Domestic help is one of the most life-changing aspects of living in Bogotá — and one of the most culturally sensitive. For many retirees and expat families, having regular cleaning, cooking, and household support at $100–$200/month transforms daily life. But Colombia has strong labor protections for domestic workers, and understanding the legal and cultural framework is essential.
What Domestic Help Costs
| Service | Frequency | Monthly Cost (COP) | USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning (empleada por días) | 2x/week | 350,000–500,000 | $95–$135 |
| Cleaning | 3x/week | 500,000–700,000 | $135–$189 |
| Cook (separate from cleaning) | 3–5x/week | 600,000–1,000,000 | $162–$270 |
| Live-in housekeeper (interna) | Full-time | 1,750,905+ (min wage) | $473+ |
| Driver | Full-time | 2,000,000–2,500,000 | $541–$676 |
Legal Framework
Colombia has robust labor protections for domestic workers. If you hire someone regularly (more than a few days per month), they may be considered an employee with full labor rights:
- Minimum wage: Full-time domestic workers must earn at least the SMMLV (COP 1,750,905/month in 2026) plus transport subsidy
- Social security: Employers must register workers with EPS (health), ARL (workplace insurance), and pension fund — totaling approximately 30–35% on top of base salary
- Prestaciones: Full-time employees are entitled to prima (13th-month bonus), cesantías (severance savings), and vacations (15 days/year)
- Day workers (por días): Workers who come 1–3 days per week are typically paid per day (COP 70,000–100,000/day) and the employer must still pay proportional social security contributions
Don't skip social security: Failing to register your domestic worker with EPS and ARL exposes you to significant legal liability. If they're injured on your property while working without ARL coverage, you're personally liable for all medical costs and damages. The registration process is manageable through platforms like www.miseguridadsocial.gov.co.
Finding Help
- Word of mouth: The most reliable method. Ask your building's portero, neighbors, or expat community for referrals. Trusted domestic workers in good neighborhoods are often booked and passed between families.
- Expat Facebook groups: "Expats in Bogotá" frequently has domestic help recommendations and availability posts.
- Agencies: Professional placement agencies vet workers and handle paperwork but charge placement fees (typically one month's salary).
Cultural Etiquette
- Provide meals: It's standard practice to provide lunch (and sometimes breakfast) for domestic workers during their shift. This is culturally expected and legally supported.
- Holiday bonuses: Beyond the legal prima, it's customary to give a Christmas bonus and small gifts on their birthday.
- Respectful communication: Address domestic workers by name, introduce them to guests, and treat the relationship professionally. Condescension is noticed and resented.
- Dotación: Employers are legally required to provide work uniforms (dotación) three times per year for full-time workers. Many families provide cleaning supplies as well.
Recommended setup for retirees: A cleaning lady 2x/week (COP 400,000 / ~$108) is the sweet spot. It covers laundry, deep cleaning, and kitchen maintenance without the administrative complexity of full-time employment. For couples, adding a cook 2–3x/week (COP 500,000 / ~$135) dramatically improves quality of life at a total cost of ~$243/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cleaning lady (empleada por días) coming 2x/week costs COP 350,000–500,000/month ($95–$135). Three times per week runs COP 500,000–700,000 ($135–$189). Full-time live-in housekeepers must earn at least the SMMLV of COP 1,750,905/month ($473) plus benefits.
Yes. Regular domestic workers must be registered with EPS (health insurance), ARL (workplace accident insurance), and pension fund. This adds approximately 30–35% to the base salary cost. Day workers (por días) require proportional contributions. Failure to register creates legal liability.
Yes. Domestic employment is a normal part of middle-class Colombian life and represents an important employment sector. Treat the relationship professionally — provide meals during shifts, respect working hours, pay on time, and provide the legally required holiday bonuses and dotación (work uniforms).
Word of mouth is the most reliable method. Ask your building's portero, neighbors, or expat Facebook groups for referrals. Professional placement agencies vet workers and handle paperwork but charge placement fees (typically one month's salary).
Dotación refers to the work uniforms and shoes that employers are legally required to provide to full-time domestic workers three times per year (every four months). This applies to workers earning up to 2× SMMLV. It's a legal obligation, not a voluntary benefit.
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