Your household is the employer · Neuchâtel
Senior home help in Neuchâtel: your household's duties as employer
This page is for a household whose Helper for senior home help does work like this:
- Companionship at home
- Light household help
- Meal preparation support
- Errands and appointment support
- Routine check-in visits
What does a household that employs a Helper for senior home help in Neuchâtel have to do?
- Register your Helper with Caisse cantonale neuchâteloise de compensation within 30 days of the first working day under the simplified settlement procedure.
- Pay a Helper for senior home help without a qualification at least CHF 21.35 an hour, plus holiday pay. The Neuchâtel minimum wage law 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 Neuchâtel
- The federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) covers a Helper for senior home help who works on average at least 5 hours a week for the same household: CHF 20.35 an hour without a qualification.
- Neuchâtel sets its own minimum wage for a Helper for senior home help: CHF 21.35 an hour before holiday pay.
- The Neuchâtel standard contract covers only a Helper who lives in your household (art. 1 al. 1 CTT NE, RSN 225.42).
- Neuchâtel adds contributions of its own: Apprenticeship and professional development fund LFAPP NE, Out of home childcare fund LAE NE.
The lowest hourly wage for a Helper for senior home help in Neuchâtel in 2026
The federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV) covers a Helper for senior home help who works on average at least 5 hours a week for the same household.
| Qualification | Lowest hourly wage |
|---|---|
| No qualification | CHF 21.35 · Neuchâtel minimum wage law By law: CHF 21.35, Neuchâtel minimum wage law |
| 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 21.35 · Neuchâtel minimum wage law · provisional until the new figure is published By law: CHF 21.35, Neuchâtel minimum wage law |
| 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 Neuchâtel in 2026: who pays what
| Contribution | Rate | Household pays | Deducted from the Helper's wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHV/IV/EO | 5.3 % | CHF 61.00 | CHF 61.00 |
| Unemployment insurance (ALV) | 1.1 % | CHF 12.65 | CHF 12.65 |
| Family allowance fund (FAK) | 1.8 % | CHF 20.70 | CHF 0.00 |
| Compensation office administration costs | 1.8 % of all AHV/IV/EO contributions | CHF 2.20 | CHF 0.00 |
| Apprenticeship and professional development fund LFAPP NE | 0.507 % | CHF 5.85 | CHF 0.00 |
| Out of home childcare fund LAE NE | 0.18 % | CHF 2.05 | CHF 0.00 |
| Total | CHF 104.45 | CHF 73.65 |
a month · CHF 36.43 per hour worked
| Wage | CHF 1’040.00 |
|---|---|
| Public holidays 2.36 % | CHF 24.54 |
| Holiday pay 8.33 % | CHF 86.63 |
| Employer contributions | CHF 104.45 |
| Accident insurance | CHF 7.40 |
| You pay a month | CHF 1’263.02 |
How many weeks of paid holidays does a Helper get in the canton of Neuchâtel, and what applies on public holidays?
At least 4 weeks of paid holidays a year, and 5 weeks in these cases:
- under age 20
- after 10 years with the same household
- from age 50, after 5 years with the same household
Source: Arrêté CTT pour le service de maison, RSN 225.42, art. 10, art. 8 al. 3 et 4, read on 9 October 2026.
Probation and notice in Neuchâtel
Probation: 1 month.
Notice during probation: 7 days.
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.
What goes in writing in Neuchâtel
Helpore has found no cantonal rule in Neuchâtel that adds a written duty to the federal rules.
Standard contract and offices
Cities in Neuchâtel
- Neuchatel
More for households in Neuchâtel
- Cleaning and housekeeping in Neuchâtel: your duties as employer
- Childcare in Neuchâtel: your duties as employer
- Senior home help and companionship: 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 1’278.92
- 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 1’286.92
- 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 Helper for senior home help in Neuchâtel
What is the lowest hourly wage for a Helper for senior home help in Neuchâtel in 2026?
Without a qualification, CHF 21.35 an hour plus holiday pay: the legal minimum under the Neuchâtel minimum wage law.
How much paid holiday does a Helper for senior home help get in Neuchâtel?
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 Helper for senior home help in Neuchâtel?
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 Neuchâtel?
Helpore found no written duty in Neuchâtel beyond the federal rules.
Which rule sets the lowest wage for a Helper for senior home help in Neuchâtel?
CHF 21.35 an hour: Neuchâtel minimum wage law. CHF 20.35 an hour: federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV).
Does the federal standard contract for domestic work cover a Helper for senior home help?
Yes, when your Helper works on average at least 5 hours a week for your household.
Does the lowest wage for a Helper for senior home help change on 1 January 2027?
No qualification: CHF 21.35 an hour, provisional until the new figure is published. At least four years of household experience: CHF 22.30 an hour. Three year certificate (EFZ): CHF 24.55 an hour.
What family allowance rate does the household pay in Neuchâtel?
1.8 % of the gross wage, paid by the household.
Which standard contract for household work applies in Neuchâtel?
contrat type de travail pour le service de maison du canton de Neuchâtel, RSN 225.42.