Your household is the employer · Ticino
Employing a cleaning Helper in Ticino: 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 Ticino have to do?
- Register your Helper with Istituto delle assicurazioni sociali 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.
What differs in Ticino
- 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.
- Ticino adds contributions of its own: Supplementary family allowance AFI TI, Parental allowance AP TI, Cantonal vocational training fund Lorform TI.
The lowest hourly wage for a cleaning Helper in Ticino 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) |
From 1 January 2027
| 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) Under 5 hours a week on average: CHF 20.50 |
| 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 Ticino in 2026: who pays what
| Contribution | Rate | Household pays | Deducted from the Helper's wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHV/IV/EO | 5.3 % | CHF 61.70 | CHF 61.70 |
| Unemployment insurance (ALV) | 1.1 % | CHF 12.80 | CHF 12.80 |
| Family allowance fund (FAK) | 1.6 % | CHF 18.65 | CHF 0.00 |
| Compensation office administration costs | 1.5 % of all AHV/IV/EO contributions | CHF 1.85 | CHF 0.00 |
| Supplementary family allowance AFI TI | 0.15 % | CHF 1.75 | CHF 0.00 |
| Parental allowance AP TI | 0.15 % | CHF 1.75 | CHF 0.00 |
| Cantonal vocational training fund Lorform TI | 0.095 % | CHF 1.10 | CHF 0.00 |
| Total | CHF 99.60 | CHF 74.50 |
a month · CHF 36.62 per hour worked
| Wage | CHF 1’040.00 |
|---|---|
| Public holidays 3.6 % | CHF 37.44 |
| Holiday pay 8.33 % | CHF 86.63 |
| Employer contributions | CHF 99.60 |
| Accident insurance | CHF 5.90 |
| You pay a month | CHF 1’269.57 |
How many weeks of paid holidays does a Helper get in the canton of Ticino, and what applies on public holidays?
At least 4 weeks of paid holidays a year, and 5 weeks in these cases:
- under age 20
Source: Contratto normale di lavoro per il personale domestico, art. 17, art. 18, read on 9 October 2026.
Probation and notice in Ticino
Probation: 1 month.
Notice during probation: 7 days.
What goes in writing in Ticino
Helpore has found no cantonal rule in Ticino that adds a written duty to the federal rules.
Standard contract and offices
Cities in Ticino
- Lugano
- Bellinzona
More for households in Ticino
- Childcare in Ticino: your duties as employer
- Senior home help and companionship in Ticino: your duties as employer
- Household help in Ticino: the canton guide
- 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 1’285.47
- 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 1’293.47
- 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 Ticino
What is the lowest hourly wage for a cleaning Helper in Ticino 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 Ticino?
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 Ticino?
During probation, the notice is 7 days.
What must the household put in writing in Ticino?
Helpore found no written duty in Ticino beyond the federal rules.
Which rule sets the lowest wage for a cleaning Helper in Ticino?
CHF 20.35 an hour: federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV). CHF 20.00 an hour: Ticino minimum wage law.
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 qualification: CHF 20.35 an hour. At least four years of household experience: CHF 22.30 an hour. Three year certificate (EFZ): CHF 24.55 an hour.
Which cities in Ticino have a Helpore page for a cleaning Helper?
Helpore has a page about a cleaning Helper in each of these cities: Lugano.
Where does the household register a cleaning Helper in Ticino?
With Istituto delle assicurazioni sociali, 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 Ticino?
1.6 % of the gross wage, paid by the household.