Your household is the employer · Nidwalden
Employing a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden: what your household has to do
This page is for a household whose cleaning Helper does work like this:
- Regular home cleaning
- Kitchen and bathroom cleaning
- Laundry and light ironing
- Tidying and household resets
- Move-in or move-out cleaning support
What does a household that employs a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden have to do?
- Register your Helper with Ausgleichskasse Nidwalden within 30 days of the first working day under the simplified settlement procedure.
- Pay a cleaning Helper without a qualification at least CHF 20.35 an hour, plus holiday pay. The federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) sets this legal minimum.
- Give at least 4 weeks of paid holidays a year. For irregular work only, add 8.33 % holiday pay to every hour, written in the contract and shown on each payslip; the holidays are still taken.
- Pay social insurance (AHV/IV/EO), unemployment insurance and family allowance contributions, and insure your Helper against accidents.
- The Nidwalden standard contract requires the household to take out daily sickness benefit insurance (Art. 17 223.1).
What differs in Nidwalden
- The federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) covers a cleaning Helper who works on average at least 5 hours a week for the same household: CHF 20.35 an hour without a qualification.
- The Nidwalden standard contract asks for more in writing:
- Hand over the monthly statement, or the pay, by a set day of the following month (§ 25 para. 2 NAV NW, NG 223.1).
- Probation differs from the federal rule:
- Probation lasts 4 weeks, with a notice of 7 days during it.
The lowest hourly wage for a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden in 2026
The federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) covers a cleaning Helper who works on average at least 5 hours a week for the same household.
| Qualification | Lowest hourly wage |
|---|---|
| No qualification | CHF 20.35 · federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) By law: CHF 20.35, federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) |
| At least four years of household experience | CHF 22.30 · federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) By law: CHF 22.30, federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) |
| Three year certificate (EFZ) | CHF 24.55 · federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) By law: CHF 24.55, federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) |
Contributions in Nidwalden in 2026: who pays what
| Contribution | Rate | Household pays | Deducted from the Helper's wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHV/IV/EO | 5.3 % | CHF 59.95 | CHF 59.95 |
| Unemployment insurance (ALV) | 1.1 % | CHF 12.45 | CHF 12.45 |
| Family allowance fund (FAK) | 1.5 % | CHF 16.95 | CHF 0.00 |
| Compensation office administration costs | 3 % of all AHV/IV/EO contributions | CHF 3.60 | CHF 0.00 |
| Total | CHF 92.95 | CHF 72.40 |
a month · CHF 35.51 per hour worked
| Wage | CHF 1’040.00 |
|---|---|
| Public holidays 0.39 % | CHF 4.06 |
| Holiday pay 8.33 % | CHF 86.63 |
| Employer contributions | CHF 92.95 |
| Accident insurance | CHF 7.30 |
| You pay a month | CHF 1’230.94 |
How many weeks of paid holidays does a Helper get in the canton of Nidwalden, and what applies on public holidays?
At least 4 weeks of paid holidays a year, and 5 weeks in these cases:
- under age 20
- from age 50, after 5 years with the same household
Source: Kantonaler NAV Hauswirtschaft, NG 223.1, § 21, § 19 Abs. 1, read on 9 October 2026.
Probation and notice in Nidwalden
Notice after probation
- Year 1 of service: 1 month, to the end of a month.
- Years 2 to 9 of service: 2 months, to the end of a month.
- From year 10 of service: 3 months, to the end of a month.
Source: §4, §27, §28 Abs. 2 (Art. 335 ff. OR), read on 28 September 2026
Standard contract and offices
More for households in Nidwalden
- Childcare in Nidwalden: your duties as employer
- Senior home help and companionship in Nidwalden: your duties as employer
- Cleaning and housekeeping: the rules across Switzerland
- How to register household help in Switzerland
Neighbouring cantons
Optional help with the paperwork: Helpore Admin files it for you, Helpore Admin Light prepares it
You have someone and stay in control
Helpore Admin Light
CHF 15.90 per month
Your month at 8 h and CHF 30.00CHF 1’246.84
- Your Helper's payslip every month
- Contributions worked out to the rappen
- Every document in order
You have someone and want it fully handled
Helpore Admin
CHF 23.90 per month
Your month at 8 h and CHF 30.00CHF 1’254.84
- Registration of the employment
- Monthly payroll, payslips and contributions
- Insurance administration and the year end statement
Your household is the employer. Both plans are optional, and Helpers never pay a fee.
Questions about employing a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden
What is the lowest hourly wage for a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden in 2026?
Without a qualification, CHF 20.35 an hour plus holiday pay: the legal minimum under the federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV).
How much paid holiday does a cleaning Helper get in Nidwalden?
At least 4 weeks a year. Holiday pay of 8.33 % on every hour: irregular work only, written in the contract and on each payslip; the holidays are still taken.
How much notice does the household give a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden?
During probation, the notice is 7 days; in the first year of service, 1 month to the end of a month. After that, the notice grows with the years of service.
What must the household put in writing in Nidwalden?
The Nidwalden standard contract adds written duties to the federal rules; this page lists each one with its article.
Which rule sets the lowest wage for a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden?
CHF 20.35 an hour: federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV).
Does the federal standard contract for domestic work cover a cleaning Helper?
Yes, when your Helper works on average at least 5 hours a week for your household.
Does the lowest wage for a cleaning Helper change on 1 January 2027?
No. On the figures published so far, the lowest wage in Nidwalden stays the same.
Where does the household register a cleaning Helper in Nidwalden?
With Ausgleichskasse Nidwalden, the compensation office for the canton, within 30 days of the first working day under the simplified settlement procedure.
What family allowance rate does the household pay in Nidwalden?
1.5 % of the gross wage, paid by the household.