Domestic workers in Brazil: rights under LC 150/2015 (2026 guide)

A domestic employee is someone who works continuously, personally and for pay for a person or family, in a household setting, more than 2 days a week. Since Complementary Law (LC) 150/2015, domestic workers have practically the same rights as other workers, including mandatory FGTS and unemployment insurance.

Quick summary

• Who is a domestic employee: someone who works more than 2 days a week for the same family, in a non-profit activity.
• A day cleaner (diarista, up to 2 days a week) has no domestic employment relationship.
• Minimum age: 18.
• Working hours: 8h per day and 44h per week; overtime at 50%.
• FGTS (the Severance Indemnity Fund): 8% + a 3.2% compensatory indemnity, paid through eSocial.
• Unemployment insurance: up to 3 installments of one minimum wage.

Rights of domestic workers

• Minimum wage — R$ 1,621.00 in 2026, or the regional minimum, if higher
• Working hours — 8h per day and 44h per week; a 12x36 schedule is possible by written agreement
• Overtime — 50% supplement; hour bank with its own rules (the first 40 overtime hours in the month must be paid or compensated within the same month)
• Break — 1 to 2 hours for meals and rest
• Night-work supplement — 20% between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Vacation — 30 days + 1/3, which can be split into up to 2 periods (one of at least 14 days)
• 13th salary — under the same rules as other workers
• FGTS — 8% per month + a 3.2% compensatory indemnity (replaces the 40% penalty)
• Maternity leave — 120 days, with job security for pregnant workers
• Unemployment insurance — up to 3 installments of one minimum wage, for those who worked at least 15 of the last 24 months
• Transportation voucher — with a deduction of up to 6% of salary

Domestic employee vs. day cleaner

• Domestic employee — Frequency: more than 2 days a week · Relationship: registered through eSocial Doméstico · Rights: all those under LC 150/2015
• Day cleaner — Frequency: up to 2 days a week · Relationship: no employment relationship · Rights: agreed daily rate; may contribute as an MEI (individual micro-entrepreneur) or self-employed worker

How the employer regularizes the job

1. Registers the hiring in eSocial Doméstico.
2. Enters the payroll every month and issues the DAE, a single payment slip that combines INSS (social security), FGTS, the compensatory indemnity and, where applicable, income tax.
3. Gives the employee a payslip.

On dismissal

• Without cause: the employee receives the salary balance, notice period, vacation + 1/3, proportional 13th salary and withdraws the FGTS and the 3.2% compensatory indemnity. They can apply for unemployment insurance between the 7th and the 90th day.
• Resignation or dismissal for cause: the accumulated 3.2% goes back to the employer.

Frequently asked questions

Is a day cleaner entitled to a registered job?

No, if they work up to 2 days a week in the same home. Beyond that, a domestic employment relationship exists.

Are domestic workers entitled to FGTS?

Yes, mandatory since 2015, paid by the employer through the eSocial DAE.

How much is a domestic worker's unemployment insurance?

One minimum wage per installment, for up to 3 months.

Read more in this series

• CLT worker rights: complete guide
• Unemployment insurance 2026: amount, installments and how to apply
• CLT vacation: rules, splitting, selling days and double pay
• 13th salary: how to calculate, payment deadlines and deductions
• Index: complete guide to labor rights