Working as a self-employed nanny: What you need to know

Working as a self-employed nanny: What you need to know

You love working with children, want to organise your own time freely and are ready to build your own small business? Then self-employment as a nanny could be exactly right for you. More and more carers in Switzerland are taking this step — and benefiting from greater flexibility, better earning potential and the freedom to decide for themselves which families they work with.

But self-employment also means responsibility: You take care of insurance, taxes, contracts and client acquisition yourself. This guide takes you step by step through everything you need to know to successfully get started as a self-employed nanny in Switzerland.

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Nanny as a profession: Employed vs. self-employed

Before you take the step into self-employment, you should understand the difference between the two models — because it has far-reaching legal and financial consequences.

Employment: The family is your employer

When you are employed by a family, they take on the role of employer. This means:

• The family registers you with the AHV compensation fund
• The family pays the employer's share of social insurance
• The family takes out accident insurance (UVG) for you
• You receive a salary statement and are entitled to holidays, public holidays and continued pay during illness

More on this in the guide Employing a nanny in Switzerland.

Self-employment: You are your own boss

As a self-employed person, you are not an employee but an entrepreneur. This means:

• You issue invoices to the families
• You are responsible for all social insurance yourself
• You have no entitlement to holidays, public holidays or continued pay (unless you insure yourself)
• You bear the entrepreneurial risk — but you also set your own rates and working hours

When are you truly self-employed?

This is a crucial question, because not everyone who calls themselves "self-employed" is recognised as such by the SVA (Social Insurance Office). The AHV compensation fund assesses based on specific criteria:

Criterion	Employed	Self-employed
Number of clients	Only one family	Several families simultaneously
Bound by instructions	Family determines the routine	You determine how you work
Own infrastructure	Work in the family's household	Own play materials, own bookkeeping
Financial risk	No risk (fixed salary)	Risk (order volume fluctuates)
External appearance	As an employee	Under own name, with profile, website etc.
Own invoicing	No (payslip)	Yes (invoicing)

Important: If you work for only a single family, the SVA will generally classify you as bogus self-employed — with unpleasant consequences: the family would have to retroactively pay social insurance contributions as an employer. Ensure that you care for at least two to three families simultaneously.

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SVA registration: Step by step

The first official step into self-employment is registration with the cantonal SVA (Social Insurance Office) or AHV compensation fund.

How to proceed

1. Submit an application: Contact the SVA of your canton of residence and submit an application for recognition as a self-employed person. The form can be found on the website of your cantonal compensation fund.
2. Submit documents: Typically you need:
   • Copy of your ID
   • Description of your activity
   • Proof of multiple clients (contracts, invoices)
   • If applicable, business cards, website, profile on kizi.ch
3. Review by the SVA: The fund checks whether you meet the criteria for self-employment. This usually takes 2–6 weeks.
4. Receive confirmation: After a positive assessment, you receive confirmation and are registered as self-employed.

AHV/IV/EO contributions as a self-employed person

As a self-employed person, you pay your social insurance contributions yourself — the full rate (employer and employee share combined). The contributions are income-dependent:

Net income per year	AHV/IV/EO contribution rate
Up to CHF 9,800	Declining contribution scale (from 5.371 %)
CHF 9,800 – CHF 58,800	Declining scale (5.371 % to 10.0 %)
From CHF 58,800	10.0 %

In addition, there are contributions to the FAK (family compensation fund) and administrative costs. Calculate with a total of approx. 10–12 % of your net income.

Tip: The SVA sends you a quarterly or annual invoice based on an estimate. At the end of the year, a settlement is made based on your definitive tax return. So regularly set money aside for social insurance contributions — ideally 12–15 % of every payment received.

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Insurance: What you need

As a self-employed person, you need to take care of your own insurance coverage. Here is an overview of the most important insurance policies.

Mandatory insurance

Health insurance (KVG) Basic insurance is mandatory in Switzerland anyway. Nothing changes here.

Accident insurance (UVG) As a self-employed person, you are not mandatorily insured against accidents. You must insure yourself voluntarily with an approved UVG insurer (e.g. Suva, Zurich, AXA) — or include accident cover through your health insurer (KVG). The latter is usually the simpler solution for the start.

Caution: Without accident insurance, you pay all costs yourself in the event of an accident during work — doctor, hospital, loss of income. This can quickly be ruinous. Make sure to take out accident cover!

Recommended insurance

Professional liability insurance Professional liability is not mandatory, but strongly recommended. It protects you if something happens to a child during your care — e.g. a fall, an injury or property damage.

Insurance	Recommended coverage	Cost (approx.)
Professional liability	CHF 3–5 million	CHF 200–500/year
Private liability (if not already in place)	CHF 5 million	CHF 100–200/year

Some private liability policies also cover professional activities — check your existing policy. If in doubt, take out separate professional liability insurance.

Daily sickness benefit insurance As a self-employed person, you have no entitlement to continued pay during illness. Daily sickness benefit insurance pays you a daily allowance during longer illness (typical: 80 % of lost income). Costs are approx. CHF 300–800/year, depending on the waiting period and insured income.

Occupational pension (BVG) As a self-employed person, you are not subject to BVG. However, you can voluntarily insure yourself with the BVG Substitute Institution or with a foundation. Alternatively, use pillar 3a (maximum CHF 35,280/year for self-employed persons without a pension fund) for retirement provision.

More on the topic of insurance can be found in the guide Insurance for childcare providers.

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Licensing requirement: Do you need a licence?

Whether you need a licence as a self-employed nanny depends on the type of your activity:

• Care at the family's home (1 child / 1 family): Generally no licensing requirement under PAVO (Foster Children Ordinance)
• Care of several children from different families simultaneously: From a certain number of children (varies by canton, usually from 2–3 children) you need a licence from the cantonal supervisory authority
• Care at your home: If you care for children at your home, the regulations for day-care families apply — then you need a licence in most cantons

Check with your municipality or the cantonal child and adult protection authority (KESB). A complete overview can be found in our guide Licence for childcare.

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The care contract: What should be included

As a self-employed person too, you need a written contract with each family. Unlike an employment contract, this is a service contract (mandate under OR Art. 394 ff.).

Essential contract elements

1. Contracting parties

• Your name, address, AHV number
• Name and address of the family

2. Service description

• Which children do you care for (name, age)?
• Which tasks do you take on (care, meal preparation, pick-up service etc.)?
• What is explicitly excluded (housework, shopping etc.)?

3. Care times

• Fixed days and times
• Arrangement for additional hours
• Minimum and maximum hours

4. Fee and payment terms

• Hourly fee or flat rate
• Payment deadline (e.g. 30 days after invoicing)
• Expense allowance (meals, transport, materials)
• Arrangement for short-notice cancellation by the family

5. Cancellation and absence rules

• From when is a cancellation chargeable (e.g. less than 24 hours in advance)?
• What happens if the child is ill or you are ill?

6. Insurance

• Reference to your professional liability insurance
• Clarification of accident insurance

7. Termination

• Notice period (customary: 1–2 months)
• Arrangement for immediate dissolution (e.g. in case of breach of trust)

8. Confidentiality

• Duty of confidentiality about family matters
• Rules regarding children's photos

Tip: Have your contract reviewed by a legal adviser once. The one-time investment (approx. CHF 200–500) protects you in the long term from disputes.

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Rates: What does a self-employed nanny earn?

As a self-employed person, you set your own fee. Bear in mind: Your hourly fee must be significantly higher than an employed wage, because you bear all social insurance, insurance premiums, acquisition time and administrative work yourself.

Market-standard fees in Switzerland

Qualification	Fee per hour (gross)
Nanny without professional training, beginner	CHF 30–35
Nanny with experience (3+ years)	CHF 35–40
Nanny with pedagogical training (FaBe, HF)	CHF 40–50
Nanny with special qualifications (languages, first aid, SEN)	CHF 45–55

In Zurich, Geneva and Basel, rates tend to be at the upper end. In rural regions, rather at the lower end.

How to calculate your fee

Calculate your minimum rate using the following formula:

Desired net income + social insurance (12 %) + insurance + reserves (holidays, illness) + acquisition/admin time = hourly fee

Example calculation:

Item	Amount
Desired net hourly income	CHF 28.00
+ AHV/IV/EO (12 %)	CHF 3.35
+ Insurance (proportionate approx. CHF 2/hr)	CHF 2.00
+ Reserves for holidays & illness (approx. 15 %)	CHF 4.20
+ Admin and acquisition time (approx. 10 %)	CHF 2.80
= Hourly fee	CHF 40.35

Round sensibly (e.g. CHF 40 or CHF 42) and communicate the price confidently. Your fee is fair — you are offering a professional service.

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Taxes and bookkeeping

As a self-employed person, you must declare your income in your tax return. The good news: You can deduct many professional expenses.

What you can deduct

• Play materials and craft supplies
• Professional literature and continuing education costs
• Travel costs to families (public transport or mileage allowance CHF 0.70/km)
• Professional liability insurance
• Proportion of mobile phone and internet (for professional use)
• Contributions to professional associations
• Costs for website, profile, business cards
• Accounting software or fiduciary costs

Bookkeeping: As simple as possible

As a self-employed nanny with a turnover below CHF 500,000/year, simple bookkeeping (income and expense accounting) is sufficient. You need:

• A list of all income (invoices to families)
• A list of all expenses (keep receipts!)
• A summary at the end of the year for the tax return

A simple Excel spreadsheet or an accounting app is sufficient for the start.

VAT: Do you need to charge VAT?

Only from an annual turnover of CHF 100,000 are you subject to VAT. As a self-employed nanny, you will generally not reach this threshold. Until then, you issue invoices without VAT.

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Finding families: Marketing for self-employed nannies

The best qualification is useless if no families can find you. As a self-employed person, you are also responsible for your marketing.

1. Profile on kizi.ch

The simplest way to become visible: Create a provider profile on kizi.ch. Parents search there specifically for nannies in their region. Your profile works like a mini website with description, photos, qualifications and contact option.

2. Word of mouth

The strongest channel of all. Ask satisfied families to recommend you.

3. Local networks

• Paediatric practices: Leave your business card or a flyer
• Breastfeeding groups and postnatal courses: There you meet expectant parents
• Neighbourhood associations and family centres: Introduce yourself and offer a taster day

4. Social media

An Instagram profile where you give (data protection-compliant!) insights into your daily care routine can help.

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Continuing education: What advances your career

• Emergency first aid course for children (Samaritans, SRC): CHF 150–250
• kibesuisse basic course for day parents (5 days): CHF 600–900
• First aid course for infants and toddlers: CHF 200–350
• Language courses: Bilingual care is very much in demand

An overview of all training paths can be found in the guide Training paths in childcare.

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Day-care family instead of nanny? The alternative

If you prefer working from your own home rather than at the families' homes, the day-care family model may be more suitable. As a childminder, you care for children in your own premises.

	Self-employed nanny	Childminder
Place of work	At the family's home	At your home
Licensing requirement	Usually not (for 1 child/family)	Yes (cantonal regulation)
Organisation	Alone	Often through a day-care family organisation
Number of children	Usually 1–3 (of one family)	Up to 5 simultaneously
Rates	CHF 30–50/hr	CHF 8–15/hr (but for multiple children)

More on this in the guide Becoming a childminder.

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Checklist: Self-employed as a nanny — the first steps

• Secure several families as clients (at least 2–3)
• SVA registration as self-employed with the cantonal compensation fund
• Take out professional liability insurance
• Clarify accident insurance (voluntary UVG or KVG accident cover)
• Consider daily sickness benefit insurance
• Set up pillar 3a for retirement provision
• Create a care contract (template) and have it reviewed by a professional
• Calculate and set rates
• Set up bookkeeping (Excel or app)
• Create a profile on kizi.ch and optimise it
• Complete an emergency first aid course (if not already done)
• Have criminal record extract and special private extract ready

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I be self-employed as a nanny if I only work for one family?

No, this is generally not recognised by the SVA. You need multiple clients to be considered self-employed. If you work for only one family, you will be classified as an employee.

What happens if the SVA does not recognise my self-employment?

Then you are an employee for social insurance purposes. The families you work for must take on the employer obligations (AHV registration, UVG etc.). Contributions may be claimed retroactively.

Do I need a company or a sole proprietorship?

No, you typically work as a sole proprietorship. Registration in the commercial register is only mandatory from an annual turnover of CHF 100,000.

Can I be employed and self-employed at the same time?

Yes. You can, for example, be employed by one family two days per week and work self-employed for other families on the other days. Both incomes are accounted for separately.

How much should I charge as a beginner?

Don't start too low. A fee of CHF 30–35/hour is appropriate even for beginners, if you have to pay your social insurance and insurance premiums from it.

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Conclusion: Self-employed as a nanny — rewarding, but with planning

Self-employment as a nanny offers you freedom, fair earning potential and the opportunity to shape your profession according to your own ideas. The administrative effort is manageable once you set yourself up properly.

The most important steps:

1. Ensure multiple clients, so you are recognised as self-employed
2. Register with the SVA and clarify your social insurance
3. Take out professional liability insurance — it protects you in case of emergency
4. Calculate your fee realistically — you are worth it
5. Become visible — on kizi.ch, in paediatric practices and through your network

Ready to take the step? Create your provider profile on kizi.ch now and find families in your region who are looking for exactly you.

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Sources: Federal Social Insurance Office (BSV), AHV/IV Information Centre (ahv-iv.ch), Federal Tax Administration ESTV, Code of Obligations OR Art. 394 ff., PAVO — Ordinance on the Placement of Foster Children (SR 211.222.338), kibesuisse — Swiss Childcare Association. As of: February 2026.