Household service jobs in demand
Domestic staff work in Switzerland covers cleaners, housekeepers, private chefs, drivers, gardeners and estate managers employed by private households, especially in Geneva, Gstaad, Zug and the Vaud Riviera. A standard employment contract sets minimum wages, with a higher cantonal contract in Geneva. Qualified household employees sometimes run several residences.
Households in Geneva, Gstaad, Zug and along the Vaud Riviera employ cleaners, housekeepers, private chefs, drivers, gardeners and estate managers. The most qualified profiles, holders of a CFC (Federal VET Diploma) as a qualified household employee, sometimes run several residences.
The federal domestic work NTC
The Federal Council has extended this standard contract (CTT in French) until 31 December 2028 and raised its minimum wages by 2% on 1 January 2026. It applies everywhere except Geneva, from an average of five hours a week with the same employer.
Three minimum wage tiers
According to the canton of Vaud, the NTC distinguishes staff with no qualification or experience, at 20.35 francs, those with four years' experience or an AFP (Federal VET Certificate), at 22.30 francs, and CFC holders, at 24.55 francs gross per hour.
Geneva and its cantonal standard contract
Geneva applies its own domestic work NTC, aligned with the cantonal minimum wage. In 2026 the first tier reaches 24.59 francs an hour and a CFC brings 25.11 francs; the cantonal labour inspectorate answers employers' questions on these rules.
When a private household becomes an employer
Hiring home help, even for a few hours, obliges the household to declare the wage to the AVS compensation fund (old-age insurance) and to take out LAA accident insurance. Geneva offers the Chèque service and Vaud the Chèque emploi to simplify these formalities.
Board and lodging provided by the employer
When a live-in housekeeper is housed and fed in a villa in Cologny or St. Moritz, the value of these benefits is included in her wage according to AVS scales. The contract must specify the room, meals and any corresponding deductions.
Working hours, rest and availability
Cantonal standard contracts set weekly hours, rest periods and night-time on-call duty, which vary from canton to canton. A live-in employee in Lucerne does not follow the same rules as an hourly helper in Fribourg, so ask for the cantonal text.
Diplomatic households in international Geneva
Private servants employed by diplomats or international civil servants come under a specific federal ordinance and receive a legitimation card from the FDFA. Their contract, minimum wage and health insurance are checked by the Swiss Mission to the international organisations.
Permits for non-European nationals
A European citizen hired by a Swiss family receives an L or B permit on presenting the contract. For non-EU countries, Switzerland mainly admits qualified people: a cleaning job in a private home is generally not enough, apart from diplomatic cases.
Placement agencies and job ads
Specialised agencies in Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich need a cantonal placement licence. A recruiter who charges the candidate fees or keeps their passport is suspicious; our guide to jobs in Switzerland for foreigners lists the warning signs in detail.
Training to move up
The CFC in household management or the AFP as a household assistant open better-paid posts in large residences and in hotel and hospitality establishments. Hospitality schools in French-speaking Switzerland also offer butler and private housekeeper training.
Discretion and personal references
Families in Gstaad or Crans-Montana recruit by recommendation and often require a confidentiality clause. Detailed employment references from previous private employers who can be reached by phone count for more than a diploma when applying for a live-in position.
How to find a job with a family in Switzerland
- Choose your specialty, whether cleaning, cooking, childcare, household management or driving, and check the standard contract of the canton concerned.
- Write a Swiss-style CV with a photo, listing the households you have served, your languages and availability for a live-in post.
- Gather employment references and contacts of families who can be reached, which are decisive in this discreet sector.
- Contact placement agencies licensed by the canton and refuse any request for fees paid by the candidate.
- Insist on a written contract stating the hourly wage, housing, hours, holidays and AVS and LAA registration by the employer.
- For a stay of more than three months, make sure the L or B permit is requested from the cantonal office before you start.
Minimum wages and costs of domestic employment
| Category | Gross minimum 2026 | Source and note |
|---|---|---|
| No qualification or experience | CHF 20.35 per hour | Federal NTC, all cantons except Geneva |
| Four years' experience or AFP | CHF 22.30 per hour | Federal NTC, from five hours a week |
| CFC holder | CHF 24.55 per hour | Federal NTC; wealthy families often pay more |
| Geneva, first tier | CHF 24.59 per hour | Geneva NTC, CHF 25.11 with a CFC other than horticulture |
| Employer contributions | AVS/AI/APG, unemployment, LAA | Vary with the wage; Chèque service or Chèque emploi available |
Documents families and agencies ask for
- Swiss-format CV with photo
- Employment references and recommendation letters from previous employers
- CFC, AFP or training certificates in household management, cooking or childcare
- Passport and valid residence or work permit
- Criminal record extract, required for childcare
- Swiss or European driving licence for chauffeur positions
- Language certificates if the family speaks English or German
Pitfalls of working in a private home
- Accepting a job not declared to the AVS and without accident insurance, leaving you unprotected after a fall or a sudden dismissal.
- Not knowing that the NTC minimum wage also covers cleaning hours in a private home, from five hours a week.
- Handing your passport to the employer or agency: no Swiss employer has the right to keep identity documents.
- Arriving from a non-European country with a job promise as a domestic helper, when such a post rarely entitles you to a permit.
- Failing to set the value of housing and meals in writing, which opens the door to excessive deductions from your wage.
Domestic staff in Switzerland: what candidates ask
Building a lasting working relationship with a household in Switzerland
Work inside a private home is different from work in a company, because the workplace is also a family's living space. Trust is the basis of the job. Employers look for people who are reliable, calm and respectful of privacy, and they often value these qualities above speed. A first impression of punctuality and tidy presentation counts for a great deal.
Clear agreement on tasks avoids most misunderstandings. Before starting, it helps to talk through which rooms, which chores and which days belong to the role, and how the family prefers to be informed when something is broken or missing. Putting the main points in writing protects both sides and gives a reference point if expectations change later.
Communication in daily routines
Households in Switzerland may speak French, German, Italian, English or a mix of them. A domestic worker who understands the family's language, even at a basic level, can follow instructions and raise concerns without stress. Short notes, a shared message thread or a weekly chat about the coming days are all practical ways to keep everyone informed.
Respecting boundaries and handling difficulties
Employers are right to expect discretion about what is seen or heard at home. Employees, in turn, are right to expect fair treatment and reasonable requests. When a problem arises, it is best to raise it calmly and early, rather than let resentment grow. If a solution cannot be found, a local advisory service or a trade union for domestic workers can explain the options before any decision is taken.
Written references from previous families are a strong asset. A short letter that mentions reliability, honesty and quality of work can open the door to a new household much faster than any advertisement. Asking for such a letter politely when a job ends, and keeping the contact details of former employers, is a habit worth building from the first placement.
Does the domestic work NTC apply to a helper working two hours a week?
No, the federal standard contract covers employment of at least five hours a week on average with the same employer. The general rules of the Code of Obligations, AVS and accident insurance still apply, as do cantonal minimum wages where they exist.
How does Geneva differ from the other cantons for household workers?
Geneva is excluded from the federal NTC and applies its own standard contract, whose first tier follows the cantonal minimum wage of 24.59 francs an hour in 2026. The other cantons apply the federal NTC, supplemented by their own rules on hours and rest.
Is a live-in domestic employee entitled to time off?
Yes: at least four weeks' holiday a year under the Code of Obligations, weekly rest days and working hours defined by the cantonal standard contract. Being provided with accommodation does not justify permanent availability without compensation.
How does the Chèque service work in Geneva?
This scheme lets a private employer entrust a single body with the social insurance declarations and accident insurance for their employee. It simplifies hiring an hourly cleaner and guarantees her full social cover, without multiple administrative steps.