Cantonal compliance guide
Hiring and paying household help in Zurich
The federal framework for household employment applies everywhere in Switzerland, but Zurich sets some of its own rules: most importantly around minimum wage, the family-allowance rate and how withholding tax is handled. Here is what changes in Zurich.
Minimum wage in Zurich
Zurich has no cantonal statutory minimum wage for household work. The federal standard contract for domestic work (NAV Hauswirtschaft) sets the floor when the person works on average at least 5 hours a week for the same household: CHF 20.35 an hour without a qualification, CHF 22.30 with at least four years of household experience or a two year certificate (EBA) and CHF 24.55 with a three year certificate (EFZ).
The city of Zürich sets its own minimum wage of CHF 23.90 an hour for work done within the city, above the cantonal rule. It applies to household work at any address in Zürich.
Zürich has voted its own minimum wage, but it is not in force yet. Until it is, the canton's rules and the federal rules apply.
The city of Winterthur sets its own minimum wage of CHF 23.00 an hour for work done within the city, above the cantonal rule. It applies to household work at any address in Winterthur.
Winterthur has voted its own minimum wage, but it is not in force yet. Until it is, the canton's rules and the federal rules apply.
The rules in Zurich
What the law in Zurich asks of a household that employs someone at home.
Checked on 23 September 2026
What differs in Zurich
Notice after probation
1 month in every year of service, to the end of a month
Federal law: 1 month in year 1, to the end of a month, 2 months in years 2 to 9, to the end of a month and 3 months from year 10, to the end of a month
Paid holiday
At least 4 weeks of paid holidays a year, and 5 weeks in these cases: under age 20, from age 50 and after 10 years with the same household
6 weeks in these cases: from age 60
Federal law: At least 4 weeks of paid holidays a year, and 5 weeks in these cases: under age 20
How many weeks of paid holidays does a Helper get in the canton of Zurich, 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 10 years with the same household
6 weeks in these cases:
- from age 60
On an hourly wage, holiday pay is 13.04% of the wage for 6 weeks of holidays (6 divided by 46 weeks worked).
On an hourly wage, holiday pay is 8.33% of the wage for 4 weeks of holidays (4 divided by 48 weeks worked) and 10.64% for 5 weeks (5 divided by 47).
Sunday and holiday work in Zurich
In the canton of Zurich, work on a public holiday carries no supplement in money.
Source: NAV für hauswirtschaftliche Arbeitnehmer, LS 821.12, Art. 8 Abs. 1, Art. 28, Art. 6, read on 9 October 2026.
On irregular hours, the holiday pay is added to every hour worked.
On fixed days or a monthly salary, the wage continues during the holiday and nothing is added.
Notice and probation
How long is the notice period for a Helper in Zurich?
After probation, the notice period is 1 month in every year of service, each running to the end of a month.
- Every year of service
- 1 month, to the end of a month
- Probation
- 1 month
- Notice in probation
- 3 days, ending on any day
Source: Art. 2, 17 Abs. 2, 18 Abs. 1. Checked on 28 September 2026.
Written form
Does notice have to be in writing in Zurich?
Zurich does not require a signed letter. Notice counts from the day the other side receives it.
The Zurich standard contract requires the household to take out daily sickness benefit insurance (Art. 12 and 26).
Source: Art. 2, 17 Abs. 2, 18 Abs. 1. Checked on 23 September 2026.
Public holidays
Which public holidays do I pay in Zurich?
The paid public holiday in Zurich in 2026 is Saturday, 1 August.
On irregular hours, 0.39% is added to every hour worked to pay for public holidays.
On fixed days or a monthly salary, nothing is added. The agreed month is paid in full, holidays and public holidays included.
Public holiday share calculated on 7 October 2026.
Sources: Art. 6, seco.admin.ch and zh.ch. Checked on 9 October 2026.
Registration and source tax
Where do I register a Helper in Zurich?
Your household is the employer, so you register with SVA Zürich.
In the simplified procedure, register within 30 days of your Helper's first working day, unless your household is already registered.
Your household owes contributions from the first franc of wage. There is no lower limit.
The canton of Zurich sets the exact registration steps and any deadline.
Taxed at source are usually foreign nationals living in Switzerland without a settlement (C) permit, and certain people living abroad. Swiss citizens and holders of a C permit are taxed in the ordinary procedure.
If your Helper is taxed at source, you deduct the tax from your Helper's pay and settle it with the source tax office.
There is no single national rate.
In the simplified procedure, the income tax is instead a flat 5% of the gross wage, paid once a year through the compensation office.
- Yearly declaration
- In the simplified procedure, declare the year's wages by 30 January of the following year.
- Helper taxed at source
- Outside the simplified procedure, report a Helper taxed at source to Kantonales Steueramt, Quellensteuer, 8090 Zürich within 8 days of the start or of a change.
- Compensation office (social insurance)
- SVA ZürichThe compensation office charges an administration fee of 5% of the contributions.Across the cantons, offices charge from 1.4% to 5% of the contributions.
- Source tax office
- Kantonales Steueramt, Quellensteuer, 8090 Zürich
For a Helper who lives across the border, these forms apply in Zurich:
- Kanton Zürich, Quellensteuerabrechnung für Grenzgänger, filed by your household
The tax follows the Zurich tariff for 2026, as the Federal Tax Administration publishes it.
Your household must insure your Helper against occupational accidents from the first day of work, with an authorised insurer. Non-occupational cover is added once your Helper works 8 hours a week or more for your household.
Sources: svazurich.ch, ahv-iv.ch, estv.admin.ch, Art. 5 QStV, KS 45 9.2, estv2.admin.ch, zh.ch, svazurich.ch, svazurich.ch, zh.ch and ahv-iv.ch. Checked on 29 September 2026.
Work it out for Zurich
- Holiday pay calculator
Your Helper's holiday in weeks and in francs.
- Notice period calculator
The last day of employment and the article of law behind it.
Your answers stay in this browser.
Social contributions and family allowances in Zurich
First-pillar contributions (AHV/IV/EO at 5.3% each) and unemployment insurance (ALV at 1.1% each, up to CHF 148’200 a year) are federal and identical everywhere. The cantonal family-equalisation fund rate is about 1.025% of wages, but the exact rate depends on which family-allowance fund you are affiliated with, so treat it as approximate.
Family allowances (FAK): what your household pays and who claims
Find local help
Zurich household-employer questions
Is there a minimum wage for cleaners and carers in Zurich?
The household always pays at least the floor that applies in Zurich. Everywhere except Geneva, the federal NAV Hauswirtschaft minimum applies when the person works on average at least 5 hours a week for the same household; Geneva has its own binding contract for domestic work. Where the canton or a city also sets a statutory minimum wage, the highest of them applies. The minimum wage box above shows the figures for Zurich.
Official sources
Service guides
Let Helpore take on the administration
Your household stays the employer. With Helpore Admin, under your signed power of attorney, Helpore registers the employment and runs payroll, insurance and documents in your name. With Admin Light, Helpore prepares the calculation and the documents, and you file and pay yourself.