Airbnb Cleaning in Switzerland: How to Legally Hire Your Cleaner
You rent out on Airbnb or Booking.com and need someone to clean between guests? Many hosts think it is "just occasional help". Wrong. As soon as cleaning happens regularly, you are an employer - with all obligations. This guide shows what you need to know legally, what a turnover costs, and how to create a cleaning protocol.
Sunday, 2:00 PM. Your guests check out, the next ones arrive at 4:00 PM. Your cleaner has 2 hours for linens, bathroom, kitchen and floors. She does this every week, sometimes twice. Sounds like a job? It is - legally speaking.
As soon as someone cleans your Airbnb regularly, you are an employer: AHV contributions are due from the first franc and accident insurance (UVG) is mandatory from the first hour.
- A turnover costs CHF 80-450 depending on size; hired directly it is CHF 28-33/hour gross.
- Platforms charge CHF 35-55/hour - 30-70% more than employing your own cleaner.
- Not registering = undeclared work: fines up to CHF 10,000 plus back payments.
The Reality: Why Airbnb Hosts Are Often Employers Without Knowing It
Over 30,000 hosts in Switzerland rent out on Airbnb and Booking.com. Most need a cleaner for guest turnovers. And this is where the problem begins: many treat cleaning like a favour between neighbours.
As soon as a person regularly cleans for you, in your apartment, on your schedule, with your cleaning supplies - it is not a contract. It is an employment relationship. And you are the employer.
Employment Law: Occasional Help vs. Employment Relationship
The crucial difference: occasional help is not an employment relationship. But where is the line?
Occasional help (no employment relationship)
- •One-off or very rare (e.g. 2-3x per year)
- •No fixed schedule, no obligation to follow instructions
- •Person brings their own supplies
- •Example: neighbour helps once with spring cleaning
Employment relationship (you = employer)
- •Regular, recurring (weekly/fortnightly)
- •Fixed schedule, tied to your check-in/check-out times
- •Person works in your apartment with your supplies
- •Example: cleaner cleans after every guest turnover
Warning: Airbnb turnovers = almost always an employment relationship
What Does an Airbnb Cleaning Cost per Turnover?
Costs depend on apartment size, standards and whether you hire directly or through a platform.
With direct hiring, you pay CHF 28-33/hour (gross). A 1-bedroom turnover takes approx. 2.5-3 hours. On top come social security contributions of approx. 8-10% (depending on canton) as employer share.
Platforms like Batmaid or Helpling charge CHF 35-55/hour - a markup of 30-70%. They handle registration for you. But: you lose control over scheduling and quality.
Airbnb cleaning fee
Cleaning Protocol: Your Quality Guarantee
A detailed cleaning protocol is the difference between 4.2 and 4.9 stars. It protects against complaints and gives your cleaner clear instructions.
Entrance & General
Clear shoes, mop floor, check key safe, prepare welcome folder, make Wi-Fi password visible
Kitchen
Empty and clean fridge, unload dishwasher, disinfect countertops, take out rubbish, restock basics (salt, oil, coffee)
Bathroom
Disinfect all surfaces, fold fresh towels, restock toiletries, streak-free mirror, remove hair
Bedroom
Change all bed linen, check mattress, wipe nightstands, present wardrobes open and empty
Final Check
Take photos (proof of condition), tilt windows, set heating/AC, test lights, lock door
A good cleaning protocol saves you more money than it costs - through better reviews, fewer complaints and faster turnovers.
5 Mistakes Airbnb Hosts Make with Cleaning
We see these mistakes repeatedly - and they can get expensive:
Paying the cleaner cash and not registering them
This is undeclared work. If caught, fines up to CHF 10,000 plus back payment of all social security contributions. The risk increases the more often you rent out.
Not taking out UVG insurance
Occupational accident insurance (BU) is mandatory from the 1st hour, regardless of workload. If your cleaner works 8+ hours/week with you, non-occupational accident insurance (NBU) is also required. Without insurance, you are personally liable in case of an accident - potentially for hundreds of thousands of francs.
Not using a cleaning protocol
Without a clear checklist, quality is inconsistent. This leads to bad reviews, rework and frustrated guests.
Not allowing enough time for the turnover
Thoroughly cleaning a 1-bedroom apartment: at least 2.5 hours. Planning only 1.5 hours results in shoddy work - and bad reviews.
Falling for platform pricing
Batmaid & Co. charge CHF 35-55/hour. Over 52 turnovers/year, the markup adds up to CHF 1,500-3,000 compared to direct hiring. That is money that belongs in your margin.
Platform Cleaning vs. Direct Hiring: The Honest Comparison
Both options have pros and cons. What matters is what suits your rental model.
Platform (Batmaid, Helpling etc.)
- •CHF 35-55/hour (30-70% more expensive)
- •Platform handles registration & invoicing
- •Changing cleaners - inconsistent quality
- •Little control over scheduling
Direct hiring (with Clino)
- •CHF 28-33/hour (gross) + approx. 8-10% social contributions (depending on canton)
- •Your regular cleaner knows the apartment
- •Full control over schedule and quality
- •Clino runs payroll and prepares AHV and UVG - CHF 19.90/month
How to Legally Hire Your Airbnb Cleaner
In 5 steps from undeclared work to a proper employment relationship:
Create an employment contract
Written contract with hourly wage, working hours (e.g. "after each guest turnover, according to booking calendar"), holiday entitlement (min. 4 weeks) and notice period.
Register with the AHV compensation office
Register as an employer with the cantonal compensation office. Contributions: approx. 8-10% employer share (depending on canton, AHV/IV/EO/ALV/FAK). Clino prepares the registration for your canton.
Take out UVG insurance
Occupational accident insurance is mandatory from the 1st hour. From 8h/week: also non-occupational accident (NBU). Via VAVplus/SOLIDA, done online in 10 minutes.
Set up payroll
Monthly payslip with all deductions. Clino creates these automatically - including 13th month salary and holiday compensation.
Hand over the cleaning protocol
Give your cleaner a detailed protocol. Walk through it together the first time. Quality from day one.
Legal Airbnb cleaning - for CHF 19.90/month
Clino creates the employment contract and payroll and prepares the AHV registration and UVG insurance for your cleaner. You focus on your guests - we handle the paperwork.
Register now →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really have to register my Airbnb cleaner?
When do I need UVG insurance?
Can my cleaner work as self-employed?
What does legal employment cost me in total?
How do I calculate the cleaning fee for my Airbnb listing?
What happens if my cleaner has an accident in my apartment?
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