How Much Does a Full-Time Housekeeper or Nanny Cost in Portugal in 2026?
Hiring a full-time housekeeper or nanny (40 hours per week) in Portugal involves salary, Social Security (Segurança Social) contributions, and compulsory workplace accident insurance (seguro de acidentes de trabalho). This guide breaks down the true cost for households in 2026, detailing every item required by Portuguese law.
If you need the figures for part-time hours or daily work, see our guide on part-time cleaner and nanny costs.
In 2026, a full-time domestic worker earning the national minimum wage of €920.00 costs the employer approximately €14,248.24 per year (an average of €1,187.35 per month). This total includes 14 monthly payments, employer Social Security, and workplace accident insurance.
How much does a full-time housekeeper cost in 2026?
Our benchmark calculation assumes a 40-hour weekly contract in mainland Portugal paying the national minimum wage (Salário Mínimo Nacional) of €920.00 under the Conventional Regime (regime de remuneração convencional). It includes 12 monthly salaries, the holiday allowance (subsídio de férias), the Christmas allowance (subsídio de Natal), and compulsory insurance (estimated at €150.00 per year). It excludes meal allowances, overtime, and severance pay.
How do the two Social Security regimes work?
In domestic employment, Portuguese law provides two ways to calculate Social Security contributions:
- Conventional Regime (regime de remuneração convencional): Used in roughly 90% of domestic contracts. Rates are 18.9% for the employer and 9.4% for the worker, charged on a fixed reference value tied to the Social Support Index (IAS — Indexante dos Apoios Sociais, fixed at €537.13 per month in 2026) rather than the actual salary of €920.00. Under this regime, holiday and Christmas allowances do not incur Social Security deductions.
- Real Regime (regime de remuneração real): Rates are 22.3% for the employer and 11% for the worker, charged on actual gross earnings (including allowances). It grants broader social protection (such as entitlement to unemployment benefits under a full-time monthly contract), but results in higher employer costs.
To compare the social benefits under each regime, see our guide on domestic worker rights in Portugal. The tables and examples below use the Conventional Regime.
Full breakdown of annual employer costs
Over the year, the employer pays 12 monthly salaries of €920.00, plus the holiday allowance and Christmas allowance, totaling €12,880.00 in direct compensation. Employer Social Security (18.9%) is calculated on the IAS base (€537.13) across 12 months.
| Component | Calculation | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | €920.00 × 12 | €11,040.00 |
| Holiday allowance (subsídio de férias) | €920.00 × 1 | €920.00 |
| Christmas allowance (subsídio de Natal) | €920.00 × 1 | €920.00 |
| Employer Social Security | €537.13 × 18.9% = €101.52; × 12 | €1,218.24 |
| Workplace accident insurance | €150.00/year | €150.00 |
| Total annual cost | €14,248.24 | |
| Monthly average | €1,187.35 |
How much does the worker receive in net pay?
From a gross monthly salary of €920.00, the worker’s Social Security contribution (9.4% on the IAS base of €537.13) is deducted, equaling €50.49 per month.
The worker’s net monthly salary is €869.51 (€920.00 − €50.49). Because holiday and Christmas allowances do not incur Social Security deductions under the Conventional Regime, both allowances are received in full (€920.00 each).
What factors can alter the total contract cost?
- Salary above the minimum: The €920.00 figure is the legal minimum in mainland Portugal (the minimum is €966.00 in the Azores and €980.00 in Madeira). Agreeing a higher salary increases total costs accordingly. To structure contract clauses, see our domestic work contract template guide.
- Monthly twelfths (duodécimos): If you agree to pay holiday and Christmas allowances spread across 12 months in monthly twelfths, €153.33 is added to the base pay each month (€920.00 ÷ 12 × 2). The total annual cost for 14 monthly payments remains identical.
- Workplace accident insurance: Insurance is mandatory by law. Actual premiums vary by provider; €150.00 per year represents a typical market average.
- Meal allowance or overtime: A meal allowance is not mandatory under Portuguese domestic employment law. If agreed, or if overtime is worked, these amounts increase total costs.
How much does it cost on a part-time schedule?
For a 20-hour weekly contract with a base salary of €460.00 per month (half of full-time), the Social Security contribution base is also halved (50% of the IAS, or €268.57 per month).
| Component | 20 Hours / Week | 40 Hours / Week |
|---|---|---|
| Annual compensation | €6,440.00 | €12,880.00 |
| Employer Social Security | €609.12 | €1,218.24 |
| Estimated insurance | €150.00 | €150.00 |
| Total annual cost | €7,199.12 | €14,248.24 |
| Monthly average | €599.93 | €1,187.35 |
For detailed part-time simulations and hourly rates, see our guide on part-time cleaner and nanny costs.
Let the calculator do the maths
Enter your salary and schedule in the Domicilia calculator to see the exact monthly cost for your household, with Social Security and allowances calculated automatically.
Calculate your custom costSources and legal notice
- Decree-Law No. 139/2025 — Guaranteed national minimum monthly wage for 2026.
- Order No. 480-A/2025/1 — Update of the Social Support Index (IAS) to €537.13 for 2026.
- Law No. 110/2009 — Code of Contributory Regimes of the Social Security System.
- Social Security Practical Guide for Domestic Service — Registration and contribution frameworks.
- Working Conditions Authority (ACT) — Official information and contacts on employment relationships in Portugal.
Notice: This guide is for informational purposes and is based on the legal standards cited above. To confirm specific requirements for your household, consult Social Security or the ACT.