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Pathway

Netherlands Au Pair Residence Permit

Netherlands Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

This is a temporary cultural-exchange route through a recognized au pair agency.

Age
18 to 25
Sponsor
Recognized au pair agency
Purpose
Cultural exchange with a host family
Work limits
Light household tasks only, with hour limits
What it gives
The permit allows the au pair to live with the approved host family and take part in the cultural-exchange placement for up to 1 year.
Main limit
This is not a nanny, care-worker, cleaning, or general employment permit.

Summary

The Netherlands au pair residence permit is a temporary cultural-exchange route for a person aged 18 to 25 who will live with a host family. A Dutch au pair agency recognized by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) must organize the placement and apply for the permit. A host family cannot apply by itself.

An au pair is not an ordinary domestic employee. The arrangement must center on cultural exchange, with only limited light household tasks. The permit lasts no more than 1 year and cannot be extended as an au pair permit.

Pathway fit check

Eligibility

The applicant must:

The host family must have at least 2 members, be registered in the Dutch population register (BRP), have Dutch nationality or valid Dutch residence, and meet the current host-family income requirement.

The au pair and host family must sign a weekly schedule. Light household tasks are limited to 8 hours a day and 30 hours a week, with at least 2 days off each week. The au pair cannot provide specialized care requiring professional skills. A contract also cannot impose a fine for failing to complete the placement.

What This Route Allows

The permit allows the au pair to live with the approved host family and take part in the cultural-exchange placement for up to 1 year. The agreed light household tasks are allowed within the daily and weekly limits.

It is possible to change host families or agencies during the permit period, but the recognized agency must notify IND and the new arrangement must continue to meet every requirement.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a nanny, care-worker, cleaning, or general employment permit. It does not allow unrestricted paid work, self-employment, more than 30 hours of household tasks a week, or specialized nursing or care duties.

It is also not renewable as another au pair year and does not by itself guarantee a later work permit, permanent residence, or Dutch citizenship. Someone who is an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen normally relies on free movement instead of this residence permit.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that the applicant meets the age, marriage, child, and prior-exchange rules.
  2. Check prospective agencies in the current IND recognized-sponsor register before paying or signing anything.
  3. Have the agency check the host family, income, relationship, prior-work, insurance, and schedule requirements.
  4. Review any proposed fees or penalty clauses carefully. The official rules sharply restrict what an au pair may be charged.
  5. Let the recognized agency submit the residence-permit application and, where required, the provisional residence permit (MVV) application.
Compare your options

Similar exchange pathways in other destinations.

Sources