Brussels, 14 November 2025 – Today, Spain makes history by enforcing mandatory workplace risk assessments for domestic workers in private homes, a landmark step toward dignity, safety, and fairness in a sector long excluded from basic protections.
Under Royal Decree 893/2024, households employing cleaners, carers, nannies, or other domestic workers must now:
- Conduct a formal occupational risk assessment in the home
- Share the assessment with the worker
- Implement preventive measures to ensure safety
Failure to comply can result in financial penalties, emphasizing that domestic work is real work—and safety is non-negotiable.
“This is a milestone for domestic workers, most of whom are women and migrants,” said Grace Papa, EFFAT Political Secretary and IDWF Regional coordinator. “For the first time, health and safety at work is a reality inside private homes. Spain is leading the way, and the rest of Europe must follow.”
Historically, domestic work has been excluded from occupational safety rules due to the private nature of the home. Spain’s reform aligns with ILO Convention 189, formalizing protections and raising standards in a sector where undeclared work is still widespread.
EFFAT and IDWF call on the European Commission and all EU Member States to build on Spain’s leadership by extending full labour, social protection, and health-and-safety rights to domestic workers across Europe.
