Employing a nanny, driver or gardener at home: the full employer obligation nobody explains

Hiring a nanny, driver, gardener, housekeeper or carer can feel informal because the work happens at home. In Portugal, paid domestic work still creates an employer relationship. That means obligations for registration, contributions, workplace-accidents insurance and, in many households, liability protection that goes beyond a standard home policy.

The mistake is treating domestic staff as a favour, a cash arrangement or an extension of the family. Once someone is paid to work in the home, the household has legal and insurance duties that need to be set up properly.

Social security is not optional

Domestic employees should be registered with Segurança Social and declared according to their work pattern and remuneration. Contributions protect the worker and evidence the employment relationship. Without registration, a later accident or dispute becomes much harder and more expensive to resolve.

Workplace-accidents insurance is compulsory

Portugal requires employers to hold workplace-accidents insurance for employees. For domestic service, that means a policy covering accidents suffered while carrying out the declared work. It applies even where the worker only attends for limited hours each week.

The house is private, but the obligation is not. A paid worker in the home turns the household into an employer.

Liability to third parties

Accidents cover protects the worker. It does not automatically protect the household if the worker injures someone else or damages third-party property while acting for the family. Household liability should be checked to confirm whether domestic staff are included and under what conditions.

Roles need to be described honestly

• A nanny driving children creates a different risk from a nanny working only inside the home.
• A gardener using machinery is different from occasional light maintenance.
• A driver, carer or housekeeper who travels with the family may need territorial extensions.
• Live-in staff can raise accommodation, property and liability questions.

Good insurance starts with an accurate map of who works in the household, what they do, where they do it and how they are paid. From there, the correct accidents cover, home liability and any travel extensions can be arranged without guesswork.

This article is provided for general information and does not constitute personalised advice; the position for any household, vehicle, collection or journey depends on its own facts and on the policy wording. Adler & Rochefort is a commercial brand of Ownizo Unipessoal LDA, mediador registado na ASF n.º 425591790/3.