Is this actually employment?
An invoice or a business licence changes nothing — what counts are the actual circumstances. Four criteria give orientation; the compensation office decides bindingly.
Who decides
The compensation office, not the contract
What counts
Actual circumstances, not the invoice form
When unsure
Register — it's the safe path
Four criteria that point to employment
Subject to instructions
You decide when, where and how the work is done — not the person themself.
Materials & tools
You provide the cleaning products, equipment or other materials, not the person.
Personal performance
You expect the person to come themself rather than just sending someone else.
No entrepreneurial risk
No own company, no employees, no other clients, no financial risk of loss.
These four criteria apply regardless of the activity — cleaning, gardening, childcare, tutoring or senior care. The more of them apply, the clearer an employment relationship.
Test a concrete case
The interactive 6-question test is built around a cleaner example, but the same four criteria apply to any private household helper.
Take the interactive test →Clear that it's employment? Here's what's next
Find the right category — cleaner, housekeeper, nanny, au pair or caregiver — and land directly on the relevant registration page.
Which type of help fits me? →Frequently asked questions
Does an invoice or a business licence change the classification?
No. The AHV compensation office assesses the actual circumstances of the working relationship, not the contract form, not an invoice, not a business licence. Whoever mostly meets the four criteria counts as employed, whatever the paperwork says.
What if the person also works for other households?
Multiple clients lean toward self-employment but aren't decisive alone. If the same person works for you under your instructions, with your materials, and in person, an employment relationship with you can still exist, alongside employment or self-employment elsewhere.
Does this also apply to gardeners, private tutors or occasional jobs?
Yes. The four criteria are sector-independent. A gardener with their own company, own tools and several clients is typically self-employed; a gardener who only works for you, with your equipment, following your instructions, counts as employed.
Is the result legally binding?
No. This page and the linked test help with classification — the final, binding call sits with your compensation office. When unsure, a short enquiry there is worth it.
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