Hiring a full-time nanny: what it costs and how to do it
Thinking of hiring a nanny full-time and wondering what it costs and what you actually have to do? In short: full-time always runs under the standard procedure with an occupational pension - and costs you roughly 116 to 120% of the gross wage. Run your own case below and see the 5 steps.
Yes - but only under the standard procedure. A full-time nanny always earns more than CHF 22,680 a year, so an occupational pension (BVG), withholding tax by table and a full salary certificate are mandatory. Budget around 116 to 120% of the gross wage as your total cost.
- Procedure: always standard - the simplified procedure is ruled out above CHF 22,680/year.
- Occupational pension (BVG): mandatory - you affiliate the nanny and cover at least half the contributions.
- Your cost: about 116-120% of the gross wage. Example: CHF 5,000 gross costs you roughly CHF 5,800 a month.
This applies when
Your nanny works (nearly) full-time, i.e. earns more than CHF 22,680 gross per year with you.
What your full-time nanny really costs
What a full-time nanny really costs
Most wage calculators are built for hourly cleaners - and forget the pension fund (BVG). For a full-time nanny it's mandatory. This calculator shows the honest total cost including BVG.
Nanny details
Nanny takes home
2026CHF 4'448
per month • CHF 57'822 per year
Nanny's deductions
Your employer costs
Gross wage + all employer contributions
BVG is mandatory here
This annual wage exceeds CHF 22,680 - occupational pension (2nd pillar) is mandatory. The simplified procedure is NOT available here; the ordinary procedure applies.
Fair employment - in line with the Swiss Nanny Association
The Swiss Nanny Association (SNA), the only non-profit for nannies, families and agencies in Switzerland, advocates for correctly declared work and fair pay. Correct social contributions - including BVG - are part of that.
More about the Swiss Nanny Association↗Indicative figure. The effective source tax depends on canton and personal situation; BVG contributions vary by pension plan.
Clino handles AHV, BVG affiliation, UVG and payroll - for CHF 19.90/month.
Register your nanny with ClinoHow to register a full-time nanny correctly
With Clino: the standard procedure without accounting stress
Clino handles the registration with the compensation office and pension fund, correctly calculates OASI, occupational pension and withholding tax, produces monthly payslips and the annual salary certificate. You skip the entire payroll accounting - for CHF 19.90 per month.
The fine print - open what applies to you
The answer above is enough for most people. If you want to go deeper, here is the legal detail - each with a link to the full page.
Simplified vs. standard procedure
The simplified settlement procedure (VAV) is only permitted up to a gross wage of CHF 22,680 per year and employer. That ceiling equals the 2026 BVG entry threshold (also CHF 22,680). A full-time nanny earns, depending on region and experience, CHF 3,800 to 6,500 per month - that's CHF 45,600 to 78,000 per year. The simplified-procedure limit is therefore exceeded by two to three times, and the standard procedure is not optional but mandatory.
Simplified procedure (part-time)
- •Only permitted up to CHF 22,680 gross wage/year
- •Flat 5% withholding tax, one filing per year
- •No occupational-pension affiliation needed
- •Simplified salary certificate
Standard procedure (full-time)
- •No wage cap - for any full-time salary
- •Withholding tax under the cantonal table, quarterly filings
- •Occupational-pension (BVG) affiliation mandatory
- •Full, itemised salary certificate
Occupational pension (BVG): the 2nd pillar becomes mandatory
As soon as the annual wage exceeds CHF 22,680, occupational pension provision (BVG, 2nd pillar) is mandatory. You must register the nanny with a pension fund or collective foundation. The coordinated salary is insured, and employer and employee share the contributions - the employer must cover at least half.
Occupational pension (BVG): the 2nd pillar becomes mandatory
Details on the pension fund for nannies: BVG affiliation step by step
Withholding tax for full-time nannies
If your nanny holds a B or L permit (and not the C settlement permit or a Swiss passport), she is subject to withholding tax. Under the standard procedure the VAV flat rate of 5% does not apply, but the regular cantonal withholding-tax table - depending on wage, marital status, children and denomination.
Withholding tax for full-time nannies
Monthly-salary contract & 13th salary
A full-time nanny is usually employed on a fixed monthly salary, not hourly. The written employment contract sets out the monthly salary, working hours, holidays (at least 4 weeks), notice periods, probation and any benefits in kind (board and lodging).
The 13th salary is not required by law, but it is customary in the nanny sector and often expected. If agreed, it is usually paid in December or pro rata on departure. Important: once the 13th salary is in the contract, it is binding. So clearly state whether it is owed and how it is calculated for a mid-year start or departure.
Reaching out to a full-time nanny
Anna
online
Hello Anna, we're looking for a full-time nanny for our two children (1 and 3), around 42 hours a week. We offer a written contract, 5 weeks of holiday and of course OASI/occupational-pension registration. Could we meet?
11:00Hello! Yes, gladly. Full-time is exactly what I'm after. What tasks would there be?
11:18Care, play, simple meals for the children and a bit of tidying in their room. We'll discuss a fair wage when we meet. Does Friday at 10am suit you?
11:22Hire a full-time nanny correctly and stress-free
Clino handles the entire standard procedure: registration with the compensation office and pension fund, occupational pension, withholding tax, monthly payslip and annual salary certificate. You don't have to keep any payroll accounts. CHF 19.90/month.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I register a full-time nanny under the simplified procedure to save effort?
From what wage do I have to pay occupational-pension (BVG) contributions?
How high are the total employer costs on top of the wage?
Do I need a written contract for a full-time nanny?
Sources
- Federal Social Insurance Office - leaflets 2.06 'Contributions of the self-employed and the non-employed' and 2.07 'Simplified Settlement Procedure' (as of 2026): bsv.admin.ch
- BVG entry threshold 2026: CHF 22,680 - Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO)
- FTA - withholding tax on earned income, cantonal tariff tables 2026
- Code of Obligations (CO), Art. 319 ff. (individual employment contract), Art. 322d (gratification / 13th salary)
