How to Hire a Housekeeper in Spain for the First Time

At Maids & Co we help hundreds of families every year, both Spanish and foreign, to hire domestic staff safely and legally. And if there is one thing that comes up time and again, it is this:

"How many hours can a housekeeper work?"

"How much do I have to pay her?"

"Can she live in and be available around the clock?"

The same questions keep coming up, and that is completely normal. If you have never hired domestic staff in Spain before, everything seems more complicated than it really is: rules, salaries, Social Security, contracts, holidays and more.

We know how easy it is to get it wrong, but also how straightforward it can be to get it right from the start, once you have the correct information.

That is why we have put together a Domestic Service Guide just for you: clear, to the point, and with everything you need to hire with confidence, peace of mind and within the law. In this article we give you the essentials.

1. What type of working arrangement can I offer?

There are three common arrangements. Choosing the right one depends on your needs and the kind of relationship you want to establish.

• Live-in worker

She lives in your home, but take note: she is not available 24 hours a day.

The law sets a maximum of 40 hours a week of actual work and up to 20 hours a week of on-call presence (tiempo de presencia), averaged over a month, if you both agree to it (RD 1620/2011, art. 9).

It is advisable to give her a room of her own; what the law requires is to set out the overnight arrangement in writing (Royal Decree 1620/2011, art. 5.4) and clearly defined rest periods. This is key.

• Live-out worker

She comes in each day on a set schedule and goes home afterwards. Ideal for families who need daily help, but not round-the-clock care.

A maximum of 40 hours a week, with at least 12 hours' rest between shifts (RD 1620/2011, art. 9). There is no specific daily cap: as a fallback, the Workers' Statute (art. 34.3) limits ordinary hours to 9 a day.

• Hourly worker

If you need help 1, 2 or 3 times a week, this is the arrangement for you. There is no limit on days per year: it is live-out, part-time work paid per hour actually worked, with a minimum of 9.55 € in 2026 (Royal Decree 126/2026, art. 4.2).

It is the most flexible arrangement, but also the one that raises the most questions, so it pays to be well informed.

2. How much do I have to pay?

The short answer: it depends on the type of contract and the hours. The full answer, and the one we are asked most often:

In 2026, the minimum salary for full-time work is 17,094 €/year (Royal Decree 126/2026). You can pay it in one of two ways:

• 14 payments: 1,221 €/month plus 2 bonus payments (June and December)
• 12 prorated payments: 1,424.50 €/month

For hourly workers, pay usually ranges from 10 to 15 €/hour, depending on the city, the worker's experience and the tasks involved.

With a live-in worker, the household provides board and lodging, which can count as salary in kind up to 30% of the salary, always with the minimum wage paid in full in cash (RD 1620/2011, art. 8.2).

3. Do I have to register her with the Social Security?

Yes, and failing to do so can prove costly. As an employer, you are legally required to:

• Register your worker with the Social Security (Seguridad Social)
• Pay the monthly contributions (a small share can be deducted from her wages)
• Sign a contract, even if she works only a few hours

And in case the administrative side feels daunting: at Maids & Co we take care of all of this for you, without you ever having to set foot in an office.

4. What employment rights does she have?

Many families assume that, because the work is done at home, the rules are more informal. They are not: a domestic worker has the same employment rights as any other employee. Some of the most important are:

30 calendar days of paid holiday a year (at least 15 of them consecutive)

14 public holidays a year, 2 of which are local

Leave for maternity, paternity, marriage or the death of a family member

Sick leave or leave following an accident, managed by the Social Security

5. Do I have to draw up a contract and provide payslips?

Another question we are often asked: "What if she only comes for a few hours a week?"

For part-time work, even if she works just one day a week, a written contract is compulsory (Workers' Statute, arts. 8.2 and 12.4.a), setting out the hours, pay, conditions and, if agreed, the probation period. You must also provide a monthly payslip, with everything itemised (base salary, bonuses, contributions and so on).

And if you are not sure how to draw them up, our form templates page has ready-to-complete templates. It could not be easier.

What if something doesn't work out?

We understand: bringing someone into your home is no small matter. It is personal. It is delicate. And sometimes it isn't the right fit first time round. That is why, at Maids & Co, we offer:

A refund of 50% of the amount paid for the selection service if you are not satisfied during the first month

One replacement at no additional cost within the first 6 months from the start date, should the person leave or not adapt to the role, valid only in Madrid, Barcelona and Marbella and their surrounding areas

Ongoing support at every stage, even after the hire

We want you to hire with security, yes, but also with confidence and peace of mind.

We have a Domestic Service Guide in PDF: just ask and we'll send it to you

If you have asked yourself any of the questions in this post, this guide is for you. It is clear and written with families like yours in mind: families who want to do things properly from the very start.