How to begin the nanny activity

1. Licence to exercise the activity

In order to exercise the nanny activity in a legalised way, you need a licence.

This licence is granted by the Instituto da Segurança Social, I.P. (Social Security Institute) after verification of the compliance with the requirements and conditions laid down in the regulations in force for access to the profession.

Advantages of Legalisation

• Promotion of the exercise and profession;
• Greater credibility with the families of the children that will be welcomed;
• Greater safety in the provision of care to children;
• Legal protection of children in case of accident;
• Avoiding fines.

2. Necessary documentation

After verifying that you meet the requirements and conditions described in point 3, you can begin your licence application. You will need the following documentation:

• Copy of the identification of the applicant and of those who live with him/her;
• Copy of the tax identification card;
• Qualifications certificate;
• Updated proof of the applicant's health status, as well as those who live with him/her, through a medical statement;
• Certificate of the applicant's criminal record, as well as those who live with him/her, attesting the suitability to perform duties involving regular contact with minors, issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of Law 113/2009, of 17 September, as amended;
• Qualifications certificate that proves the possession of professional training obtained in the last 5 years, if applicable;
• Proof of the experience in childcare, acquired in the exercise of day-care functions, for at least one year, in the last two years, if applicable.

Request your licence here.

3. Access requirements and conditions

Requirements for the applicants

These are verified through the analysis of documents and interview and aim to ensure the ability, motivation and conditions of the applicant to take care of children, in order to ensure their full development.

• Individuals aged 21 years old or over;
• To have the compulsory education at the time of its completion;
• Affective capacity, emotional balance and motivation for the profession;
• Socio-family stability;
• Necessary health conditions (also applicable to people with whom he/she lives);
• To have good standing to exercise the activity (also applicable to people with whom he/she lives);
• Training and/or professional experience necessary for the access to the profession. Specifically, the applicant has to comply with at least one of the following paragraphs:

a) adequate professional qualification:

To possess a dual certification qualification, obtained through the education and training modalities of the National Qualifications System, which includes short-term training units of the National Framework of Qualifications within the area of children and adolescents support services;

or;

To have successfully completed the short-term training units of the National Framework of Qualifications within the area of children and adolescents support services.

b) Higher level training in childhood or childcare education;

c) Have proven experience in childcare, acquired in the exercise of day-care functions, for at least one year, in the two years preceding the application.

Note: If you do not have any training or experience in this area, consult the courses of the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP).

House conditions

A home visit will be carried out to check the adequacy of the dwelling in terms of hygiene and safety, distribution of space, equipment and material. The aim is to ensure that the dwelling has the necessary conditions so that the applicant can ensure the well-being and safety of the children in his/her care.

• To comply with the hygiene and safety conditions in accordance with the regulations in force;
• To have the equipment and materials necessary to carry out the activity in order to ensure the well-being of the children in his/her care;
• To have differentiated spaces in the dwelling that make possible the accomplishment of the activities of entertainment and rest of the children, according to their ages;
• To have the means to communicate quickly and diligently with the family.

4. Fees

A fee, which amount is established in the legislation, must be paid for the issue of the licence. It shall be updated annually by applying the coefficient resulting from the average variation of the consumer price index.

You can consult the updated rates on the social security’s website.

For more information or details, consult the Practical Guide - Nannies

5. Exercise of the Activity

To exercise the nanny activity, you need to:

• Hold a licence for the exercise of the nanny activity, issued by the competent services of the Social Security Institute;
• Formalise the admission of the child in the nanny service, by signing a contract for the provision of services, in written form, between the child's family and the nanny, except in cases in which the nanny performs the activity in a family nursery;
• Hold an insurance policy that covers the personal accidents of the children, except in cases where the nanny performs the activity in a family nursery;
• Have an individual process organised per child and a process of activity;
• Comply with the rights and duties of the nanny, as set forth in the applicable legislation;
• Attend continuous training initiatives provided for in the legislation, at least every five years;
• Have a complaints book. See how you can buy the book and register in the electronic complaints book