How to Legally Hire a Housekeeper in Portugal as a Foreigner
Everything you need to hire a housekeeper legally in Portugal in 2026 — contract, Social Security, contributions, compulsory insurance and worker rights.
Quick answer: To hire legally, report the start of employment to Social Security before the person begins, choose a contribution regime (conventional or real pay), pay monthly contributions, take out compulsory work-accident insurance and respect labour rights. A written contract isn't always mandatory, but it's strongly recommended.
Who can hire and for what
Any private individual can employ a housekeeper for household work: cleaning, cooking, laundry and ironing, or supporting children, the elderly or dependents — including live-in roles. You cannot register a close family member of your own household as your domestic worker.
1. Report the hire to Social Security
The hire must be reported through Segurança Social Direta before work starts. You need the worker's NISS (or NIF), date of birth, start date and pay type (hour, day or month). Hourly contracts always declare a minimum of 30 hours/month for contribution purposes.
2. Choose a contribution regime
There are two options, and the choice affects both cost and the worker's rights (especially unemployment benefit):
Regime | Base | Total rate | Covers unemployment? |
|---|---|---|---|
Conventional pay | Value indexed to the IAS (€537.13 in 2026) | 28.3% (18.9% employer + 9.4% worker) | No |
Real pay | Actual salary (floor: minimum wage €920 in 2026) | 33.3% (22.3% + 11%) | Yes (full-time monthly contract) |
Both cover sickness, parenthood, family charges, invalidity, old age and death. Only real pay, on a full-time monthly contract, gives access to unemployment benefit.
3. The contract
Domestic work is governed by Decreto-Lei 235/92, amended by Law 13/2023. An open-ended contract can be verbal, but a fixed-term contract must be in writing. Always put it in writing anyway. Include the parties, place of work, duties, hours (max 40/week), pay, trial period, holidays and weekly rest.
4. Work-accident insurance (mandatory)
Social Security does not cover work accidents in domestic service — a separate work-accident insurance policy is compulsory, even part-time or for occasional "by-the-day" work. Without it, you are personally liable for all costs and may be fined.
5. Rights: holidays and subsidies
22 working days of holiday per year
A holiday subsidy and a Christmas subsidy (13th month)
One weekly rest day (usually Sunday)
What happens if you don't declare
Hiring without reporting to Social Security means back-payment of contributions with interest, fines and full liability in case of an accident. The law provides for tougher sanctions for prolonged undeclared work (the criminal element may be revised — check the current status).
Agency vs direct hire
A traditional agency may charge an upfront fee and a monthly margin. Hiring directly lets you negotiate transparently, control the process and formalise the contract yourself. Digital platforms make it easy to find candidates and make direct contact while keeping your autonomy.
See also our guides on how much Social Security you pay, how to register step by step and housekeeper rights.
Only need help a few hours a week? See hiring a cleaner a few hours a week — what the law says.
👉 Browse available housekeepers in Lisbon here.
Conclusion
Hiring legally gives both sides protection, transparency and legal certainty, with lower financial risk. It involves some admin, but formalising the relationship is the safest route — and it's simpler than it looks.
Official sources
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
Is a written contract mandatory?
Not always. An open-ended contract can be verbal, but a fixed-term contract must be in writing. Either way, a written contract is always recommended to protect both sides.
What's the difference between conventional and real pay?
Conventional pay calculates contributions on a value indexed to the IAS (28.3% total) but gives no unemployment benefit. Real pay is based on the actual salary (33.3%) and, on a full-time monthly contract, includes unemployment cover.
When must I report the hire?
Before the worker starts, via Segurança Social Direta. Late reporting can mean fines and, at worst, liability for undeclared work.
Do I really need work-accident insurance?
Yes. It's mandatory and separate from Social Security, even for part-time or by-the-day work. Without it, you're personally liable in case of an accident.
Can I hire just a few hours a week?
Yes. You can hire by the hour, but hourly contracts declare a minimum of 30 hours per month for contribution purposes.