Working as a nanny in Switzerland: pay, rights and first steps
You love kids and want to work as a nanny, babysitter or day-carer in Switzerland? Good news: this is a real profession - with fair pay, clear rights and genuine room to grow. Here's what you earn, what you're entitled to, and how to become a sought-after professional nanny in four steps.
As a nanny in a private household you are a regular employee: you earn at least around CHF 20.35 an hour, you're entitled to holidays, sick pay and insurance - and with a certificate you often earn noticeably more.
- As a nanny in a private household you are an employee - with a contract, payslip and social insurance.
- Minimum wage around CHF 20.35/h - experienced nannies negotiate more.
- Holidays, continued pay when sick and accident insurance are yours by law.
- A nanny certificate builds trust - free with Clino in about 40 minutes.
Clino is not a job agency
We don't post jobs, hire anyone or arrange visas. This guide shows you the right path, pick your situation:
What does a nanny earn in Switzerland?
There is no single nationwide nanny rate. The floor is the cantonal standard employment contract (NAV) for household work, which also applies to childcare in private homes.
NAV minimum wages depend on your experience and qualification. In practice, experienced nannies - especially with several children or live-in care - often negotiate wages clearly above the minimum. If you also look after older people, our guide to working as a caregiver in Switzerland shows what you can earn there and how to get started properly.
CHF 20.35
no qualification
CHF 22.30
with 4+ years' experience or an EBA
CHF 24.55
with an EFZ or 3-year apprenticeship
What actually lands in your account depends on deductions (AHV, ALV, accident insurance). Always ask for a proper payslip - it's your proof of fair employment.
What a proper payslip looks like
Every month, in writing. The deductions are not a loss - each line buys you something. Follow the numbers:
Maria Gonzalez, nanny
- 1
Check this against the hours you actually worked. Keep your own record.
- 2
Your 4 weeks of holiday, paid out with every payslip on hourly pay instead of later.
- 3
The basis for everything below - and the number that belongs in your contract.
- 4
Your pension. Your employer pays the same amount again on top, you are not carrying it alone.
- 5
Unemployment insurance: daily benefit if the job disappears.
- 6
Accident cover for your free time. Accidents at work are paid by your employer, from hour one.
- 7
In the simplified procedure this settles your tax. No tax return for this income.
- 8
What lands in your account. Cash with no payslip is a warning sign.
No AHV line means you are not registered
Then it is undeclared work, however kindly it is meant. Without registration you have no accident cover, no pension credit, no unemployment benefit and no proof you ever worked.
Example: 25 h/week at CHF 22.30/h in Zurich, simplified procedure (wages up to CHF 22'680/year). In the ordinary procedure BVG is added and tax is assessed normally.
Get your employer to register you legally
Share your personal link. When your employer signs up through Clino you earn CHF 10, plus another CHF 20 once they're active. And you become legally employed and insured.
And what do you earn babysitting?
Occasional babysitting is usually paid CHF 20 to 30 per hour, depending on city, experience and number of children. The NAV minimum wage of CHF 20.35 legally applies only from 5 hours per week with the same family; below that the wage is freely negotiated, though at least the NAV rate is fair there too.
AHV applies to babysitting too: adults are liable from the first franc. Only if you are under 25 and earn at most CHF 750 per family per year does the wage stay AHV-free. Above that, the family must register you, otherwise you are not insured if you have an accident.
Which canton is worth it? Language, pay and living costs
Where you work as a nanny influences three things: the language (you care in the family'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. More resources for nannies, including wages by canton, your rights and a CV template, are collected on our page for nannies.
Your rights as an employed nanny
As soon as you work regularly for a family, you are an employee under the Code of Obligations. These rights apply whether you work 4 or 40 hours a week:
Written contract
You're entitled to a clear employment contract stating pay, hours and duties.
4 weeks' holiday (5 under 20)
At least 4 weeks of paid holiday per year, pro rata for part-time.
Pay when sick
If you're ill, your pay continues - depending on years of service (e.g. the Bernese scale).
Insured from hour one
Your family must insure you against work accidents (UVG) and pay AHV.
What's your next step?
Two quick questions - and you'll see exactly what to do now.
1. Do you already work for a family?
You don't just watch the kids - you take responsibility for a family's most precious thing. Carry yourself that way, and get paid that way.
What makes a professional nanny
Parents trust you with what matters most. Those who do more than just supervise get recommended and paid better. Here's what counts:
Safety & emergencies
Spot dangers before anything happens, and react correctly when it does.
Understanding development
Know what children need at each age - and what's normal.
Parent communication
Clarify expectations, set boundaries and act professionally.
Knowing your rights
Be fairly employed and speak confidently about pay and conditions.
Nanny & Childcare
Safety, child development and professional skills for childcare.
- ~40 min
- in your language
- PDF certificate with QR code
Introducing yourself as a nanny
Keller
online
Hello Mrs Keller, I saw your ad. I've worked as a nanny for four years, caring for children from 1 to 10 warmly and reliably, and I hold a first-aid certificate. I'm well available in the afternoons. May I introduce myself briefly?
15:05Hello! Yes, that sounds very good. Would you have time on Thursday?
15:30Gladly, Thursday works for me. See you then and thank you!
15:33Your first steps as a nanny
You don't need to know everything at once. These four steps take you from 'I love kids' to 'I work as a professional, fairly employed nanny'.
Get yourself ready
A child first-aid course and a bit of experience (siblings, babysitting, an internship) are enough to start. A certificate helps you stand out.
Find a family
Through platforms, notice boards, daycares or referrals. Be clear about what you offer: the children's ages, hours and tasks.
Agree pay and terms
Put the hourly wage, working hours, holidays and notice period in writing before you start.
Get registered
The family registers you with the compensation office and insures you. Only then are you truly protected.
Before you say yes: warning signs
Most families mean well. You still turn these offers down, or renegotiate them first.
Never work cash-in-hand
Undeclared cash costs you AHV pension, accident insurance and unemployment cover and both sides risk back-payments. Insist on being declared.
A real agency never charges YOU
Placement and temp agencies are paid by the employer. If an 'agency' asks you for money for a job or permit, walk away, it's illegal.
Beware 'permit brokers'
No one can 'arrange' a permit for a cleaner/carer from abroad for a normal family. Never pay for it; verify everything on sem.admin.ch.
On platform leads, the family declares you
You're only insured if the household actually registers you (AHV from the first franc). Ask them to do it via Clino.
Get everything in writing, keep your own record of hours, and insist on being registered. Anyone who refuses has a reason. Your rights in a household job.
How to get employed correctly
Correct employment protects you: only then are you insured, build AHV pension contributions, and have something to fall back on in a dispute. Undeclared work costs you exactly these protections.
Insist on proper registration
Many families don't know how registration works - you can raise it with them. Clino prepares the contract, payslip and registration for the family for a flat CHF 19.90 a month.
Working without a contract?
We help you for free to understand your work situation and get things sorted. Write to us or leave your details. We'll get back to you personally.
One quick thing: where are you right now?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need training to work as a nanny?
Do I have to pay taxes and AHV as a nanny?
What's the difference between a nanny, babysitter and au pair?
How much holiday am I entitled to?
Is a nanny certificate worth it?
How much does a babysitter earn in Switzerland?
Related guides
Become a professional nanny - free
Learn safety, development and parent communication in 6 short modules. At the end you'll be holding your certificate.
Get employed legally, without the awkward conversation
We prepare your personal employment pack and send it to your employer in their language. Free.
+ CHF 50 for you when they register you
Create your pack (2 min)