Cleaning service in Geneva: 2026 rates and rules for hiring a cleaner

In Geneva an independent cleaner usually charges between 30 and 45 francs per hour, and a cleaning agency between 40 and 55 francs. If you employ the person directly, their pay cannot fall below the cantonal minimum wage of CHF 24.59 gross per hour in 2026, with social contributions on top.

How much does a cleaner cost per hour in Geneva?

There is no official rate. The figures below are common orders of magnitude in Geneva and should be confirmed with a quote. The price depends on how often the cleaner comes, the size and state of the home, and who provides the products.

Type of service	Indicative price	Notes
Independent cleaner	CHF 30 to 45/h	invoices and pays own contributions
Cleaning agency	CHF 40 to 55/h	wage, contributions and margin included
Cleaner employed by you	from CHF 24.59/h gross	plus social contributions and holiday pay
End-of-lease cleaning, 2 to 3 rooms	CHF 400 to 900	flat fee, often with a handover guarantee

A short visit of one or two hours often costs more per hour, because travel time weighs more.

What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in Geneva?

Since 1 January 2026 the Geneva minimum wage has been CHF 24.59 gross per hour, up from CHF 24.48 in 2025. It is indexed every year and applies to all sectors, domestic work included.

For staff working in private households, the cantonal standard employment contract for domestic work (CTT-EDom) also sets working conditions. It was adjusted on 10 December 2025 so that no category is paid below the minimum wage.

This figure is a floor, not a recommended price. It only applies to employees. A self-employed cleaner sets their own price freely, but it has to cover their social contributions, travel and unpaid hours.

Do you have to declare your cleaner?

In most cases, yes. Someone who cleans at your home regularly, at hours you set, is usually your employee, even for two or three hours a week. In a private household you must register them with social insurance (AHV/AVS, disability and income compensation) from the first franc of pay and insure them against accidents.

The simplest route in Geneva is the Chèque service, an administrative support service run by PRO Entreprise Sociale Privée for the State of Geneva. You pay the wage plus a fee, and the service files the declarations for you. Details are on the official State of Geneva page (in French). In the canton of Vaud the equivalent is called Chèques-emploi.

A genuinely self-employed cleaner, registered as such with their AHV compensation fund, with several clients and their own equipment, sends you an invoice and pays their own contributions. Ask them for confirmation of that status.

What should you agree on before the first clean?

A first visit of one or two hours shows whether the person and their way of working suit you. Walk them through the home and explain your priorities. Then put the following in writing:

• the hourly or flat rate, and how you will pay;
• the tasks: floors, bathroom, kitchen, ironing, windows;
• who provides products and equipment;
• key handover and cancellation notice, 24 hours being customary.

Put valuables away before the first visit. It is more comfortable for everyone.

How do you find a cleaning service in Geneva with Helfa?

Post your job for free at helfa.ch/missions/nouvelle, stating the size of your home, how often you need help and your neighbourhood. Providers in the area reply with a price, which you can compare against their reviews. On Helfa, reviews come only from completed jobs.

For cleaning and regular household help, replying is free for providers, because this work can turn into employment. When you post such a job, Helfa shows you a reminder with links to the Chèque service and Chèques-emploi, in case the person becomes your employee.