Most parents don’t know that an au pair is actually the most affordable childcare option.
Aupairs can help 30-35 hours per week.
Check out the pricing details by country below!
My sister Lyla and I want to tell you about how amazing the au pair programme is. Apart from the costs, the flexibility, language and cultural experience are really nice benefits. Did you know that 80% of the families that host an au pair come back for the second year. Its such a great experience for the host, and the au pairs and kids. Apart from the price this is is something we want to tell you about as well!
The amount of pocket money depends on the country: You can find the full breakdown of pocket money for all countries here.
Yes! An au pair is entitled to two weeks of paid holiday per year. If you choose to offer more holiday days, that’s completely up to you, but pocket money should still be paid during that time.
Yes, in the Netherlands, au pairs must have Dutch health insurance. However, they are eligible for the government’s zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance), which helps cover most of the costs.
A specific au pair insurance is optional, except for Filipino au pairs—for them, it is mandatory. At Nina.care, we also offer an au pair insurance that covers not only medical emergencies but also a potential rematch.
Yes! The minimum duration is 6 months, as the same administrative work applies.
If you’d like an au pair for a shorter period (e.g., 9 months), the agency fee is calculated as following:
Example: €2800 Full-Service Fee (NL) / 12 * 9 = €2100
Luckily, this rarely happens! However, we do have our Nina.care insurance exactly for this purpose!
With the insurance, you will be covered for a rematch and you can get a new au pair for no additional costs. Download our insurance brochure for the Netherlands here.
Yes. Since au pairs only receive pocket money, these additional costs are covered by the host family. You can either arrange a phone plan and public transport card yourself or choose a package via Nina.care.
If you have an unused SIM card or travel card at home, you can also lend that to your au pair!
Flight costs are typically split 50/50 between the au pair and host family. However, if you’d like to cover the full ticket, that’s completely up to you!
At Nina.care we care about quality and screening. We also value proper support while you embark on this adventure to open up to welcome a new person into your family.
In some countries, using an au pair agency is mandatory; in others, it’s optional. Either way, agencies assist with matching, visas, and arrival. Where required, agency fees range from €100 to €3,000, covering recruitment, screening, and all pre-arrival logistics.
Families who find their own au pair typically pay less, just for screening and visa support.
The main monthly cost is the au pair’s pocket money, since housing and food are included. This cost is usually lower than hiring a full-time nanny.
In stricter countries like the U.S., au pairs are paid a weekly stipend aligned with local minimum wage laws.
Payment should be regular to maintain a positive relationship. At Nina.care, we handle payments through our app for security and transparency. Taxes may apply based on local regulations.
Beyond upfront and monthly fees, there are additional costs to consider. One key cost is travel, the au pair’s arrival and departure tickets. Responsibility varies by country, but we generally recommend splitting the cost between family and au pair. Some visa rules may require the host family to cover it fully.
Also, since room and board are included, families should budget for extra groceries, utilities, and housing needs. While often more affordable than daycare or a nanny, it’s important to factor in all expenses to decide if hosting an au pair is the right fit.