Hiring Domestic Help in Brasília

What Every Foreigner Needs to Know. A Practical Guide for Expats, Diplomats, and International Families Living in the Capital.

One of the beautiful things about living in Brasília is the availability of excellent domestic help — whether cleaning professionals, gardeners, nannies, cooks, or full-time household staff. But many foreigners arrive in Brazil without understanding how strict Brazilian labor law is. And that can create serious (and expensive) problems later.

This guide will help you navigate the essentials safely, ethically, and without unnecessary stress.

Understanding Domestic Labor Law in Brazil.

Brazil has one of the most protective labor systems in the world. Domestic workers fall under Lei Complementar 150/2015, which regulates:

• Contract requirements

• Work hours

• Paid holidays

• 13th salary (Christmas bonus)

• INSS contributions

• FGTS (mandatory for domestic workers)

• Overtime rules

• Termination rights

This law applies to all employers — including foreigners, diplomats, short-term residents, renters, homeowners, and anyone managing a household.

How Many Days per Week? This Decides Everything.

Up to two days per week:

 The worker can be considered self-employed / diarista. You do not need to register them formally, but you must pay them correctly for the day worked.

Three or more days per week:

Under Brazilian law, this person is automatically a formal employee. That means you must:

• Register them (carteira assinada)

• Pay INSS

• Deposit FGTS

• Provide paid holidays

• Pay 13th salary

• Follow standard CLT protections

Failing to do this puts the employer at risk of future lawsuits — and domestic labor lawsuits in Brazil almost always favor the worker.

I Need a Full-Time Nanny/Housekeeper for a Month.

This Means One Thing: A Contract.

If someone works full-time for your household, whether one month or twelve, it legally counts as employment. You need:

• A written contract

• Registration in the system (eSocial)

• Clear working hours

• Proper benefits

Short-term ad hoc full-time domestic work does not legally exist in Brazil without formalization.

Why this matters for foreigners.

Many expats and diplomats come from countries with flexible or informal domestic labor norms. Brazil is the opposite. If something goes wrong — or if the relationship ends — it is the employer who carries the legal burden. You can face:

• Lawsuits

• Retroactive payments

• Fines

• Immigration complications (in rare cases)

• Loss of diplomatic privileges (depending on status)

Most problems happen simply because foreigners didn’t know the rules. This post is to prevent exactly that.

But I don’t know how to create a contract…

That’s completely normal. But it’s also not an excuse under Brazilian law. The good news: there are excellent companies that can help you with:

• Contracts

• Payroll

• INSS and FGTS

• eSocial registration

• Monthly compliance

• Termination paperwork

And if you don’t know where to start, I can help you navigate it.

Need Support?

This Is Exactly What I Do. As the founder of Personal Support and Local Logistics for Diplomats – Stella K. Bueno, I assist foreigners and diplomatic families with:

• Household and staffing setup

• Legal compliance

• Understanding Brazilian systems

• Relocation logistics

• Trusted personnel referrals

• Practical day-to-day support

If you’re unsure about labor rules, contracts, or finding reliable help, you’re welcome to reach out. I’ll guide you safely, ethically, and with full respect for both your family and the people who work with you.

To get in touch: Just send me a message — I’m always happy to help.

Final Thought

Hiring domestic help in Brazil can make life easier, but only when done correctly. A respectful, legal working relationship protects everyone — and builds the kind of trust that makes Brasília feel like home.

Warmly,

Stella K. Bueno

Personal Support and Local Logistics for Diplomats – Brasília

Contact: +55 61 99901-1757