How to Legally Hire a Housekeeper in France (2026 Guide)
The complete guide to hiring a housekeeper legally in France: private employer, CESU, contract, pay and the 50% tax credit.
Quick answer: to employ a housekeeper legally in France you become a private employer. Declare the worker via CESU (URSSAF), sign a written contract, pay at least the SMIC (€12.31/h gross in 2026) and pay contributions. In return you get a 50% tax credit that brings the real cost down to about half.
Employing someone at home is simple if you take the steps in the right order. Here's the sequence, from first contact to first payday.
1. Declare through CESU
The CESU (Chèque emploi service universel), run by URSSAF, is the official way to declare a home worker. Open an account at cesu.urssaf.fr, add your worker, then declare hours and net pay each month; URSSAF calculates the contributions and issues the payslip.
- CESU+ can also pay the wage on your behalf.
- The immediate advance applies the 50% tax credit in real time — you pay only half.
2. A written contract
A written contract is recommended and mandatory above 8 hours a week or 4 consecutive weeks. It sets out the job and level (collective agreement IDCC 3239), hours, pay, probation (1 month) and notice. See what to include and download our template.
3. Pay, contributions and the tax credit
The hourly wage must at least match the SMIC (€12.31 gross) and the collective minimum (€12.24) — the higher applies. Contributions (employee ~22%, employer ~47%) are calculated by URSSAF, minus a flat €2/hour deduction. You then recover 50% of your costs (capped at €12,000/year). Size your case with the cost calculator.
4. Insurance and provident cover
Work-accident cover is included in the URSSAF contributions, and the worker is covered by the sector's mandatory provident scheme (IRCEM). No separate insurance step is needed for CESU-declared employment.
Official sources
Rules and figures change — check the official sources:
- CESU – URSSAF (declaration, immediate advance)
- service-public.fr – employing a home worker
- impots.gouv.fr – the 50% tax credit
Conclusion
Employing legally protects both sides and, thanks to the 50% tax credit, rarely costs more than undeclared cash work — which is also illegal. Once set up, the monthly CESU declaration takes a few minutes.
See also
- How much it costs — the real cost after the tax credit.
- Declaring via CESU — the step-by-step.
- Hiring someone from abroad — the right to work.
- Avoiding scams — checking ID and references.
FAQ
Do I need a contract for a housekeeper in France?
A written contract is strongly recommended and becomes mandatory above 8 hours a week (or 4 consecutive weeks). It sets out the job, hours, pay and notice.
Is declared work really more expensive?
Rarely, once the 50% tax credit is counted: your real cost is close to half the sticker. Undeclared work is illegal, strips the worker of rights, and earns no tax credit.
How do I find a housekeeper I can trust?
Prefer verified profiles, ask for references, and arrange a first paid session to align expectations before committing.
Should I do a trial before hiring?
Yes. A first paid session lets you assess quality and fine-tune preferences before a bigger commitment.
Do I have to declare with URSSAF / CESU and insure the worker?
Yes. Declaring via CESU/URSSAF is mandatory. It covers social contributions (including work-accident cover) and unlocks the 50% tax credit. Declaring protects both sides and is often cheaper than paying undeclared.