Italy Domestic Worker Salary is not one fixed monthly amount. Pay for a colf, babysitter or badante depends on duties, CCNL classification, whether the worker lives in the household, weekly hours, night assistance and the needs of the person receiving care. A social-media claim such as “€1,500 guaranteed” is incomplete unless it identifies these conditions.
Official 2026 minimum examples
The Italian Labour Ministry published domestic-work minimums effective from 1 January 2026. The selected live-in monthly figures below are examples, not the full table. The correct classification must be identified before an offer is assessed.
| Level | Selected live-in monthly base | Context |
|---|---|---|
| A | €958.55 | Lower-level basic household support |
| C/CS | €1,193.84 | Skilled work or relevant personal assistance |
| D | €1,404.51 plus applicable €207.69 allowance | Higher responsibility or qualification |
| DS | €1,474.73 plus applicable €207.69 allowance | Higher-level assistance |
The same official table lists selected non-live-in hourly minimums of €6.76 for A, €8.30 for C/CS, €9.57 for D and €9.97 for DS. Night assistance, night presence and other arrangements have separate tables. Always consult the complete current table.
Gross pay, net pay and the total package
A contractual minimum is not necessarily the exact net amount received after applicable contributions or deductions. For a live-in worker, meals and accommodation have contractual treatment and cannot be replaced by arbitrary deductions. Compare cash pay, food, housing, hours, rest and deductions separately.
Why colf and badante classification matters
A colf usually performs cleaning, cooking and household tasks. A badante assists a self-sufficient or non-self-sufficient person. The intensity of personal care and the worker’s competence affect classification. If an employer combines extensive cleaning with demanding personal care, both the duties and level should be clearly written.
Hours, rest and overtime
Live-in does not mean working continuously. A lawful arrangement should identify normal weekly hours, daily breaks, weekly rest, night availability and overtime. Occasional emergencies and a regular night shift are not the same. Keeping a private hours diary can help a worker identify unpaid overtime or repeated denial of rest.
Benefits beyond base pay
- Daily and weekly rest;
- paid annual holiday or ferie;
- tredicesima, commonly described as a thirteenth-month component;
- TFR accrued for the end of employment;
- INPS social-security contributions;
- applicable sickness and accident protection;
- overtime, holiday and night-work compensation;
- suitable room and meals for an eligible live-in arrangement.
Comparing two job offers
Two offers with the same monthly figure may have very different value. One may require long live-in hours but include meals and housing; another may have fewer hours but require the worker to pay rent in an expensive city. Compare workload, rest, city costs, accommodation quality and deductions, not only the euro headline.
Converting the salary into BDT
Do not turn one old exchange rate into a permanent Bangladeshi salary promise. State the rate and date used, convert the gross amount, and then keep contributions and personal expenses separate. If airfare, recruitment payments or accommodation will be deducted, ask for the written contractual basis.
Offer-letter checklist
- Match duties to the CCNL level.
- Confirm live-in or non-live-in status.
- Check weekly hours and the rest day.
- Separate base pay, allowances and overtime.
- Read the food and accommodation terms.
- Confirm a traceable payment method and payslip.
- Ask when the employer will register the employment with INPS.
Underpayment and abuse
Keep the contract, messages, bank records, payslips, hours diary and contribution evidence. Do not surrender control of your passport. In cases of violence, confinement, trafficking indicators or immediate danger, contact the competent Italian emergency and support services. Informal cash work creates serious wage and residence risks.
FAQ
Is €1,500 the minimum for everyone?
No. Classification, hours, living arrangement and allowances determine the applicable amount.
Must a live-in worker pay rent?
Read the CCNL and contract terms; an employer cannot invent arbitrary deductions.
Is cash salary safe?
A traceable payment and payslip provide stronger evidence. Retain a record of every payment.
For exact figures, consult the official 2026 pay table.
Verification note: Immigration rules, fees and submission channels can change. Before applying or paying, check the current Embassy instructions, the authorised application-centre notices and the official Flussi information. No agent or service centre can guarantee a visa decision.