How to hire a housekeeper in Madrid as an expat

Moving to Madrid is exciting, but navigating the domestic employment system in a new country can feel overwhelming. Whether you need help with cleaning, cooking, childcare or elderly care, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to hire a housekeeper in Spain as an expat.

1. Understanding the Spanish domestic employment system

In Spain, domestic workers (empleadas del hogar) are regulated under a specific labour framework. Key facts:

It’s fully legal to directly hire a housekeeper — no agency required.
A written contract is mandatory for any employment lasting more than 4 weeks.
You must register as an employer with the Social Security system (Seguridad Social) and pay monthly contributions.
Domestic workers have full labour rights including paid holidays, sick leave, maternity leave and unemployment benefits.

Unlike some countries, there is no separate visa or permit needed to employ someone already legally residing in Spain. You simply need their NIE (foreigner identification number) or DNI (national ID).

2. Live-in vs live-out: which do you need?

There are three main arrangements:

Type	Spanish term	Description	Typical cost
Live-in	Interna	Lives in your home Mon–Sat	€1,200 – €1,800/month + board
Live-out full-time	Externa	Comes daily, 40 hours/week	€1,100 – €1,500/month
Part-time / hourly	Por horas	Comes specific days/hours	€10 – €15/hour

Live-in is popular among expat families with young children or unpredictable schedules. You’ll need to provide a private bedroom with acceptable living conditions (natural light, ventilation, lock on the door).

Live-out works well for families with stable schedules who value their privacy outside working hours.

3. Where to find candidates

There are several ways to find domestic help in Madrid:

Tu Interna Filipina (internafilipina.es): A platform specialising in Filipino housekeepers — many of whom speak fluent English, making communication seamless for English-speaking expat families.
Word of mouth: Ask other expat parents at your children’s school (ASM, King’s College, Runnymede, ICS).
Facebook groups: “Expats Living in Madrid”, “British in Madrid”, “Madrid Mums”.
Traditional agencies: They charge 1–3 months’ salary as commission. Tu Interna Filipina only charges a one-time €50 profile unlock fee.

4. Why expat families choose Filipino housekeepers

Filipino domestic workers are highly sought-after worldwide, and for good reason:

English fluency: The Philippines has one of the highest English proficiency rates in Asia. Most Filipino housekeepers speak conversational to fluent English.
Professional training: Many have formal qualifications in hospitality, nursing or childcare from the Philippines.
Cultural values: Filipino culture places strong emphasis on family, respect and hospitality — values that translate naturally into domestic work.
Cooking skills: Filipino housekeepers are known for their versatility, easily adapting to international cuisines.
Adaptability: Having often worked in multiple countries (Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore), they adapt quickly to new households and cultures.

5. The hiring process step by step

Step 1: Find your candidate

Browse profiles, check experience, references and skills. On Tu Interna Filipina, you can filter by work type, location, languages and skills.

Step 2: Interview

Meet in person or by video call. Discuss:

Specific duties and expectations
Schedule and days off
Salary expectations
Start date and trial period
If live-in: room arrangements and house rules

Step 3: Draft a contract

The contract must include:

Full names and ID numbers of both parties
Job description and duties
Working hours and rest periods
Salary (gross) and payment frequency
Start date and trial period (max 2 months)
Address where work will be performed
Whether it’s a live-in arrangement

You can find contract templates at the Spanish Ministry of Labour website or ask a gestoría (administrative consultancy) to prepare one.

Before the employee’s first day (up to 6 days in advance), you must:

Get an employer code (Código de Cuenta de Cotización) from the Social Security office (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social).
Register the employee using form TA.6 (available online or at the office).
Set up direct debit for monthly Social Security payments.

A gestoría can handle this entire process for around €30–€50/month.

Step 5: Start the employment

Keep a signed copy of the contract for both parties.
Provide monthly payslips (recibo de salario).
Pay salary punctually on the agreed date.

6. Costs breakdown for expats

Here’s what to budget for a live-in housekeeper at €1,400/month (a common arrangement for expat families):

Item	Monthly cost
Gross salary	€1,400
Employer Social Security contribution (~28%)	~€396
Food and utilities (board)	~€200
Gestoría (payroll management)	~€40
Total monthly cost	~€2,036

For a live-out at €1,200/month:

Item	Monthly cost
Gross salary	€1,200
Employer Social Security contribution	~€340
Gestoría	~€40
Total monthly cost	~€1,580

Tax benefit: Working mothers with children under 3 can claim an additional deduction of up to €1,000/year if their housekeeper is registered with Social Security.

7. Legal obligations you shouldn’t skip

Spanish labour law is employee-friendly. Make sure you:

Always pay above minimum wage (€1,134/month for full-time in 2026).
Provide 30 calendar days of paid holiday per year.
Pay 2 extra monthly salaries (June and December) — or prorate them into 12 monthly payments.
Respect the maximum working hours: 40 hours/week of effective work. For live-in workers, add 2 hours for meals (not counted as work time).
Give proper notice if ending the contract: 7 days (under 1 year) or 20 days (over 1 year), plus severance of 12 days’ salary per year worked.

8. Common mistakes expats make

Not registering with Social Security: This is illegal and leaves both you and the employee without coverage. Fines start at €3,000.
Paying cash without a contract: Even if both parties agree, this exposes you to legal risk and the employee to zero protections.
Confusing live-in with 24/7 availability: A live-in housekeeper works set hours. She is not on call around the clock.
Not respecting rest periods: Live-in employees must have at least 8 consecutive hours of night rest and 36 consecutive hours of weekly rest.
Skipping the trial period clause: A 2-month trial period in the contract protects both parties.

9. Useful resources

Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social: seg-social.es — employer registration, contribution payments
Ministry of Labour contract templates: Available at local employment offices
Gestoría services: Search for “gestoría laboral” in your area — they handle payroll, contracts and Social Security for ~€30–€50/month

Ready to find your ideal housekeeper? At Tu Interna Filipina you can browse verified profiles of experienced, English-speaking professionals. Unlock a candidate’s full profile for just €50 and contact her directly — no agency commissions, no middlemen.