When I help young people plan their year abroad in the Netherlands, the au pair route often comes up. It is genuinely one of the most accessible ways to live in the Netherlands for an extended period — you get accommodation, meals, a modest income, and real daily exposure to Dutch life. But the visa process is more specific than most people expect, and the host family relationship requires careful vetting on both sides.
I have put together this guide to walk you through the au pair visa in detail: who qualifies, how the application works, what your rights are, and how to protect yourself if things go wrong.
What Is the Au Pair Programme in the Netherlands?
The au pair programme is classed as a cultural exchange arrangement, not a work visa. The Dutch government recognises it as a way for young adults from abroad to experience Dutch family life and culture, while helping a Dutch household with childcare and light domestic tasks.
This distinction matters. Because it is a cultural exchange rather than employment, you are not protected by the Dutch labour law (Wet minimumloon) in the same way employees are. You receive pocket money rather than a salary. Your host family is your sponsor, and you are living as part of their household — not as a hired employee.
The programme is managed by the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) and is limited to specific nationalities.
Eligibility Requirements
For the Au Pair
To be eligible for an au pair residence permit, you must:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application
- Hold a passport from a country that has a cultural exchange agreement with the Netherlands (see list below)
- Have no dependent children of your own
- Not have previously participated in an au pair programme in the Netherlands
- Have a basic knowledge of Dutch, English, or French (enough to communicate with the family and their children)
- Pass a tuberculosis (TB) test if you come from certain countries (the IND website lists which)
Eligible Nationalities
The Netherlands only grants au pair visas to nationals from countries with a specific cultural exchange treaty. As of 2026, eligible countries include:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Canada, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Morocco, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, and several others.
EU/EEA nationals do not need an au pair visa — they can participate in au pair arrangements without any residence permit because they have freedom of movement. If you hold an EU passport, simply register at the gemeente and ensure your arrangement is properly documented.
For the Host Family
The host family must:
- Be a genuine Dutch family — not a single person living alone
- Have at least one child in the household
- Be registered with the IND as a recognised au pair host
- Meet a minimum household income threshold (set by the IND annually)
- Provide a written au pair agreement (au pair-overeenkomst) signed by both parties
- Arrange and pay for your health insurance
- Ensure you attend a Dutch language or cultural course
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Find a Host Family
Before anything else, you need a confirmed host family. Most au pairs find families through agencies or platforms. The IND does not approve specific agencies, but it does require that the host family is registered with the IND.
Well-known international au pair platforms operate in the Netherlands. Take time to video-call multiple families, ask detailed questions about their schedule, children’s ages, expectations around household tasks, and whether they have hosted au pairs before. Do not rush this step.
Step 2: Sign the Au Pair Agreement
Once you and the host family agree to work together, you must sign a formal au pair agreement (au pair-overeenkomst). This must include:
- Your name and the host family’s details
- The duration of the arrangement (maximum 12 months)
- Working hours (maximum 30 hours per week, no more than 8 hours per day)
- At least one full day off per week
- Pocket money amount (minimum EUR 340 per month)
- Confirmation that room, board, and health insurance are provided
- Arrangements for language or cultural courses
Keep a signed copy. You will need this for the IND application.
Step 3: The Host Family Applies to the IND
Unlike some visa types, the host family submits the residence permit application on your behalf. They do this through the IND website using their own DigiD or a certified agent.
The application requires:
- Completed IND application form
- Signed au pair agreement
- Proof of host family’s household income
- Proof of your health insurance arrangement
- Your passport copy and passport photo
- Proof of TB test if applicable
The IND processes the application and, if approved, issues a Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) — the entry visa. This is delivered to the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country. You collect it there and use it to enter the Netherlands.
Processing time: Typically 4-8 weeks from application submission. Do not book flights until the MVV is issued.
Step 4: Collect Your Residence Permit Card
After arriving in the Netherlands on your MVV, you collect your formal residence permit card (verblijfspas) from the IND. Your host family will arrange this appointment. The card confirms your right to stay for the agreed period.
Your Rights as an Au Pair
Pocket Money
The minimum is EUR 340 per month in 2026. Pocket money is not a salary — it is exempt from Dutch income tax for amounts within the cultural exchange structure. The host family does not pay employer contributions (werkgeverslasten) on it.
Working Hours
- Maximum 30 hours per week across all tasks
- Maximum 8 hours per day
- At least one full day completely off per week
- Duties are limited to childcare and light household tasks (cooking, cleaning, laundry). You are not there to be a housekeeper, nanny, or cleaner on rotation.
Room and Board
Your host family must provide:
- A private bedroom for your exclusive use
- All meals (or access to the kitchen to prepare your own)
- A phone or data allowance to stay in contact with family back home (some families include this voluntarily rather than as a legal requirement)
Language Courses
Your host family must facilitate your attendance at a Dutch language or cultural course. They typically pay the course fees. This is not optional — it is part of the cultural exchange agreement that justifies the programme’s existence.
Health Insurance for Au Pairs
This is one of the most common areas of confusion. Here is how it works:
Non-EU au pairs are generally not required to take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering). Instead, your host family must arrange a suitable insurance policy that covers you for the duration of your stay.
Many host families use international health insurance for this purpose. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is popular with au pairs and host families because it provides solid medical coverage across the Netherlands and surrounding countries at a reasonable monthly cost. It covers doctor visits, hospitalisation, and emergency care — more than enough for a healthy young adult on a year-long cultural exchange.
If you travel to other European countries during your weekends or holidays, SafetyWing also covers you there, which a Dutch basic insurance policy would not.
Make sure the insurance your host family arranges is active before you travel. You may be asked to show proof of coverage at the IND appointment when collecting your residence permit card.
For context on how Dutch healthcare works more broadly, see our Dutch healthcare system guide.
What Au Pairs Actually Do
To give you a realistic picture: au pair duties typically include:
- Picking children up from school or daycare
- Supervising homework and play
- Preparing simple meals for the children
- Light household tasks (dishwashing, laundry for the children, keeping common areas tidy)
- Occasional babysitting in the evenings (agreed in advance)
What au pairs should not be asked to do:
- Full-time cooking and cleaning for the whole household
- Care for elderly relatives
- Working more than 30 hours per week
- Being on call at all hours without rest
If your host family’s expectations drift beyond these boundaries, that is a red flag. A good au pair arrangement is genuinely a two-way relationship — you help with the children, and the family helps you experience Dutch life, improve your language skills, and build memories.
Finding a Host Family: Tips
- Use multiple platforms. Do not rely on one website. Apply through several and see who responds with genuine interest.
- Video-call before committing. Chemistry matters. You will live with these people.
- Ask about previous au pairs. Can you speak with their last au pair? How did the relationship end?
- Clarify expectations in writing. Before signing anything, make sure the au pair agreement reflects what you actually discussed.
- Check IND registration. Ask the family to confirm they are registered with the IND as a host. A genuine family will have no problem providing this.
- Location matters. A family in rural Friesland is a very different experience from one in Amsterdam. Think about whether you want a city or a quieter setting.
Life as an Au Pair in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a genuinely good country for this kind of arrangement. Dutch families tend to be direct, which takes some getting used to, but it also means expectations are usually clear. See our Dutch social etiquette guide for context on the cultural patterns you will encounter.
Most au pairs have several free afternoons and at least one full day off per week. Use that time. The Netherlands is small and well-connected by public transport. You can visit Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague, and the Dutch countryside all within a day trip. The OV-chipkaart guide explains how to get around cheaply.
Join expat Facebook groups and local au pair networks — there is a real community of au pairs in the Netherlands, particularly in the cities. Our guide to making friends in the Netherlands has specific advice that applies to au pairs.
Handling Problems
If You Are Unhappy with the Arrangement
The first step is always a direct conversation with your host family. Dutch culture values honesty — raise your concern clearly rather than hinting at it. If the problem persists or the situation is genuinely uncomfortable, contact the IND to discuss your options. You may be able to transfer to a different host family within the permit period.
If You Are in Danger
If you are in any way unsafe, contact the Dutch police (112 for emergencies, 0900-8844 for non-emergencies). There are also organisations that support young people in difficult domestic situations. Do not stay in an unsafe environment because you are worried about your visa status.
If the Host Family Terminates the Arrangement
Notify the IND immediately. Depending on how much time remains on your permit, you may have time to find a new host family or arrange to leave. The IND contact number is 088-042 42 99.
Au Pair to Other Visa Types
Some au pairs use their year in the Netherlands as a stepping stone. If you enjoy the country and want to stay, your options after the au pair programme ends include:
- Orientation visa (zoekjaar): If you recently graduated from a Dutch or foreign university, you may qualify. See our highly skilled migrant visa guide for the path from orientation year to work permit.
- Student visa: If you want to enrol in a Dutch programme. See our study in Netherlands guide.
- Work permit: If you have found an employer willing to sponsor you. See the Netherlands work permit guide.
The au pair visa does not lead directly to permanent residence. You would need to switch to a qualifying category and build up residence years from that point.
The Financial Reality of an Au Pair Year
Pocket Money and Savings
EUR 340 per month minimum is modest. After a Dutch SIM card, transport costs, and personal items, you are unlikely to save significantly — particularly in more expensive cities. Most au pairs treat the year as an experience rather than a savings opportunity.
If you want to send money home to family, the Dutch banking system’s international wire fees are high. A free or low-cost alternative is important. Options like Wise allow you to convert euros to your home currency at the real exchange rate and transfer cheaply.
Tax on Pocket Money
Au pair pocket money within the cultural exchange framework is not treated as wages and does not attract Dutch income tax or social security contributions. Your host family does not withhold tax from your pocket money. You do not need to file a Dutch tax return for pocket money alone.
If you take on any additional paid work during your stay (which requires its own permissions), that income would be taxable.
Banking
You will likely want a Dutch bank account or at least a way to pay by Dutch debit card — the Netherlands is very much a card society, and cash is accepted in fewer places each year. Opening a Dutch bank account requires a BSN, which you receive when you register at the gemeente. Our bank account opening guide walks you through the process.
Alternatively, if you do not qualify for a Dutch bank account (for example, if your BSN takes time to arrive), Wise gives you a European IBAN that works for most payments. See our best finance apps for expats for more digital banking options suited to short-term residents.
Key Contacts and Resources
- IND (visa applications): ind.nl | 088-042 42 99
- IND au pair information page: ind.nl/en/au-pair
- Dutch embassy in your country: embassy or consulate for MVV collection
- Gemeente (municipal registration): After arriving, register at your local municipality within five days
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel outside the Netherlands during my au pair year?
Yes. Your residence permit allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Area. Keep your residence permit card and passport with you. If you travel outside the Schengen Area, make sure your MVV or visa status allows re-entry to the Netherlands.
Do I pay tax on my pocket money?
Generally no — au pair pocket money within the cultural exchange structure is not subject to income tax, provided it stays within the agreed framework. Your host family does not deduct wage tax (loonheffing) from your pocket money. If you do any additional paid work on the side (which requires its own work permission), that income is taxable.
Can I take a Dutch language course?
Yes — and your host family is required to facilitate it. Dutch language courses for au pairs are offered by many language schools. Apps like Babbel are a useful supplement, but a structured course will progress your Dutch much faster.
What if I arrive and the family is not what I expected?
Raise concerns early. If the situation is seriously different from what was agreed, contact the IND. Document everything — keep copies of your au pair agreement, any written communication with the family, and notes of conversations. This protects you if there is a dispute.
Can I bring my pet?
This is entirely up to the host family and should be agreed before you commit. There is no visa rule about this — it is a household matter.
Is there an age limit if I turn 31 during my au pair year?
Your age at the time of application is what matters. If you are 30 when the residence permit is issued, you can complete the full year even if you turn 31 during the stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the au pair visa in the Netherlands?
You must be between 18 and 30 years old, come from a country that has a cultural exchange agreement with the Netherlands, and have no dependent children. You must not have previously worked as an au pair in the Netherlands. The host family must be registered with the IND and meet income requirements.
How much pocket money does an au pair receive in the Netherlands?
Dutch law sets the minimum au pair pocket money at EUR 340 per month in 2026. Many host families pay slightly more. In addition to pocket money, the host family must provide free room and board, pay for your health insurance, and cover the cost of a public transport card for work-related travel.
How many hours per week can an au pair work in the Netherlands?
A maximum of 30 hours per week, with at least one full day off per week. Au pairs may not work more than 8 hours on any single day. Au pair work is considered a cultural exchange arrangement, not regular employment, so standard Dutch labour law protections do not apply in the same way.
Do I need health insurance as an au pair in the Netherlands?
Yes. Your host family is legally required to arrange health insurance for you for the duration of your stay. In practice, many host families use international health insurance plans such as SafetyWing rather than Dutch basic insurance (zorgverzekering), particularly for non-EU au pairs who are not required to take out Dutch insurance.
Can I extend my au pair stay or switch host families?
Your au pair residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year and cannot be extended for a second year with a new host family. However, if your current arrangement breaks down, you may be able to switch to a different host family within the same permit period, subject to IND approval and provided the new family also meets all the requirements.
What happens if the host family arrangement breaks down?
Contact the IND immediately. You have limited time to arrange an alternative placement or leave the Netherlands. If you are in a difficult or unsafe situation with your host family, contact the Dutch police or a support organisation immediately. Do not wait for the IND to act — your safety comes first.
