How many hours can you actually bill?
Start with 2,080 nominal working hours (52 weeks × 40h). Subtract: 5 weeks vacation = 200h. Public holidays (~10 days) = 80h. Sick days and personal time (8–10 days) = 64–80h. That leaves ~1,720h before you've done anything non-billable.
Of those, the realistic billable fraction for a one-person operation is 60–70%: the rest goes to client acquisition, proposals, invoicing, bookkeeping, training, networking and the inevitable scope-creep work nobody wants to argue about. You're left with 1,030–1,200 billable hours. Calling it 1,100 is a safe baseline for a third-year freelancer; first-year freelancers should plan for 700–900 while ramping up.
The full cost stack you need to cover
On top of your target take-home, you need to cover: business overhead (workspace CHF 0–6,000, software CHF 1,500–4,000, professional insurance CHF 500–2,000, accountant CHF 1,500–4,000, equipment depreciation CHF 1,000–3,000, training CHF 1,000–3,000). Total: CHF 5,500–22,000/year depending on operation.
Then social charges. As a Swiss self-employed person: AHV/IV/EO 9.7% on net profit, plus voluntary 2nd pillar (5–18% recommended) and Pillar 3a (up to CHF 36,288/year for self-employed without LPP). Plus income tax on the residual. The combined leakage from gross billings to net take-home is typically 35–45%.
Setting and defending your rate
Calculation: (target net × 1.5–1.7) + overhead = required gross. Divided by 1,100 billable hours = floor rate. Example for a Zurich-based independent consultant targeting CHF 120,000 net take-home with CHF 12,000 overhead: (120k × 1.6) + 12k = CHF 204,000 gross. ÷ 1,100h = CHF 185/h. Below that, you're working for less than the equivalent salary.
Senior consultants and specialists routinely charge CHF 200–350/h in Switzerland; technical specialists (data, security, regulated industries) CHF 250–400/h; generalists in saturated markets struggle above CHF 130/h. Compare against your most relevant peer group, not against agency day rates (which include team and overhead you don't have).
Calculate your minimum viable hourly rate
Enter target income, overhead and realistic billable hours — the EuroCalc price-per-hour calculator returns your floor rate and a project-based equivalent.
Open the calculator →Frequently asked questions
Should I show my hourly rate publicly?+
Generally no, unless you're competing on price (a losing position for most knowledge workers). Quote project or retainer prices that incorporate your hourly minimum but don't expose it.
How often should I raise rates?+
Annually, by at least 5–8% on new contracts. Existing clients on renewal: 5–10% with a clear notification 30–60 days before. Specialists growing in demand can move faster.
What if a client says my rate is too high?+
Reduce scope, not rate. 'I understand — let me reshape the proposal to fit your budget' beats 'I'll do it for less' every time. Discount once and it's the new ceiling.
Is a day rate just hourly × 8?+
Usually 6.5–7.5× hourly. A booked day means you can't take other client calls, so it commands a small premium per hour. Half-day rates rarely make sense — quote either 'session' (2–3h) or full days.
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