Common Concerns for Host Families and Au Pairs
What should I consider when selecting an au pair? Ensure the au pair’s skills and experience match your family’s needs. Consider their language abilities, cultural background, and personal references. It’s crucial to have open communication to ensure a good match.
How much do au pairs make in Europe?
This varies from country to country and also depends on the legislation regarding labour / Au Pairs.
Ireland: An Au Pair would typically work between 20 – 35hrs/week and earn between €140 – €220/week. Because the Au Pair gets free board and lodging, they can easily afford to see a bit of Ireland on the weekend, or meet up with some other Au Pairs. However, as the Department of Employment does not recognise the au pair programme they are treated as domestic workers. It expects families to register as employers and pay the minimum wage rates or higher (€12.70 per hour aged 20+, €11.43 for 19 year olds, €10.16 for 18 year olds). Families are only allowed to deduct €1.14 an hour for board (food) and €30 a week for lodging (accommodation). Most families point out that it is impossible to get board and lodging anywhere for €30/week, and therefore ignore the legislation. This is, of course, not advisable.
So, in Ireland, if the Au Pair is working 30hrs per week and earning €10.16/hr, less the board and lodging deduction of €1.14/hr, they would earn €270.60/week. This is not really affordable to most families, and they would, therefore, only offer approximately €180/week to an Au Pair (excl. Board and Lodging). If the Au Pair complains, they will pay the difference to the Au Pair to avoid any legal ramifications.