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Au Pair in Denmark: information on the program

Denmark is the perfect Au Pair destination for candidates who would like to experience Scandinavian family life, improve their language skills, and get to know Danish culture from the inside. An Au Pair stay in Denmark is meant to be a cultural exchange, where the Au Pair lives with a Danish Host Family, helps with daily chores and childcare, and takes part in everyday family life.

Requirements and entry regulations vary depending on the candidate’s citizenship.

Program requirements

Everything you need to know to join the Au Pair program in Denmark

For Au Pairs

You must be 18 to 29 years old at the time of application*
You must not be or have been married
You must not have children, and must not be expecting a child
You must have an agreement with a Host Family and sign a binding Au Pair contract
You must be able to communicate with the Host Family in one of the following languages: Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, or German
Not being related and not sharing the same nationality with your Host Family

* If you change Host Family, you may already have turned 30. More information about all the requirements here.

If you meet the requirements, you can start searching for a Host Family in Denmark. Otherwise, consider other countries where the Au Pair experience may fit your situation better.

Free Registration as Candidate

For Host Families

At least one adult and one child under 18 must live at the address
At least one parent must know Danish culture well
The Host Family must not be related and have the same nationality as the Au Pair
The family can host only one Au Pair at a time (an overlap of up to 14 days is allowed)
The Au Pair must have their own room and enough living space (approved by the BBR)
Public benefits under the Active Social Policy Act must not support the Host Family
The Host Family must not be excluded from the Au Pair scheme because of previous abuse of the rules

If you meet the requirements, you can proceed and search for an Au Pair in Denmark; if not, consider other available programs.

Free Registration as Family

Working Conditions

Working Hours

18 to 30 hours per week
3 to 5 hours per day
Maximum 6 days per week
Weekly schedule must describe when tasks are to be done

Time Off and Holidays

At least 1.5 days off per week
On a half-day off, duties may only be before or after 14:00
Day off on all official Danish public holidays
Holiday accrual is 2.5 days/month if working 6 days per week, or 2.08 days/month if working 5 days per week
Holiday dates must be agreed in writing with the Host Family

Language Course

Attending a Danish language course is mandatory
The Host Family must pay a one-off fee of DKK 20,900 for the state’s Danish lessons when the Au Pair applies for a first Danish Au Pair permit
This fee is not paid again if the Au Pair changes Host Family
The fee is not refunded if the Au Pair does not come to Denmark or if the contract ends early

Au Pair Responsibilities

Childcare
Simple, domestic housework
Tasks must be listed in a weekly schedule
The stay must remain a cultural exchange, not ordinary employment

Au Pair Insurance

Insurance against work-related injuries
Insurance covering leisure time and accidents
Insurance covering transportation to the home country in case of death, serious illness, or serious injury
Insurance must be valid for the full duration of the Au Pair contract

Driving Licence

Driving arrangements should be agreed in advance between the Au Pair and the Host Family
If driving is expected, the family should clarify licence validity, insurance coverage, and responsibility for damages before the stay begins

Host Families provide Au Pairs with:

Accommodation

The Host Family must provide the Au Pair with their own separate room. The home must also include at least one common room and enough approved bedrooms for the people living there. All bedrooms and living rooms must be approved for habitation and registered in the BBR.

Meals

The Au Pair must receive free food with the Host Family during the stay (full board).

Pocket Money

The Host Family must pay at least DKK 5,250 per month at the 2026 level. The pocket money must be paid into the Au Pair’s Danish bank account no later than the last banking day of each month. The Au Pair must still receive pocket money even when ill. Au Pairs are required to pay taxes; therefore, it is mandatory to apply for a tax card at the local tax center.

Language Course

If the Au Pair is granted a residence permit, Danish lessons are free of charge. The Host Family finances the official Danish lessons through the required one-off state fee for first-time Au Pair permits.

Health Insurance

The Host Family must take out the required insurance policies covering work-related injuries, accidents during leisure time, and transport home in serious cases. The insurance must be valid for the whole length of the Au Pair’s stay.

Transportation

If the Au Pair comes from a country outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, the Host Family must pay the fare to Denmark and back to the Au Pair’s home country at the end of the stay. Click here to learn in which cases the Au Pair loses this right (What are the terms of the contract > paid travel fare). The Host Family may partially or fully cover an

Legal Support

The Host Family completes its part of the application, receives the pre-filled contract via Digital Post in the online procedure, signs it, and sends it to the Au Pair for signature and submission.

Free Registration as Candidate Free Registration as Family

Everything You Need to Know

Explore our comprehensive guides to make your Au Pair journey smooth and successful

Visa & Next Steps

Residence permit rules for non-EU/EEA applicants
EU residence rules for EU/EEA/Swiss applicants
Required documents and biometrics
CPR registration, tax card, and Danish bank account after arrival

Au Pair tour in Denmark You want to become an Au Pair in Denmark? Get all the important information before your stay. Read more about the best places in Denmark here.
Explore Denmark

Reasons to learn Danish There are many good reasons to learn Danish, working as an Au Pair in Kopenhagen is only one of them. Learn Danish and experience Denmark first hand!
Start Learning

What our customers have to say about us and our service:

Member since 5 years

Sittler's family,France

❱ Italian Au Pair

Very nice meeting with Gloria, who made us discover her origins and knew how to create a bond with the children. Great experience.

Margarita, Russian

Au Pair in Germany
A wonderful family. It was a year full of respect, love, and pleasant moments. It felt more like a vacation than a job. I’m very happy that I ended up with such a close-knit and lovely family. I ❱❱

Member since 14 years

Mabel's family,Spain

❱ Slovak Au Pair

I have used aupair.com several times now; and always had good experiences. Zuzana is leaving at the end of July and I need to find someone to come for next school year.

Member since 4 years

Elizabette's family,Australia

❱ Spanish Au Pair

Great job aupair.com (3rd time) and we love Lucia- she's kind and the kids love her, smart and intetesting and fun!

Contract Information

Understanding your agreement

Written Agreement There is an official Au Pair contract in Denmark, and the Host Family receives it via Digital Post when their part of the application is completed. The Au Pair and the Host Family must sign it, and if there are two parents in the Host Family, both must sign. In the online application, the contract is pre-filled from the Host Family’s application details. If the signed contract is missing, processing may be delayed. The normal processing time is 3 months.

Contract Duration An Au Pair residence permit in Denmark can be granted for a maximum of 2 years. However, it cannot be valid longer than the contract period or beyond the date when the youngest child in the Host Family turns 18. If the passport expires earlier, the permit can be shortened accordingly.

Both the Host Family and the Au Pair can terminate the contract earlier, should any problems occur during the stay. The termination must be done in writing. The Au Pair must give the Host Family a 2-week notice. The notice period in case the Host Family terminates the contract is 1 month.

Contract Must Include

Work schedule and weekly tasks
Pocket money amount and payment terms
Food and accommodation
Holidays and time off
Travel-fare obligations, where applicable
Insurance coverage
Conditions for changes and termination

Au Pair program costs in Denmark

For the Host Family and Au Pair

Host Family Covers

Pocket money: at least DKK 5,250 per month
Accommodation: private room in the Host Family’s home
Food: full board during the stay
Insurance: required insurance policies
Language course: Danish lessons through the one-off DKK 20,900 fee for first-time Au Pair permits
Travel costs: Travel to Denmark and back to the Au Pair’s home country, if from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland
Additional: Payment for the unused earned holiday when the stay ends

Au Pair Covers

Taxes: Taxes on pocket money
Personal expenses: mobile phone plan, leisure, and extra travel
Everyday expenses: excluding food, accommodation, or the required scheme benefits

What else?

If the contract is terminated earlier, both the Au Pair and the Host Family should maintain a calm environment. During this time, the Au Pair continues performing the regular tasks, and the Host Family keeps providing food, accommodation, and pocket money. In case of emergency, the contract may be terminated immediately, without notice.
If the Au Pair changes Host Family, they must terminate the contract in writing with 2 weeks’ notice, find a new family within 1 month, and submit a new application. They may stay with the new family as a guest, but must not start working before the new residence permit is granted.