Resources for Domestic Help in Lisbon

Finding domestic help in Lisbon

In Portugal, it is customary to employ a housekeeper/ cleaner. It provides jobs for the lower working classes and is a great benefit to society. Finding a housekeeper may be a difficult task if you’re not used to this service. Having a stranger in your home, dusting around your items, takes an element of trust. It can be an exhaustive process finding someone that you can trust and someone that will efficiently do the job at hand.

Do you want a house cleaner, or do you require them to do the washing and the ironing? Do you need someone to look after the children and pick them up after school? Do you need a cook? Do you want someone to come for a few hours a week or twice weekly? Do you want someone to live in? What is your budget? Will you require insurance to cover your housekeeper?

Finding the right candidate will take interviews and references and your gut feeling. Do you feel comfortable with this person, and can you trust them?

There are always housekeepers recommended by your friends and neighbors. Word of mouth is usually an excellent reference. Some agencies can take the difficulty out of finding the right person. If this person will be caring for your children, they must have impeccable references.

There are many cleaning and housekeeper services in Lisbon. Here are a few.

Agencies for cleaners

Spic and Span Home and Office Cleaning is a trusted cleaning service provider in Lisbon. English-speaking cleaners are available and you can book a service online.

Cleaning Services is a professional cleaning company in Lisbon. You can book a one-off clean or a regular cleaner. English-speaking cleaners are available. They are environmentally conscious, using only biodegradable cleaning products. As well as cleaners, this company can also provide gardeners, pest controllers, builders, and tradespeople. If you need help moving house, they have a removalist service.

HouseMaid is a family-owned and operated cleaning service in Lisbon. This agency can provide cleaning services for homes and offices. They can clean your floors and windows. They use Eco-friendly products.

Agencies for housekeepers and Au pairs

GreatAuPair is an agency in Lisbon. This agency is part of a larger global franchise. You can read the profiles of prospective housekeepers, nannies, and live-in help. The site also offers reviews and FAQs about hiring a housekeeper.

House Services Portugal is an agency that provides live-in or live-out housekeepers, nannies, and cooks. The staff is Filipino, experienced, reference checked, and with criminal record check certificates.

MaidsIn is an agency in Lisbon and Porto that can provide live-in and daily maids, housekeepers, butlers, chauffeurs, and cooks. They have over 5000 referenced and checked candidates on their books.

Other ways of finding the right candidate for you are through Facebook Lisbon groups or the Lisbon branch of InterNations.

Top Tips

01	When renting a flat, be sure to ask about heating. Portuguese homes are notoriously cold in winter as usually there is no heating. Houses aren’t insulated, and electricity costs are expensive. Therefore, people forgo heating. But be aware, winters are freezing as well as humid. Many ex-pats are surprised at just how severe a Portuguese winter can be.
02	Why not start your day like a local with a café and pastel de nata (traditional custard tart) sitting on an outdoor terrace. What better plaza than Lisbon’s main square Praça do Comércio.
03	Take the Ascensor da Gloria to the top arriving in Bairro Alto. Turn to your right, to find the famous viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcantara. This scenic lookout offers sensational views over the city.
04	Be very vigilant while traveling on the funiculars. Pickpockets are rife, especially in the high season. They will sit close to you, engage in conversation while a partner will take your wallet.

Useful links

https://www.visitlisboa.com/en

The official tourist information site for Lisbon. Find out everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.

https://www.lisbon.net/

Here is another site with information about activities and day trips from Lisbon.

https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/

The official website for Portuguese immigration matters. Find out about visa requirements and how you can gain Portuguese citizenship.

https://www.meetup.com/cities/pt/lisbon/
For information about residence and all immigration-related questions.

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/

Lisbon has a large expatriate community. This a great resource to find like-minded people in Lisbon. Whatever your interest, there is probably a group that meets up.

https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/

This is the Lisbon Metro website in English. You can plan your journey here.

Interesting Facts

1. Portugal produces 50% of the world’s cork. Portuguese cork from the Algarve region is superior and used by Moet Chandon for bottling its famous champagne. Other famous companies like NASA, Rolls Royce, and Airbus prefer to use Portuguese cork.

2. The book shop, Bertrand, is the oldest in the world and you can visit it in Lisbon. It has been doing business since 1732.

3. Nazaré, a coastal town north of Lisbon is famous for its epic waves. It is well-known among surfers to have some of the best and biggest waves in the world. The waves are known to get as high as 30 meters or 100 feet.