New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is not a separate Swiss public holiday. Whether an employer closes early or grants paid time off depends on the contract, collective agreement or workplace rule.

Schools and childcare follow their own calendar on 31 December.

A private year-end celebration or an early workplace finish does not automatically make the afternoon free.

Geneva is different: Restoration of the Republic is a distinct cantonal holiday on 31 December, not a synonym for the evening celebration.

Check published transport and venue times for the actual evening rather than inferring them from holiday status.

Outside Geneva, 31 December is not a separate statutory public holiday. An early finish or paid time off follows the contract, collective agreement or employer rule.

Schools and childcare use their own calendar.

A private year-end celebration or an early workplace finish does not automatically make the afternoon free.

Shops, hospitality venues and event locations publish their own closing and opening times for the evening. Those hours cannot be inferred from the New Year's Day holiday.

Transport rules likewise belong to the operator or municipality.

Fireworks follow local rules; check the actual location and current evening information for the year-end plan.

Toasts, bells and private gatherings mark the year-end in many places. Outside Geneva, those customs do not create statutory public-holiday status.

In Geneva, 31 December is a separate cantonal holiday called Restoration of the Republic. Keep that legal status distinct from the private evening celebration on the same date.

Treat 31 December as a normal working day outside Geneva; Restoration Day is a separate public holiday only in Geneva.

Set any early finish or time off from the employment rule.

Use local information for the New Year transition.

Use local service information for the year-end evening.

Transport information comes from the provider or municipality.