How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Housekeeper in 2026?
A complete cost breakdown for hiring a housekeeper in Spain in 2026: salary, Social Security, extras and a comparison between live-in, live-out and hourly arrangements.
Hiring a housekeeper is one of the best investments you can make in your family’s quality of life, but it is important to understand all the costs involved before taking the step. In this guide we break down every item so there are no surprises.
1. Minimum Wage and 2026 Salary Tables
The minimum wage for domestic workers in Spain is regulated by the Royal Decree on the Salario Minimo Interprofesional (SMI) — the national minimum wage. In 2026, the benchmarks are:
| Arrangement | Minimum monthly salary | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (40h) | 1,134 EUR gross/month (14 payments) | — |
| Hourly | — | 8.87 EUR gross/hour |
Important: These are the legal minimums. The actual salary depends on experience, duties, location, and whether the worker is live-in or live-out.
2. Real Market Salaries in Madrid
In practice, salaries in Madrid and the surrounding area tend to be above the minimum, especially for qualified professionals:
| Arrangement | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Live-in | 1,200 — 1,800 EUR/month | Includes accommodation and meals |
| Live-out full-time | 1,100 — 1,500 EUR/month | 40 hours per week |
| Live-out part-time | 600 — 900 EUR/month | 20 hours per week |
| Hourly | 10 — 15 EUR/hour | Legal minimum: 8.87 EUR/hour |
Bilingual Filipino workers (English-Spanish) or those with verifiable experience typically fall in the mid-to-upper range of these brackets.
3. Social Security: Employer Contributions
As an employer, you are required to register your worker with the Social Security system and pay a monthly contribution. Contributions are calculated according to salary brackets:
| Bracket | Monthly salary | Contribution base | Employer contribution (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Up to 306 EUR | 284 EUR | ~82 EUR/month |
| 2 | 306 — 474 EUR | 405 EUR | ~117 EUR/month |
| 3 | 474 — 644 EUR | 559 EUR | ~162 EUR/month |
| 4 | 644 — 814 EUR | 729 EUR | ~211 EUR/month |
| 5 | 814 — 986 EUR | 900 EUR | ~260 EUR/month |
| 6 | 986 — 1,153 EUR | 1,069 EUR | ~309 EUR/month |
| 7 | 1,153 — 1,323 EUR | 1,238 EUR | ~358 EUR/month |
| 8 | Over 1,323 EUR | Actual salary | Variable |
The employer’s contribution is approximately 28.3% of the contribution base. The worker also contributes a percentage (4.7%) which is deducted from her gross salary.
4. Real Total Cost: Practical Examples
Let us look at what each arrangement actually costs when you add salary + Social Security:
Example 1: Live-in at 1,400 EUR/month
- Gross salary: 1,400 EUR
- Employer SS contribution (~28.3%): ~396 EUR
- Total monthly cost: ~1,796 EUR
- Annual cost (14 payments): ~25,144 EUR
Example 2: Live-out full-time at 1,200 EUR/month
- Gross salary: 1,200 EUR
- Employer SS contribution: ~340 EUR
- Total monthly cost: ~1,540 EUR
- Annual cost (14 payments): ~21,560 EUR
Example 3: Hourly, 15 hours/week at 12 EUR/hour
- Monthly salary: ~720 EUR
- Employer SS contribution: ~204 EUR
- Total monthly cost: ~924 EUR
- Annual cost: ~11,088 EUR
5. Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond salary and Social Security, there are other costs worth keeping in mind:
- Bonus payments: The law requires 2 bonus payments per year (June and December), which are already included if you pay 14 instalments. If you pay 12, the monthly salary will be proportionally higher.
- Annual leave: 30 calendar days per year (paid). During holidays you continue paying salary and Social Security.
- Severance on withdrawal: 12 days’ salary per year of service (capped at 6 months’ salary) in the event of withdrawal (desistimiento).
- Live-in board and lodging: If the worker is live-in, you provide accommodation and meals, which represents a variable cost depending on your household.
- Liability insurance: Recommended, from 50 EUR/year.
6. Tax Benefits
Hiring legally comes with tax advantages:
- Extended maternity deduction: Working mothers with children under 3 can increase their tax deduction by up to 1,000 EUR per year if they pay a housekeeper who is registered with Social Security.
- Regional deductions: Some autonomous communities offer additional deductions. In Madrid, you can deduct a percentage of the Social Security contributions paid.
7. How Much Does It Cost Through an Agency?
If you hire through a traditional agency, you need to add an intermediation fee, which typically ranges from 1 to 3 months’ salary as a one-off charge.
At Tu Interna Filipina we work differently: you only pay a single fee of 50 EUR to unlock the profile of the candidate you are interested in. No monthly commissions, no percentage of the salary, no lock-in periods. You hire the professional directly.
Monthly Cost Summary
| Item | Live-in | Live-out full-time | Hourly (15h/week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | 1,400 EUR | 1,200 EUR | 720 EUR |
| Employer SS | ~396 EUR | ~340 EUR | ~204 EUR |
| Board & lodging | ~200 EUR | — | — |
| Monthly total | ~1,996 EUR | ~1,540 EUR | ~924 EUR |
Looking for a trusted professional for your home? At Tu Interna Filipina you will find verified candidates with proven experience and references. Unlock their profile for just 50 EUR and get in touch directly.
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