How much to pay a babysitter in Valtellina and in Switzerland

It's the most frequent question, and the one with the most confused numbers floating around. Here are the real reference points.

In Italy

The average hourly rate declared by babysitters in Italy is around €9–10 per hour. The national domestic work contract places childcare roles in a range from about €7.45/h for the base level to about €9.97/h for those with a specific qualification.

In Sondrio province, rates typically run between €10 and €14 per hour, with the highest peaks in the upper valley's tourist towns, where demand exceeds supply in season.

In Switzerland

The average declared on Swiss platforms is around CHF 25 per hour, with minimum wages for nanny roles starting around CHF 19-23. At the current exchange rate that's over €27 per hour: almost triple the Italian reference.

The difference isn't a markup: it reflects the cost of living and the Swiss wage level. If you're looking for someone for a stay in the Engadine, budget in francs.

The usual surcharges

• Two or more children - roughly €1.50 to €2.50 more per hour
• Evening hours, after 8pm - higher than the daytime rate
• Holidays and the Christmas period - a significant surcharge, especially in season
• Last-minute requests - around 20% more
• Tasks beyond childcare (cooking for everyone, chores) - should be paid separately, and agreed beforehand

If you're here on holiday

In tourist areas rates are higher than in the valley floor, and in high season anyone available is sought by several families at once. Move a few days ahead: at Christmas and New Year, whoever organises the day before rarely finds anyone.

A clarification about AlpenSitter

Each sitter sets her own rate and you agree it directly with her. We keep nothing from her fee and we don't impose price lists: what you pay us is for access to contacts and verifications.