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

Welcoming an au pair into your home is a big decision. Beyond the cultural exchange and extra pair of hands around the house, you want to know what it actually costs. The good news: the numbers are straightforward once you lay them out. But there are also costs that catch most families off guard. This article covers everything from pocket money to the hidden expenses nobody warns you about.

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

An au pair must be insured for healthcare, liability, and repatriation. The au pair takes out Dutch basic health insurance themselves (and can claim healthcare allowance, zorgtoeslag); on top of that, the host family usually arranges supplementary au pair insurance for liability, accidents, and repatriation. Such au pair insurance costs around 30 to 60 euros per month. Au pairs staying longer than 4 months register with the municipality (BRP) and receive a BSN, which is needed to arrange health insurance.

Agency fees

Most host families work with a placement agency. One-time placement fees range from 1,500 to 3,500 euros, depending on the agency, the au pair's country of origin, and the services included. Some agencies offer installment plans. Spread over a 12-month placement, this works out to 125 to 290 euros per month.

Room and board

An au pair lives with the host family. That means providing a private room and meals. The actual additional cost for groceries, utilities, and water typically runs 100 to 200 euros per month, depending on your household size.

IND fees and residence permit

For au pairs from outside the EU, you pay IND (immigration) fees for the residence permit application. These cost approximately 423 euros (2026, one-time and indexed annually). The application is submitted by an IND-recognized au pair agency; some agencies include the fee in their package. Au pairs from EU countries do not need a residence permit.

Cost overview: au pair per month

These figures are estimates based on standard rates in 2026. Actual costs vary by situation.

Hidden costs most families forget

Beyond the fixed monthly expenses, there are costs that tend to surface during the placement.

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

How do au pair costs compare to the alternatives? Here is a rough comparison.

Note: au pair costs are not eligible for the Dutch childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag). With daycare centers, you do receive this subsidy, which can significantly reduce net costs. The right choice depends on your family situation, the number of children, and how much flexibility you need.

Financially, an au pair makes the most sense for families with two or more children. While daycare gets more expensive with each additional child, au pair costs stay the same.

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.

Bottom line

Hosting an au pair in the Netherlands costs the average family between 590 and 925 euros per month, all-in. That is significantly less than a full-time nanny and comparable to daycare for a single child, though without the childcare benefit. From two children onward the difference really starts to show.

Know these numbers upfront and the placement holds few financial surprises.

Sources

• IND: Au pair and host family
• 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