Pocket money, working hours, contract for au pairs in Denmark

There is an official au pair contract in Denmark. It is part of the application for resident permits for au pairs. The au pair contract can be made for a maximum period of 12 months.

Downloads

• Application form for resident permits for au pairs (with the attached au pair contract)

Termination
Au pair contracts must be terminated in writing. Au pairs can terminate an au pair contract at 2 weeks’ notice. Host families at 1 month’s notice.

Au pairs in Denmark receive a residence permit for one year. This permit, however, cannot be made for longer than the time of stay that is specified in the au pair contract. As an exception, the resident permit can be extended to a maximumof 24 months.

The main duties of an au pair involve providing help with childcare. In addition, au pairs help with light household chores. The best approach is for the au pair and host family to discuss in detail which duties the au pair will be reponsible for during the au pair stay. 

More information on the topic:

• What are exactly the responsibilities of an au pair?
• Using a schedule to organise au pair activities

The pocket money for au pairs is 4,550 DKK per month (gross). The au pair continues to receive this pocket money in case of illness and also during holidays.

More information on this topic:

• Is there extra pay for babysitting?

Au pairs must pay tax on the pocket money that they receive. A tax card for this purpose should be obtained from the local tax authorities.

The au pair receives free room and board. Au pairs take part in the common meals of the host family and are given an appropriate room of their own in the home of the host family.

More information on the topic:

• What should an au pair room look like?

Au pairs in Denmark work between 18 and 30 hours per week and a maximum of 3 to 5 hours per day.

More information on the topic:

• What are working hours and what is free time?
• How are public holidays handled?

Au pair should have  one-and-a-half days off every week. In addition, they have a right to a day off on official Danish public holidays. Also, the au pair must be given the opportunity to participate in religious worship. 

Au pairs in Denmark are entitled to 2.5 paid days off per month if they work 6 days a week or 2,08 paid days off per month if they work just 5 days a week. When an au pair stay ends, the host family must pay for any holiday days earned but not used.

More information on the topic:

• Family holidays and your au pair – What works best?
• Going on family holidays without the au pair - how to handle?

The au pair should be given enough spare time to attend a language course. Host families are required to pay a one-off payment of DKK 18,000 to cover parts of the state's expenses of offering Danish lessons.

More information on this topic:

• Do au pairs have to attend a language course?
• Which language level do I need to become an au pair?

Should an au pair fall ill during their stay, it is the responsibility of the host family to provide free food, lodging and sufficient care until necessary further arrangements have been made. It is furthermore the responsibility of the host family to sign the au pair up for health insurance. They can do this at the local Citizen's Service Centre (Borgerservice). The au pair will get a so-called CPR number and 'health card' there.

More information on this topic:

• How should I be insured as an au pair?

The host family has to cover return flight tickets for au pairs from outside the EU. There are some rules about this point that need to be observed.