Regulation concerning indemnities to State employees

[2] Subject to specific provisions that provide otherwise, this regulation applies to

a) judges of the judiciary;

b) state employees according to Art. 1 LORD;

c) auxiliary staff according to Art. 20 LORD.

[2] Art. amended by R 19.12.2018; in force since 1.1.2019 - BU 2018, 473.

1 Employees plan and carry out service missions according to criteria of rationality and cost-effectiveness. In the event of the performance of particular tasks (special transfers or in remote areas, accompaniment of magistrates) that require the assumption of extraordinary expenses, the employee is entitled to reimbursement of the same, subject to the prior agreement of the managing officer. [3]

2 Managing officers ensure proper planning of missions and activities covered by this regulation and ensure its correct application within their administrative units.

3 The Human Resources Section (for employees) and the Administrative Section of the DECS (for teachers) guarantee the necessary advice and oversight regarding the correct application of the rules. Any abuses found during the usual revisions carried out by the Cantonal Finance Control will be reported to the relevant authorities.

4 The allowances provided for by this regulation are reimbursed only upon presentation of supporting documents (meals excluded) and are not paid when they are already reimbursed by other entities or when they have been directly borne by the State.

5 Supporting documents must be kept for a period of 10 years by the services responsible for data entry into the information system.

6 For the State Chancellor, the Council of State may define an annual lump sum for types of expenses not to be justified individually and a list of these types. [4]

[3] Para. amended by R 6.10.2021; in force since 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

[4] Para. introduced by R 19.12.2018; in force since 1.1.2019 - BU 2018, 473.

1 For business travel, employees must prioritize the use of public transport and service vehicles from the State Motor Vehicle and Machine Office pool.

2 Travel expenses from the private domicile to the place of service and vice-versa are not reimbursed.

3 In the event of the performance of particular duties (ordered business trips of an institutional or representative nature) on days when offices are closed, travel expenses from the private domicile to the mission location are recognized.

4 For the reimbursement of travel expenses related to business trips with departures and/or arrivals from/to the private domicile, regardless of the means of transport used and the day of the week, only the kilometrage that exceeds the normal route for commuting from home to the place of service and vice-versa is recognized.

5 Exceptionally, holders of "arcobaleno" season tickets purchased for commuting from their private domicile to their place of service, who are compelled to use a private vehicle for official missions, may submit expenses related to travel between their private domicile and the mission location.

6 For the calculation of distances with a private vehicle, the ViaMichelin kilometre indicator, which accounts for the shortest route, shall be used. [5]

7 In the case of travel within a municipality or for distances that are difficult to ascertain with the kilometre distance indicator, the vehicle's odometer shall be used; in such a case, the details of the movements must be indicated on the form.

[5] Para. amended by R 6.10.2021; in force since 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

According to the following means of transport used, employees are entitled to reimbursement of expenses for

a) Public transport

1 SBB day passes in 1st or 2nd class,

2 SBB tickets in 1st or 2nd class,

3 personal SBB season tickets (half-fare travelcards, Arcobaleno travelcards) if, within the period of validity, the expense is offset by the lower costs compared to purchasing individual tickets,

4 tickets for other public transport,

5 economy class air tickets.

Air tickets can be requested from the Human Resources Section. [6]

b) State service vehicles

Fuel expenses.

c) Private vehicle

CHF –.55 per km, including fuel, maintenance, repair, and insurance coverage costs; during authorised service travel, the State provides comprehensive insurance coverage (casco totale) with a maximum sum of CHF 50,000.– per vehicle, with a deductible of CHF 500.– borne by the employee. [7]

d) Parking and other expenses

If documented, parking and travel expenses incurred.

[6] Letter amended by R 14.6.2023; in force from 1.9.2023 - BU 2023, 253.

[7] Letter amended by R 6.10.2021; in force from 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

1 For main meals, a lump-sum indemnity is recognised for the following amounts: within the Canton: fr. 18.– outside the Canton: fr. 25.–. [8]

2 For overnight stays, reimbursement of the effectively incurred expense is recognised, up to a maximum of fr. 150.– per person. For higher amounts, prior written notice from the Central Personnel Services is required, which will verify their appropriateness. [9]

3 The indemnities under paragraphs 1 and 2 are not recognised if the employee can reasonably be expected to return to their place of domicile or to their place of employment for meals and to return to their domicile for overnight stays. [10]

4 The indemnity for overnight stays includes breakfast. In case of participation in courses and/or organised events, documented additional expenses may be recognised, if previously authorised by the presiding officer. In other cases, prior written notice from the Human Resources Section is required.

[8] Par. modified by R 6.10.2021; in force from 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

[9] Par. modified by R 6.10.2021; in force from 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

[10] Par. modified by R 6.10.2021; in force from 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

The employees of the Department of the Territory who work in road construction and maintenance are entitled to the following allowances

a) for days actually worked by personnel of the Site Management Offices of the Operational Areas, fr. 6.60 per day;

b) for full days actually worked on construction sites by other employees of the Construction Division (excluding those from the Site Management Offices of the Operational Areas), fr. 6.60 per day;

c) for time actually spent in tunnels during excavation and lining works, fr. 3.30 per hour; [11]

d) for time actually spent during construction works in lined tunnels and during maintenance works in traffic and ventilation shafts under arduous conditions, fr. 2.– per hour; [12]

e) for time actually spent in high mountain areas, zone III, above 1500 meters above sea level, or in exceptional cases in mountain areas under arduous conditions, fr. 1.10 per hour. [13]

[11] Subpara. amended by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

[12] Subpara. amended by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

[13] Subpara. amended by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

1. To employees who, due to service requirements and upon explicit order of the executive officer, perform duties during office closures, as per Article 73 of the LORD, an allowance of fr. 5.– per hour is granted for the time actually worked. [14]

2. The holiday work allowance is not cumulative with the night work allowance, whether regular or irregular.

[14] Para. amended by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

1 To employees who, due to service requirements and upon explicit order of the executive officer, regularly perform service during the night from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, an allowance of CHF 5.90 per hour is recognized for the time actually worked. [15]

2 In the case of shift night service, performed at a regular pace, the allowance may alternatively be converted into time off, at the rate of one hour of additional time off for every 10 hours of night work performed.

[15] Para. modified by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

Picket time is not considered working time. It does not entitle one to time off in lieu. In the event of an intervention during picket duty, the intervention time is considered working time for all purposes.

1 On-call duty at home presupposes constant connection with the service headquarters and availability for intervention at the service headquarters or another designated location within a term prestablished by the respective managing official.

2 In the event of intervention during on-call duty, travel expenses shall be reimbursed.

3 Employees called upon to perform on-call duty by explicit written order from the respective managing official shall be granted the following allowances for the time actually performed

a) on weekdays: CHF 1.70 per hour,

b) on public holidays: CHF 3.30 per hour. [16]

4 An employee may be called upon to remain on-call at their domicile during ordinary leave days for a maximum of twenty days per year. This limit may only be exceeded with their explicit consent. Specific sectoral provisions of the State Council are reserved. [17]

[16] Para. amended by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

[17] Para. amended by R 6.10.2021; in force from 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

1 Standby duty at the service location or another designated place implies immediate readiness for intervention during rest periods between two work shifts.

2 Standby duty at the service location cannot be performed on ordinary leave days. Accommodation by choice at the service location, as well as overnight stays away from home during courses, missions, or training, are not considered standby duty time.

3 For members of the Police Force, an allowance is granted during intensive training courses with regular free time, for which the recovery of supplementary hours is excluded (military-type courses).

4 Employees called upon to perform standby duty by explicit written order from the respective executive officer are entitled to the following allowances for the time actually rendered

a) on weekdays: fr. 3.30 per hour,

b) on holidays: fr. 6.60 per hour. [18]

[18] Par. amended by R 8.7.2026; in force from 10.7.2026 - BU 2026, 238.

1 The payment requests for indemnities, provided with the validation of the managing officer, the Director of the Department, the Clerk of the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General, the President of the Cantonal Expropriation Court, the Judge of Coercive Measures, the President of the Criminal Court, the President of the Lugano District Court, the District Judges of the other districts, the Juvenile Magistrate, and the supporting documents must be transmitted to the services responsible for execution. [19]

2 Payment is made on a monthly basis by the Office of Salaries and Insurances for travel expenses and by the Finance Section for other indemnities.

3 The employee is obliged to notify the expense and indemnity statement within a maximum period of six months from the moment they occurred, failing which the right to reimbursement will be forfeited.

[19] Para. modified by R 6.10.2021; in force from 1.1.2022 - BU 2021, 287.

Payment of indemnities for events occurring prior to the entry into force of this regulation shall be made in accordance with the rules in force at the time of such events.

The Regulation concerning indemnities to state employees of 5 February 1997 is repealed.

This Regulation shall be published in the Official Bulletin of Laws and Executive Acts and shall enter into force with immediate effect. [20]

Published in Official Bulletin 2011, 497.

[20] Entry into force: 30 September 2011 - Official Bulletin 2011, 497.