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Insurance & Obligation

UVG Accident Insurance for Domestic Workers: The Complete Employer Guide

Accident insurance (UVG) is mandatory for all employees in Switzerland -- including your cleaner or domestic helper. Ignoring this obligation risks fines up to CHF 10,000 and personal liability for all accident costs. This guide explains everything: BU vs. NBU, the 8-hour rule, VAVplus/SOLIDA, and how to get covered for around CHF 100 per year.

Your cleaner works 4 hours per week at your home. On Tuesday, she slips on the wet bathroom floor and breaks her wrist. Hospital stay, surgery, weeks of physiotherapy. Do you have UVG insurance? If not, YOU pay -- everything.

Answer in 30 seconds

Accident insurance (UVG) is mandatory for every domestic worker in Switzerland - from the very first hour of work. The employer always pays the premium for occupational accidents; the employee pays the non-occupational part once they work at least 8 hours a week. Since 2025, the VAVplus scheme makes it easy to arrange through the compensation office.

This applies when

For anyone who privately employs domestic help, a cleaner, a nanny or a carer - the UVG duty applies from the first franc of wage, no matter how few the hours.

Official sources

Check which insurances are mandatory
Official data 2026Source: BSV + SUVA

Key Takeaways

  • 1UVG is mandatory for ALL employees in Switzerland -- including cleaners in private households.
  • 2Occupational accident (BU): employer always pays the premium, from the 1st hour.
  • 3Non-occupational accident (NBU): mandatory from 8 hours per week with one employer.
  • 4VAVplus (SOLIDA) covers BU + NBU where the compensation office offers it -- currently 19 of 26 cantons, simple online registration.
  • 5Without UVG, fines up to CHF 10,000 and personal liability for all accident costs.

What Is UVG Accident Insurance?

The Accident Insurance Act (UVG) is a federal law that protects all employees in Switzerland against the consequences of occupational and non-occupational accidents, as well as occupational diseases. It is a pillar of the Swiss social security system.

Legal basis: Federal Act on Accident Insurance (UVG, SR 832.20), in force since 1984
Applies to ALL employees -- including part-time, hourly wage and private households
Covers medical costs, daily allowance, disability and survivor pensions
Carriers: Suva (for certain industries), private insurers or health funds with UVG licence

Anyone who employs staff -- even just a few hours per week -- is subject to UVG. No exceptions.

Complete social insurance overview for employers

Who Needs UVG Insurance?

Short answer: every employer in Switzerland. The detailed answer depends on the workload:

1h/week
BU obligation starts from
8h/week
NBU becomes additionally mandatory
100%
Of private households affected
26 cantons
Same rule nationwide
1

Cleaner, housekeeper or domestic helper -- BU mandatory from the 1st working hour

2

Babysitter, nanny, au pair -- UVG mandatory like any other employment

3

Gardener, caretaker, care assistant -- all count as employees in a private household

4

Even part-time workers paid hourly are full employees under UVG law

BU vs. NBU: The Two Pillars of Accident Insurance

The UVG distinguishes two categories of accidents -- and the rules differ:

Occupational Accident (BU)

  • •Accident during work or on the commute
  • •Mandatory for ALL employees -- from the 1st hour
  • •Premium: always paid by the employer
  • •Also covers occupational diseases

Non-Occupational Accident (NBU)

  • •Accident during leisure time (e.g. skiing, cycling)
  • •Mandatory from 8 hours per week with ONE employer
  • •Premium: can be passed to employee (salary deduction)
  • •Under 8h/week: leisure accidents covered by health insurance (KVG)

Understanding the 8-Hour Rule

Important: The 8-hour threshold refers to working hours with a single employer. If your cleaner works 4 hours with you and 5 hours with another household, the NBU obligation only applies to the second employer.

What Does UVG Insurance Cover?

UVG benefits are comprehensive and defined by law. Here are the four pillars:

1

Medical costs

Doctor, hospital, medication, physiotherapy, aids -- no deductible, no co-payment. Unlimited.

2

Daily allowance

80% of the insured salary from day 3 after the accident. The first 2 days are paid by the employer at full salary (waiting period).

3

Disability pension

For permanent impairment: pension of up to 80% of insured salary. Plus integrity compensation for physical damage.

4

Survivor pension

In case of death: pensions for widow/widower and orphans. Maximum 70% of insured salary for all survivors combined.

CHF 148,200
Max. insured annual earnings
80%
Daily allowance from day 3
CHF 0
Deductible & co-payment
Unlimited
Medical costs

What Does UVG Insurance Cost?

The good news: UVG premiums for domestic helpers are surprisingly affordable. For most employers, they range between CHF 100 and 200 per year.

CHF

Occupational accident premium: under VAVplus/SOLIDA approx. 0.505% of gross salary, always borne by the employer

CHF

Non-occupational accident premium: under VAVplus/SOLIDA approx. 1.432% of gross salary, can be passed to employee

CHF

Example: At CHF 25/h, 4h/week = approx. CHF 5,200 annual salary results in approx. CHF 26 BU premium (0.505%)

CHF

VAVplus (SOLIDA): The most affordable and simplest solution for private households across Switzerland

UVG Providers for Private Households

VAVplus (SOLIDA) -- designed for private households, via the compensation office in 19 of 26 cantons, online registration
Cantonal compensation offices -- depending on the canton, UVG processing may be available
Private insurers (e.g. AXA, Zurich, Baloise) -- supplementary UVG coverage possible

Clino makes it easy

Clino prepares your VAVplus registration for you where your compensation office offers it -- as part of your subscription for CHF 19.90/month. No paperwork, no comparing. Where VAVplus isn't (yet) available in your canton, we help you arrange separate UVG cover instead.

Calculate the total cost of a domestic worker

UVG Registration: Step by Step

Here is how to correctly register your domestic helper for UVG insurance:

1

Create an employment contract

Document working hours, salary, tasks and notice period in writing. The employment contract is the basis for all social insurances.

2

Register with the AHV compensation office

Register as an employer with the cantonal compensation office. This is a prerequisite for UVG registration.

3

Take out UVG insurance

Arrange UVG insurance -- most easily through VAVplus/SOLIDA. Online registration in just a few minutes.

4

Create payslips

Produce monthly or annual payslips with deductions for AHV, ALV, BVG and, if applicable, NBU premium.

5

Report accidents

In case of an accident: report it within 48 hours to the UVG insurer. The insurer takes over coordination and cost coverage immediately.

Register Your Cleaner -- in 5 Steps

Simplified procedure: know the downsides

What Happens Without UVG Insurance?

Anyone who fails to insure their domestic helper violates federal law. The consequences are real and painful:

1

Fines under BGSA

Up to CHF 10,000 fine for violating the Federal Act on Measures to Combat Undeclared Work (BGSA).

2

Personal liability

Without UVG, you are personally liable for ALL accident costs: hospital, rehabilitation, continued salary, disability pension -- retroactive premium surcharges and the insurer's right of recourse (Art. 72 ff. ATSG).

3

Retroactive premiums

The compensation office can retroactively claim all social insurance contributions -- including default interest.

4

Criminal proceedings

In case of serious accidents without insurance: possible criminal proceedings for negligent bodily harm (Art. 125 SCC).

Real Case

A private household in Zurich paid over CHF 120,000 in treatment costs and continued salary after their cleaner suffered a severe back injury -- without UVG insurance. Additionally: CHF 5,000 fine and retroactive claims for all social contributions over 3 years.

What happens without accident insurance? Real consequences

Checklist: UVG for Your Domestic Helper

UVG, AHV, payroll -- all in one subscription

Clino prepares everything: UVG insurance, AHV registration forms, payslips and more. For CHF 19.90/month. No paperwork chaos, no mistakes, no fines.

Get started now

Frequently Asked Questions About UVG Insurance

Is UVG mandatory for a cleaner working only 2 hours per week?
Yes. Occupational accident insurance (BU) is mandatory for ALL employees -- from the very first working hour. Even at 2 hours per week, you must pay the BU premium. Non-occupational accident insurance (NBU) only becomes mandatory from 8 hours per week with one employer.
What is the difference between UVG and KVG for accidents?
UVG covers accidents of employees -- treatment without deductible and co-payment, plus daily allowance and pensions. KVG (health insurance) steps in when no UVG exists -- but with deductible, co-payment and no daily allowance. For employees under 8h/week, KVG covers leisure accidents.
Can I deduct the NBU premium from my cleaner's salary?
Yes. The NBU premium may be charged to the employee via salary deduction. However, this must be agreed in the employment contract or terms of employment. The BU premium, on the other hand, is always borne by the employer.
What is VAVplus and why is it recommended?
VAVplus is the simplified billing solution from SOLIDA Versicherungen, designed specifically for private households. It covers BU and NBU where your own cantonal compensation office offers VAVplus -- currently 19 of 26 cantons. Registration is available online there and premiums are affordable. Clino prepares the VAVplus registration for all customers where it's available -- otherwise we help arrange separate UVG cover.
What happens if my cleaner has an accident on the way to work?
Accidents on the way to work count as occupational accidents (BU) and are covered by UVG insurance. This also applies to the journey home. Full UVG benefits (medical costs, daily allowance, pensions) apply.
Do I have to report an accident to the insurer as an employer?
Yes. You are legally obliged to report every occupational accident and every non-occupational accident (if NBU-insured) to the UVG insurer within a few days. A report within 48 hours is recommended. Late reporting may result in reduced benefits.
Which deductions apply for less than 8 hours per week?
If your household help works less than 8 hours per week, the non-occupational accident insurance (NBU, 1.432%) does not apply: it only becomes mandatory from 8 hours per week. In that case, leisure-time accidents are covered by the employee's own health insurance. Everything else stays the same: AHV/IV/EO (5.3% each side) and ALV (1.1% each side) are owed from the first franc, the employer pays occupational accident insurance (BU, 0.505%) from the first working hour, and the simplified procedure adds a flat 5% withholding tax. So below 8 hours the employee keeps a little more net, because the NBU deduction is dropped.

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Amounts and thresholds are guideline values (as of 2026) and partly vary by canton (e.g. FAK 0.80 to 2.95 percent). Illustrative, not legal advice. Your specific employment is decisive.

Register, nothing charged before day 30 CHF 19.90/mo., 30 days free
Salvador Jovells

Salvador Jovells, founder of Clino

Verified July 2026