Specialist selection of live-in staff for families and properties in Switzerland's main residential areas.
Request profilesMaids & Co is an agency specialising in the selection of live-in domestic staff for families and properties in Switzerland, from residences in Geneva, Zurich or Lausanne to lakeside villas and mountain chalets.
In Switzerland 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.
A family home in Geneva or Zurich may need a live-in housekeeper for cleaning, cooking and ironing, a nanny, a governess or a combined role; a larger property in Cologny, Küsnacht or Zug, a head housekeeper, a chef, a chauffeur or several live-in staff; a chalet in Gstaad, St. Moritz or Verbier, a domestic couple combining interior work, cooking, driving, maintenance and supervision.
A main residence and a seasonal chalet are not the same, nor are a family settled in Switzerland and one that moves between several homes: before any search, we define which profile and way of working suit each case.
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Live-in staff for town residences and family villas
Large flats in the city and villas in Cologny, Collonge-Bellerive and Vandoeuvres: from one live-in housekeeper who does everything to separate head housekeeper, chef, chauffeur and childcare roles. With a very international life, the role may involve travel and several languages.
Live-in staff for lakeside residences and larger properties
From town homes to the larger houses along the lakeshore, with daily cooking, vehicles, guests, gardens and suppliers. Depending on size, one very versatile live-in employee, several specialists or a domestic couple may suit.
Live-in staff for family homes and lakeside properties
Families with a very international working life and houses close to town with more space and grounds. We select housekeepers, nannies, chefs, head housekeepers, chauffeurs and combined roles, and domestic couples when the property calls for it.
Staff for main residences and seasonal properties
In Lausanne and Pully main residences prevail; around Montreux they sit alongside seasonal homes. We define what the employee does while the family is away and how the house is run in the busiest periods.
Live-in staff for chalets and mountain residences
A chalet can go from quiet to very busy in the ski season. We select domestic couples, chefs, head housekeepers and chauffeurs who can handle both rhythms and supervise and prepare the house before each arrival.
Lives in the homeThe employee lives in the property or in accommodation provided by the family and works under the agreed terms.
Living in does not mean being available at all hours: duties, hours, rest and accommodation are set out from the start.
It is the right arrangement when the family needs continuity, travels often or the property needs a steady presence.
We select staff with French, German, English, Italian or Spanish, among others, when the role requires it, and assess language as one more professional skill.
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.
In Switzerland we select couples for main residences, chalets and seasonal properties. In chalets in Gstaad, St. Moritz or Verbier, the couple can also supervise the house while the family is away.
When the candidate relocates from another country, whether the role can go ahead also depends on their documentation and the Swiss framework: we check this from the start of the process.
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.
Official sourcesem.admin.ch (State Secretariat for Migration): EU/EFTA citizens and third-country nationals.
General guidance, not legal advice: each case is confirmed with the family's adviser or the country's authorities.
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.
Together with the family we define the profile, the duties, the accommodation and the main requirements of the role.
We search for and interview people with relevant experience and check their track record and references.
We present a shortlist of suitable profiles so that the family can meet them and judge the fit in person.
Once the family has chosen, we support the start of the role and the setting of its terms.
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.
A single payment, only when the person starts. The exact amount is confirmed in advance.
If you're not satisfied during the first month, we refund 50% of the fee.
Interviews can take place by video or in person. The family covers the travel for the start of the role.
Yes, and in Cologny, Küsnacht, Zug, Lucerne, Montreux, Gstaad, St. Moritz and Verbier, among other residential areas of the country.
EU nationals are covered by the free movement agreement, and the permit is issued by the canton. From outside the EU and EFTA only highly qualified staff are admitted, so in practice domestic staff are selected among European nationals.
A domestic couple usually suits, supported in season by a chef, head housekeeper or chauffeur, able to move from quiet periods to the ski season and supervise the house while the family is away.
Domestic couplesYes, as well as English, Italian or Spanish, depending on the area and the role. We assess language as one more skill: the real ability to communicate with the family, the children, the team and suppliers.
Nothing during the search in Switzerland, from Geneva to Gstaad. 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 guaranteeIt is not just about filling a vacancy, but about finding the person whose experience, way of working and availability fit your family and your property in Switzerland.
