Au pair in UK
Official Au Pair in UK Program Information
There is no longer a dedicated program to be an au pair in UK, however
there are several options to enter and work as an au pair in UK
based on your citizenship. EU citizens as well as citizens from
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and nationals of
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Taiwan or a British
overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen or British
national overseas, have the possibility to work as an au pair in
UK. See visa information below for eligibility criteria and
requirements to be an au pair in UK.
Au pair in UK Mandatory criteria
- An au pair in UK must be between 18-31 years old (17-27 for
Romania and Bulgaria)
- An au pair in UK must have a basic knowledge of English
- Are a citizen of the countries / nations listed above
- Do not have dependent children
- Have sufficient funds
- Have not previously had a working holiday visa or YMS visa
Au Pair in UK General Information
There is no official au pair in UK program for au pairs or
nannies. The terms and conditions of the work agreement are
negotiated between the host family and the au pair. Please note
that this page contains information that is a
guideline only.
Compared with a nanny, an au pair in UK does not generally
require training or qualifications, works fewer hours and is paid
less. An au pair plus is an au pair in UK who works more than 25
hours (about 35) for extra pocket money. Nannies generally require
proof of formal training and childcare experience. Nannies
generally work longer hours, have greater responsibilities and are
paid more.
TheBestAupair recommends having a contract between the host
family and au pair which specifies family details, hours, pocket
money, duties, length of agreement, free time and holiday
arrangements and any other terms and conditions agreed on.
Pocket Money
Pocket money for an au pair in UK is not specified and needs to
be negotiated. TheBestAupair provides the following as a guide
only:
- Under 25 hours per week, and au pair in UK should earn
approximately £55 per week
- An au pair in UK working approximately 25 hours per week should
be paid £70-75 and an au pair plus working up to 35
hours per week should be paid £95-100 per
week.
- An au pair in UK working extra hours (for example in the
school holidays) should expect to earn
approximately £2.50 per hour above the usual working
hours.
- Nanny guideline is approximatly £200 per week for approximately
60 hours work. Age and experience will determine pay
Working hours, free time and holidays
TheBestAupair provides the following as a guide only:
- Au pair in UK is 25 hours per week, comprising 5 hours per day,
5 days per week which is negotiable. An au pair generally has 2
days off per week.
- An au pair plus works approximately 35 hours per week. Hours
are negotiable and would normally have 1.2 - 2 days off per week,
and at least one of these days on the weekend.
- The guideline for a nanny is approximately 60 hours per week
which is negotiable. A nanny will generally have 1 day off per
week, preferably a Sunday
- TheBestAupair recommends paid holidays are calculated at 4
weeks per 12 months worked. Please make sure this is discussed /
negotiated with your host family and put in your au pair in UK
contract
Accommodation and Meals
- An au pair in UK is provided with their own room, 3 meals per
day and free access to the family home
Travel Costs
- The au pair is responsible for travel costs to and from the
UK
- Please refer to our Travel
Partners for discounts on flights and travel
insurance
Language skills and courses
- An au pair in UK must have a basic knowledge of English
- The host family should allow an au pair enough time in their
schedule to attend an English language course
- The au pair must pay for the cost of the course
- If the au pair is required to travel a long distance to
language classes, the host family may contribute to travel costs to
the course. This should be discussed prior to departing and put in
your contract
Length of stay
- An au pair in UK can stay a maximum of 2 years
Insurances
EU
nationals can register with the National Health Service NHS. EU nationals who
are insured with the healthcare system of their State are entitled
to some NHS hospoital treatment. Treatment is limited to any
condition that occurred after arrival in the UK (including
pre-existing conditions which acutely exacerbate or need prompt
treatment whilst there). Please read the relevant sections to
decide if this insurance is appropriate for you and if it is, take
your health insurance card with you.
Citizens from countries with a bilateral health care agreement
with the UK (i.e residents of Australia and nationals of New
Zealand) are exempt from some NHS hospital charges provided they
are employed at the time of treatment. This is limited to treatment
required for any condition that occurred after arrival in the UK
(including pre-existing conditions which acutely exacerbate or need
prompt treatment whilst there). TheBestAupair still recommends
taking out comprehensive travel insurance which covers medical,
accident, repatriation and liability costs.
Other statutory NHS charges (eg prescription charges) are not
covered under the NHS, unless you also qualify for exemption from
these, and you will have to go onto waiting lists for treatment
where appropriate.
The Department of Health website - Overseas visitors
eligibility rules can provide further information on
health care in the UK.
Employed citizens of countries who do not meet the above
criteria are generally not covered by the NHS for anything other
than accident and emergency services. If you are admitted as an
in-patient (this will include emergency operations and admittance
to High Dependency Units) or registered at an outpatient clinic,
you are likely to incur all charges. If coming to the UK on the
Youth Mobility visa we suggest you contact the Department of Health (Overseas visitors
eligibility rules) directly to clarify any entitlements.
TheBestAupair strongly advises you to take out comprehensive travel
insurance that covers medical, accident, repatriation and liability
expenses.
Job Duties
- Au pair in UK duties include childcare and light housework
- Nanny duties are likely to be more extensive
Driving
- TheBestAupair recommends obtaining an international driving
permit from your home country if your licence is not valid on its
own in the UK
- Discuss with your host family what happens if you have a car
accident, who pays, and have your agreements put in the au pair in
UK contract
Visa Information
All EEA
and Swiss nationals can enter and live in the UK without needing to
apply for a visa.
Bulgarian and Romanian nationals at present require an accession
worker card. Please visit the UK Border Agency website for further
information. For information on how to apply for permission to
work in the UK, click here.
The Youth Mobility Scheme is available to work as an au pair in
UK for nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco,
Taiwan (Sponsorship required - Contact National Youth Commission
for details and how to apply for sponsorship) or a British Overseas
Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National
(Overseas), who are between 18 and 31 (on the year of application),
and have £1,800 available in funds. You cannot apply for this
scheme if you are already in the UK. The maximum stay for this
scheme is 24 months. There are various annual limits to the number
of places available for each country. Further information can be
found at the Border Agency website - Tier 5 Youth Mobility
Scheme.
If you would like to go to the UK on an ancestry visa and work
as an au pair in UK, you can if you are a commonwealth citizen and
at least one of your grandparents was born in the UK. Visit the UK Border Agency website - UK
Ancestry for more information.
For further information about visas and living and working in
the UK, contact your local UK Embassy or Consulate here.
Check with the UK Border Agency or your local UK consulate or
Embassy for your tax obligations and obligations regarding
registering once arriving in the UK. You can also check if you
require a visa from the UK Border
Agency website homepage.
Additional Information
You can find additional information about being an au pair in UK
in the websites listed in the Relevant links section on the right
panel of this page.
If you have any comments regarding this page,
please Email us - we value your feedback!