How Much Does a Housekeeper Cost in Lisbon in 2026?
What a housekeeper costs in Lisbon in 2026 — hourly, monthly, live-in, and the true cost with contributions and insurance included.
Quick answer: In Lisbon, the hourly rate is around €8–€15, and a full-time contract sits mostly between €920 and €1,300 a month. On top of the salary come Social Security contributions and compulsory work-accident insurance.
Hourly rate
In Lisbon, hourly cleaning typically costs €8–€15 per hour, reaching about €18 in central areas or for specialised work. These are market estimates and vary with experience and location.
Full-time (monthly)
Real adverts for full-time roles sit mostly between €920 (the 2026 minimum wage) and about €1,300 a month. Some aggregator "averages" appear higher but rest on small samples — treat them as a ceiling, not the typical figure.
Live-in
For a live-in housekeeper, the cash salary is topped up by the value of board and lodging. As a practical reference, around €900–€1,300 a month in cash, plus a room and meals — though it depends heavily on the duties.
The real cost: not just the salary
Hiring legally adds costs to budget for:
- Social Security contributions — 28.3% under the conventional regime (on a value indexed to the IAS) or 33.3% under the real regime (on actual pay), split between employer and worker.
- Work-accident insurance — compulsory, separate from Social Security.
- Subsidies — holiday and Christmas (13th month), plus 22 working days of holiday.
Worked example
For a €920/month salary under the real regime, the employer's share (22.3%) adds about €205 a month in contributions, on top of insurance and the proportion of the subsidies. The total employer cost is therefore clearly above the base salary.
Agency vs direct hire
Agencies usually charge more per hour but handle insurance, contributions and admin. With a direct hire the hourly rate is lower, but the employer takes on those obligations.
See also how much Social Security you pay and work-accident insurance.
See also cost guides for Porto and Cascais.
👉 Compare housekeepers in Lisbon here.
Conclusion
Budget €8–€15 an hour or €920–€1,300 a month full-time in Lisbon — always plus contributions, compulsory insurance and subsidies. The real cost is above the base salary, but legal hiring protects both sides.
Official sources
- Minimum wage 2026 (DGERT)
- IAS value (DGAEP)
- Social Security – domestic service employer (seg-social.pt)
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules and figures (IAS, the minimum wage, contribution rates) are updated periodically and may have changed since this was last updated. Always confirm the details with the official sources listed below and seek professional advice if in doubt.
FAQ
What does a housekeeper cost per hour in Lisbon?
Usually €8–€15 per hour, up to about €18 in central areas or for specialised work. These are market estimates and vary with experience.
What does full-time cost?
Mostly €920 (the 2026 minimum wage) to about €1,300 a month, plus contributions, insurance and the holiday and Christmas subsidies.
What costs are there beyond the salary?
Social Security contributions (28.3% or 33.3% depending on the regime), compulsory work-accident insurance, and the holiday and Christmas subsidies.
How much does a live-in housekeeper cost?
As a reference, around €900–€1,300 a month in cash, plus board and lodging that count as in-kind pay. It depends heavily on the duties.
Is it cheaper to hire directly or through an agency?
By the hour, a direct hire is usually cheaper, but the employer takes on insurance, contributions and admin. Agencies charge more but handle those obligations.