Opening Hours / Holidays

Holidays are regulated by labor law and are legally equivalent to Sundays. August 1. is the national holiday and an official holiday in the entire country. In addition, every canton may define other official holidays.

In the canton of Bern there are the following public holidays:

New Year's Day (January 1), Berchtold's Day (January 2), Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Easter Monday (Monday after Easter), Ascension Day (Thursday 40 days after Easter Sunday), Whit Monday (50 days after Easter), National Holiday (August 1), Christmas Day (December 25), St. Stephen's Day (December 26).

Store opening hours vary from canton to canton. In Canton Bern, the following general store opening hours apply:

• Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m
• Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (also applies to days before public holidays).

Once a week, evening sales are permitted until 10 pm. On Sunday, most stores are closed. Exceptions are stores in train stations, and gas stations, which are normally open 7 days and usually open earlier and close later than everyone else. All other stores are allowed to open twice a year on Sundays or holidays.

The cantons' opening hours for the public vary greatly. As a rule, the offices are open from Monday to Friday in the morning and afternoon and closed over the lunch. Office hours for community public services vary greatly. Particularly small communities may have limited opening hours. Finding out in advance what the opening hours are, by telephone or internet, is recommended.