Here’s the deal
- Your helper's most common worry is that being registered leaves her with less. For a mini-job that is hardly true: gross is almost equal to net, at most the pension insurance share of 13.6 % applies, and she can be exempted from that.
- Registered, your worker gets real benefits: accident insurance, pension points, continued pay when ill, paid holiday, and maternity protection.
- According to the quitt Report, 67.6 % of households would register if it were simpler. The barrier is the effort, not the will.
- 52.7 % of those employed legally name accident cover as the main reason for registering.
- Security counts for you too: without registration you face a fine of up to 5,000 € and full liability in case of an accident.
Many helpers are hesitant about registration, usually due to concerns about their take-home pay or the perceived administrative burden. Both worries can be addressed once you understand the numbers and explain the benefits. Here is how to approach the conversation and the key arguments in favor of registration.
Why is my domestic helper often reluctant to be registered?
Usually for one of three reasons: they fear they will end up with less money, they are wary of the perceived effort, or they are simply used to a different arrangement from previous jobs. The first point is often based on a misunderstanding—more on that in a moment.
The quitt Report shows that it is not a lack of willingness: 67.6% of households would register if the process were simpler. Furthermore, over 91% of domestic workers in Germany are currently unregistered. The desire is there; it is the effort that stands in the way.
Is there really less money left over after registration?
For a mini-job, hardly. Unlike a full-time position, no health or unemployment insurance contributions are deducted from the wage in a mini-job, and the flat-rate tax is paid by you as the employer. That leaves only one possible deduction: the 13.6% pension insurance contribution. And your worker can be exempted from this upon request.
For example, with a €500 wage: including pension insurance, about €432 net remains; with an exemption, the full €500. So, the difference between "under the table" and registered is small for a mini-job, while the gain in security is significant. How gross and net pay are calculated exactly is explained in the post Net and gross pay for a domestic helper.
What benefits does my worker get from registration?
Tangible benefits that do not exist without registration. These are the strongest arguments for your conversation:
- Accident insurance: if something happens at work or on the way to work, statutory accident insurance covers it. More in the post Insuring a domestic helper.
- Continued pay during illness: wages continue for up to six weeks. See Domestic helper off sick.
- Paid vacation: pro-rated even for just a few hours.
- Pension and maternity benefits: pension credits are accrued, and maternity protection applies in the event of pregnancy.
- Proof of income: registered wages count toward requirements for things like rent, loans, or residence permits.
How do I bring it up?
Stick to the facts and lead with the benefits. Walk through how little the net pay changes with a mini-job and highlight the security it provides. For many, accident insurance is the most convincing argument; it is no coincidence that 52.7% of those legally employed cite it as their primary reason.
Also, take the administrative burden off your worker: make it clear that you, as the employer, handle the registration and payroll, and that there is no paperwork for them to deal with. That is usually the point that tips the scales.
Why is registration important for me, too?
Because otherwise, you bear the full risk. An unregistered job is considered undeclared work: you face a fine of up to €5,000, back payments for social security contributions, and personal liability if your worker is injured on the job. You can find out when the registration requirement applies in the article Registration requirements for domestic help.
Ultimately, registration protects both sides. In your conversation, this is an honest argument to make: it is not just about following rules, but about ensuring security for both you and your worker.
What does quitt handle for me?
quitt clears the exact hurdle that usually stands in the way: the effort. quitt is an app-based service that manages the employment of your domestic worker for you. You enter the key details, and quitt takes care of the registration, payroll, contributions, and insurance. There is no paperwork for your worker, and you can promise them exactly that during your conversation.
You remain the employer and decide who you hire and what you pay. quitt handles the work behind the scenes. You can see how the registration process works in our blog post Hiring a domestic helper.
Decided together? Start your registration and quitt takes care of the rest. You can see our service fees on the pricing page.
No paperwork, better cover
quitt registers your domestic helper and takes over pay, contributions, and insurance, with no paperwork for you or your worker. You stay the employer, we do the rest.
