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Employing an au pair in Netherlands

Household employment / au pair scheme

Last reviewed

This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Employment law changes, varies by region and depends on your exact arrangement. Figures below are researched from official sources but go out of date — always confirm the current position with the official body linked on this page, or with a qualified labour adviser, before you rely on it.

The Netherlands treats two situations differently: an official “au pair” is a cultural-exchange arrangement (arranged via an IND-recognised agency, pocket money, capped hours — NOT ordinary employment), while a nanny employed for pay is a regular employee entitled to the minimum wage. Confirm which applies to you.

Pay floor

€14.99 per hour (age 21+)

Verify — the Dutch statutory minimum wage is reviewed on 1 January and 1 July each year and may be outdated.

What to get right

1

Au pair vs employee

Official au pairs go through an IND-recognised agency with a standard au pair agreement (max ~30 hours/week, pocket money). A nanny hired as an employee is entitled to the statutory minimum wage — use the contract template in the NannyTank app for the employee case.

2

Minimum wage

For an employee, the statutory minimum wage (minimumloon) applies and is reviewed twice a year. Confirm the current hourly rate.

3

“Dienstverlening aan huis”

Under the household-services rule, if someone works for you no more than 3 days a week, simplified rules apply (you generally don’t withhold payroll tax — the worker handles their own). Check whether this fits your arrangement.

4

Leave & sick pay

Statutory paid holiday and continued pay during illness generally apply to employees.

Official sources

Check these for the current position — they are the authority, this page is not.

An editable contract template for Netherlands

NannyTank includes a downloadable employment contract template that references Household employment / au pair scheme — you fill in the agreed pay and hours. Available in the app, along with hours, overtime and claim tracking.

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NannyTank is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page is a starting point to help you know what to look into; it may be incomplete or out of date, and it does not account for your specific circumstances. Confirm anything you rely on with the official bodies above or a qualified adviser.