Live-in vs Live-out Housekeeper in Switzerland
A comparison of live-in and live-out housekeepers in Switzerland, with guidance on in-kind wages, cost and working time.
Quick answer: A live-out housekeeper suits hourly or daily cleaning; a live-in housekeeper makes sense mainly for comprehensive care. If you provide board and lodging, reference in-kind values apply to the wage.
Live-in housekeeper
High availability and flexibility
Suited to families with substantial care needs
Board and lodging count as part of the wage (in-kind)
Live-out housekeeper
Clearly defined hours and tasks
More privacy in the home
The most common option for regular cleaning
In-kind wage: board and lodging
If you provide free lodging and meals, these count as wages in kind and are subject to contributions. The AHV sets reference values for this (full board and lodging is around CHF 990 per month). These values are added to the cash wage and raise the contribution base.
Working time and rest
Working and rest times apply to live-in roles too. In the Canton of Zurich, the standard contract sets around 43 hours per week for full-time work plus weekly rest days. The legal holiday entitlement is at least four weeks per year.
Exact values can change — always confirm them directly with the AHV or your compensation office (Ausgleichskasse).
👉 Discover housekeepers in Zurich here.
Conclusion
Both models are legal and possible. For regular cleaning, a live-out housekeeper is usually the simpler choice; for comprehensive care, a live-in arrangement can make sense — with board and lodging correctly counted as an in-kind wage.
See also
How much it costs — hourly rate and on-costs.
Find and choose a housekeeper — where to look and how to vet.
Hire legally — registration, insurance and contract.
Hiring an international housekeeper — what families should know.
See also
FAQ
Which is cheaper — live-in or live-out?
It depends on your needs. For hourly cleaning, live-out is usually cheaper; a live-in role makes sense for comprehensive, full-day care.
Do board and lodging count as wages?
Yes. Free lodging and meals count as an in-kind wage and are subject to contributions. The AHV sets reference values (full board and lodging is around CHF 990 per month).
Do special working hours apply to live-in roles?
Working and rest times apply to live-in roles too. In the Canton of Zurich that means around 43 hours per week for full-time work plus weekly rest days.
How much holiday is required?
At least four weeks of paid holiday per year, whether the housekeeper is live-in or live-out.