Frequently Asked Questions

Family au pair only assist au pairs from the Philippine, as well as Filipina au pairs already within the EU countries

An au pair can stay for a maximum of 1 year in the Netherlands.

Not always, but the majority of au pairs are female.

There are, but it’s very rare.

No, the au pair must not be related to the host family. This includes family relationships up to the 3rd degree between the au pair and the host family.

No, this is not possible. The purpose of stay of an au pair is cultural exchange, not family formation.

Approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the date the application has been submitted. This can be sooner if the au pair is already in a Schengen country.

Yes, that is certainly possible. We will however always start by screening the candidate to make sure she meets all the necessary requirements. Family au pair can still decide not to go through with this after screening the au pair.

The host family must pay a return ticket to the country of origin of the au pair (the Philippines) at all times.

Yes, the host family is responsible for these costs in this case as well. The host family is required to show us the ticket.

There are two options. Family au pair and the host family will make a schedule before arrival of the au pair, or the host family and the au pair will make a schedule before the arrival of the au pair and send it to Family au pair for approval.

The week schedule describes the expected duties of the au pair and the number of hours. The host family should discuss this with the au pair prior to her arrival.

An au pair is allowed to help the host family for maximum 30 hours per week, with a maximum of 8 hours a day and no more than 5 days a week.

No, it is not legally permitted to let the au pair work more than 30 hours per week, divided over a maximum of 5 days per week, including a maximum of 3 nights. This is not permitted for even one single occasion. However, it is possible to sometimes change the schedule after consultation with the au pair, as long as the overall working hours do not exceed the maximum 30 hours a week, 8 hours a day and no more than 5 days a week.

Yes. Family au pair must be informed of such changes at all times and as soon as possible. 

Apart from changes to the weekly schedule, Family Au pair should always be informed in case of a pregnancy, birth of a child, change of address, divorce, job loss by one or both parents, changes in salary, departure of the au pair, termination of the contract etc.

The au pair is entitled to 2 entire days off per week. At least twice a month this should include a whole weekend.

The au pair has a right to two weeks holidays in her 1 year of stay. Naturally, she will discuss beforehand when this holiday will take place with the host family. During this 2-weeks holidays the host family is obligated to continue the payment of her pocket money.

Yes, as long as these are limited to light household chores such as vacuum cleaning, tidying up, cooking, loading and unloading the dishwasher etc. or walking the dog.

The amount of pocket money the au pair receives may not exceed the € 340 per month. This maximum amount has been set by the Ministry of Finance.

The au pair should have her own private and furnished bedroom (such as chair, table, cabinet, window, wifi etc.). The au pair must have easy access to a bathroom with shower facility and toilet.

No, the au pair is definitely not permitted to reside and/or be registered at an address other than that of her host family.

No, the au pair is not responsible for any other children aside from the children of her host family.

Yes, this is stipulated by the IND. The outings are mostly paid by the host family.

Yes, because this is a part of the cultural exchange program.

No, but the host family is obligated to offer the possibility of a language course and pay the course fees if the au pair wants to attend it.

There are wo different kind of insurance needed: An Au pair World insurance and  a Dutch basic health insurance. The au pair World insurance should commence on the day of departure of the au pair to the Netherlands and covers the journey, luggage, legal liability and repatriation. The host family is responsible for the arrangement and payment of this insurance. The Dutch basic health insurance can be applied once the au pair has a BSN number and bank account. This insurance has to be paid by the au pair but in most cases the au pair can apply for reimbursement.

When an au pair gets sick, the host family is required to continue to pay the agreed amount of pocket money for a period of 14 days maximum. Also, the au pair should be given the opportunity to receive the appropriate medical care to ensure a speedy recovery. If the basic health insurance does not cover the necessary medical expenses the host family is responsible for the additional costs.

No, an au pair is not allowed to perform any extra work in or outside of the host family.

We will be forced to inform the IND and this will result in to the withdrawal of the residence permit for the au pair.

Depending on the exact individual situation, we will take the necessary steps. Naturally we will start by speaking to the parties involved, the host family and the au pair. If during the course of this conversation, we come to a conclusion that termination is the best course of action between host family and au pair, then we can try and find a new host family for the au pair. Depending on the situation we can try to find a new au pair for the host family-only valid for full-matched and if the host family did not commit any infringement. Should the au pair need to leave the host family immediately, we can arrange for temporary housing. The host family will be held accountable depending on the situation for the ensuing costs. If finding a new host family for the au pair should prove unsuccessful, she needs to return to the Philippines. The host family must provide for the au pair return ticket to the Philippines.

If the au pair leaves the host family, regardless of the reason, the exchange program is terminated immediately. We guarantee the full-service au pairs we select for you and gladly offer the “full year au pair guarantee”. If your au pair leaves your family prematurely, and the family is not to blame, you will receive a discount on our initial service charge for your next au pair (proportional to the remaining months). For example, if your au pair leaves your family 9 months early, you will get 9/12 months = 75% discount. If the host family is to be blame for the departure of the au pair, this guarantee is not applicable. In any event we reserve the right to refuse to present a new au pair. However, this does not apply to pre-matched au pairs!

If the au pair leaves the host family, regardless of the reason, the exchange program is terminated immediately. We guarantee the full-service au pairs we select for you and gladly offer the “full year au pair guarantee”. If your au pair leaves your family prematurely, and the family is not to blame, you will receive a discount on our initial service charge for your next au pair (proportional to the remaining months). For example, if your au pair leaves your family 9 months early, you will get 9/12 months = 75% discount. If the host family is to be blame for the departure of the au pair, this guarantee is not applicable. In any event we reserve the right to refuse to present a new au pair. However, this does not apply to pre-matched au pairs!

In case of a pre-match au pair there is no refund. In case of a full-service au pair we can – depending on the situation – offer mediation for a new au pair at a reduced fee. The host family will have to pay the application of the visa and fee of the IND once again.

No, the au pair is not required to stay at home.

The au pair is allowed to stay and look after the house provided that this does not amount to more than 8 hours per day and 30 hours per week, divided over a maximum of 5 days.

We strongly advise the au pair and host family to try to resolve any problems together. If this is not possible/successful, please contact Family Au pair.

The host family and/or the au pair can report this to us. We are ready to answer all your questions and to help you both. We are in regular contact with the host families and the au pairs to make sure the program is all going well. In the event of serious abuse or exploitation, the au pair can contact the Meldpunt Misbruik: 06-10823594 or the local police.

If established that the host family is in violation of the rules and regulations, we will inform the IND and if necessary the police. The temporary housing will be charged to the host family.

The host family is responsible for all mediation costs. We do not charge registration fees from the au pairs and offer them two full days workshops for free in the Philippines.