Clarify direct private employment first
This guide is for people who directly employ a cleaner in their private household. Record duties, pay, working time and start date in writing and clarify registration before work begins. Ask the responsible compensation office if employment status is uncertain. These points do not replace review of your specific contract.
Further reading
AHV: domestic work has no general CHF 2,500 exemption
Under leaflet 2.06, effective 1 January 2026, domestic-work wages are generally subject to contributions even below CHF 2,500 a year. The compensation office clarifies AHV/OASI, IV/DI, EO and unemployment contributions and applicable age exceptions.
Special allowance and unemployment-insurance rules apply after the reference retirement age. Drawing a pension early does not automatically mean that age has been reached. Have the individual case calculated.
| Age situation in 2026 | What to check |
|---|---|
| Born 2009 or later | No employment-related AHV contribution duty yet |
| Born 2001–2008 | Up to CHF 750 per household/year exempt unless contributions are requested |
| Born 2001–2008, over CHF 750 | The full annual wage becomes contributory |
| Born 2000 or earlier, below reference age | Generally declare even small wages |
| Reference age reached | Check allowance, possible waiver and unemployment exception |
Accident insurance: the threshold is at least eight hours
Domestic employees generally require occupational accident and disease insurance. Non-occupational cover is added from at least eight hours a week with the same employer. Below eight hours, commuting accidents fall under occupational cover. Another private accident policy does not replace the employer’s obligation; clarify special rules for young workers’ very small wages with the insurer.
Check sickness, continued pay and the contract
Continued salary during illness and daily sickness-benefit insurance are different questions. Check years of service, contract duration and applicable standard employment terms. Review any policy’s waiting periods, benefits and conditions; “insured” does not mean every loss of wages is fully covered. SECO explains the basics.
Further reading
Prepare registration and further obligations
Ask the compensation office which settlement procedure suits your employment and what information it needs. Check pension, tax, minimum-pay, holiday and public-holiday rules for the actual workload and contract. Liability and lost keys are separate coverage questions; obtain written confirmation of what is insured.
- Record parties, start date, tasks, gross pay and working hours.
- Keep registration, accident insurance and payslips organised.
- Recheck when pay, hours or employment status changes.
Source date and PUTZIO bookings
The linked official information was checked on 6 November 2026; the domestic-work leaflet is effective from 1 January 2026. This article covers direct private employment and makes no blanket classification of the parties’ legal roles in a PUTZIO booking. Check the applicable terms and clarify questions beforehand.
PUTZIO offers routine apartment cleaning at CHF 40 per hour in supported municipalities. The cleaner brings cleaning products at no extra charge; you provide a vacuum cleaner, mop and bucket when needed. Agree on the priority tasks for the time booked.