PROPERTY SEARCH
PROPERTY SEARCH
Spain sets November deadline for families to assess risks for domestic workers
New rules mean employers must complete occupational risk surveys and implement safety measures in the home
There are nearly 350,000 women registered as domestic workers in Spain, according to the Ministry of Labour, and another 115,600 working in homes without official registration. Of those employed in this sector, around 80% are over 40 and nearly 70% are foreign nationals or have dual nationality: a group that’s seen steady growth in workplace protections, from access to unemployment benefits to Social Security coverage.Families who employ a domestic worker registered with Social Security must complete an official occupational risk assessment for their home before November. This follows a royal decree approved last year, which aims to bring health and safety standards in the home up to par with other sectors.
The assessment is completed via the free online platform (www.prevencion10.es), where employers answer questions about the people working in the home and the tasks they perform. The tool then evaluates any potential risks and suggests practical improvements.
Once the process is finished, employers must download the Occupational Risk Prevention Plan, which must be signed by both them and their domestic worker. Both parties need to keep a copy available for Labour Inspectorate requests. The platform also offers guides and explainer videos, plus a free phone support line: 913634300, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm.
Alongside this requirement, new rules include free training and voluntary medical exams, as long as public employment services and the health system add these services to their programmes. The Ministry notes that these improvements “do not create financial burdens” for employers.
Despite these advances, the latest Labour Force Survey reveals almost a quarter of all domestic workers still lack Social Security registration and thus miss out on improved protection. According to EPA figures for the third quarter, 463,600 people have worked as domestic workers this year, but only 348,000 have official status.
The new regulations mark another step towards fairness for domestic workers, a highly feminised, often invisible workforce, and remind families that employing someone at home carries responsibilities, as well as rights. The deadline for risk assessment is November 2025, so anyone affected should start the process soon.
Image: KarolaG/Pexles
