On 6 June 2011 the Swiss Federal Council (Swiss Government) adopted the Private Household Employees Ordinance (PHEO). This ordinance sets out the conditions of entry into Switzerland, of residence and of working conditions for private domestics employed by members of the staff of diplomatic missions, of permanent missions, of consular posts and of international organisations.

This ordinance enters into force on 1 July 2011 and replaces the Directive of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of 1 May 2006 on the hiring of private servants.

Employment contracts concluded before the entry into force of the PHEO will remain subject to the FDFA Directive of 1 May 2006 at the latest until the expiry of the legitimation card of the private employee. The employer and the private employee may at any time conclude a new contract that is in conformity with the PHEO.

The original text of the Directive is in French.