Bern (BE)EmploymentEmployer

Hiring Employees Bern: Employer Compliance Guide

Hiring employees Bern: register with the compensation office, set up payroll, social security and contracts, and meet every employer duty in canton Bern.

Verified 7 days ago
4 min read
Updated Jun 2026
Verified against official sources in Switzerland. Last verified 7 days ago, Ausgleichskasse Bern.Status: current
CantonGenevaZurichZugBernBaselVaud
TopicVATCompany FormationAHVEmploymentData ProtectionAnnual Obligations
Business typeFreelancerGmbHAGEmployer
Overview

Hiring Employees Bern: Full Compliance Guide for Employers

Hiring employees in Bern requires strict adherence to Swiss federal and cantonal regulations. Employers must ensure proper registration with the cantonal compensation fund, secure valid employment contracts, and manage social security contributions accurately. The process begins with verifying the employee’s AHV number and confirming affiliation with the Bern cantonal compensation fund. Employers must also understand the different types of employment contracts in Switzerland, including fixed-term and indefinite agreements, and ensure compliance with the Swiss Employment Law framework. This guide covers all essential steps for hiring employees in Bern, from contract creation to payroll processing and ongoing obligations. Hiring employees bern is not just a legal formality, it is a structured, regulated process that protects both employer and employee.
What this guide covers
  • Employment contract switzerland: Learn how to draft a legally compliant employment contract that meets federal and cantonal standards in Switzerland.
  • Social security contributions switzerland: Understand the split responsibility between employer and employee for AHV, IV, EO, and FAK/FLG contributions.
  • Payroll switzerland: Discover how to manage payroll switzerland with accurate deductions, reporting, and timely payments.
  • Types of employment contracts in switzerland: Explore the differences between fixed-term, indefinite, and part-time contracts under Swiss employment law.
0.505%
AHV contribution rate
Employers pay 0.505% of gross salary for occupational accident insurance (BU)
CHF 250.00
Child allowance (2025)
The monthly child allowance in Bern increases to CHF 250.00 from 1 January 2025
CHF 310.00
Vocational training allowance
From 1 January 2025, the vocational training allowance in Bern is CHF 310.00
CHF 22,680 annual salary limit
VAVplus eligibility
The VAVplus scheme applies if the annual gross salary per employee does not exceed CHF 22,680
Monthly
Akomptes payment frequency
Employers with a salary mass over CHF 200,001 pay contributions monthly
CHF 1,400/month
Free allowance for retirees
Employees over the reference age receive a CHF 1,400 monthly exemption from AHV/IV/EO contributions
01
1-2 days
Register with the Bern Cantonal Compensation Fund
All employers in Bern must register with the cantonal compensation fund, even if they have no employees. This includes companies, associations, and sole proprietors. Juristische Personen with a commercial register entry are required to affiliate regardless of staffing. If you are not yet affiliated, you must apply through the fund’s ePortal or by submitting a formal request. The registration process ensures you can report employee data, receive invoices, and manage contributions. Failure to register may result in penalties and back payments. For more details, refer to the Hiring First Employee Switzerland: Compliance Checklist.
02
1-3 days
Draft a Swiss Employment Contract
A valid employment contract in Switzerland must include key elements such as job title, working hours, salary, probation period, and notice periods. The contract must comply with the Swiss Employment Law framework, which governs minimum standards. Employers can use a swiss employment contract template as a starting point, but must tailor it to the specific role and employee. The contract should be signed before the employee starts work. For temporary or part-time roles, clearly define the duration and conditions. Always keep a signed copy in the employee’s file. The Swiss Employment Law: Key Rules for Employers and Employees provides comprehensive guidance.
03
1 day
Register the Employee with the Compensation Fund
While employers are not required to manually report new hires, they can use the ePortal or the 'Eintrittsmeldung in den Betrieb' form to register employees. This step ensures accurate contribution calculations and timely issuance of AHV numbers. You must report any changes in salary, family status, or employment status. The compensation fund automatically updates records based on commercial register changes for legal entities. For private household employees, registration must be done with the cantonal fund at the employer’s residence. The Payroll Switzerland: Employer Compliance Guide outlines the full process.
04
1-2 weeks per payroll cycle
Calculate and Pay Social Security Contributions
Employers are responsible for calculating and paying AHV, IV, EO, FAK, and FLG contributions. These are split between employer and employee, with the employer covering 50% of AHV/IV/EO and 100% of FAK/FLG. The contribution base is the AHV-pflichtigen Bruttolohn. Employers can use the simplified VAV or VAVplus procedures if they meet eligibility criteria. The VAVplus option includes direct deduction of accident insurance premiums. Payments are made via eBill or bank transfer. The Self Employed Bern: AHV Compliance Guide for Freelancers offers insights into contribution structures for independent workers.
05
1-2 days per employee
Process Allocations Familiales (Family Allowances)
Employees with children may be entitled to allocations familiales, which are paid by the cantonal fund. The employer must ensure the employee has applied through the correct channel. In Bern, the child allowance is CHF 250.00 per month from 1 January 2025. The employer must report the employee’s family status and ensure the correct amount is included in payroll. For cross-border workers, the agreement with France allows for a 4.5% retrocession of gross salary mass. The Companies in Bern Switzerland: Doing Business in the Canton provides context on regional compliance.
Important Notes on Household Employees
If you employ someone in your private household, such as a cleaner or nanny, you are still required to register them with the Bern cantonal compensation fund. All gross wages are subject to social security contributions. The employer must report the employee via the ePortal or paper form. The Hiring First Employee Switzerland: Compliance Checklist includes a dedicated section on household employment. Failure to register can lead to fines and back payments. The fund provides a detailed guide on what constitutes 'Hausdienstarbeit' in its Merkblatt 2.06.
There is no minimum salary threshold in Switzerland, every employee earning a salary is subject to AHV, IV, EO, and FAK/FLG contributions. Even part-time or temporary workers must be registered and contribute. The contribution base is the AHV-pflichtigen Bruttolohn, which applies to all earnings above the annual threshold. Employers must report all salaries, regardless of amount. The Swiss Employment Law: Key Rules for Employers and Employees confirms this obligation.
Official resources
For employer obligations in Bern, see how to register with the Ausgleichskasse Bern and the AHV contribution payment rules.
Sources

Official Bern sources

Verified against official government sources

All rates and rules checked against primary Swiss federal and cantonal portals.

Be_ahv
Canton of Bern, AHV Compensation Office
AHV/IV compensation office for Canton Bern. Handles employer AHV registration and contributions for Bern-based businesses.
akbern.ch ↗
Content verified against these sources. Not legal advice.See full disclaimer

Tools that help with Employment

Software used by SMEs in Switzerland. Affiliate links: we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

PersonioHR + payroll built for SMEs hiring their first employees in Switzerland. Lohnausweis generation, work-permit tracking, AHV registration, all in one tool.
Try free
BexioPayroll module for Swiss employers. AHV/UVG/BVG contribution calculation, monthly salary slips, and direct export to cantonal Ausgleichskassen.
Try free 30 days
SwissdecStandardised Swiss payroll-data exchange. Most accounting tools certified by Swissdec; using one cuts your year-end reporting burden in half.
See certified tools
Affiliate disclosure: Canton Compliance Hub earns a commission if you purchase a paid plan via these links. This does not affect our editorial recommendations. We only list tools we consider genuinely suitable for the use case described.

Not sure where Employment compliance applies to you?

Get a free personalised report covering your specific situation, Employment-specific rules included.

Related topics
Employment in other cantons
Bern guides on other topics
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Swiss regulations change frequently, always verify with official sources or a qualified fiduciary before making decisions.