How much does an au pair cost in the Netherlands? Full breakdown 2026

In our example, basic au pair costs come to about 590 to 930 euros a month, or 7,083 to 11,123 euros a year. This includes pocket money, supplementary insurance, agency fees, extra groceries and utilities, and the IND fee. Travel, room setup, courses and other extras are additional.

Below is every cost on its own, including the expenses that catch most families off guard, plus how it compares with a nanny and with daycare.

Monthly costs: what you are paying for

Au pair costs in the Netherlands consist of several fixed categories. Some are legally defined, others are standard practice across the Dutch au pair industry.

Pocket money

Pocket money is mandatory, with a legal maximum of 340 euros per month (set in the Dutch au pair wage decree). That cap preserves the cultural-exchange nature of the arrangement: pay structurally more and the placement can be treated as paid employment, with tax consequences. There is no legal minimum, but paying no pocket money at all is, according to the IND, a signal of abuse of the arrangement. The pocket money is the net amount the au pair receives for up to 30 hours of work per week, meant for personal spending. In practice, host families pay between 300 and 340 euros.

Insurance

For the residence permit, the IND requires insurance that covers healthcare costs in the Netherlands. Alongside basic health insurance, the agency may require supplementary liability, accident and repatriation cover. Agree with the agency and insurer which policies are needed and who pays each premium. We use 30 to 60 euros per month as a budget assumption for that supplementary insurance. Request a quote for the cover you agree on. The basic health insurance premium is not included in the household budget below. Agree who pays it and add the premium if your family reimburses it.

Agency fees

This example sets aside 1,500 to 3,500 euros for the agency. This is a budget assumption, not a measured market average or a guarantee that you can find a suitable package at that price. Use a quote listing the included services for your own budget. Spread across 12 months, our assumption works out to 125 to about 292 euros per month, although the agency may charge upfront.

Room and board

An au pair lives with the host family. That means providing a private room and meals. This example allows 100 to 200 euros per month for extra groceries, energy and water. Replace that with an estimate for your household. It does not include the value or rental cost of the room.

IND fees and residence permit

The IND charges 423 euros for an au pair residence permit. Our example includes that one-time fee separately. Check whether it is already included in the agency quote so you do not count it twice. Only an IND-recognized au pair agency can submit this application. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need this residence permit.

Example: basic monthly and annual budget

How this is calculated: recurring monthly expenses are multiplied by 12, then the one-time agency fee and 423 euro IND fee are added. Dividing the annual total by 12 gives the monthly average; the monthly column is rounded. Agency fees, supplementary insurance and extra household spending are our calculation assumptions, not a price survey. The official sources below support the rules and IND fee, not these market prices.

Not included: travel/flights, room setup, a language course, bicycle and public transport, phone, outings, medical out-of-pocket costs, any reimbursement of the basic health insurance premium, extra childcare or software such as Opairly. Add the costs your household actually pays. A shorter placement can have a higher monthly average because one-time costs are spread across fewer months.

Why do agency fees vary so much?

Agency fees are a major variable in your budget. Compare the services, application route, support during the placement and terms for a rematch.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need an au pair residence permit. The au pair permit route through an agency may also require an MVV and a TB test, depending on the situation and IND conditions. Ask the agency which steps and costs apply to your candidate. Travel prices depend on the route and booking date.

Ask whether each quote includes matching, the IND fee, insurance, travel and support. Finding a candidate yourself does not let you file an au pair permit application yourself: an IND-recognized agency must still submit it.

What income does the IND require from a host family?

A host family needs an independent, sustainable and sufficient income. For the period from 1 July to 31 December 2026 that means 3,505.50 euros gross a month for a married or cohabiting couple, and 2,804.40 euros for a single parent. Including holiday allowance those figures are 3,785.94 and 3,028.75 euros.

The IND updates these required amounts twice a year, so check them shortly before you apply. The host family must also consist of at least two people who hold Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit.

Hidden costs most families forget

These items are outside the basic budget. The figures below are planning assumptions for your own budget. Replace them with current quotes and the arrangements you make with your au pair.

Room setup

In practice, the au pair gets a private, furnished room (the IND requires board and lodging; the exact room standards are a sector norm, not a codified rule). If the room is not fully set up, budget 200 to 500 euros for a bed, desk, wardrobe, and basic supplies.

Transport and bicycle

Many host families provide a bicycle or reimburse public transport. Expect 10 to 50 euros per month for a transit card or bike insurance. A secondhand bicycle costs around 100 euros as a one-time expense.

Dutch language course

While not mandatory, many agencies encourage au pairs to take a Dutch language course. Costs range from 200 to 600 euros per course. Some municipalities offer free or low-cost courses through local education centers (ROC).

Gifts and outings

It is common to include the au pair in family activities. Zoo visits, day trips, and birthday gifts add up. Budget roughly 20 to 50 euros per month as a rule of thumb.

Phone and connectivity

Some families cover a prepaid phone plan, especially when the au pair first arrives. Cost: 10 to 20 euros per month.

Keeping costs organized

The key to managing au pair expenses is visibility. Most families start with a spreadsheet or WhatsApp messages, but that gets messy quickly.

At the start of the placement, create a simple budget with all expected costs. Track spending monthly and discuss larger expenses in advance. This prevents surprises at the end of the month.

Comparison: au pair vs. nanny vs. daycare

Compare costs for the same required childcare hours. The au pair figures above are an example budget per household. A nanny or daycare quote may cover different hours, services and extra costs.

To qualify for childcare benefit, the provider must, among other conditions, be in the Dutch childcare register (LRK). Compare net costs for your situation, not just the gross quote.

What does an au pair cost with 2 or 3 children?

The agency placement and agreed pocket money are not automatically multiplied per child. That does not mean all costs or care needs stay the same. Care for all children must fit within the agreed tasks, a maximum of 30 hours a week and at least two full days off.

Start with a weekly schedule for your household. Add the cost of care when your au pair is off duty or cannot carry out the tasks alone. Then compare the total with childcare quotes and any benefit per child.

What does an au pair earn?

An au pair earns no salary. She receives pocket money, capped by law at 340 euros a month under the Loonbesluit au pairs, plus free room and board. Pay more or ask for more hours than the scheme allows, and the arrangement can be treated as employment, with a right to minimum wage and holiday pay.

For the host family it means no payroll tax, no holiday allowance and no pension contributions. The amount you agree on is the amount you pay.

Tips for managing au pair expenses

1. Create an annual budget. Add up all known costs and divide by 12 months. This gives you a clear monthly figure to work with.
2. Set aside a buffer. Keep 500 to 1,000 euros in reserve for unexpected costs, such as a broken bicycle or medical expenses not covered by insurance.
3. Agree on payment dates. Pay pocket money on a fixed date (for example, the first of each month). Use a bank transfer or payment app for transparency.
4. Keep receipts. Ask your au pair to share receipts for any larger expenses you reimburse. This avoids misunderstandings.
5. Discuss expectations upfront. Who pays for groceries if the au pair cooks separately? Who covers transit costs? Document everything in the host family agreement.
6. Use digital tools. A shared system for tasks, hours, and agreements prevents costs and responsibilities from becoming unclear.

Building your own budget

Our example comes to about 590 to 930 euros a month in basic costs. Your total depends on the agency quote, travel, room setup and other agreed reimbursements. Compare that total with care covering the same hours, after any childcare benefit.

Put those assumptions and payment dates in writing before the placement starts, so both sides know which costs they are responsible for.

Sources

• IND: Au pair and host family
• IND: required amounts income requirements
• Government of the Netherlands: Au pair in the Netherlands
• Belastingdienst: Childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag)

Related articles

• How many hours can an au pair work in the Netherlands?
• First week with your au pair: a practical checklist
• Au pair leave and holiday rights in the Netherlands
• Au pair in the Netherlands: how it works