Maternity Compensation as a Domestic Worker - Your Right to 14 Weeks’ Pay
Are you pregnant and working as a cleaner or domestic helper in Switzerland? Then you are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. But only if you are properly registered. Here you will learn everything: who pays, how much you get, and why undeclared work costs you thousands of francs.
As a registered domestic worker you receive 14 weeks (98 days) of maternity compensation at 80% of your pay, up to CHF 220 per day, provided you were AHV-insured for the 9 months before the birth and worked at least 5 of them.
- Requirements: 9 months AHV-insured + at least 5 months of work before the birth
- Dismissal protection during pregnancy until 16 weeks after the birth
- Without AHV registration you get CHF 0, undeclared work costs you the whole compensation
MSE Calculator
Calculate your maternity compensation
Daily allowance (80%)
CHF 66.67/day
Maximum CHF 220/day
Total payout (98 days)
Registered
CHF 6'533
Undeclared
CHF 0
Your loss with undeclared work
CHF 6'533
Who is eligible for maternity compensation?
Maternity compensation (MSE) is regulated in the Income Compensation Act (EOG). As a domestic worker, you are eligible if you meet both of these conditions:
9 months AHV-insured
You must have been insured with the AHV during the 9 months before birth. This means your employer must have registered you and paid AHV contributions.
5 months of work
You must have worked for at least 5 months during those 9 months. Part-time counts, even just a few hours per week.
Both conditions must be met simultaneously. If you only worked 4 months or were not AHV-insured, you receive nothing.
How much maternity compensation do you receive?
The MSE amounts to 80% of your average income before birth. It is paid as a daily allowance for 98 days (14 weeks).
The calculation: Your average monthly salary is divided by 30 to determine the daily rate. You receive 80% of that, up to CHF 220 per day.
Example: With a monthly salary of CHF 3,000, the daily rate is CHF 100. 80% of that = CHF 80 per day. Over 98 days = CHF 7,840 total.
Dismissal protection: You cannot be fired
During pregnancy and until 16 weeks after birth, you cannot be dismissed. This is stated in CO Art. 336c para. 1 lit. c. A termination during this period is void, meaning legally invalid.
Important
If you are dismissed anyway, you must challenge the termination in writing immediately. Do not be intimidated. The law is on your side.
Important: the blocking period only applies after probation has ended (Art. 336c para. 1 CO). During probation, termination remains possible despite pregnancy. After that: a notice period already running is interrupted and resumes only after the blocking period.
Protected
- •No dismissal during pregnancy
- •No dismissal until 16 weeks after birth
- •Dismissal in this period is void
- •A running notice period is interrupted
Not protected
- •Your own resignation remains possible
- •Immediate dismissal for cause
- •A fixed-term contract simply expires
- •Dismissal during the probation period
How to apply for your entitlement
The MSE is not paid automatically. Your employer must apply for it at the compensation office. Here is how it works:
Inform your employer
Tell your employer that you are pregnant and when the expected due date is.
Report the birth
After birth: Give the birth certificate to your employer.
Employer submits application
Your employer fills out the maternity compensation application form and sends it to their compensation office.
Payout
The compensation office reviews and pays out the MSE. Usually through the employer together with your salary.
Tip:
Ask your employer in advance which compensation office they are registered with. If they refuse to submit the application, you can submit it yourself.
Workplace protection during pregnancy
As a pregnant employee you are also physically protected. The Labour Act does not directly apply in private households - what governs is your employer's duty of care (Art. 328 CO), guided by maternity-protection standards. Especially relevant for cleaners:
No heavy lifting from month 6
From the 6th month of pregnancy you should not regularly lift more than 5 kg. Your employer must assign lighter tasks (maternity-protection standard).
No hazardous substances
Contact with certain cleaning products (e.g. strongly chlorinated products) may be restricted or prohibited.
Maximum working hours
As a guideline, a maximum of 9 working hours per day. In the last 8 weeks before the birth: no work between 8 pm and 6 am.
Paid leave if no suitable work
If you cannot work because of the pregnancy and no reasonable lighter work is available, continued pay applies (Art. 324a para. 3 CO); maternity-protection practice provides for release on 80% of pay.
Remember:
You do not have to quit because you are pregnant. Your employer must adapt the working conditions, not you.
Undeclared work = no money for maternity
Here is the bitter truth: If you work undeclared, you do not exist for the AHV. And without AHV registration you receive zero francs in maternity compensation.
Registered
- •14 weeks pay (80%)
- •Dismissal protection
- •Accident insurance
- •AHV contribution years
- •Unemployment insurance
Undeclared
- •CHF 0 maternity compensation
- •No dismissal protection
- •No accident coverage
- •No AHV pension
- •No unemployment benefits
With a monthly salary of CHF 2,500, undeclared work costs you around CHF 6,500 in maternity compensation. That is money that belongs to you and your child.
Bottom line
Undeclared work hurts you the most. Tell your employer to register you. If they refuse, find another employer.
More about the risks of undeclared work: Undeclared work: Risks and penalties
Frequently asked questions
Do I get MSE with part-time work?
What happens if I get sick during MSE?
Can I extend the MSE if I have complications?
My employer won’t submit the application. What now?
Do I get MSE if I have multiple employers?
Tell your employer
Your maternity compensation depends on AHV registration. Clino makes it easy for your employer: the AHV registration is ready to sign in minutes, plus correct payroll and all social insurances. And you get what you are entitled to.
Recommend Clino to your employerCHF 19.90/month. 30 days free trial. Cancel anytime.
You are the domestic worker?
Share this page with your employer. This ensures you are financially protected for your next pregnancy.
Disclaimer:
This article is for general information and does not replace legal advice. Information is current as of April 2026. For specific legal questions, contact a trade union, legal advisor, or your cantonal compensation office.
Last updated: 2 July 2026
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