How are au pairs paid in the UK? What are the working hours? Do au pairs in Great Britain need to have a contract? You'll find all this information and more for au pairs and host families in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Wages, working hours, contract for au pairs in the UK
There is not an official au pair programme in the UK, but there are various ways that young people can come to the UK and have an au pair style cooperation with a UK family.
Au pair contract
There is no official au pair contract for the United Kingdom (England), but the European template is widely used and accepted.
The au pair contract must be signed before the au pairs travels to the host country and must specify all arrangements for the au pair stay (duties, holidays, working hours, pocket money, etc.). This will ensure a clear and fair arrangement between the family and the au pair.
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Termination
It is possible to terminate the contract. The legal period of notice is 14 days. This should provide enough time for both parties to make other arrangements to find another au pair or host family or to return home.
Duties
The primary responsibility of an au pair is to look after the children in the host family. In addition to childcare, au pairs can perform light household chores, but the main focus of their duties should concern the children. The host family and the au pair should make clear and definite arrangements about what the au pair's duties will be.
More information on the topic:
- What exactly are the responsibilities of an au pair?
- Using a schedule to organise au pair activities
Au pair wages
As of 24 April 2024, new regulations apply regarding au pair compensation in the United Kingdom.
From that date, au pairs must be paid at least the U.K. National Minimum Wage, calculated on an hourly basis, replacing the previously recommended weekly allowance. The applicable minimum wage varies depending on the number of hours worked per week and the age of the au pair.
According to UK minimum wage regulations, accommodation provided by the employer can be taken into account when calculating the minimum wage through the so-called accommodation offset. From April 2025, this offset is set at:
- £11.10 per day, or
- £77.70 per week
Under UK law, from April 2025:
- Workers aged 18 to 20 are entitled to £10.85 per hour.
- Workers aged 21 and over are entitled to £12.71 per hour.
This translates into the following recommended weekly minimum payments, once the accommodation offset effective from April 2026 has been considered:
Recommended weekly minimum for au pairs aged 18–20
- 25 hours per week: £10.85 × 25 − £77.70 = £193.55
- 30 hours per week: £10.85 × 30 − £77.70 = £247.80
- 35 hours per week: £10.85 × 35 − £77.70 = £302.05
Recommended weekly minimum for au pairs aged 21 and over
- 25 hours per week: £12.21 × 25 − £74.62 = £240.05
- 30 hours per week: £12.21 × 30 − £74.62 = £303.60
- 35 hours per week: £12.21 × 35 − £74.62 = £367.15
Please note: Although au pair payment arrangements in the UK are now based on the statutory minimum wage, we at AuPairWorld continue to view au pairing as a form of cultural exchange that works through integration of a young person into family life. Rergadless of how payment is calculated, this is the essence of au pairing. The information provided on these pages and throughout our website is based on this idea, and is described in our Basic idea of au pairing, which constitutes part of our Terms of Service.
Board and lodging
In addition to the weekly payment, the au pair is provided with accommodation by the host family.
The value of the accommodation is taken into account as part of the total compensation in accordance with the official accommodation offset rate, set at £11.10 per day, equivalent to £77.70 per week (see the “Au Pair wages” section). This amount relates exclusively to the accommodation provided.
Meals are not included in the accommodation offset and are therefore not taken into account in this calculation.
If they wish, the host family may also choose to provide the au pair with access to meals within the household while they are part of family life.
More information on the topic:
Working hours
Au pairs in the UK usually work 30 hours per week but different weekly hours can be arranged individually by au pairs and families and compensated accordingly.
More information on the topic:
Free time and holidays
An au pair is entitled to 2 days off per week. One of these days should be on a Sunday at least once every month.
There are no consistent regulations in the UK concerning holiday time that au pairs should receive. Our recommendation is that an au pair who stays with the family for 12 months should receive four weeks of holidays. (In case of shorter placements, this can also serve as the basis for calculating a prorated amount of holiday.)
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?
Language course
Au pairs should have the possibility to attend an English language course. Usually, au pairs pay for the cost of such courses themselves. The host family should help to find an appropriate course within their area if possible.
More information on this topic:
National insurance and income tax
Au pairs in the UK do not have the same employment status as regular workers and employees. However, depending on how much pocket money they receive, they may have to pay income tax and National Insurance.
Au pair insurance
To be safely and fully insured, au pairs from all countries need to have a comprehensive private au pair insurance for au pair stays in the United Kingdom. Au pairs and host families should clarify in advance whether the host family will be prepared to bear part of the insurance costs for the au pair stay. Otherwise, the au pair must cover these costs.
AuPairWorld recommends the PROTRIP-WORLD insurance package to provide protection during the au pair stay. It is especially designed for au pairs and other young people spending time abroad. Among other benefits, this insurance covers the full costs of inpatient and outpatient medical care, plus return transport to the home country for medical reasons.
More information on insurance:
- Expert advice and online insurance purchase from AuPairWorld's partner DR-WALTER.
- Au Pair Wiki: How should I be insured as an au pair?
Car driving and driving licence
Many host families would like to have an au pair who has a driving licence. It is important that au pairs who will be driving have enough driving experience to feel comfortable.
Don't forget: cars drive on the left in Britain. The au pair and host family should discuss whether the au pair will feel 100% safe driving in the UK.
Foreign driving licences are valid for a period of 12 months after arrival in the UK. Following this period other arrangements may be necessary.
In addition, questions of insurance and liability need to be clarified in advance. If the au pair has an accident with the family car, it should be clear how the costs will be handled. The host family should contact their own car insurance company and see if it is possible for the au pair to be included on the policy for the duration of the au pair stay.
More information on this topic:
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Further information on the au pair stay in the UK
We are continually researching and updating our host country information, but cannot guarantee that all material provided is complete and correct. If you notice gaps or inaccuracies, we would like to hear from you.