Finding an au pair in Denmark: The guide for host families (2026)

Host families in Denmark can find their au pair themselves or through an agency; no agency is required. The rules are set by the immigration authority SIRI and are updated each year on January 1. In 2026 the requirements are: at least 5,250 DKK per month deposited in a Danish bank account, three to five hours per day on a maximum of six days per week, and the family pays a one‑time contribution of 20,900 DKK to the state for Danish language courses.

This guide is for families in Denmark who are hosting an au pair for the first time. All figures come from SIRI (nyidanmark.dk, Au pair page and 2026 rates), verified on September 22, 2026.

Sources: SIRI, Au pair (nyidanmark.dk, accessed on 22 September 2026); SIRI, Au pair — new rates 2026 (nyidanmark.dk, checked on 11 September 2026). Pocket money and course fee are set each January. This overview does not constitute legal advice.

Denmark checks the family just like the au pair. In your household at least one adult and one child under 18 must live; the permission ends no later than the 18th birthday of the youngest child. At least one parent must be a Danish citizen, an EU citizen, or have permanent residence rights. The au pair must not be related to you and must not share your nationality.

For the au pair: unmarried, no own children, not in a stable partnership. Previous au pair stays in other Western countries are taken into account by SIRI. Note on hours: the 18 weekly hours are also a minimum—a au pair in Denmark is there for three to five hours a day, not just occasional babysitting. An au pair is not a domestic helper; the focus is child care and cultural exchange with your family.

• Allowance: at least 5,250 DKK per month, transferred to a Danish bank account of the au pair. That equals at least 63,000 DKK per year. The amount is taxable in Denmark.
• State course fee: one‑time 20,900 DKK (2026), regardless of whether the au pair attends the Danish language course.
• Application fee: 4,305 DKK for the au pair permit for au pairs from outside the EU.
• Room and board: a private room and full meals. The au pair eats with you and is part of family life.
• Insurance: three mandatory policies paid by you: work accident, leisure accident and a repatriation insurance for illness or death.
• Free time: at least 1.5 days off per week, Danish public holidays and 2.5 vacation days per month.
• Search: on AuPairMatch during the startup phase €0; on other platforms or agencies depending on the provider.

Denmark is therefore one of the more expensive au pair destinations in Europe, especially in the first year because of the course fee and the application fee. How the allowance compares can be seen in our Allowance Country Comparison 2026. The rules from the au pair’s perspective are on our country page Au pair in Denmark.

Au pairs from the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not need an au pair permit. They apply for an EU residence document; citizens of the Nordic countries benefit from free movement. Still use the SIRI contract and follow the rules on pocket money, hours and insurance.

Au pairs from outside the EU apply to SIRI for an au pair residence permit with form AU1. You as a host family sign the official contract and the host family declaration, and the au pair submits the application. The fee is 4.305 DKK. The permit is valid for a maximum of two years in total, including any change of host family, and never beyond the 18th birthday of your youngest child. The au pair may start only after the permit is granted.

• Use last year’s figures. Pocket money and course fee change every January. Check the current SIRI page before signing.
• Forget the course fee. The 20,900 DKK is due even if the au pair does not attend a course.
• Plan too few hours. Three hours per day is the minimum. If you only need occasional babysitting, don’t look for an au pair.
• Take out only one insurance. SIRI requires three: work accident, leisure accident, home‑return.
• Start too late. For au pairs from outside the EU, SIRI’s processing time adds extra weeks. Build a buffer before confirming a start date.

Because in Denmark the family signs the contract directly with SIRI, you don’t need an agency for the search. On AuPairMatch you create a family profile, check the match score to see which au pairs fit your wishes, and contact them directly. Messages and profile texts are automatically translated into your language—handy if you speak Danish and the au pair speaks English or Spanish. The video‑call introduction happens right on the platform. In the startup phase this is free for host families, including contact.

AuPairMatch launched in 2026 and is growing; established providers have more profiles. Many families therefore search on several platforms at once—an extra free profile expands your search. You handle the paperwork (SIRI contract, application, insurance) yourself or with an agency of your choice.