How to hire home staff step by step (2026) — SPECTRUM DOMUS

How to hire home staff step by step

Hiring domestic staff in Andalusia is not only about picking someone you trust: it is a process with concrete steps, verifiable documents and legal duties. This guide walks the whole path — from defining the role to Social Security registration — so the hire is quick, lawful and free of surprises.

Step 1. Define what you need before you start looking

Before opening any search, pin down the service. An hourly cleaner, who handles cleaning only, is not the same as a housekeeper, who covers the full range of household work (cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking and family support), nor the same as an elderly carer, a nanny or a gardener. Write down the arrangement too — live-out or live-in — the weekly hours and a realistic budget: pay can never fall below the SMI, which in 2026 is €1,184 gross per month across 14 payments (€8.87/hour for part-time work). Being clear on this is what lets you compare candidates on criteria rather than instinct.

Step 2. Register as an employer (it is free)

Registering with Spectrum Domus is free and commits you to nothing. From your employer area you can search, filter and save candidates. There is no subscription: you pay only when you decide to unlock a candidate's contact details. Candidates publish their profiles free of charge too, so the catalogue grows through verified profiles, not improvised ads.

Step 3. Search, filter and unlock the profiles you want

Filter by city, specialisation, experience, languages and availability: a nanny in Seville is a different profile from a housekeeper experienced with large households in Marbella. Once you find candidates who fit, unlock their profiles according to your plan: Basic (€35) — up to 3 full profiles; Active search (€59) — up to 7, with advanced filters and email and WhatsApp support; Professional (€108) — up to 15, with bespoke selection on request. Prices include VAT, and profiles you have already opened stay in your account without consuming extra contacts.

Step 4. What to check in a verified profile

Every profile in the catalogue has been through the platform's verification. Before deciding, check four things:

Step 5. The interview: what to ask

An interview with domestic staff is a conversation built on trust, not an exam. Talk about concrete duties, the real schedule (flexibility included), how many people and pets live in the house, the equipment available and, for live-in roles, the room and rest arrangements. Ask about real situations — how they handled an unexpected problem, how they organise the week — and let the candidate ask questions. For a full checklist, see our 10 interview tips.

Step 6. Check references and agree a trial period

Call the previous references: two or three specific questions are worth more than a generic letter. The probation period is the legal way to test the fit on both sides — up to two months for qualified staff and fifteen days for unqualified staff, always written into the contract. During the trial, keep a clear task plan and hold a first review at two weeks.

Step 7. Put every condition in writing

Before signing, lock down: gross salary (never below the SMI) and number of payments; weekly hours and schedule; presence hours where relevant; holidays (30 calendar days, at least 15 consecutive); and, for live-in roles, accommodation and meals. Up to 30% of the salary may be paid in kind, but only if the contract says so. Discussing money with figures — not promises — is what prevents conflicts later.

Step 8. Sign the contract and register with Social Security

Legal employment means an employment contract — in writing when it lasts longer than four weeks — and Social Security registration before the person starts work. This is Spanish law for domestic workers: Royal Decree 1620/2011 governs the contract, working hours, holidays and termination, while Social Security contributions are the employer's monthly duty. Working without a contract does not save money: it presumes permanent employment and exposes you to Labour Inspectorate penalties.

Step 9. Set up payroll and administration

Once hired, the relationship continues: monthly payslip, contributions, extra payments if agreed and keeping the receipts. Spectrum Domus supports this stage — selection, contract, registration and payroll calculation — and the scope of the service is described under Agency & administration. The details of contributions and reductions are in Social Security contributions in 2026.

Step 10. The first days and ongoing review

The first week sets the tone. Give a written task plan, show the house and the appliances, explain safety rules (products, ladders, tools) and make clear how and whom to contact if anything comes up. Then review at 30 and 90 days: adjusting duties or adding hours in good time is cheaper and fairer than fixing an entrenched problem. If you ever need to revisit the obligations and limits of the domestic service scheme, see Limits and obligations: domestic worker and Social Security.

Frequently asked questions about hiring

How long does the whole process take?

It depends on urgency and on candidate availability in your city, but with profiles already verified and tested, the usual journey from search to offer is a matter of days, with the contract and registration completed as soon as you agree terms.

Can I hire legally without my own payroll firm?

Yes. Your duty is to contract and contribute correctly; the platform supports registration and payroll calculation, and an external payroll service is also an option. What is not an option is working without a contract or Social Security registration.

What is the difference between live-in and live-out?

Live-in means the person lives in the house: you must provide a room, meals and rest. Live-out means they come to work by the hour or full-time and go home. Cost and obligations differ, so decide this before you post the search.

Do I need to check the documents myself?

The catalogue already shows profiles with verified ID or passport, background check and references. Even so, we recommend speaking to the references before signing — it is quick and highly informative.

Where can I see what it will cost?

In our guide How much does it cost to hire home staff in Andalusia, with fees, the SMI and an indicative monthly cost example.

Already know what you need? Search verified candidates by city and specialisation and unlock the profiles that fit. Write to us if you would rather be guided step by step.