Zurich minimum wage ordinance takes effect in 2027, with transition until year-end

Zurich has approved the next step towards its municipal minimum wage. In its announcement of 12 November, the city said the ordinance would enter into force on 1 January 2027. Employers will nevertheless receive a general transition period until 31 December 2027 to implement the requirements. The entry into force and the implementation deadline therefore need to be considered separately. [1]

Detailed rules will follow next year

The implementing provisions are expected no later than the second quarter of 2027. The city will involve the social partners in preparing them. The published timetable therefore provides for several stages: the ordinance enters into force, more detailed provisions follow, and businesses make the necessary adjustments. [2]

The city gives the minimum wage as CHF 23.90 gross per hour. The amount is reviewed annually using consumer prices and nominal wages. Holiday and public holiday compensation is excluded and must be considered separately for hourly pay. A voluntary 13th-month salary may count towards reaching the minimum hourly wage. [2]

The place of work determines coverage

The ordinance applies to employees who perform most of their work within Zurich’s city boundaries. It also contains exceptions, including apprentices in recognised training companies, educational internships lasting no more than twelve months, and family members working in family businesses. Vocational and social integration programmes are excluded as well. Another exception concerns employees under 25 who do not have at least a vocational qualification at the level of the Federal VET Certificate, known as the EBA. The ordinance consequently cannot be applied identically to every employment relationship. [3]

Court rulings cleared the way

The decision follows several years of litigation. The Federal Supreme Court ruled on the municipal minimum wages in Zurich and Winterthur on 12 May 2026 and explained its judgments publicly on 10 June. It overturned the contrary decisions of Zurich’s Administrative Court. The federal judges found that the cities could adopt these provisions within their municipal autonomy; setting the date of entry into force remained the responsibility of the respective city councils. The court also explicitly referred to the objective of reducing poverty among people who are in employment. [4]