Au Pair Leave and Holiday Rights in the Netherlands: A Complete Guide

Au pairs in the Netherlands are entitled to time off — and getting leave arrangements right is essential for a healthy, long-lasting placement. Yet holiday rights are one of the most common sources of misunderstanding between host families and au pairs. Here is everything you need to know.

The standard: 14 days of paid leave per year

Most au pair agencies in the Netherlands recommend a minimum of 2 weeks (14 days) of paid leave per year for a standard 12-month placement. While au pair arrangements are cultural exchanges (not employment contracts), this is standard practice across the industry. During this time:

• The au pair receives their normal pocket money
• No household duties or childcare are expected
• The au pair is free to travel or stay home

If the placement is shorter than 12 months, the entitlement is calculated proportionally. For example, a 6-month stay would come with at least 7 days of leave.

Planning leave: how to avoid conflicts

Most disagreements around holidays come from poor planning. Setting clear expectations early, ideally in the first week of the placement, prevents problems later.

Agree on the rules upfront

During the first week of the placement, discuss:

• How far in advance leave must be requested (2-4 weeks is common)
• Blackout periods — are there dates the family absolutely needs childcare? School exam weeks, important work deadlines, or already-booked family trips are worth flagging early
• Holiday overlap — can the au pair join the family holiday, or do both parties prefer separate time off?
• How requests are made — verbal agreements are easily forgotten, so use a written system

Spread leave throughout the year

Encourage your au pair to distribute their days rather than saving everything for one block at the end. This prevents burnout and keeps the household running smoothly.

School holidays and peak periods

School holidays are a balancing act. Families often need more help during these periods, while au pairs may want time off to travel or visit friends.

The key is early communication. At the start of each school term, sit down together and mark:

• School holiday dates
• Days the family needs full coverage
• Days the au pair would like off
• Any family holidays or trips

Having this on a shared calendar avoids last-minute surprises for both sides.

Sick days: what the rules say

Sick days are separate from holiday leave. If your au pair is unwell, they should rest — this time does not come out of their holiday allowance.

For the au pair:

• Notify the family as early as possible
• Rest and recover — you are not expected to work while sick

For the family:

• Do not pressure your au pair to work through illness
• Have a backup plan for childcare emergencies (family, friends, or a local babysitter)
• If illness extends beyond a few days, check in with your au pair agency for guidance

Public holidays

The Netherlands has several public holidays throughout the year (King's Day, Christmas, Easter, etc.). Whether your au pair works on these days is something to agree on in advance and include in your house rules. Many families treat public holidays as days off, but this is not legally required — it depends on your household agreement.

If your au pair does work on a public holiday, consider offering a compensatory day off in return. It is a small gesture that shows respect and builds goodwill.

Handling leave requests fairly

A fair process protects the relationship. Some practical guidelines:

1. Handle overlapping requests early — if your family holiday and your au pair's preferred leave overlap, discuss it in advance so both sides can plan
2. Respond within a few days — do not leave requests hanging for weeks
3. Give reasons when declining — a transparent "no" is easier to accept than silence
4. Be flexible where possible — rigidity breeds resentment
5. Document everything — keep a written record of approved and rejected requests

How Opairly helps

Managing leave on paper or through messaging apps gets messy fast. Opairly's leave management feature gives both parties a clear, shared system:

• Au pairs submit requests with specific dates and notes
• Families approve or reject with a single tap
• Remaining days are tracked automatically — no more counting on fingers
• Both sides see the full history — approved, pending, and rejected requests in one place

It removes ambiguity and keeps the process transparent, which is exactly what a good host family relationship needs. Start your free trial →

Bottom line

Leave entitlements are not a perk — they are a right. Treating your au pair's time off with the same respect you would want for your own sets the tone for a positive experience. Plan early, communicate clearly, and use a system that keeps everyone on the same page. Leave is just one of the au pair rules in the Netherlands you need to be aware of. And besides days off, make sure to also properly track working hours.

Sources

• IND — FAQ for au pairs and host families

Related articles

• How many hours can an au pair work in the Netherlands?
• Free weekly schedule templates for host families
• First week with your au pair: a practical checklist
• How much does an au pair cost in the Netherlands?
• Au pair rules in the Netherlands: a complete overview