Healthcare Benefit

How much healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag) will an au pair receive, and how does the choice of health insurance impact monthly costs?

Since au pairs are not considered employees and have €0 taxable income, they are eligible for the maximum healthcare benefit (zorgtoeslag). In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit is approximately €127 per month.  

However, some Dutch basic health insurance premiums can be higher than this amount, which means au pairs may have to pay the difference out of pocket.   We ask host families to cover that small monthly difference for the au pair, since this can eat into their pocket money allowance.  This is written into the au pair and host family signed agreement. 

To avoid financial strain, au pairs should consider choosing a health insurance package with a higher deductible (eigen risico) in exchange for a lower monthly premium.    Here are some examples regarding Zorg en Zekerheid insurer.  Actual amounts can change – check the website for up-to-date costs.  

• Standard Deductible (€385) → Higher monthly premium (~€150 per month) 
• Increased Deductible (€885) → Lower monthly premium (~€125 per month) 

Since au pairs generally require minimal healthcare services, selecting a higher deductible can help keep monthly costs within the amount covered by the healthcare benefit, reducing or eliminating extra personal expenses. 

To ensure the best financial decision, au pairs should compare health insurance providers carefully using comparison websites like Independer or Zorgwijzer before making a selection.