Real prices for house cleaning across France in 2026. What to expect by city, frequency, and home size—plus what's typically included, what's extra, and how to avoid common pricing surprises.
Want a real quote for your home? See transparent pricing on our Routine Cleaning, Single-Session, and Deep Cleaning service pages, or use the booking form for a personalized quote.
If you've ever asked friends what they pay for house cleaning in France, you've probably gotten wildly different answers. That's because pricing varies by city, frequency, home size, and what's actually included. This guide breaks down what you should realistically expect to pay in 2026 across France—and how to spot pricing that's either too low or unnecessarily high.
Quick Reality Check on Pricing
Professional house cleaning in France typically ranges from €20 to €40 per hour depending on:
- City (Paris and Île-de-France are the most expensive)
- Frequency (regular bookings get better rates)
- Type of cleaning (deep clean vs maintenance)
- Time of day (urgent or off-hours work attracts premiums)
Anything significantly below €20/hour is a red flag—it usually means undeclared work, no insurance, or both. Anything significantly above €45/hour for standard cleaning typically means you're paying agency overhead rather than cleaner quality.
Pricing by Service Type
Recurring (Weekly or Bi-Weekly) Cleaning
The most affordable option per visit. Typical rate: €22–28/hour. Expected duration for a 2-bedroom apartment: 2–3 hours. Best value because consistency makes the work faster over time. Browse Routine Basic Cleaning for current rates.
One-Time / Single Session
Slightly higher rate due to the one-off nature. Typical rate: €28–35/hour. Good for occasional needs—seasonal refresh, party prep, or testing a service before committing. See Single-Session Cleaning.
Deep Cleaning
Most labor-intensive, typically €30–40/hour. Includes interior of appliances, baseboards, descaling, behind-furniture cleaning. Expected duration for a 2-bedroom: 5–7 hours. Worth it every 3–6 months—see Deep Detail Cleaning.
Move-In / Move-Out
Specialized service to meet landlord standards. Typical rate: €32–40/hour. Critical for getting your security deposit back—French landlords are strict about end-of-tenancy condition. See Pre/Post Occupancy Cleaning.
Same-Day / Urgent
Premium pricing for immediate availability. Typical rate: €38–45/hour. Use sparingly—for unexpected guests, urgent property turnovers, or emergencies. See Instant/Same-Day Cleaning.
Pricing by City
Rough averages for standard recurring cleaning per hour:
- Paris & Île-de-France: €25–35/hour (highest in France)
- Lyon: €22–30/hour
- Marseille & Nice: €22–30/hour
- Bordeaux & Toulouse: €20–28/hour
- Lille: €20–28/hour
- Smaller cities: €18–25/hour
Paris pricing reflects higher cost of living for cleaners and more demanding building access (stairs, elevator coordination, parking restrictions). The premium is real, not arbitrary.
The 50% Tax Credit That Halves Your Real Cost
If you're a French tax resident, you're entitled to claim 50% of household cleaning costs as a tax credit (Crédit d'Impôt Services à la Personne). This is structured through the NOVA system.
How it works in practice:
- Your cleaning provider issues a NOVA-compliant invoice
- You declare the total annual amount on your French tax return
- 50% comes back as a tax credit (reduction or refund)
So a €30/hour service effectively costs you €15/hour after the credit. This shifts the math significantly.
Important: The credit only applies to invoices from registered providers. Cash arrangements with informal cleaners don't qualify, even if the hourly rate looks lower upfront.
What's Typically Included
Standard house cleaning across most French providers includes:
- Dusting and wiping accessible surfaces
- Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
- Bathroom cleaning and sanitization
- Kitchen cleaning (countertops, sink, exterior of appliances)
- Trash removal
- General tidying
What's Often Extra (or Should Be Asked About)
- Inside oven, fridge, or dishwasher
- Window cleaning
- Limescale removal (especially relevant in Paris)
- Laundry and ironing—available through our Couture Cleaning & Pressing service
- Carpet shampooing or steam cleaning
- Balcony or terrace cleaning
- Eco-friendly product upgrade through Green Hygiene Treatment
Always confirm what's included before booking. A quoted "low" price often excludes the things you actually wanted done.
How to Avoid Pricing Surprises
- Get a written quote, not a verbal estimate. Verbal quotes don't bind anyone.
- Confirm minimum booking duration. Most services require a 2-hour minimum.
- Ask about supplies. Some providers charge extra (€8–15) if you want them to bring cleaning products.
- Check cancellation policy. Some charge a full session if you cancel within 24 hours.
- Verify NOVA compliance. Without it, you can't claim the tax credit.
A Real Cost Estimate
For perspective, here's roughly what a 2-bedroom Paris apartment costs annually with weekly cleaning:
- 3 hours/week × 52 weeks × €27/hour = €4,212/year (gross)
- After 50% NOVA tax credit: €2,106/year
- Effective monthly cost: €175/month
For a similar setup with bi-weekly cleaning, halve it: ~€87/month effective.
Less than what most households spend on streaming services and takeout per month, for someone else handling 150+ hours of cleaning annually.
Get a Quote for Your Home
FARENIO connects French households with vetted, insured, English-speaking cleaners across all major cities. All services are NOVA-compliant for the 50% tax credit. Browse our service options:
- Routine Basic Cleaning — best price, recurring schedule
- Single-Session Cleaning — one-time, no commitment
- Deep Detail Cleaning — intensive seasonal reset
- Move-In/Out Cleaning — for relocations and security deposits
- Same-Day Cleaning — urgent or last-minute
- Green Hygiene Treatment — eco-friendly, pet-safe
- Couture Cleaning & Pressing — professional laundry and ironing
Pricing is transparent and quoted upfront. No hidden fees, no surprise charges.
