Home Help While You Are on Holiday: Keep Your Swiss Home Cared For in 2026

Summer in Switzerland is made for getting away, whether that is two weeks by the sea, a hike through the Alps or a long visit to family abroad. The one thing that should not go on holiday is your home. Plants get thirsty, the letterbox overflows, rooms grow stuffy in the heat, and an empty flat can start to look, well, empty.

A little regular home care changes all of that. A declared helper can drop in while you are away to water the plants, gather the post, air and lightly clean the rooms, look in on a pet and keep everything feeling lived-in and secure. You travel with peace of mind, and you come back to a home that is fresh rather than forgotten.

If you would rather see one clear price and let the admin be handled, you can create a free client account and book a trusted helper.

What holiday home help covers

Every trip is different, so you decide the tasks and the days. A typical holiday visit includes some mix of:

• Watering the plants. Indoor greenery and balcony pots that would not survive a fortnight of July sun get a proper drink.
• Mail and post. Letters and parcels are collected so your letterbox does not advertise an empty home, and anything urgent can be flagged to you.
• Light cleaning and airing. A quick tidy, dusting and a proper airing keep rooms fresh, so you do not walk back into a stuffy flat.
• A pet check. Simple care such as feeding a cat, refreshing water or a short let out into the garden, agreed in advance.
• Keeping the home lived-in. Opening and closing blinds, moving the odd light, and a general once over so the place looks occupied from the street.
• A welcome home touch. An optional clean and fresh airing timed for the day before you return.

Why a lived-in home is a safer home

An empty home over the summer is an easy target. A brimming letterbox, blinds that never move and plants dying on the sill all quietly signal that nobody is around. Regular visits break that pattern. Post disappears, blinds change through the week, and the home simply looks cared for.

There is a practical side too. A helper who visits can spot a small problem early, a dripping tap, a fridge that has failed, a window left ajar in a storm, before it becomes an expensive one. That quiet reassurance is often worth far more than the modest cost of the visits.

Declared and insured, not just a favour

Asking a neighbour to pop in is kind, but the moment you pay someone to care for your home you become an employer, and Swiss rules on domestic work apply. Doing it properly protects everyone.

• AHV/AVS from the first franc. Home help is domestic work, so old age insurance contributions are due from the very first franc, with no lower threshold.
• Accident cover. Accident insurance is mandatory for domestic staff and costs around CHF 100 a year. If your helper is hurt in your home, cover matters.
• A real contract. A written agreement on tasks, dates, rate and keys gives both sides certainty while you are far away.
• One all-in price, shown first. You see the helper's rate and the full price before you pay, with employer contributions and cover included, so there are no surprises on your return.

With Helpore all of this is handled for you. A friendly favour becomes proper, insured help, and your helper keeps 100 per cent of their wage.

What it costs

Holiday home care is usually light and quick, so it is one of the most affordable ways to protect a home. A declared helper in Switzerland typically charges CHF 26 to 45 per hour, and most visits take one to two hours. A weekly summer visit therefore costs roughly the same as a single upkeep clean, with AHV and accident cover already included in the price you see.

Want to model the numbers for a regular visit? Our 2026 cost guide has an interactive estimator, or you can try the Helpore cost calculator.

How it works with Helpore

Helpore makes it simple to arrange trusted home care before you travel:

• Choose your helper. Browse verified helpers near you and pick the person you trust with your keys.
• Set the dates and tasks. Agree exactly what happens and when, from a single airing to weekly visits across a long trip.
• See one clear price. The helper's rate and the all-in cost are shown before you pay, with the admin included.
• Travel with peace of mind. Your home is watered, aired, watched and loved while you are away.

Helpore opens to households across Switzerland on 1 September 2026, and you can set up your account now so you are ready to book your first helper.

• Create a free client account and book a helper
• How hiring home help works with Helpore
• How much a home helper costs in 2026

Are you a helper? See how much to charge in 2026 and create your free Helper profile as a Founding Helper.

Frequently asked questions

What does holiday home help include in Switzerland?

Typical holiday home care covers watering plants, collecting mail and parcels, light cleaning and airing, keeping the home looking lived-in, a quick check for leaks or problems, and a simple pet check such as feeding a cat. You agree the exact tasks and days with your helper before you travel.

How much does a home helper cost while I am away?

A declared helper typically charges CHF 26 to 45 per hour, and most holiday visits take one to two hours. On Helpore you see one all-in price before you pay, with employer social contributions (about 6.4 per cent) and accident cover included.

Can a Helpore helper look after my pet while I travel?

Yes, for simple pet checks such as feeding a cat, refreshing water or a short garden let out, arranged as part of the visit. For animals that need medical care or long walks, agree the details with your helper in advance.

Is holiday home help declared and insured?

Yes. With Helpore there is a real contract, AHV/AVS is paid from the first franc, and accident cover is in place. Helpore handles the contract, registration, insurance and payroll for you.

How far in advance should I book summer home help?

Book as early as you can, ideally a few weeks before you travel, so you can meet your helper, agree the tasks and hand over keys calmly. Popular summer weeks fill up quickly.

Official sources

• AHV/AVS domestic work leaflet 2.06 (2026): ahv-iv.ch/p/2.06.e
• Federal standard employment contracts (NAV) overview: seco.admin.ch