Au Pair Netherlands Cost 2026: IND Rules and Budget

Quick answer: The only fixed official cost of hiring an au pair in the Netherlands is the IND application fee of €423 (2026), which the au pair agency pays when it applies. Everything else, such as agency fees, pocket money, room and board, insurance and travel, depends on the agency and your household, so ask for a written overview and make your own estimate. This page lists the IND rules and the cost items to budget for, with figures only where an official source gives them.

Why families consider an au pair

An au pair lives with your family for up to a year and helps with light housekeeping and childcare. It is a cultural exchange arrangement with strict IND rules, not a flexible employee. If you are looking at childcare options in general, see the cost of having a baby in the Netherlands.

The IND rules you must know before you budget

If the rules are not followed, the IND can take action against the sponsor, and the au pair’s permit can be affected. The IND lists these requirements (ind.nl, residence permit au pair, checked 8 October 2026):

• The au pair is at least 18 and no more than 25 years old at the time of the application.
• The au pair is unmarried, has no (foster) children and has not had a residence permit in the Netherlands before.
• The au pair comes through a recognised au pair agency (recognised sponsor). Only such an agency can apply.
• The au pair has insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in the Netherlands.
• The host family is registered in the BRP, has 2 or more members, and the members have Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit.
• The host family meets the income requirement: the IND amounts from 1 July to 31 December 2026 (gross social-security salary) are EUR 3,505.50 per month without holiday allowance (EUR 3,785.94 with) for a couple living together, and EUR 2,804.40 per month without holiday allowance (EUR 3,028.75 with) for a single parent.
• The au pair has not worked for the host family before and is not related to it.
• Light housekeeping tasks only: no more than 8 hours a day and 30 hours a week, with at least 2 days off each week. Host family and au pair sign a schedule for all 7 days.
• The host family provides accommodation, food and pocket money. The pocket money may not be higher than the amount the Belastingdienst sets for au pairs (IND brochure 3088).
• The au pair has not paid fees to an agency, has no contract with a fine for non-compliance, and has not paid more than EUR 34 in costs to prepare for the stay.

The permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year and cannot be extended. The au pair may switch host family or agency, but the agency must tell the IND. If your situation does not match these points, an au pair is not the right route. See our MVV family reunification guide for other permits.

Cost items to budget for

The IND says the au pair may not pay agency fees, so agency costs fall on the host family or the agency’s own arrangements. Check the contract.

The IND fee

The IND application for the au pair residence permit costs €423 in 2026 (ind.nl). See the IND page fees: costs of an application. The IND must decide within 90 days and tries to decide within 2 weeks. The agency receives the decision.

Insurance

The au pair must have insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in the Netherlands. Ask your agency which policies it accepts before you buy one. International options such as SafetyWing exist: its Essential plan starts at USD 62.72 per 4 weeks for ages 18-39, and its Nomad Insurance covers 180+ countries (safetywing.com, checked 8 October 2026). Check with the agency and the IND conditions whether a given plan meets the requirement.

Au pair, nanny and daycare

An au pair may only do light housekeeping and childcare for a maximum of 30 hours a week and may not do tasks that need specialised care skills. If you need more hours, or different tasks, an au pair is not the right option. For daycare, the kinderopvangtoeslag can cover up to 96% of the costs for working parents up to a joint income of €56,412 in 2026. Compare with your own quotes and a trial calculation on toeslagen.nl.

Practical points

• Integration costs. In the first weeks you may spend extra on things like a bike, rain gear and a Dutch SIM card. Agree beforehand who pays.
• Language course. Not mandatory. Ask your municipality or a language school about options and prices.
• Holidays. Agree in writing what happens when you travel with or without the au pair.
• If it does not work out. The au pair can switch host family or agency, and the agency must tell the IND. Ask the agency about its rematch terms before you sign.
• Complaints and abuse. The IND has a reporting point for abuse of au pairs and exchange participants.

Tax and social security

The Belastingdienst has specific rules for the tax treatment of au pairs. Check them before you agree pocket money, because the IND says it may not be higher than the Belastingdienst’s au pair amount. If the au pair earns money elsewhere, note that an au pair may not work for a second host family or an employer (IND). Your au pair gets a BSN when registering with the municipality after arrival (government.nl).

Setting up the finances

Set up a separate account for the pocket money so the payments show on your statements, and keep a simple log of what you spend. For the account, Wise is one option: once Wise has verified you, you get EUR account details with a non-Dutch euro IBAN (Wise uses a Belgian BIC and address).

Choosing an agency

Only agencies recognised by the IND can apply for the permit, and the IND keeps a public register of recognised sponsors. Check the register before you sign. Ask each agency you consider for a sample contract, a written cost overview, its rematch terms and the insurance it requires, and compare. We have no commercial relationship with au pair agencies.

What a first-year timeline looks like

• Before the application: choose an agency, sign the contract, choose an au pair and agree the daily schedule.
• Application: the agency applies for the MVV and the residence permit at the same time and pays the fee. The IND decides within 90 days and tries within 2 weeks.
• After a positive decision: the au pair makes an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate within 3 months to get the MVV sticker. The MVV is valid for 90 days.
• After arrival: the au pair collects the residence permit at an IND desk, registers with the municipality and, if indicated on the application, takes a TB test at the GGD within 3 months of receiving the permit.
• After 12 months: the permit ends and cannot be extended.

When an au pair is the wrong answer

• You need someone for more than 30 hours a week.
• You want help with cleaning or cooking for the adults, because only light housekeeping for the host family is allowed.
• You cannot meet the IND income requirement.
• You expect the au pair to work more than 8 hours a day or without 2 days off a week.

If you are weighing the alternatives, see the daycare numbers in our baby cost guide and our international school cost guide.

External source: IND — Residence permit au pair — independent information on this topic.