Work Permits for Household Employees: What Employers Need to Know (2026)
Is your cleaner legally allowed to work in Switzerland? Whether EU citizen or third-country national, permit B, L or F -- the rules are complex. We explain the different permit types, your obligations as an employer and the penalties for violations.
Thanks to free movement, EU/EFTA citizens may generally work for you without restriction (under 90 days per year an online notification suffices), while third-country nationals always need a permit -- and you must check the permit before hiring.
- EU/EFTA: free access; from 90 working days per year a B or L permit is required.
- Third countries: cantonal permit, quotas, domestic priority; exceptions F and N.
- Fines up to CHF 20,000 for negligence, up to CHF 1 million in severe repeat cases.
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What types of work permits exist?
In Switzerland, the right to work depends on residence status. There are various permit types, each granting different employment rights. As an employer of a household worker, the key question is: does the person hold a valid permit allowing them to work for you?
There are two main categories:
EU/EFTA Citizens
Thanks to the free movement agreement with the EU/EFTA, nationals of these countries have unrestricted access to the Swi...
Third-Country Nationals
For persons from non-EU/EFTA countries, significantly stricter rules apply. They always need a work permit, and annual q...
EU/EFTA Citizens: Free Movement of Persons
Thanks to the free movement agreement with the EU/EFTA, nationals of these countries have unrestricted access to the Swiss labour market. An EU citizen may work as a household employee without major restrictions.
For short-term assignments under 90 working days per calendar year, an online notification suffices. For longer employment, a residence or short-term permit (B or L) is required.
Countries with free movement
Important: even EU citizens must register with their municipality and obtain Swiss health insurance.
Third-Country Nationals: Strict Rules
For persons from non-EU/EFTA countries, significantly stricter rules apply. They always need a work permit, and annual quotas are in place.
As an employer, you must demonstrate that no suitable candidate was found on the domestic or EU/EFTA labour market (domestic priority). In household work, this is virtually impossible, making new permits for third-country nationals rare.
Exception: persons with permit F (provisionally admitted) or permit N (asylum seekers) can work under certain conditions -- see permit types above.
Requirements for third-country nationals
- • Proof of domestic priority (no suitable candidate from CH/EU)
- • Compliance with wage and working conditions
- • Annual quota must not be exhausted
- • Employer submits application to the cantonal migration office
Permit Types in Detail
Permit B -- Residence Permit
Validity: 5 years (EU/EFTA) or 1 year (third countries, renewable). Full work authorisation. The most common permit for long-term household employees.
Permit C -- Settlement Permit
Indefinite permit after 5-10 years of residence. Full work authorisation without restrictions.
Permit L -- Short-Term Residence Permit
Validity: up to 1 year, for temporary assignments. Work authorisation tied to the registered employer.
Permit G -- Cross-Border Commuter Permit
For persons living abroad who commute daily or weekly. Full work authorisation, limited to the border zone. Relevant for household help in border cantons.
Permit F -- Provisional Admission
Free access to the labour market without quota since 2019. Employer must notify the canton and comply with standard conditions.
Permit N -- Asylum Seekers
Work possible 3 months after filing the application, only with cantonal work permit. Simplified procedure, priority principle applies.
Permit S -- Persons in Need of Protection
Temporary protection status. Work authorisation must be requested from the canton.
Notification Duty: The 90-Day Rule for EU/EFTA
EU/EFTA citizens working fewer than 90 days per calendar year in Switzerland do not need a residence permit. Instead, the notification duty applies:
1. Online notification before start of work
Notify via the cantonal portal no later than the day before work begins.
2. Check social insurance obligations
Even for short assignments, you are liable for social insurance (AHV, ALV, UVG).
3. Observe the 90-day limit
All working days in the calendar year count. If exceeded, a residence permit becomes necessary.
Properly employ your household help
Clino checks social insurance obligations, creates payslips and prepares all registrations -- for CHF 19.90/month.
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What must you check as an employer?
Before hiring a household employee, you are legally required to verify their residence status and work authorisation. Here is your checklist:
Clino prepares the administrative part: payslips, social insurance and employment contract. More in our guide: Register a cleaner in 5 steps.
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- ~40 min
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- PDF certificate with QR code
Penalties for Violations
Employing someone without a valid work permit is a criminal offence. The Foreign Nationals Act (FNIA) provides for severe penalties:
Fines, monetary penalties and imprisonment
Anyone who deliberately employs a person without a valid permit risks imprisonment up to one year or a monetary penalty; in severe repeat cases fines up to CHF 1,000,000 (Art. 117 FNIA). Negligent violations: fines up to CHF 20,000.
Imprisonment up to 1 year
In repeat cases or commercial activity, imprisonment up to one year may be imposed.
Back payment of social insurance
All social insurance contributions must be paid retroactively, including default interest.
Undeclared work register
The employer may be registered in the cantonal undeclared work register.
The safest approach: check your employee's permit before hiring and register them correctly. Clino helps you with this.
Start in your canton
All details on compensation office, contributions and registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an asylum seeker work as a cleaner?
Yes, 3 months after filing the application and with cantonal work authorisation. The employer must comply with standard salary and working conditions.
What if my cleaner has no residence permit?
Employment without a permit is illegal. You risk fines, back payments and imprisonment. Details in our article Undeclared work: risks and fines.
Does an EU citizen need a permit?
Under 90 days per year: a notification suffices. Beyond that, a B or L permit is required. Free movement guarantees labour market access.
Can I hire someone with a permit F?
Yes. Provisionally admitted persons can work freely since 2019. Notify the canton and comply with standard conditions.
How do I check residence status?
Request a copy of the permit and check type and expiry date. Clino helps with correct registration.
How much does Clino cost?
CHF 19.90 per month, all inclusive. Details on our pricing page.
Conclusion: Check, Notify, Employ Correctly
Checking your household employee's work permit is not just a legal duty -- it also protects you from severe penalties. The rules vary by origin, but the basic principle is simple: check the permit before you hire.
Clino takes care of the administrative burden:
- ✓ Payslips with all social insurance contributions
- ✓ Legally compliant employment contract
- ✓ Accident insurance (UVG) included
- ✓ Withholding tax calculation if needed
- ✓ All for CHF 19.90/month
Looking for your canton's guide?
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Sources
- 1State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) -- Permit Types -- www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt/eu_efta.html
- 2Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) -- www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2007/758/en
- 3SECO -- Notification procedure for short-term employment -- www.seco.admin.ch/seco/en/home/Arbeit/Personenfreizügigkeit_Arbeitsbeziehungen/freier-personenverkehr-ch-eu.html
- 4SEM -- Employment for provisionally admitted persons -- www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/arbeit/erwerbstaetigkeit_va.html
- 5FSIO -- Social insurance for domestic employees -- www.bsv.admin.ch/bsv/en/home/sozialversicherungen/überblick/beitraege.html
Further Reading
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions about residence status, contact the cantonal migration office.
As of: April 2026. Information without guarantee.
