For Host Families

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Dutch Au Pair program. This is a rewarding cultural exchange program, regulated by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

With this program, it allows young people to live with you, as a host family for up to a year, giving them an opportunity to gain deep understanding of Dutch culture while helping the host family out with childcare and light household tasks. In return, you will provide room, board, pocket money or more, giving them the freedom to explore the country.

Having an Au Pair is an incredible experience for everyone involved!

For the host, the program offers extra help at home and affordable childcare, as well as the enriching experience of sharing your lives with someone from a different culture.

At Sunshine, we prioritize understanding your preferences and needs to provide a dedicated and supportive experience, fostering strong partnerships and lasting memories for both Host Families and Au Pairs in the Netherlands.

We conduct a thorough vetting process and provide detailed profiles and references so that host families can decide well for themselves when selecting an au pair.

We meticulously handle dossier and visa arrangements, ensuring compliance with IND office standards, prioritizing child safety and legal requirements, and guiding hosts and au pairs through the necessary documentation process for visa/residence permit processing in the Netherlands.

Both Host Families and Au Pairs can benefit from a dedicated Program Manager support throughout the hosting/exchange year. We offer follow-up support upon your au pair’s arrival to help them settle in.

Feel free to read/watch some resources for more information, contact us directly or register yourself for free to find out more about becoming a host family.

What we offer to you

Assessing the suitability of the au pair and host
family’s situation

Clarifying the expectations of the host family and the au pair

Prepare both parties' dossier for visa/residence permit application

Supporting the host family and au pair during his/her
stay

Offering opportunities to au pairs to broaden their cultural experience

Find out more: The Whole Process in a Nutshell

We would like to be a Host

FAQs

We are looking for an au pair to join our family

We would be delighted to help you find a suitable au pair. You can choose our Full Service (Connection arrangement) where your assigned Program Manager will present you with pre-screened au pair candidates based on your preferences and needs.

We can also help schedule calls for you to interview the candidates you select. Once you find your ideal Au Pair, we have a match!

We found an Au Pair on our own

With Self-Match service (Arrangement service), we first need the contact information of your chosen Au Pair candidate. Your au pair candidate should meet the au pair requirements listed. We would like to have a screening conversation with the candidate before confirming our collaboration with your family. It is important to ensure that the candidate understands the Dutch Au Pair program and the rules of being an Au Pair in the Netherlands. If everything goes well, our Program Manager will be in touch to move things forward.

What are the costs?

It depends on the type of service you require. You can find out more at our Costs page.

How long does the visa and/or residence permit processing take?

After confirming the placement of the Au Pair with the Host Family, we assist both parties in completing their dossiers for the visa/residence permit application. Depending on the Au Pair’s nationality, this process typically takes a minimum of 2-4 weeks. For the Host Family, processing time can range from 1-3 weeks based on the type of income.

Once the visa/residence permit application is submitted, the IND usually provides a response within 10 working days. We will follow up on the approval and guide the Au Pair in obtaining the MVV sticker at the Dutch embassy abroad. Additionally, we will assist you with the required Au Pair insurance. The entire process can generally be completed within 2 to 3 months, depending on the Au Pair’s nationality and appointment availability at the Dutch embassy abroad. However, it may take longer in case of unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances.

What is the au pair's room requirement?

The host should provide the au pair with a private room (at least 8 sqm) that is properly furnished with a bed and mattress, duvet, pillow, bed sheets, and a dustbin. The room must have at least one window that can be opened and closed, a door for privacy, and be maintained at a comfortable temperature. Essential furnishings, such as a wardrobe, a desk with a chair, lighting, and a desk lamp, must also be provided. Additionally, the room should have access to internet, a toilet and washing facilities, with optional amenities such as a TV and/or radio. The room must not be used as a laundry room, spare room, or storage space.

What more does Sunshine Au Pair do?

Sunshine Au Pair is committed to provide comprehensive support to host families and maintaining communication with au pairs throughout their stay. We oversee the entire exchange year, monitor the relationship between the hosts and au pairs, and organize at least six events for our au pairs annually to make new friends and enjoy their au pair year.

It is our first time to host an Au Pair.

We always ask the Host Families to think about the following:

Do you have experience in living with others?
If not, how tolerant are you with welcoming/opening/sharing your house to an au pair for a year?

The Au Pair program should benefit the Host Family and the Au Pair. Your family will be introduced to a palette of cultures, languages, and new experiences and vice versa. Having an Au Pair helps balancing family, life, and a career much easier. You would also have given a young adult an opportunity to travel to a whole new world, make new friends, experience different cultures and develop themselves. The host would also have to give up to some extent, privacy at home, and teach a young adult some skills about navigating life in the Netherlands. It should be a win-win situation for both parties.

Does the au pair need to have health care insurance in the Netherlands?

Yes, just like everyone who stay beyond 4 months in the Netherlands, an Au Pair is required to have a Dutch Basic Healthcare insurance. The host family is responsible to help arrange it for them.