Babysitter in Switzerland: rates, safety and AHV
A babysitter looks after your children for an evening, an afternoon or one regular day a week. Here you will find the Swiss Red Cross rate recommendations, tips for choosing and briefing a babysitter, and the rules for parents who pay someone for childcare at home. On Workpop you post your babysitting job for free – in English if you like.
If you pay someone for household work, you are usually their employer: AHV from the first franc and accident insurance. Workpop doesn’t do this for you. Guide: AHV for side jobs and household work
Free to post, no commission: get offers and choose at your own pace.
Indicative prices
- Babysitter aged 16–25, up to 2 children (Swiss Red Cross recommendation)CHF 11–18 per hour
Source: Swiss Red Cross, via swissmom · As of 15 January 2025
- Babysitter aged 18–24 (Red Cross Basel recommendation)CHF 14 per hour
Source: Red Cross Basel · As of October 2023
Indicative prices, varying by region and provider. Legal minimum wages and social contributions may apply on top.
You set the price, in line with minimum wages.
Guide: prices and minimum wagesWhat babysitting can include
Babysitting is occasional or regular childcare in your home: an evening out, an afternoon after school, a day in the school holidays. The babysitter plays with the children, gives them a meal and puts them to bed.
- Evenings and weekends
- After school, including homework help
- School holidays
- Taking children to activities
- Overnight stays
How much does a babysitter cost?
The Swiss Red Cross recommends, for up to 2 children, CHF 11–18 per hour for babysitters aged 16 to 25 and CHF 8–10 for those aged 13 to 15. Add CHF 2 per hour for each extra child; an overnight stay is at least CHF 50 as a flat rate (as published by swissmom, January 2025). The Red Cross in Basel recommends CHF 14 per hour at age 18 to 24, CHF 5 for travel and CHF 60 per night (October 2023).
Workpop's terms of use require all users to be at least 18. Workpop does not check ages, so meet the babysitter first and ask for references. The federal minimum wage for household work (NAV) does not apply to people who mainly look after children. In Basel-Stadt, however, the cantonal minimum wage applies to babysitters over 25 or working more than 70 hours a year. Check the rules for your canton.
Choosing and briefing your babysitter
Describe the ages of your children, the days and times, and the languages spoken at home. If you want a babysitter who speaks English, say so in your job.
Workpop does not check criminal records. Meet the babysitter first, ask for references and read the reviews: they are only possible after a completed contract. Before the first evening, leave your phone number, the emergency number 144, allergies, bedtimes and house rules in writing.
Posting on Workpop is free and there is no commission. When you agree, you both get a digital contract, and you pay the babysitter directly.
AHV and accident insurance for parents
AHV is the Swiss old-age and survivors' insurance (AVS in French and Italian). Babysitting in the parents' home counts as employment.
In general, a private household that pays someone for household work – such as cleaning, babysitting, gardening, homework help or helping older people – is their employer and must settle AHV/IV/EO contributions from the first franc.
The CHF 2'500 per year and per employer limit does not apply to work in private households. Exception: young people up to 31 December of the year they turn 25, if they earn no more than CHF 750 a year from that household.
Households must insure their staff against accidents with an approved insurer (not Suva). No premium is collected for young people up to 31 December of the year they turn 25 who earn no more than CHF 750 a year from your household. But if such a helper has an accident, the substitute fund (Ersatzkasse UVG) pays and charges the household a replacement premium.
Workpop does not do this for you: check your obligations with your cantonal AHV compensation office.
What to agree on first
- Ages and number of children
- Days, times and overnight stays
- Hourly rate, extra child and travel costs
- Meals, bedtime and house rules
- Emergency contacts and allergies
- How and when you pay
- AHV registration and accident insurance (the household's duty)
Time of year
If you need a babysitter around Christmas and New Year or in the school holidays, post your job early and meet the babysitter beforehand.
Open jobs: Babysitter
1 open job
Frequently asked questions
How much does a babysitter cost per hour in Switzerland?
The Swiss Red Cross recommends CHF 11–18 per hour for babysitters aged 16 to 25, for up to 2 children, plus CHF 2 per hour for each extra child (as published by swissmom, January 2025). An overnight stay is at least CHF 50.Do I have to pay AHV for a babysitter?
In general, yes. Babysitting in the parents' home counts as employment, and contributions are due from the first franc. Exception: young people up to 31 December of the year they turn 25 who earn no more than CHF 750 a year from your household. Check with your cantonal AHV compensation office.Does a minimum wage apply to babysitters?
The federal minimum wage for household work (NAV) does not apply to people who mainly look after children. In Basel-Stadt, the cantonal minimum wage applies to babysitters over 25 or working more than 70 hours a year. Check the rules for your canton.Can I find an English-speaking babysitter?
You can write your job in English and say which languages the babysitter should speak. Whether someone suitable replies depends on your area.
Free to post, no commission: get offers and choose at your own pace. You set the price, in line with minimum wages.
Post a job: babysitter