Hiring an International Housekeeper in Switzerland: What Families Should Know
What Swiss families should know before hiring an international housekeeper — EU/EFTA right to work, the checks to make, and how to stay legal.
Quick answer: Yes — and many of the most experienced housekeepers in Switzerland are internationals. Citizens of the EU/EFTA (including Portugal) can work freely under freedom of movement; you just register the employment correctly. Hiring a non‑EU national for household work, however, is in practice very restricted.
EU/EFTA housekeepers: free to work
Thanks to the agreement on free movement, EU/EFTA citizens may live and work in Switzerland. For an engagement under three months you file the simple notification procedure (Meldeverfahren) before the start date; for longer roles, the worker obtains a residence permit (an L permit for contracts under a year, a B permit for a year or more) at their commune. No quota and no labour‑market test apply.
Non‑EU/third‑country nationals
For third‑country nationals, permits are reserved for qualified specialists and are subject to quotas and a labour‑market test. Standard household roles do not usually qualify, so newly hiring a non‑EU housekeeper from abroad is rarely possible. The main exceptions are a relocating family bringing a long‑standing existing employee, or someone already resident in Switzerland whose permit already allows household work.
Why international housekeepers are a strong option
A much wider pool of experienced, professional candidates
Often multilingual — useful in international households
Strong references and a real career in domestic work
Your pre‑hire checklist
Check a valid passport/ID and confirm EU/EFTA nationality
Confirm the residence permit (or that you have filed the notification procedure)
Register the employee with your cantonal compensation office (AHV)
Pay at least the NAV minimum wage and take out accident insurance
👉 Browse international housekeepers available in Zurich here.
Conclusion
Hiring an international housekeeper is straightforward when she holds EU/EFTA nationality: confirm her right to work, register her with the compensation office, insure her and pay the NAV minimum. Done properly, it opens the door to some of the most experienced help available.
Official sources
Rules and figures can change — check the official sources:
See also
Hire legally — registration, insurance and contract.
Is it safe? Avoid fraud — ID and permit checks.
How much it costs — hourly rate and on-costs.
Find and choose a housekeeper — where to look and how to vet.
FAQ
Can I hire a Portuguese or other EU housekeeper in Switzerland?
Yes. EU/EFTA citizens can work under freedom of movement. You file the notification procedure for short engagements, or she obtains a residence permit for roles over three months.
Can I hire a non‑EU housekeeper from abroad?
In practice, rarely. Third‑country permits are reserved for qualified specialists subject to quotas and a labour‑market test, which household roles usually don't meet.
What do I have to check before she starts?
Valid ID and EU/EFTA nationality, the residence permit or notification, registration with your AHV compensation office, the NAV minimum wage and accident insurance.
Do the same employer duties apply?
Yes — registration, social‑security contributions, accident insurance and the NAV minimum apply regardless of nationality. See our guide on hiring legally.