Help for cleaning staff & individual employers
Complete information on CESU URSSAF, the rights of household cleaners and the obligations of individual employers in France.
An essential, still poorly understood sector
In France, more than 1.3 million people work at the home of individual employers (FEPEM data). The majority of these jobs — cleaning, ironing, child care, support for elderly people — are held by women, often part-time and across multiple employers.
These behind-the-scenes professions are essential to the daily life of French families. Yet workers and employers alike often don't know their respective rights: correct application of CESU URSSAF, paid leave, allowances, withholding tax, retirement and unemployment rights.
The LORD nonprofit has made this information a priority. Our program is for cleaners and home-care assistants as well as for individual employers.
Your rights as a household cleaner in France
Whether you are declared via CESU URSSAF or via a mandate company, you benefit from clear rights defined by the French collective agreement for individual employers and home employment.
Minimum wage
You must earn at least the SMIC (French minimum wage). The collective agreement also sets minimums by qualification level.
Paid leave
You have a right to 2.5 working days of paid leave per month worked, i.e. 5 weeks per year. With CESU URSSAF, the employer can pay 10 % of net salary as compensation in lieu.
Payslip
With CESU URSSAF, you receive a monthly employment certificate that serves as a payslip. Keep it carefully.
Social rights
Each declared hour opens up rights to health insurance, retirement and unemployment.
Notice and severance
If your employer dismisses you, you have a right to notice (variable by seniority) and to severance pay.
Undeclared work
Refusing undeclared work protects your rights. If you work without declaration, you lose your rights to retirement, unemployment and health insurance.
Your obligations as an individual employer
Declare every hour worked
Every hour of cleaning at your home must be declared via CESU URSSAF. Declaration must be made before the 5th of the following month.
Written employment contract
Beyond 4 weeks of work (or 8 hours per week), a written employment contract is mandatory.
Respect the SMIC and collective agreement
The minimum net salary is set by the collective agreement and cannot be lower than the corresponding SMIC.
Social contributions
CESU URSSAF automatically deducts contributions from your bank account. You benefit from a tax credit of 50 % of the total cost (salaries + contributions).
Frequently asked questions
"My employer doesn't declare me — what should I do?"
Undeclared work deprives you of all your social rights. Ask your employer to declare you via CESU URSSAF — it's simple and gives them a 50 % tax credit. If they refuse, you can report the situation to the labor inspectorate.
"How much should I be paid per hour?"
The minimum is set by the collective agreement. The SMIC net hourly rate is around €9.40/hour as of 2026 (check official figures). Depending on your level (basic cleaning, child care, dependency), additional rates apply.
"Is CESU URSSAF complicated?"
No, it's a very simple online service. The employer registers on cesu.urssaf.fr, declares hours and net salary monthly, and CESU URSSAF handles everything else.
"I have multiple employers — how does it work?"
Each employer declares you separately via CESU URSSAF. All your hours combined count for retirement, unemployment and health insurance.