Go through a licensed staff leasing provider: it employs the consultant, you direct their work, and two written contracts govern the relationship. Before signing, check the provider's licence and the full cost.
What is the legal framework?
Staff leasing. A licensed employer places a worker at your disposal, and you give them instructions day to day (SECO directives on the Federal Act on Recruitment and the Hiring of Services (LSE), section 3.1.2.6, June 2024). This right to give instructions is what makes it staff leasing: if the consultant organises their work alone and delivers a result to you, a different framework applies.
Who is responsible for what?
You keep everything to do with the work; the provider takes on everything to do with the employment.
| You keep | SPTS takes on |
|---|---|
| The assignment and its content | The Swiss employment contract |
| Day-to-day management | Monthly payroll and salary certificates |
| Hours and organisation | AVS, AI, APG, unemployment, occupational pension |
| Equipment and access | Accident insurance and daily sickness benefits insurance |
| Evaluation of the work | Withholding tax and filings |
| The end of the assignment | Compliance with the collective employment agreement |
Where your company falls under a collective employment agreement declared generally binding, its provisions on pay and working hours also apply to the consultant (art. 20 LSE, as at 01.01.2026).
How do you check a provider?
In four points, public and quick.
- The licence: the federal register of licensed companies, avg-seco.admin.ch, for staff leasing (art. 35b LSE, as at 01.01.2026).
- The commercial register: the same company name, on zefix.ch (art. 13 LSE).
- The staff leasing contract: in writing, stating the authority that issued the licence and the cost of the leasing (art. 22 LSE).
- The consultant's employment contract: in writing, compliant with the collective employment agreement for staff leasing (art. 19 LSE).
Knowingly using an unlicensed provider exposes the company to a fine of up to CHF 40'000 (art. 39 para. 2 LSE, as at 01.01.2026).
How much does a consultant cost?
The gross salary, the employer contributions and the provider's fees.
SPTS's fees are 4% of the invoiced amount, with a minimum of CHF 400 per month per consultant, with no set-up, administration or exit fees.
| Monthly gross salary | Employer contributions | SPTS fees | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHF 6'000 | 851.95 | 400.00 | CHF 7'251.95 |
| CHF 8'000 | 1'069.25 | 400.00 | CHF 9'469.25 |
| CHF 10'000 | 1'286.55 | 470.25 | CHF 11'756.80 |
| CHF 12'000 | 1'503.85 | 562.65 | CHF 14'066.50 |
Estimate at 2026 rates, for a person aged 35 to 44. The actual cost depends on the canton, the age and the pension plan.
How do you start an assignment?
You describe the assignment online: dates, rate, currency, location, payment terms. The contracts are drawn up within 2 days once the information is complete, and reflect your terms exactly. Each month, you approve the timesheet, which forms the basis of the invoice.
An expert to bring in? Tell us what you need: we will reply with an estimate of the full cost. Request an estimate (on the site, at launch)
Further reading
- The brochure "Bringing in a consultant without hiring them" (PDF, 9 pages, in French).
- Repère No. 11: "Checking a provider in one minute" (PDF, in French).
Licensed in Switzerland and internationally. SPTS is licensed by the Canton of Geneva and by SECO for staff leasing and recruitment, in Switzerland and abroad. All professions. Check the federal register of licensed companies (SECO)
Sources
- Federal Act on Recruitment and the Hiring of Services (LSE), arts. 13, 19, 20, 22, 35b and 39, version of 01.01.2026 (in French)
- SECO, directives and commentary on the LSE, section 3.1.2.6, June 2024 (PDF)
- Employer cost: SPTS calculation engine, 2026 rates checked against official sources (AVS/AI leaflet 2.01, art. 3 of the Federal Act on Compulsory Unemployment Insurance and Insolvency Compensation (LACI), Federal Act on Occupational Old Age, Survivors' and Invalidity Pension Provision (LPP), Federal Act on Accident Insurance (LAA), as at 01.01.2026).
This article provides general information. It does not replace advice tailored to a specific situation.