Consequences

Cleaner not registered: what really happens?

Honestly: often nothing happens for years - which is why so many people do it. But the risk doesn't disappear, it builds up. Three situations bring it to light, and then it gets expensive. Here's what realistically awaits you - and how to fix it cheaply.

Updated: July 2026·Reading time: 9 min

Answer in 30 seconds

Updated July 2026

As long as nothing happens, it usually goes unnoticed. But if there's an AVS audit, an accident or a dispute with the cleaner, you face: back-payment of social contributions for up to 5 years plus 5 % default interest, a fine up to CHF 10'000 (AHVG Art. 88) and - in the event of an accident with no insurance - unlimited personal liability.

Back-payment of AVS/AC/LAA retroactively for up to 5 years + 5 % default interest.
Fine up to CHF 10'000 (undeclared work); for tax evasion up to 3× the evaded tax.
Accident with no LAA: you are personally and unlimitedly liable - not insurable retroactively.

This applies when

You employ a cleaner in cash or unregistered and wonder what can happen.

How does it even come to light?

Nobody rings your doorbell to inspect your home. The problem almost always surfaces via one of these three routes - and precisely when you can least afford it.

1. The AVS audit

The compensation offices carry out employer audits and cross-check data. If your cleaner later registers with another household or claims AVS benefits, the missing contribution years come to light.

2. The accident

If your cleaner falls on your stairs, she needs an accident insurer. If there is none, it's immediately checked who should have registered her - that's you. The most expensive of all the triggers.

3. The dispute

After a dismissal, a wage dispute or a separation, the employee turns to the compensation office or the labour court and claims her rights. Retroactively - with all the evidence.

Risk calculator: what would it cost you?

The calculator estimates the back-payment and the default interest for your case. The fine and the accident liability come on top depending on the situation.

Risk calculator 2026

What an inspection would cost

Estimate what an undeclared cleaner could cost you: back-payment of social contributions (up to 5 years retroactively), default interest - plus the risks that can't be put in figures.

Hourly wage (CHF)

CHF 30

Hours per week

Years undeclared

Your financial risk

ab CHF 2'979

Back-payment + default interest - from this amount upwards.

Back-payment of contributions: CHF 2'771
Default interest (5% p.a.): CHF 208

On top of that - not quantifiable

Fine up to CHF 10,000

Undeclared work carries an additional fine (AHVG Art. 88). Tax evasion up to three times the evaded tax (DBG Art. 175).

Accident: unlimited liability

If your cleaner has an accident without UVG cover, you are personally liable for medical costs, daily allowances and pensions - with no limit and no retroactive insurance (Art. 68 and 95 UVG).

2026 guide value. Back-payment is capped at 5 years; the actual amount is set by the compensation office. Default interest is simplified. Fines and accident liability come on top depending on the case.

Before it gets expensive: Clino registers your cleaner correctly - for CHF 19.90/month, retroactively too.

Put it right now

What exactly you face

The consequences fall into three areas: the back-payment (what you would have had to pay anyway), the fines (the penalty on top) and the liability (the incalculable risk).

up to 5 years

AVS back-payment retroactive

up to CHF 10'000

Fine (AHVG Art. 88)

5 % p.a.

Default interest

unlimited

Liability in an accident without LAA

AVS back-payment for up to 5 years

The compensation office claims the contributions for up to 5 years retroactively (AHVG Art. 16 para. 1) - both the employer AND the employee share, which in practice you bear. Plus 5 % default interest per year.

Fine up to CHF 10'000

Undeclared work is punished by a fine under AHVG Art. 88 (up to CHF 10'000). In more serious cases a monetary penalty may apply (offence, AHVG Art. 87). Anyone who falsifies the start date additionally risks a complaint for forgery of documents (StGB Art. 251 (forgery)).

Tax evasion

Undeclared wages are also a problem for tax: in cases of tax evasion, a fine of up to three times the evaded tax applies (DBG Art. 175), plus back-taxes for up to 10 years.

Accident: unlimited liability

The biggest chunk: if your cleaner has an accident without LAA insurance, Art. 68 and 95 UVG make you personally liable - for medical costs, daily allowances and any pensions, with no upper limit. An accident cannot be insured retroactively.

The good news: it's easy to fix

You get off cheapest if you act yourself before someone else does. A voluntary registration (voluntary disclosure) is treated far more leniently - often only the back-payment and a small administrative fine (Ordnungsbusse) (AHVG Art. 91, CHF 200-1'000) instead of the full fine.

Register - retroactively too

Set up the insurances

LAA, AC and - if needed - CAF are billed correctly from now on. From now on you and your cleaner are protected.

Continue cleanly

With the simplified procedure or a service like Clino, the billing then runs automatically - without you missing anything.

→ Register a cleaner retroactively: how it works → Paid cash so far? How to put it right

Sources & official information

1AHVG Art. 16 - Limitation / back-payment of contributions - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/63/837_843_843/de
2AHVG Art. 87/88 - Penalty provisions - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/63/837_843_843/de
3UVG Art. 68/95 - Insurer and liability (SR 832.20) - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1982/1676_1676_1676/de
4SECO - Undeclared work (BGSA) - www.seco.admin.ch/seco/de/home/Arbeit/Personenfreizugigkeit_Arbeitsbeziehungen/schwarzarbeit.html

Clean it up before someone else does

Clino registers your cleaner correctly - retroactively too - and handles AVS, LAA and the payroll for CHF 19.90 a month. That's a fraction of what an audit would cost.

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Frequently asked questions

How likely is it that I'll even get caught?

A spontaneous audit is rare. The risk almost always arises through a concrete event: an accident, a dispute after dismissal, or when your cleaner later claims AVS benefits or unemployment benefit. Then the missing years become visible - and are claimed retroactively.

How many years can the AVS reclaim?

Up to 5 years retroactively (AHVG Art. 16 para. 1). Older contributions are time-barred. On top of the back-payment comes 5 % default interest per year.

How high is the fine for undeclared work?

The fine for undeclared work can be up to CHF 10'000. With a voluntary disclosure it is often much milder - sometimes only an administrative fine (Ordnungsbusse) of CHF 200-1'000 (AHVG Art. 91). In serious cases a monetary penalty may additionally be imposed (AHVG Art. 87).

What happens if my cleaner has an accident at my home and is not insured?

Then you are personally liable. Art. 68 and 95 UVG make the employer responsible for the benefits an accident insurer would have provided - medical costs, daily allowances and pensions, with no upper limit. Insuring retroactively is not possible. That's why undeclared work never pays off financially.

Can I still put this right without being penalised?

In most cases, yes. Whoever registers themselves before an audit is under way is treated more leniently - often it stays at the back-payment and a small administrative fine (Ordnungsbusse). Important: don't falsify any data, disclose the actual wages.

What does it cost to register the cleaner correctly?

The social contributions cost the employer around 8 % on top of the wage. A service like Clino takes over the entire process for CHF 19.90 a month. Compared with back-payment, fine and liability risk, that's a fraction.