Working as a Cleaner in Switzerland - Your Rights, Salary & Tips
Do you work as a cleaner in Switzerland, or are you planning to move here to do it? Either way, you have clear rights - from a written contract to paid holidays and accident insurance. This guide shows who can work, how much you should earn, and how to keep everything correct and legal.
Cleaners in Switzerland typically earn CHF 25-33 gross per hour. The legal minimum under the NAV is CHF 20.35/h, rising to CHF 24.59/h in some cantons. The fastest ways to find work are free classified ads (tutti.ch/anibis.ch), Facebook groups and platforms like Helpling or Batmaid - but working directly for families pays 30-50% more.
- Hourly pay: CHF 25-33 gross (minimum CHF 20.35/h)
- At least 4 weeks of paid holiday per year
- You must be registered with the AHV - otherwise it's undeclared work
⏳ 14 min read · 🔄 Updated for 2026
What applies to you?
Two questions, and you see exactly what your path looks like.
1. Your passport
2. Where are you now?
Where to actually find work now: the concrete channels
There are three doors into cleaning work in Switzerland – and you can open all three at the same time. Working directly for families pays the most. Platforms are the fastest legal start but pay noticeably less. Cleaning companies and Spitex offer stable hours at collective-agreement wages.
Door 1: Directly for families
CHF 25–35/h gross
- Post a free ad: tutti.ch (German-speaking Switzerland) or anibis.ch (Romandie), category «Household & cleaning» – families actively search there. Refresh weekly so it stays near the top.
- Free profile on Homeservice24 (completely free for workers, 100,000+ profiles) and Care.com (formerly betreut.ch); in Romandie also Yoopies.
- Facebook groups for your city and your language community – reply to fresh «cleaner wanted» posts within the hour, with your region, free days and phone number.
- Word of mouth is still channel number one: ask every happy family for one referral.
Door 2: Platforms that employ you
CHF 21–25/h gross
- Helpling: published CHF 24.75/h gross; German or English is enough, criminal-record extract required, experience an advantage.
- Batmaid: around CHF 21/h; requires 2 years of experience and a B or C permit. You are formally employed and insured.
- putzfrau.ch (Putzfrauenagentur network): regular private households in your region, part-time 20–50%.
Door 3: Cleaning companies & Spitex
CBA: from CHF 21.40/h + 13th salary
- Large employers with openings all year: Vebego, Honegger, ISS, Enzler and local cleaning firms – listings on jobs.ch, jobup.ch (Romandie) and jobscout24.ch.
- Spitex housekeeping: cleaning, laundry and shopping in clients' homes – declared, with a pension fund. Openings on spitexjobs.ch.
- Cleaning-sector collective agreement 2026 (German-speaking CH): at least CHF 21.40/h, CHF 22.90/h after the training course, plus holiday supplement and 13th salary.
Honestly: with platforms you give up a large share of what the client pays – in exchange you start legally right away and collect references. What cleaners report about Batmaid & Co. is in the agency check further down.
Your 7-day plan to the first enquiry
Every channel above works – but only if you actually open it this week. A realistic first week looks like this:
- 1
Get your materials ready
Three sentences about you (experience, free days, region), references, target rate (direct: CHF 25–30/h). Build a professional CV in 10 minutes with our free CV builder.
- 2
Post free ads
tutti.ch and/or anibis.ch: with photo, region, free days, languages and the sentence «AHV registration expected» – it signals to families that you work professionally.
- 3
Create free profiles
Fill out Homeservice24 and Care.com completely – complete profiles get contacted first. Romandie: also Yoopies.
- 4
Join Facebook groups
3–5 groups: your city plus your language community. Introduce yourself briefly (region, days, rate, references, phone number) and reply fast to new requests. Re-post at most every 1–2 weeks.
- 5
Become visible offline
A6 card with tear-off phone strips on 5–10 Migros/Coop pinboards (free, stays up ~14 days). Check whether your commune is on Crossiety. And tell your community's mission or church – the network after the service is a classic job exchange.
- 6
Set up a safety net
Apply to Helpling or Batmaid and to 2–3 cleaning companies or your local Spitex – even if you'd rather work directly: this gives you income from week 2–3.
- 7
Activate your network
Tell everyone you have free capacity. Talk to caretakers and property managers – one agency manages dozens of households and is constantly asked for cleaners. Ask each existing client for one referral.
Save or share the plan
How to introduce yourself to a family
Schneider
online
Hello Mrs Schneider, Mrs Keller told me you're looking for a cleaner. I've been cleaning private homes in Zurich for five years, I work reliably and carefully and I have good references. I'm still free on Thursday and Friday mornings. May I introduce myself briefly?
16:20Hello! Yes, that sounds good. Could you come by on Thursday at 10am?
16:52Gladly, Thursday at 10am works for me. See you then and thank you!
16:55Red flags - don't take the job if ...
Not every offer is legitimate. Say no if:
- the employer refuses to register you with the OASI
- only cash is offered, with no payslip
- the topic of accident insurance (UVG/NBU) gets avoided or brushed off
- you're asked to work without a valid permit
- agreed hours get cancelled at short notice with no clear arrangement
- no one will commit to paid holidays or sick pay
Which channels fit your situation?
Permit, canton, languages, goal – our free tool shows you your personal channels, your minimum wage and the next steps in 2 minutes.
Build my personal channel planThe honest agency check: Batmaid, Helpling & Co.
Platforms employ you legally – that's real value when you're starting out. But you should know the numbers and conditions before you sign. We analysed price breakdowns, employee reviews and press investigations (as of July 2026).
Where does the cleaning hour go?
Platform: the client pays CHF 43.90
Your base wage: CHF 21–23/h gross (CHF 25–28 including holiday supplements and 13th salary)
Employed directly by the family
Average wage CHF 32.90/h gross (quitt payroll data, March 2026; CHF 29–35 is typical)
Numbers: Batmaid's own price breakdown (batmaid.ch, Geneva example: base wage CHF 22.81 of CHF 43.90; Zurich and Vaud lower) and quitt's wage statistics for direct employment. The difference is the platform layer: operations, marketing, VAT, margin.
Batmaid customer reviews on Trustpilot: 3.4 out of 5 from 1,810 reviews (4 July 2026; doesn't reply to negative reviews). Employees rate Batmaid around 3 out of 5 on Indeed and Glassdoor – with the pay sub-score clearly lower on both.
What cleaners report
The positives (from reviews)
- Legally employed from day one: permanent contract under the collective agreement, AHV, accident and sick-pay insurance (Batmaid says it pays the first 30 sick days, insured up to 720 days).
- Flexibility is the most praised point in positive reviews: you choose workload and times, the app handles scheduling and payments.
- Collect references and experience – the classic entry route, especially without the local language.
- Helpling publishes CHF 24.75/h gross – more transparent and higher than Batmaid's base wage in most regions.
The criticism (from reviews and investigations)
- Only a few guaranteed hours (typically 4 h/week). In 2024 the WOZ documented monthly incomes swinging between CHF 800 and 1,600.
- Unions (Unia, Allpura) criticise that travel time between jobs is not paid as working time – at cleaning companies under the collective agreement it would be.
- Last-minute client cancellations can make booked hours vanish unpaid.
- Recurring in employee reviews: late or incorrect wage payments and support that is hard to reach.
- If you're only deployed 12–15 h/week you often stay below the pension-fund entry threshold (CHF 22,680/year) – no second-pillar pension builds up.
By the way: according to its own footer, putzfrau.ch is operated by Batmaid SA – same group, different sign.
Our honest verdict
- 1Good as a springboard: fast, legal, insured – ideal for starting out, first references, and if you don't speak much German or French yet.
- 2Working directly for families you earn 30–50% more per hour (avg. CHF 32.90 vs CHF 21–23 base) – but always insist on AHV registration.
- 3The proven path of many pros: start via the agency, build up your own families on the side with the channels above, and switch once your week is full.
Compare all 8 platforms with a net calculator: Open the big platform comparison
Sources: batmaid.ch/about-us (price breakdown, retrieved 4 Jul 2026) · Trustpilot batmaid.ch (4 Jul 2026) · helpling.ch/apply · employee reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor · WOZ no. 7/2024 «Arbeit auf Abruf» · Work/Unia (May 2024) · quitt wage statistics (March 2026) · cleaning-sector collective agreement 2026.
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Your Rights as a Domestic Worker in Switzerland
As an employee in a private household, you are protected by the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR) and the Labour Act (ArG). This applies regardless of whether you work full-time or just a few hours per week.
Here is an overview of your key rights:
Written Employment Contract
You have the right to a written employment contract. It must include salary, working hours, duties, and notice periods. Use the Clino Contract Checkto review your contract.
Holiday Entitlement
You are entitled to at least 4 weeks of paid holiday per year (under 20: 5 weeks). For hourly wages, a holiday supplement of 8.33% (4 weeks) or 10.64% (5 weeks) is added to the gross salary.
Sick Pay
In case of illness, you are entitled to continued pay. In the first year of employment, this is at least 3 weeks, then graduated by years of service (Bern, Basel, or Zurich scale depending on the region).
Maternity Leave
After giving birth, you are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave at 80% pay (through the income replacement scheme EO). Requirement: You must have been OASI-insured in the 9 months before the birth.
Protection Against Dismissal
During illness, pregnancy, and military service, dismissal is prohibited. The notice period is 1 month in the first year of service, then 2-3 months depending on the contract.
Accident Insurance (UVG)
Your employer must insure you against occupational accidents. From 8 hours per week with the same employer, non-occupational accidents are also covered.
For a detailed breakdown of pay, holidays, sickness and protection against dismissal, see our overview of your rights as a cleaner.
Important: These rights apply even if you are not registered - but without proper registration, you can hardly enforce them. Read more about the risks of undeclared work.
Salary Overview 2026 - What Does a Cleaner Earn?
Hourly wages for domestic helpers in Switzerland typically range between CHF 25 and CHF 35, depending on region, experience, and qualifications. Here is an overview by region:
What cleaners earn, by canton
The 6 most-searched cantons. Pick yours in the calculator above for your exact figure.
ZurichZHNAV minimum (from CHF 20.35)
Switzerland's biggest market for household help, with pay to match.
More details →
GenevaGEStatutory minimum: CHF 24.59
The highest pay in the country, but also the highest rents.
More details →
Basel-StadtBSStatutory minimum: CHF 22.20
A statutory minimum wage protects you from your very first hour.
More details →
BernBENAV minimum (from CHF 20.35)
Bilingual and mostly affordable, a solid balance of pay and cost.
More details →
VaudVDNAV minimum (from CHF 20.35)
Strong demand around Lausanne and the lake; French-speaking.
More details →
TicinoTIStatutory minimum: CHF 20.00
Italian-speaking; pay is lower, but so is the cost of living.
More details →Tip: The holiday supplement is not a bonus - it replaces paid holiday days. Make sure it is listed separately on your payslip. With the Clino Calculator you can calculate your total salary.
What is the monthly pay for cleaners in Switzerland?
Monthly pay for a cleaner in Switzerland depends on hourly rate and hours worked. At CHF 30/hour and 10 hours per week (about 43 hours/month), gross pay is roughly CHF 1,300/month; net pay is around 7-8 % lower (OASI, UI, NBUV). Full-time office cleaning at 42 hours/week and CHF 27/hour reaches around CHF 4,900/month gross. That's above the CHF 22,680/year mandatory pension-fund (BVG) threshold, so from age 25 mandatory occupational-pension contributions also apply, pushing the net deduction to roughly 10-14 % depending on age. The gross-to-net calculator gives the exact figure.
How much do cleaning jobs pay in Switzerland?
Cleaning jobs in Switzerland pay between CHF 25 and CHF 35 per hour in private households in 2026. Big cities like Zurich, Basel and Geneva sit at the high end (CHF 30-35); rural areas pay CHF 25-28. Office and commercial cleaning on a regular contract is typically CHF 24-28/hour, with 25-50 % supplements for night and weekend shifts.
Is my pay fair?
Pick your canton and experience. In 5 seconds you'll see whether your pay is legal and in line with the market.
Your experience
Legal, but on the low side
You're above the minimum, but below the typical ~CHF 29/h in Zurich. It's perfectly fair to ask for a bit more.
Legal minimum
CHF 22.30
NAV minimum (national)
Typical pay
~CHF 29
Market rate CHF 25–33/h
With holiday supplement
CHF 30.33
incl. 8.33% (4 weeks holiday)
Net / month
after OASI, UI and accident (NBU)
Simplified estimate. Exact deductions vary by canton and insurance. Clino calculator
How much you should actually charge depends on your experience and region. With our hourly wage calculator for cleaners you can work out your fair hourly rate.
Which canton is worth it? Language, pay and living costs
Where you work as a cleaner influences three things: the language (you work in the household's language), the average wage and the cost of living. Filter below by language region and sort by what matters to you.
Map of Switzerland: pay & living costs
Avg gross wage CHF/h
Canton finder: language, pay & cost of living
Compare language, average wage and cost of living. Filter by language and sort by what matters to you.
Language region
Sort by
Avg wage = estimated gross hourly wage in private households (BFS). Cost of living and the wage/cost score are a rough orientation (rent + price level) — job availability and the actual rent in your town can change the picture.
Important: a high wage in Geneva or Zurich often goes straight to rent. In cantons like Valais, Jura or Solothurn you earn a little less, but rent and health insurance are lower - so more can be left at the end of the month.
Social Insurance - What Gets Deducted?
Social insurance contributions are deducted from your gross salary. These contributions protect you in old age, in case of disability, and in case of unemployment. Your employer pays the same amount on top.
The Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance (OASI) secures your pension in old age. Disability Insurance (DI) protects you in case of permanent disability. The Income Compensation scheme (IC) covers maternity leave and military service. Without OASI contributions, you will receive a significantly lower pension in old age.
Unemployment insurance protects you if you lose your job. You then receive unemployment benefits for a certain period (usually 70-80% of your last salary). Requirement: You must have paid contributions for at least 12 months in the last 2 years.
Non-occupational accident insurance covers accidents during your free time. It is deducted from 8 working hours per week with the same employer. With fewer hours, only occupational accidents are covered (paid by the employer).
Example: Gross vs. Net at CHF 30/hour, 10 hrs/week
| Gross salary / month (10 h × 4.33 weeks) | CHF 1'299.00 |
| − OASI/DI/IC (5.3%) | − CHF 68.85 |
| − UI (1.1%) | − CHF 14.29 |
| − NBUV (~1.4%) | − CHF 18.60 |
| Net salary / month | CHF 1'197.26 |
For a more detailed calculation with cantonal taxes and occupational pension, use our comprehensive Gross-to-Net Calculator Switzerland 2026.
How to Get Properly Registered
Proper registration protects you. It ensures that you accumulate OASI contributions, are insured in case of accident, and have unemployment benefits if you lose your job.
What must your employer do?
Register you with the OASI compensation office
In the simplified procedure, one form is enough. All social insurances (OASI, UI, AIA, ) are registered at the same time.
Issue monthly payslips
Gross salary, deductions, and net salary must be clearly listed. You are entitled to a monthly payslip.
Pay contributions and issue a salary certificate
At the end of the year, you receive a salary certificate for your tax return.
What Clino handles: If your employer uses Clino, registration is guided step by step, and monthly payslips are generated automatically. You as the employer submit registration and transfer wages. You receive a correct payslip every month and a salary certificate at year-end.
Detailed guide for employers: Register Your Cleaner - How It Works in 5 Steps
Many cleaners work through platforms like Batmaid or Helpling. Our platform comparison shows the differences in earnings and conditions.
Not registered? If your employer does not register you, you are working undeclared. This has serious consequences for both sides. Check your situation with the Undeclared Work Check and read more about the risks of undeclared work.
Your employer says you're 'self-employed' and must register yourself? In most cases, that's not true. Anyone who regularly cleans in a household is legally considered an employee. More about bogus self-employment →
Build your professional CV
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- Available in German, French, Italian, English or Spanish
- Optimized for Swiss households — permit, canton, services
- Your draft is auto-saved — pick up anytime
Cleaning & Household
The classic: rights, safety and pro techniques for cleaners.
- ~40 min
- in your language
- PDF certificate with QR code
Tips for Your Daily Work
These tips help you work professionally and build long-term trust with your employers:
1. Punctuality and Reliability
Always arrive at the agreed time. If you are sick or running late, inform your employer as early as possible. Reliability is the most important factor for long-term employment.
2. Clear Communication
Discuss at the beginning exactly which tasks are expected. Ask if anything is unclear. Let them know if cleaning supplies run out or something is damaged.
3. Knowledge of Cleaning Products
Learn about the right products for different surfaces (natural stone, wood, stainless steel, delicate textiles). This distinguishes professional cleaning from simple tidying up and justifies a higher salary.
4. Building Trust
You work in your employers' private home. Discretion and respect for property and privacy are essential. A good relationship of trust often leads to better conditions, recommendations, and pay rises.
5. Know and Assert Your Rights
Insist on a written agreement, correct payslips, and proper registration. A serious employer will respect that. If not, it is a warning sign. Just starting out? Our guide for getting started as a cleaner in Switzerland walks you through the first steps.
Coming to Switzerland from abroad to clean?
The calculator above shows whether you're allowed to work. Once that's settled, here's how to land softly:
Your first steps after you arrive
- 1Register at your commune within 14 days.
- 2Make sure each family registers you with social insurance (AHV/OASI) – that's their duty and costs you nothing.
- 3Open a Swiss bank account for your salary.
- 4Take out health insurance within 3 months (it's mandatory).
How to find a job
Most cleaning jobs are found through classified ads, local Facebook groups, platforms and word of mouth. Reliability and good references matter more than anything else. The full 7-day plan with every channel and link is above in the chapter «Where to actually find work now».
Beware of scams: no one can get you a Swiss visa for a cleaning job in exchange for money.
Never pay for:
- a «guaranteed» visa or work permit
- a job offer letter or contract
- permit «processing» or registration with an agency
Cash only, no written contract, or «pay us first»? Walk away.
Language
You'll work in the household's language – German, French or Italian. A few words go a long way in building trust. Learn German for the household job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a cleaner without a work permit?
No. To work in Switzerland, you need a valid residence permit with work authorisation (B permit, C permit, L permit, or F permit with work authorisation). EU/EFTA citizens benefit from the free movement agreement and can register through the notification procedure. Without a valid permit, work is illegal and can lead to fines and deportation proceedings. Planning to come to Switzerland from abroad to work as a cleaner? Our guide for cleaners from abroad explains all steps from permit to registration.
What can I do if my employer does not register me?
Talk to your employer directly first and point out the legal obligation. Recommend a simple solution like the simplified procedure. If the employer does not respond, you can contact the cantonal labour inspectorate or a union office. Your rights exist even without registration - but enforcement is harder. The Undeclared Work Check shows you the specific risks.
How much holiday am I entitled to?
At least 4 weeks per year (Art. 329a OR). Under 20: 5 weeks. For hourly wages, the holiday entitlement is added as a supplement to the gross salary (8.33% for 4 weeks, 10.64% for 5 weeks). The holiday supplement must be shown separately on the payslip. Calculate your exact salary with the Clino Calculator.
Can I work for multiple employers at the same time?
Yes, this is allowed and very common in the household sector. Each employer must register you separately with OASI and pay social insurance contributions. You thus accumulate OASI contributions from multiple employers. Important: Each employer must check the accident insurance obligation individually (from 8 hours/week per employer).
What happens if I get injured at work?
If you are properly registered, accident insurance (UVG) covers medical costs and pays daily allowance of 80% of your salary. Report the accident to your employer immediately. If you are not registered, you must bear the costs yourself or try to hold your employer liable - a long and uncertain process. Another reason why proper registration is so important.
Why Proper Employment Matters for You
Undeclared work hurts you most as an employee. Without OASI contributions, you miss out on pension. Without accident insurance, you bear the full risk. Without unemployment insurance, you are left without income if you lose your job.
Registered or cash-in-hand? What it means for you
✓Properly registered
- ✓OASI contributions that build your pension
- ✓Accident insurance if something happens
- ✓Paid holidays (4+ weeks)
- ✓Sick pay when you're ill
- ✓Unemployment cover (UI)
- ✓A contract and payslips as proof of income
✕Cash only / undeclared
- ✕No pension years, a smaller pension later
- ✕No cover if you have an accident
- ✕No paid holidays
- ✕No income when you're sick
- ✕Nothing if the work stops
- ✕No proof of income (for a flat or a loan)
Being registered costs you nothing. Your employer pays the contributions, plus CHF 19.90/month for Clino to handle the paperwork.
Platforms like Clino make legal employment so easy for your employer that there is no reason to work undeclared. Compare the options in our detailed Clino vs. Quitt comparison.
Your Employer Uses Clino?
In the Clino portal, you can see your payslips, deductions, and documents at a glance. Everything transparent and available at any time.
For Employers: Hire Your Cleaner Properly Now
Payroll, social insurance, and all documents - Clino calculates payroll and generates all documents - for CHF 19.90/month.
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Working without a contract?
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Disclaimer: This article serves as a general guide and does not replace legal advice. The salary values and contribution rates reflect the 2026 status. For your individual situation, we recommend contacting the relevant OASI compensation office or a legal advice centre.
Last updated: July 2026 | All information without guarantee
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