Which Swiss collective agreement applies? A practical guide

A collective employment agreement, often called a CCT in French or GAV in German, sets rules for an industry: minimum pay, working time, holidays, insurance or allowances. Before preparing payroll, establish which agreement actually covers the business and the employee's work. A job title alone is not enough.

References and examples: 2026.

Identify the agreement in five steps

1. Describe the work actually performed, including separate activities within one business.
2. Record the canton, work locations and roles concerned.
3. Read the agreement's occupational, geographical and personal scope, exclusions and validity dates.
4. Check employer membership, employment contracts and any extension orders. An extended agreement may apply without membership.
5. Keep confirmation from the joint commission or your payroll adviser where the classification is uncertain.

SECO explains how collective agreements and extensions work. Selecting an agreement in software does not establish its legal applicability.

Agreement profiles prepared in BMT

Fictional example: different activities

Two people have the title ‘team leader’, one in a shop and one in a workshop. The same job title does not automatically mean the same agreement. Check the actual activity, duties and scope of each agreement.

How BMT makes the work easier

BMT brings the agreement, category, insurance and dated changes together in the payroll file. You can find the relevant information in one place and review the calculation before approval. Supporting documents and alerts help explain each amount.

Missing an agreement? The request to integrate another collective agreement collects its name, your industry, cantons and an official link. The team reviews the request and the rules to integrate. Describe your need without including employee data.

Read more: Swiss payroll guide · withholding-tax guide.

FAQ

Can a small business be covered by a collective agreement?

Yes. Size alone does not exclude a business. Check the scope and any specific exceptions.

Can more than one agreement apply within a business?

This may be necessary depending on the activities and people covered. Confirm the appropriate arrangement before configuring payroll.

What if I do not know the agreement's name?

Describe your activity and canton in the integration request. First establish the applicable agreement, then identify the rules to integrate.