Costs & Subsidies

Childcare Costs Switzerland - the Complete Comparison, plus the Future UKibeG Allowance (Calculator)

Q: How much does daycare cost in Zurich?

In Zurich, daily costs are CHF 100-160 unsubsidized. With subsidies, the rate drops to CHF 20-80 per day.

Q: What does UKibeG cover?

UKibeG subsidizes licensed childcare facilities such as daycare centres and licensed childminders. Private nannies are not covered.

What does a daycare, nanny or childminder really cost in Switzerland? This guide shows the real costs by canton, explains the future UKibeG care allowance and works out your costs - with an outlook on the upcoming federal allowance.

In short

An unsubsidized daycare place in Switzerland costs an average of CHF 2,340 per month, a childminder around CHF 1,400 and a private nanny from CHF 4,200 including social contributions.

UKibeG (upcoming): CHF 100 per month per weekly care day for licensed childcare.
Tax deduction: up to CHF 25,800 per child from direct federal tax.
With a nanny you become the employer and pay social contributions (AHV, ALV, UVG, FAK).

See the cost overview

Childcare Cost Calculator

With an outlook on the future UKibeG care allowance

Type of care

Canton

Number of children

Care days per week3 days

12345

Household income

Your estimated monthly costs

CHF 1'689

That is CHF 13.00 per hour effective

Wages/Daycare UKibeG

Daily daycare rate (ZH)CHF 130.00

Care days / month12.99

per childCHF 1'688.70

Future UKibeG care allowance (once in force)

CHF 100/month per weekly care day (+50 per extra half-day). Federal law passed Dec 2025, entry into force still open; individual allowances expected from ~2030. Not income-tested.

- CHF 300.00

Cost after the future UKibeG allowance (from ~2030)CHF 1'389

Estimated tax saving per year (third-party childcare deduction)

CHF 3'522

Federal: CHF 860.58 (max. CHF 25'800/child) - Canton + municipality: CHF 2'660.97 (max. CHF 25'300.00/child)

Applies equally to daycare, childminder and nanny (third-party care deduction, Art. 33 para. 3 DBG), on top of any UKibeG subsidy. Estimate based on your income bracket; for a more precise calculation see the nanny tax-deduction calculator.

Calculate more precisely (nanny tax calculator) →

Considering a nanny or childminder instead?

Clino prepares payroll, AHV and contracts - for CHF 19.90/mo.

Calculation based on 2026 averages. Actual costs vary by canton and provider.

2026 rates · Updated 17/07/2026·All sources ↗

What does childcare really cost in Switzerland?

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries worldwide for childcare. According to the OECD, Swiss families spend up to 30% of their income on care - more than double the EU average. But costs vary enormously: by care type, canton and income.

Before diving into details, here is an overview of the three most common care types. Use our interactive calculator above for your individual calculation.

CHF 2,340

Daycare avg./mo.

CHF 4,200

Nanny total cost/mo.

CHF 1,400

Childminder/mo.

CHF 25,800

Max. tax deduction/child

Daycare Costs by Canton - The Complete Overview

Daycare costs vary massively by canton. Zurich and Zug are among the most expensive, while rural cantons like Uri or Appenzell are the cheapest. Important: Many cantons offer income-dependent subsidies that significantly reduce the daily rate.

Daycare costs by canton (daily rates in CHF)

Canton	Daily rate	Subsidized from	Unsubsidized	Waiting list
Zurich	CHF 130	CHF 20-80	CHF 100-160	6-12 mo.
Bern	CHF 100	CHF 15-60	CHF 80-120	3-9 mo.
Lucerne	CHF 95	CHF 20-55	CHF 75-115	3-6 mo.
Basel-Stadt	CHF 120	CHF 10-70	CHF 90-145	6-12 mo.
St. Gallen	CHF 90	CHF 15-50	CHF 70-110	2-6 mo.
Aargau	CHF 95	CHF 20-55	CHF 75-115	3-6 mo.
Vaud	CHF 110	CHF 15-60	CHF 85-130	6-12 mo.
Geneva	CHF 110	CHF 10-65	CHF 80-135	6-18 mo.

Waiting lists of 6 to 18 months are normal. Register as early as possible - ideally during pregnancy.

Nanny Costs - The Full Truth

Hiring a nanny privately is the most flexible but also the most expensive form of care. On top of the gross salary come significant additional costs as an employer. Many families underestimate the total.

Here is how CHF 28/hr gross quickly becomes CHF 33+/hr total cost:

Cost buildup: From gross to total

Gross wageCHF 28.00/hr

+ AHV/IV/EO (5.3%)+ CHF 1.48

+ ALV (1.1%)+ CHF 0.31

+ Accident ins. (0.5%)+ CHF 0.14

+ FAK (~1.5%)+ CHF 0.42

+ Holiday supplement (8.33%)+ CHF 2.33

Effective cost/hourCHF 32.68+

Social contributions (AHV/IV/EO, ALV, UVG, FAK) together add roughly 8-9% to the gross wage - plan for these from the start.

Additionally optional: 13th month salary, daily sickness insurance (KTG) and expenses. At a 60% workload (3 days/week, 8 hours), monthly total costs quickly reach CHF 3,500-4,500.

Hiring a nanny in Switzerland - Complete guide

Household help costs in detail

Creating payslips for household employees

UKibeG - the upcoming federal childcare allowance

The UKibeG (Federal Act on Support for Supplementary Childcare) is a milestone for Swiss families. For the first time, the federal government permanently co-finances childcare costs.

What is UKibeG?

A federal law supporting institutional supplementary childcare (daycare centres, licensed childminders). Its core is a care allowance for parents; private nannies are not covered.

Who benefits?

Parents with children in licensed care facilities. The federal allowance is a flat base amount and is not income-tested; individual cantons may top it up.

How much?

CHF 100 per month per weekly care day (+50 per extra half-day), per child. Licensed childminders receive the same allowance. Private nannies are not covered.

From when?

The law was passed on 19 Dec 2025; the entry into force is not yet set. Individual care allowances are expected to be paid only around 2030.

Important

UKibeG only covers licensed care facilities. Nannies are NOT covered - as an employer, you continue to bear the full costs plus social contributions.

Deducting Childcare from Taxes

Since the 2023 reform, parents can deduct up to CHF 25,800 per child for external childcare costs from direct federal tax. This is one of the largest tax reliefs for families.

What counts as external childcare costs? Daycare fees, childminder costs and also the salary of a privately employed nanny - provided correctly registered and documented with a salary certificate.

Max. CHF 25,800 per child

Federal tax

Varies greatly (CHF 8,000 - 27,300, depending on canton)

Cantonal taxes

⚠

Requirement: Salary certificate

No salary certificate, no tax deduction. Undeclared work is not only illegal - it also costs you the tax deduction.

Tax return for household help - Deduct everything

NAV Domestic Work - Salary rules and salary certificate

Money-Saving Tips - How to Reduce Childcare Costs

Nanny sharing: Share a nanny with a befriended family - both pay less, the children have a playmate.
Involve grandparents: Informal care by grandparents is free. Combine 2 days daycare with 1 day grandparents.
Apply for daycare subsidies: Check with your municipality whether you qualify for subsidized places - the income threshold is often higher than expected.
Use care credits: AHV care credits increase your future pension. Register these with the compensation office.
Maximize tax deductions: Collect all receipts. Daycare receipts, nanny payslips, childminder invoices - everything is deductible.
Claim family allowances: Up to CHF 300/month per child. Many parents forget to claim these from their employer.

Chose a nanny? Clino makes you a compliant employer

AHV registration, employment contract, monthly payroll, accident insurance and salary certificate - Clino prepares everything for CHF 19.90/month. You focus on the children.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Childcare Costs

What is the cheapest childcare in Switzerland?

Subsidized daycare places and childminders are cheapest (CHF 800-1,500/mo.). Once UKibeG is in force (expected around 2030), costs for licensed care will fall further. A private nanny is most expensive but offers maximum flexibility.

How much does daycare cost in Zurich?

In Zurich, daily costs are CHF 100-160 unsubsidized. With income-dependent subsidies from the City of Zurich, the rate drops to CHF 20-80 per day.

What does UKibeG cover?

UKibeG supports licensed childcare facilities such as daycare centres and licensed childminders. Private nannies are not covered. The care allowance is CHF 100 per month per weekly care day and is flat, not income-tested.

Can I deduct nanny costs from taxes?

Yes, provided the nanny is correctly registered and you have a salary certificate. Up to CHF 25,800 per child is deductible from direct federal tax. No salary certificate, no deduction.

Is a nanny or daycare cheaper?

For a single child, daycare is almost always cheaper. From two children onwards, a nanny can be worthwhile since you only pay one person. Calculate exact costs with our calculator.

ComparisonDaycare vs. Nanny vs. ChildminderDetailed comparison of all care types.GuideHiring a Nanny in SwitzerlandComplete guide: AHV, contract, salary, UVG.GuideRegister Babysitter & NannyStep-by-step AHV registration guide.InsuranceSocial Insurance CheckAll insurance and allowances at a glance.TaxesTax Return Household HelpDeduct everything: salary, social contributions, expenses.CalculatorCost-of-living calculatorEstimate your monthly budget by canton and family.For workersCaregiver hub: rights, wage, registrationNight presence, board & lodging, your 6 rights - on one page.