Becoming an independent provider in Switzerland: status, AHV, rates

Offering your services in Switzerland, whether cleaning, handyman work, gardening or tutoring, is entirely possible without setting up a complicated company. Here are the steps, in order.

Self-employed status

In Switzerland you are self-employed when you work in your own name, for several clients, bearing the economic risk. It is not a declaration on your honour: the AHV/AVS compensation office of your canton recognises the status, based on a form and a few supporting documents (first invoices, quotes sent, equipment). Apply as soon as you have two or three clients; until the status is recognised, your clients are in principle considered your employers.

Once recognised, you pay your own AHV/IV/EO contributions on your income, with an annual minimum even if activity is low. Accident insurance is not compulsory for the self-employed but strongly recommended, as is professional liability insurance: a broken window or a damaged parquet floor quickly gets expensive.

Below 100,000 francs of annual turnover you need neither a commercial register entry nor VAT registration. Do remember to declare your income for tax; it goes into your ordinary tax return.

Setting your prices

Start from what you want to earn net per hour, add around 20 to 25 percent for social contributions and insurance, then travel and equipment. For cleaning the market sits between 28 and 40 francs per hour; for handyman work or furniture assembly between 45 and 70 francs; for gardening between 40 and 60 francs. A clear flat fee (“assembling a wardrobe: 120 francs”) reassures more than a vague hourly rate.

Landing your first jobs

On Helfa two routes complement each other. You reply to jobs posted by clients in your area with a price and a short, precise message. And you publish up to three listings describing your services, which clients can contact directly; the first listing gets a few days of free promotion.

The first replies are free at sign-up. After that, each reply to a job uses one reply from a pack; replying to a client who contacted you through your listing or profile costs nothing.

What makes the difference

• Replying fast: clients often choose within the first hours.
• A personalised message showing you read the request.
• A profile photo and a few photos of your work.
• Identity verification: the “Verified” badge reassures, especially for work at home.
• Finishing every job properly and asking for a review: that is what moves you up the ranking in your canton.