If you are in paid work you will generally be entitled to maternity benefit, whether you are employed or self-employed. This right is subject to the following conditions:
You were insured under the OASI/AHV scheme for the nine months prior to the birth.
You worked for at least five months during your pregnancy.
When the child is born, you are still employed, self-employed or working for your husband's business for a wage.
You are also entitled to maternity benefit if you receive a daily allowance from the unemployment, invalidity, health or accident insurance schemes based on your previous employment. Find out more from your employer or the insurer that pays your benefits.
Maternity leave lasts for 98 days, or 14 weeks. Maternity allowance amounts to 80% of your earnings, but no more than CHF 220 per day. Cantonal provisions, personnel regulations and collective employment contracts may provide for more generous arrangements.
If an insurer is paying you a daily allowance (see above), your maternity allowance will at least match what you are already receiving – or would be entitled to claim – at the time of the birth.
Maternity leave generally begins on the day your baby is born. You may be able to start it later in some cases. If your newborn has to stay in hospital for more than 14 days directly after the birth, the period for which you can claim maternity benefits is extended by a maximum of 56 days, provided that you return to work when your maternity leave ends.
If the father or spouse of the mother dies within six months of the child’s birth, the mother is entitled to an additional two weeks’ leave.
Please note: If you go back to work sooner than the end of the 14th week after the birth, you lose your entitlement to any further maternity allowance. You are not allowed to return to work in the first eight weeks after the birth.
If you are pregnant or gave birth less than 16 weeks ago, you benefit from special safeguards that are laid down in law. You cannot be dismissed while you are pregnant or on maternity leave, for example.
You have the right to extend your maternity leave by two weeks beyond the standard 14-week period. However, you will not receive benefits for those two additional weeks. At the end of those two weeks, the employer can decide whether or not to grant a request for a longer period of unpaid leave.
Please note: Check your insurance coverage before requesting unpaid leave.
On the OASI/DI, website, you will find a guide to maternity allowance and questions and answers about maternity benefits.