Working as an au pair in Ireland: pay, hours & visas

This is a guide, not legal or immigration advice.

Rules change, vary by region and depend on your exact arrangement and nationality. Everything here was researched from official sources and dated, but figures go out of date — check the official links on this page before you rely on any of it, and get proper advice on your own visa position.

Where you stand

The Workplace Relations Commission states that describing an arrangement as "au pair" does not in itself mean the person is not an employee. There is no separate legal box for au pairs in Ireland. You get a written statement of terms, the minimum wage, payslips, leave, public holidays, rest breaks and notice.

What makes Ireland different: Ireland counts your food as well as your room towards the minimum wage — most countries count only accommodation. And there is a Sunday premium, though the law does not fix the amount.

The numbers

Minimum wage

€14.15 an hour at 20+

sub-minimum rates under 20, from 1 January 2026

Board

€1.27 an hour worked

meals count towards the minimum wage

Lodging

€33.42 a week

accommodation

Working week

48 hours max

averaged over 4 months

Can you go?

EU, EEA, UK and Swiss nationals can work in Ireland without permission.

If you are from outside those, au pair work does not have its own permit route, and general employment permits have salary and occupation conditions that household work rarely meets. Check your position with the Department of Enterprise before committing to anything.

Three things worth doing

Board and lodging get added, not deducted

The way the sum works, set amounts for meals and accommodation are added to your pay before it is divided by your hours. Knowing the direction helps you check the maths yourself.

Ask how Sunday is being handled

Sunday work attracts a premium unless it is already built into your rate. It can be extra money, a higher rate for those hours, or paid time off — but it has to be one of them.

An overtime premium does not help them meet the minimum

Any premium paid for overtime is excluded when working out whether your pay clears the minimum wage. It is a genuine quirk and it works in your favour.

Check it yourself

Every figure on this page came from these. Rules change — if something matters to you, read it at the source.

WRC — Domestic Workers → Citizens Information — Minimum wage → Revenue — Civil service mileage rates →

Keep your own record

Whatever the rules say where you are, they only help you if you can show what you actually worked. NannyTank counts your hours as you work them, works out overtime at the legal rate where there is one, and turns the month into a claim your employer approves in one tap.

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