How Much a Housekeeper Earns in Spain in 2026
How much a housekeeper earns in Spain in 2026 and what they really cost you: the minimum wage, pay by type of role and Social Security contributions.
In short
Hiring a housekeeper in Spain raises two questions that always go hand in hand: how much do they earn, and how much does it actually cost you? The answer changed in 2026 with the latest rise in the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), so it is worth having the figures clear before you make any decision.
In this article you will find the updated official figures, the real costs for the employing family and the key points for understanding what each amount includes.
The minimum wage for housekeepers in 2026
In February 2026 the Government approved a 3.1% rise in the SMI, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) through Royal Decree 126/2026 (Real Decreto 126/2026). From 1 January 2026 — with retroactive effect — the new figures are:
- 1,221 €/month gross over 14 payments (full-time)
- 1,424.50 €/month gross over 12 payments (with the extra payments spread across the year)
- 9.55 €/hour for live-out workers paid by the hour
| Item | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Full-time (14 payments) | 1,221 €/month |
| Full-time (12 payments) | 1,424.50 €/month |
| Paid by the hour (live-out) | 9.55 €/hour |
| Annual total | 17,094 €/year |
No housekeeper may be paid below these amounts. If your housekeeper was still being paid the 2025 SMI, you must make up the backdated difference from January.
How much a housekeeper earns by type of service
Full-time housekeeper (live-out)
A live-out housekeeper working 40 hours a week in a single household is entitled to at least 1,221 €/month over 14 payments. In practice, many families pay above this minimum depending on the candidate's profile, the duties assigned and the city.
In Madrid and Barcelona, market salaries for qualified live-out housekeepers are typically between 1,400 € and 1,800 € gross per month for a full-time role.
Live-in housekeeper
A live-in housekeeper lives in the family home. Their minimum wage is the same as a live-out worker's: 1,221 €/month gross over 14 payments. Living in the home is not a reason to reduce the salary they are owed.
In practice, market salaries for qualified live-in housekeepers in Madrid or Barcelona are typically between 1,221 € and 1,600 € gross per month, depending on the profile, the duties and experience.
Housekeeper paid by the hour
For workers paid by the hour in one or more households, the legal minimum is 9.55 €/hour gross in 2026. This amount already includes the proportional share of the extra payments and holiday pay, so nothing further is added on top.
In cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, the market hourly rate for qualified profiles is usually between 12 € and 18 €, depending on experience and duties.
Nanny and elderly carer
Nannies and carers for the elderly hired directly by the family fall within the same Special System for Domestic Workers (Sistema Especial de Empleados de Hogar). There is no separate minimum wage: exactly the same minimum applies to them. That said, because these roles usually call for greater qualifications and responsibility, real market salaries tend to run higher than the minimum.
What it really costs you as an employer
The salary the worker receives is only part of what the family pays. On top of it come the Social Security (Seguridad Social) contributions, which are the employer's responsibility.
Breakdown of the real cost for a full-time role in 2026
The contribution rate for common contingencies in 2026 is 28.30%, with applicable reductions that lower the real impact. There is also a 20% reduction in the employer's contribution for common contingencies, plus an 80% rebate on unemployment and the Wage Guarantee Fund (FOGASA).
For a worker on a contract of just a few hours a week, the additional Social Security cost is proportional to the contribution base for the relevant bracket.
To work out the exact cost for the hours contracted, we recommend using the official calculator of the General Treasury of the Social Security (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social), available through the Imp@rtass portal.
Is it worth hiring through an agency?
Many families wonder whether it makes sense to pay an agency's fees when they already know the salary they intend to offer. The answer lies in what the figures do not show: the time, the risk and the strain of the search itself.
Searching on your own can mean weeks of interviews, references that cannot really be verified and the risk of choosing someone who does not fit the family's dynamic. If you have to repeat the process a few months later, the real cost far outweighs the fees of a specialist agency.
At Maids & Co you only pay when you find the right person. You receive the first profiles within 48 hours, with references verified directly with previous employers, and a 6-month guarantee that includes a free replacement if something does not work out.
In 2026, hiring a full-time housekeeper means a total cost to the family of around 1,801 €/month if you pay the SMI (1,424.50 € over 12 payments plus Social Security), before any salary improvements. On top of that comes the time and effort of the selection process if you do it yourself.
If you are thinking of hiring domestic staff in Madrid, Barcelona or Marbella — or anywhere in Spain — and want to do it with every guarantee, at Maids & Co we help you find the right person for your home at no cost until the hire is made.
Ready to hire with confidence?
We guide you from the start and present verified candidates in under 3h.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2026 SMI apply retroactively?
- Yes. The 3.1% rise applies from 1 January 2026, even though the Royal Decree was published in February. If your housekeeper was paid the 2025 salary in January and February, you must pay the difference.
- Do I have to pay the extra payments separately?
- It depends on how the contract is set up. You can pay the June and December extra payments separately or spread them across the year, month by month. For hourly work, the hourly rate (9.55 €/hour) already includes the proportional share.
- Does a live-in housekeeper earn less because they live in?
- No. The minimum wage is the same as for any other housekeeper. Living in the home is a condition of the role, not a reason to reduce the pay.
- What happens if I don't register my housekeeper with Social Security?
- Registration is compulsory from day one, regardless of the hours worked. Failing to do so exposes the employer to penalties and to liability in the event of a workplace accident.
