You qualify if
- You live in the Netherlands and are registered in the BRP
- Your family has at least 2 members
- Members are Dutch or hold a valid residence permit
- You meet the IND income requirement
Host family
The conditions for the host family
You must not
- Be related to the au pair
- Have employed the au pair before
- Charge the au pair any fees
- Use a contract with a penalty clause
Your obligations
What you agree to
Pocket money
At most €340 a month, paid by the family.
A room
The au pair lives with you and registers at your address.
A schedule
A signed 7-day schedule: housework hours, days off and who else helps.
Insurance
Make sure the au pair is properly insured during the stay.
Tasks
What an au pair may – and may not – do
Light housework
- Help with children
- Light cleaning and tidying
- Simple meals and shopping
- At most 8 hours a day, 30 hours a week
No real job
- Nursing or specialised care
- Working for another family or an employer
- Work outside your home
- More than 30 hours a week
FAQ
Questions from host families
Can a single parent host an au pair?
Yes, if the family has at least two members – a parent and a child – and meets the income requirement.
Can we ask the au pair to babysit in the evening?
Only within the 8 hours a day and 30 hours a week, as shown in the schedule.
What if the match does not work?
Contact your agency. The au pair may move to another host family – the agency informs the IND.
What if we break the rules?
The Labour Inspectorate checks. Fines are possible, and the agency can lose its recognition.
Related routes
After your au pair year
Study
Student permit
Admitted to a Dutch university or university of applied sciences? Your next step.
study-visa.nl Open website FamilyPartner visa
Met your partner here? Living together in the Netherlands.
partner-visa.nl Open website WorkHighly skilled migrant
A Dutch employer wants to hire you as a knowledge migrant.
hsmvisa.nl Open website Short staySchengen visa
Family or friends visiting you – up to 90 days.
shortstayvisa.nl Open websiteInformation valid for 2026, based on ind.nl and the European Migration Network. Rules can change – always check the latest information with us or on ind.nl.