Opening Hours / Holidays

Holidays are regulated by labour law and are legally equivalent to Sundays. August 1st is the national holiday and an official holiday in the entire country. In addition, every canton may define eight other official holidays. In Canton Basel-Stadt, the following days are defined as public holidays: New Year's Day (January 1st), Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1st) Ascension Day (Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday), Whit Monday, the national holiday (August 1st), Christmas (December 25th) and Boxing Day (December 26th).

Shop hours vary according to canton. In Canton Basel-Stadt, shops are permitted to be open from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm on Mondays to Fridays. However, the times may vary depending on the shop and may be shorter. On Saturdays, most shops close earlier than during the week, often at 6.00 pm. On Sundays, most shops are closed, with the exception of shops in railway stations, at fuel stations or neighbourhood shops, which are usually open 7 days a week, open earlier and close later than regular shops.

The cantonal public services are, in general, open Mondays through Fridays from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Several services reopen at 1.30 pm or can be reached by telephone outside of regular office hours. In any case, it is a good idea to find out in advance what the opening hours are, by telephone or online.