How to hire a cleaner in Spain as an expat

If you’ve spent time in expat Facebook groups for the Costa del Sol, you’ll have seen the same post dozens of times: “Can anyone recommend a reliable cleaner in Marbella?” The responses range from genuinely useful recommendations to phone numbers that go unanswered. Finding someone good takes time. This guide cuts through it.

What to look for in a cleaner

• Reviews from people like you. A cleaner who works well for local families isn’t necessarily the right fit for an absentee property owner who needs photo reports and reliable keyholder access.
• English communication. If you need to brief someone remotely, explain a specific task, or deal with a problem at the property, being able to communicate clearly in English matters.
• A clear process for access. How do they get into the property? Key safe, keyholder, lockbox? Make sure this is agreed upfront.
• Proof of insurance. A professional cleaner should have liability coverage. It’s worth asking, especially for higher-value properties.

The paperwork question

Spain has specific rules around domestic employment. If you hire someone informally and they work for you regularly, there are obligations around social security contributions. Most expat property owners use a professional cleaning company or platform — which handles its own employment and tax obligations — rather than hiring an individual directly. This is the simpler route if you just need your property cleaned and don’t want an employer relationship.

Managing from abroad

The key to a good remote cleaning arrangement is clarity upfront. Agree on: frequency, what’s included in each visit, how access works, how you’ll communicate, and what happens if something is wrong. Photo reports after each clean are a simple way to stay in the loop without chasing anyone.

Set it up once, properly, and you shouldn’t need to think about it again.

How SAM helps

SAM connects you with vetted, English-speaking cleaners across the Costa del Sol. Post a job, receive quotes, compare and confirm — all without making a single phone call in Spanish. Cleaners on SAM are reviewed by other property owners, so you can see who others in the same situation have used and trusted.