European au pairs 🌟
"We knew we’d found the right person when our toddler started asking for her before breakfast"
"Within a week, our au pair knew our children’s routines better than we did."
"I was surprised at how naturally our au pair fitted into our family life."
"Having an au pair has made after-school hours far less stressful for everyone."
We’re a community built on trust and real experience.
✨ Family-run by sisters Lyla & Jasmijn
✨ Former Au pairs on our team—understanding both Au pairs and families
✨ Trusted by 800+ families in 2024
✨ 1,000+ Au pair applications weekly
✨ Fun events, certified courses & our in-house Au pair academy
Take the test below to see if an au pair fits your family👇
Answer 3 quick questions and discover if it’s the smart solution for your family.
Set clear house rules from the start
Your au pair will be caring for your children while also becoming part of your household. Clear house rules help avoid misunderstandings and make expectations clear from the beginning, especially when you come from different cultural backgrounds.
Explore our House Rules guide and download the template to create a shared reference with your au pair. It covers topics such as guests, phone and internet use, schedules, household responsibilities, vacations, and the family car.
Hosting an au pair usually means covering pocket money, room and board, insurance, and sometimes language or agency fees. Exact costs vary per country but are generally €300-600 per month. Families should budget realistically, and au pairs should understand that pocket money is not a salary.
Au pairs receive pocket money as part of the cultural exchange, not a wage. Depending on the country, this ranges from about €70–€150 per week (€300–€600 per month). In all cases, the family also provides free accommodation and meals.
Au pairs help mainly with childcare (school runs, homework, babysitting, playtime) and light household tasks (tidying children’s rooms, setting the table, simple meals, children’s laundry). They are not cleaners, nannies, or nurses.
Au pairs usually help 25–35 hours per week, with a daily limit of 5–8 hours. They must have at least one full day off per week and receive paid holiday for longer stays. The stay typically lasts 6–12 months, but in some countries shorter stays (3–6 months) or extensions up to 24 months are possible, depending on visa rules.
Most au pairs are 18–30 years old (sometimes 17–26, depending on the country). EU/EEA au pairs can usually travel freely within Europe, while non-EU au pairs require a visa or residence permit. Requirements often include a valid passport, signed contract, health insurance, and sometimes proof of language skills or funds.
If challenges arise, the first step is open and honest communication. If no solution is found, either side may end the contract with a notice period (2–4 weeks). Agencies often provide mediation and support with finding a replacement. Families are expected to be patient, and au pairs flexible.
An au pair is welcomed as a temporary family member, not as staff. Families value reliability and respect, while au pairs should embrace new language, habits, and traditions. The exchange works best when both sides are curious, respectful, and open-minded.
Matches are usually made through recognized agencies or trusted online platforms. Families should check references and arrange interviews; au pairs should present their childcare experience and motivation.
Once a match is confirmed, EU au pairs can often arrive within 2–4 weeks, while non-EU au pairs usually need 2–3 months due to visa processing. Agencies help speed up the paperwork and ensure compliance with local rules.
AI Assistant
Pocket money, visa questions, country related info - we’ve got you.
Afra and Collins moved back to the Netherlands after spending a year in Kenya. A cross-continental move and the prospect of raising a toddler with a new baby on the way was a daunting proposition for them. They decided to host an au pair to help them through this stressful time. We wanted to learn more about their experience as a host family, so we went to their house to interview them.
To create a positive, respectful experience for both parties, a well-structured au pair contract is key. This guide walks au pairs and host families through everything that should be included in the agreement: responsibilities, working hours, holidays, rules, and country-specific requirements.
Plus, you will get free templates, weekly schedules, and house rules documents.
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