Swiss Work Certificate in English: Entitlement, Translation and Example

A Swiss work certificate (Arbeitszeugnis, certificat de travail, certificato di lavoro) is issued in the language of the place of work. According to a widely held view, you can only insist on an additional English version if English is the usual working language in the company or industry, or if you worked abroad. Otherwise it's voluntary, though many employers are happy to provide one when you part on good terms.

Nobody in the UK or the US knows the Swiss certificate. Readers there expect a reference letter that explicitly recommends you, and they often read a literal translation as weaker than it was meant.

When you're entitled to an English version

Art. 330a of the Swiss Code of Obligations says nothing about language. Legal commentary and practice apply three rules:

1. The certificate is issued in the national language of the region where you worked. Zurich means German, Geneva or Lausanne French, Lugano Italian.
2. If another working language is usual in the company or industry, such as English at an international group, you're entitled to the certificate in both languages.
3. If you worked abroad, the language that does most for your career should be chosen.

If none of these applies, your employer doesn't have to issue an English version. It's still worth asking, ideally together with the certificate while everyone involved is still at the company.

What English-speaking readers expect

There's no statutory work certificate in English-speaking countries. What exists are references and letters of recommendation, personal letters in which a manager recommends someone. Nobody is entitled to one, and there's no coded vocabulary of fine gradations either.

A Swiss certificate, on the other hand, describes duties in detail and assesses performance and conduct in a language whose gradations only Swiss and German readers know. "To our full satisfaction" means something specific to them, and nothing in particular to an HR manager in London. She expects an explicit recommendation at the end and an offer to answer questions. Without both, the letter reads as lukewarm.

Translation, reference letter, or both

A faithful translation copies the content, date and signatures of the original and should state that it's a translation of a Swiss work certificate. It's the right document for authorities, visas and recognition procedures, which often require a certified translation. For many applications your own translation is enough, as long as it's accurate and marked as a translation.

A reference letter is a separate document written to English-language conventions. It suits applications in English-speaking countries but mustn't go further than the certificate. A better assessment than in the original isn't allowed.

For an international career, having both works best: the Swiss certificate with its translation as proof, and a reference letter for applications.

Translation pitfalls

• Satisfaction formulas don't translate word for word. Instead of "always to our fullest satisfaction", use a plain statement such as "Her performance consistently exceeded our expectations."
• Swiss job titles often have no direct equivalent. Describe the role rather than picking a misleading title.
• The Swiss Heimatort has no English equivalent. Either explain it ("place of origin") or replace it with nationality.
• In international documents, write the month out, "12 March 2026", so nobody mixes up day and month.

Glossary: German and French terms in English

• Arbeitszeugnis / certificat de travail: work certificate, employment reference
• Zwischenzeugnis / certificat intermédiaire: interim reference
• Arbeitsbestätigung / attestation de travail: confirmation of employment
• Aufgaben / tâches: duties, responsibilities
• Leistung / prestations: performance
• Verhalten / comportement: conduct
• vorgesetzte Person / supérieur hiérarchique: line manager
• Pensum / taux d'activité: workload (for example 80%)
• Stellvertretung / suppléance: deputy
• auf eigenen Wunsch / de son propre gré: at her or his own request
• Probezeit / temps d'essai: probation period
• zeichnungsberechtigt / autorisé à signer: authorised signatory

Example passage

Ms Anna Keller, born on 4 May 1990, worked for Muster AG in Zurich from 1 March 2021 to 31 August 2026 as Senior Accountant in our Finance department.

Her main responsibilities included the monthly and annual closings, the supervision of accounts payable and the introduction of a new expense management tool. She also deputised for the Head of Finance.

Ms Keller has an excellent command of Swiss accounting standards and worked with great accuracy and independence. Under her leadership, the monthly closing was shortened from eight to five working days. Her managers, colleagues and our auditors valued her reliability and her constructive, friendly manner.

Ms Keller is leaving us at her own request. We thank her for her outstanding contribution, regret her departure and recommend her without reservation. We would be pleased to provide further information on request.

How to go about it

If you're the employer, finish the certificate in the national language first and only then the English version, so both match in substance. The same person signs both. For senior roles, a professional translator who knows HR documents is worth paying for.

If you're the employee, ask for the English version when you leave, not years later. If you're applying abroad, also ask for a short reference letter, and check in advance whether an authority needs a certified translation.

A work certificate in English with ZeugnyAI

ZeugnyAI writes certificates in English, German, French and Italian. You pick the language, rate each aspect on a scale of 1 to 5 and enter the duties. The text is written section by section directly in that language, not translated from German.

Create a work certificate in English →

What goes into a Swiss certificate and how it's structured is covered in our guide to Swiss work certificates.

General information, not legal advice for individual cases.