How much does a domestic worker cost?
Estimate the total cost for the employer, the worker’s net salary and Social Security contributions, using the official 2026 tables.
Monthly estimate
Total cost to the employer
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Worker’s net pay
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Gross salary
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- Gross salary
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- Social Security (worker)
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- Social Security (employer)
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- Meal allowance
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Estimate for a full month, before income tax. Excludes work accident insurance. Actual amounts depend on absences, holidays and tax situation.
Domicilia runs these calculations automatically, every month, and generates the payslips.
Follow on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
How is the cost of a domestic worker calculated in Portugal?
The total employer cost is the gross salary, plus the employer’s Social Security contribution, plus the meal allowance (if applicable). The gross salary includes the twelfths of the holiday and Christmas allowances when paid monthly.
What is the difference between the conventional and real Social Security regimes?
Under the conventional regime, contributions are charged on the IAS value (€537.13 in 2026), at 9.4% for the worker and 18.9% for the employer. Under the real regime, they are charged on actual gross pay, at 11% and 22.3%. The conventional regime is the most common in domestic work.
How is the meal allowance calculated?
The meal allowance is paid per day worked. In cash, the tax-free limit is €6 per day; on a meal card, €9.60 per day. The calculator estimates the working days in the month from the days per week.
Does this calculator replace the official calculation?
No. It is an estimate for a full month, with no absences, and excludes income tax and insurance. The Domicilia app runs the full, official calculation every month, with the current tables, and generates payslips automatically.