In the Netherlands, an au pair can work a maximum of 30 hours per week, with no more than 8 hours on any single day. This limit is set by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) as part of the official au pair residence permit conditions, and it applies to all host families regardless of their childcare needs. The sections below break down exactly what counts toward those hours, how to stay compliant, and what other working conditions Dutch host families must follow.
What counts as working hours for an au pair in the Netherlands?
Working hours for an au pair in the Netherlands include any time the au pair spends actively caring for children or performing light household tasks as part of the au pair arrangement. This covers childcare during the day, helping with school pick-ups, preparing children’s meals, tidying shared spaces, and similar domestic support directly related to the household’s daily routine.
It is important to understand that the Dutch au pair program is legally classified as a cultural exchange, not an employment contract. This distinction matters because it shapes what an au pair can reasonably be asked to do. The tasks assigned must remain light and supportive in nature. Heavy cleaning, cooking full meals for the entire household beyond basic preparation, or running errands unrelated to childcare do not fit the spirit of the program and should not be part of the weekly schedule.
Any time the au pair is expected to be available and responsible for the children, even if the activity is informal or enjoyable, generally counts toward the weekly total. If you ask your au pair to take the children to the park or supervise them during a playdate, that time is part of the working hours, even if it does not feel like traditional work. Planning with this in mind from the start keeps the arrangement fair and fully compliant.
What is the maximum number of hours an au pair can work per week?
The maximum number of hours an au pair can work per week in the Netherlands is 30 hours, with a daily limit of 8 hours. These limits are set by the IND as conditions of the au pair residence permit and are not flexible. Host families are legally required to stay within these boundaries for the duration of the au pair year.
Within the 30-hour weekly limit, the IND also requires that au pairs receive at least one full day off per week, and this rest day must be consistent. Most families designate Sunday as the day off, but any fixed day works as long as it is respected every week. The au pair must also receive adequate rest between working days.
These limits exist to protect the au pair’s wellbeing and to preserve the cultural exchange character of the program. An arrangement that regularly pushes close to 30 hours, with little room for the au pair to study, explore, or rest, risks undermining the purpose of the program entirely. Families who plan a realistic and considerate schedule tend to have far more successful hosting experiences.
What happens if a host family exceeds the hour limit?
If a host family consistently asks an au pair to work more than 30 hours per week or more than 8 hours in a single day, they are in breach of the IND’s au pair program conditions. This can have serious consequences, including the revocation of the au pair’s residence permit and the loss of the host family’s ability to sponsor future au pairs through the program.
Because Sunshine Au Pair is an IND-recognised sponsor, the agency carries a compliance responsibility alongside host families. The IND can audit placements, and if a pattern of overwork is identified, it reflects on the agency’s sponsorship status. This is one reason why thorough preparation and honest scheduling matter so much before an au pair even arrives.
Beyond the legal risk, exceeding the hour limit almost always leads to a breakdown in the relationship between the family and the au pair. Overworked au pairs become exhausted and disengaged, which directly affects the quality of care your children receive. Staying within the limits is not just a legal obligation; it is the foundation of a healthy and productive arrangement for everyone involved.
How should host families track and distribute au pair hours?
Host families should maintain a clear, fixed weekly schedule that maps out the au pair’s working hours in advance. Au pair schedules are not flexible arrangements that can be adjusted from week to week based on convenience — they must be agreed upon before the au pair arrives and adhered to consistently throughout the placement. The schedule should cover which days the au pair works, what hours each day, and when their fixed day off falls. A written schedule shared with the au pair from the start prevents misunderstandings and makes it easy to track the weekly total.
When distributing hours across the week, spread the workload evenly rather than concentrating it on a few days. A schedule of five or six working days with moderate hours each day is generally healthier and more sustainable than three very long days followed by several days of little structure. The IND requires that no single day exceeds 8 hours, so any schedule that relies on long individual days to compensate for lighter ones needs to be reconsidered. Once a schedule is set, it should remain stable — last-minute changes or informal additions to the au pair’s duties are not consistent with the fixed nature of the program.
As part of the host family onboarding process, families are asked to provide a weekly childcare schedule as part of their documentation. This template helps families think through their actual needs in a structured way and ensures the planned hours are realistic and compliant before the placement begins.
Are babysitting evenings included in the weekly hour count?
Yes, evening babysitting is included in the weekly hour count for an au pair in the Netherlands. Any time the au pair is responsible for the children, whether during the day or in the evening, counts toward the 30-hour weekly maximum and the 8-hour daily limit. Evening hours are not treated separately or given a different status under IND rules.
This is one of the most common points of confusion for host families, particularly those who assume that daytime childcare and evening babysitting are counted differently. They are not. If your au pair works from 8 am to 4 pm and then babysits from 7 pm to 10 pm on the same day, that totals 11 hours, which exceeds the daily limit.
Families who need evening flexibility should factor this into their weekly planning from the beginning, and evening babysitting must be built into the fixed schedule rather than added informally as needed. If evenings are important to you, consider scheduling fewer daytime hours on the days when you anticipate needing evening cover. The program is designed for families with a predictable, consistent weekly rhythm, and evening babysitting works best — and remains compliant — only when it is planned in advance and reflected in the agreed schedule, not requested at short notice.
What other working conditions must Dutch host families follow?
Beyond the hour limits, Dutch host families are required to meet several other working conditions as part of the IND au pair program. These conditions are not optional and form part of the legal framework that governs the au pair’s residence permit in the Netherlands.
- Private furnished room: The au pair must have their own private room with natural light, separate from family bedrooms and not used for any other purpose.
- Full board: The host family must provide all meals, including on rest days and during illness.
- Monthly pocket money: Au pairs must receive a monthly allowance of up to 340 euros. This is not a salary but a contribution toward personal expenses.
- Cultural exchange support: Families must actively support the au pair’s participation in cultural and educational activities, which is a core requirement of the program.
- Administrative support on arrival and departure: Host families are responsible for helping the au pair with registration and administrative steps when they arrive and when the placement ends.
- Respect for program rules: This includes the fixed hour limits, rest days, and the overall spirit of cultural exchange that defines the program.
These conditions exist to ensure the au pair is treated as a temporary member of the family rather than live-in staff. When families approach the arrangement with genuine care and respect for these requirements, the experience tends to be rewarding for everyone involved, including the children.
How Sunshine Au Pair helps host families stay compliant
Navigating Dutch au pair regulations can feel complex, especially for first-time host families. Sunshine Au Pair takes the guesswork out of the process by guiding families through every compliance requirement from the very beginning.
- Review your childcare schedule before placement to confirm it falls within IND hour limits
- Provide a fixed weekly schedule template so your planned hours are clear, documented, and agreed upon before the au pair arrives
- Handle all IND visa applications and required documentation on your behalf
- Assign a dedicated Program Manager who stays involved throughout the entire hosting year
- Offer guidance on room requirements, pocket money, and all other host family obligations
- Keep families informed of any regulatory updates, including changes that affect specific nationalities
With over a decade of experience and 1,000+ successful placements, Sunshine Au Pair understands both the legal framework and the practical realities of hosting. Whether you are welcoming your first au pair or your fourth, the team is here to make sure your arrangement is built on a solid, compliant foundation. Get in touch with our team to discuss your family’s needs and take the first step toward a successful au pair year.