wage | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | 2020 | CHF 24.59/h | ≈ CHF 4’475 |
| Basel-Stadt | 2022 | CHF 22.20/h | ≈ CHF 4’040 |
| Jura | 2018 | CHF 21.40/h | ≈ CHF 3’895 |
| Neuchâtel | 2017 | CHF 21.35/h | ≈ CHF 3’886 |
| Ticino | 2021 | CHF 20.00–20.50/h | ≈ CHF 3’640–3’731 |
Collective-agreement (CCL) minimum wages
In sectors without a cantonal minimum wage — or where the collective agreement sets a higher floor — the reference is the collective agreements. These are the four sectors that employ the most cross-border workers, with binding minimum wages:
- Construction (main sector) — Contratto nazionale mantello edilizia (CNM / LMV)
- Hotels and catering — Contratto collettivo nazionale di lavoro alberghi/ristorazione (L-GAV)
- Cleaning sector — Contratto collettivo per il settore della pulizia (GAV Reinigung)
- Temporary agency work (staff leasing) — Contratto collettivo prestito di personale (GAV Personalverleih)
Frequently asked questions
Is there a national minimum wage in Switzerland?
No. Switzerland has no federal statutory minimum wage. Only five cantons — Geneva, Basel-Stadt, Jura, Neuchâtel and Ticino — have introduced a cantonal minimum wage; elsewhere the floor comes from sector collective agreements.
What is the highest minimum wage in Switzerland?
Geneva, at CHF 24.59 gross per hour in 2026, has the highest statutory minimum wage in Switzerland and one of the highest in the world.
Does the minimum wage also apply to cross-border workers?
Yes. The minimum wage — statutory or collective-agreement — applies to every worker employed in the canton, including cross-border workers with a G permit, regardless of their residence in Italy.