Lisbon: Lapa, Estrela and Restelo
Live-in staff for town residences
Large flats and family residences. In international households, English or other languages can be an important part of the role.
Live-in domestic staff agency in Portugal
Specialist selection of live-in staff for families and properties in Portugal.
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- One-off fee · 50% refund in the first month
- Placement agency no. 1300000318
Live-in domestic staff for families and properties in Portugal
Maids & Co is an agency specialising in the selection of live-in domestic staff for families and properties in Portugal: town residences in Lisbon and Porto, villas in Cascais and the Algarve, quintas in Sintra and second homes in Comporta and Melides.
In Portugal we select live-in staff only, living in the property or in accommodation provided by the family: from traditional household duties to cooking, driving, childcare, personal assistance, maintenance and running a team.
LIVE-IN DOMESTIC STAFF IN PORTUGAL
We select the profile each property really needs
In a Lisbon flat, one person can take care of cleaning, clothes and cooking; a family with more needs may require a head housekeeper, a chef, a nanny, a governess, a chauffeur or a personal assistant. Villas and quintas with gardens, pools and land add domestic couples and caretakers, and in second homes someone must be responsible for the house while the family is away.
Among others, we select these profiles, always on a live-in basis:
The house
- Live-in housekeepersCleaning, laundry, ironing, keeping the house and family cooking.
- House managersRun and supervise the residence and lead the team.
- ButlersService, looking after the family and guests, and coordinating the staff.
- Private chefs and cooksMenus, diets, meals with guests, kitchen and pantry.
- Personal assistantsDiary, bookings, errands, suppliers and travel for the family.
Children and elderly care
- Live-in nanniesBabies and children: routines, meals and travel with the family.
- Maternity nurses and newborn specialistsLive-in support in the baby's first months, by day and by night.
- GovernessesEducation, routines, schoolwork and languages.
- Tutors and educational companionsSchoolwork, languages and routines for children and teenagers.
- Live-in elderly carersCompanionship and daily care in their own home.
Couples, estates and driving
- Couples for a main residenceHouse, kitchen, driving, maintenance and garden in the family home.
- Couples for a second homeService while the family is there, upkeep while it is away.
- Caretaker couplesHomes with grounds: house, outdoors, vehicles and upkeep.
- Live-in caretakersWhen a couple isn't needed; also caretaker, maintenance and driver.
- Private driversFamily, school runs, trips and airports; also driver-handymen.
Looking for another profile?Other home services
COVERAGE IN PORTUGAL
We select live-in staff in Portugal's main residential areas
- Lisbon
- Lapa
- Estrela
- Restelo
- Cascais
- Estoril
- Quinta da Marinha
- Sintra
- Comporta
- Melides
- Algarve
- Quinta do Lago
- Vale do Lobo
- Vilamoura
- Porto
- Foz do Douro
Cascais and Estoril
Staff for main residences and seaside villas
Main residences, seafront flats and villas, with individual staff or full teams. Houses with gardens and pools may need maintenance staff or a domestic couple who coordinate that work with specialist suppliers.
Quinta da Marinha
Staff for villas with larger household teams
Villas with gardens and pools where a head housekeeper runs the interior and the team, alongside a chef, chauffeur, nanny or domestic couple. In second homes, we define who is responsible for the property while the family is away.
Sintra
Staff for quintas and properties with extensive grounds
Extensive land, mature gardens and outbuildings: here domestic couples and caretakers make sense, keeping basic maintenance separate from work that needs gardeners or technicians.
Comporta and Melides
Live-in staff for second homes and country properties
Properties closely tied to the land and the outdoors. Without the family, they need supervision, suppliers and preparation before each arrival; with it, cooking, rooms, laundry and guests increase. A steady couple provides continuity between the two.
Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo
Staff for villas in the Algarve
Villas in the Golden Triangle may need full teams: live-in housekeepers, head housekeepers, chefs, chauffeurs, nannies, personal assistants and domestic couples. We keep work during the family's stay separate from supervision while it is away.
Vilamoura and the rest of the Algarve
Staff for main and seasonal residences
Main residences and holiday homes: in summer the team can be reinforced with temporary staff, while one person or a steady couple stays with the house the rest of the year.
Porto and Foz do Douro
Live-in staff for town homes and family residences
Large flats, family houses and properties near the coast. In Foz there are larger residences that add driving, managing suppliers and a broader household presence.
LIVE-IN STAFF
An arrangement built on residence and stability
Lives in the homeLives in the property
The employee lives in the property or in accommodation provided by the family and works under the agreed terms.
Not round-the-clock availability
Living in does not mean being available at all hours: duties, hours, rest and accommodation are set out from the start.
When it fits
It is the right arrangement when the family needs continuity, travels often or the property needs a steady presence.
LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES
Staff able to work in international households
We select people with Portuguese, English, Spanish or other languages to suit the role, and assess language as one more professional skill.
DOMESTIC COUPLES IN PORTUGAL
Specialist selection for residences, villas and quintas
We assess both people together, look at how they actually shared the work in previous roles and check their references. A couple can combine interior and cooking with driving, garden, vehicles, maintenance and supervising the property.
We select couples for main residences, villas, quintas and second homes, from Cascais and Sintra to Comporta and the Algarve.
Three kinds of couple
INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT
Candidates moving from another country
When a candidate has to move from another country, we take into account from the outset their documents and the conditions needed to work in Portugal.
Maids & Co handles the search, assessment, interviews and reference checks, and supports the family through the start of the role. The employment relationship is formalised directly between the family and the employee, under the applicable rules.
Requirements for working in Portugal
- EU nationals can work in Portugal without a work permit; after the first three months, they register their residence.
- A non-EU national needs a Portuguese work authorisation: residence in Spain does not by itself allow work in another member state.
Official sourceeuropa.eu/youreurope: “Work permits” and “Residence rights of workers”.
General guidance, not legal advice: each case is confirmed with the family's adviser or the country's authorities.
HOW WE WORK
A selection process adapted to each family
The process begins with an analysis of the property, the family, the duties of the role and its terms. The first profiles usually arrive within a few days; the start date depends on travel and, where needed, on permits.
Needs analysis
Together with the family we define the profile, the duties, the accommodation and the main requirements of the role.
Selection and assessment
We search for and interview people with relevant experience and check their track record and references.
Shortlist and interviews
We present a shortlist of suitable profiles so that the family can meet them and judge the fit in person.
Start of the role
Once the family has chosen, we support the start of the role and the setting of its terms.
FEES AND GUARANTEE
One-off fee and a 50% refund in the first month
The family pays nothing during the search. Only when the person starts, and if the family is satisfied, is a single fee due: one month of the agreed salary, plus VAT where applicable depending on where the job is. No subscriptions or lock-in.
One-off fee: one month's salary (+ VAT where applicable)
A single payment, only when the person starts. The exact amount is confirmed in advance.
50% refund in the first month
If you're not satisfied during the first month, we refund 50% of the fee.
Interviews and travel
Interviews can take place by video or in person. The family covers the travel for the start of the role.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Live-in staff in Portugal: frequently asked questions
Yes, and also in Lisbon, Estoril, Quinta da Marinha, Sintra, Melides, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura, Porto and Foz do Douro, depending on the needs of each family and property.
No. EU nationals work in Portugal without a work permit and register their residence after three months. A non-EU candidate needs a Portuguese work authorisation; we take this into account from the start.
A domestic couple or a caretaker often works well, keeping basic maintenance separate from work that needs gardeners, technicians or other specialists.
Domestic couplesWe keep work during the family's stay separate from supervision while it is away. In summer the team can be reinforced with temporary staff, while one person or a steady couple stays with the house all year.
Nothing during the search in Portugal, from Lisbon to the Algarve. When the person starts, a single fee is due: one month of the agreed salary, plus VAT where applicable. If you're not satisfied during the first month, we refund 50% of the fee.
Fees and guaranteeOTHER COUNTRIES
All of EuropeWe also select live-in staff in
MAIDS & CO IN PORTUGAL
Specialist selection of live-in staff for private homes
It is not just about filling a vacancy, but about finding the person whose experience, way of working and availability fit your residence, villa or quinta in Portugal.
- No cost during the search
- Interviewed, with references checked
- 50% refund in the first month