Finding an Au-Pair in Italy: The Guide for Host Families (2026)

Italy does not have its own au-pair program, but it has ratified the European au-pair agreement of 1969 (Law No. 304/1973). The basic rules are therefore: au-pairs are 17 to 30 years old, work no more than about 5 hours per day for the host family, have at least one full day off per week, and receive board, lodging and an allowance, the amount of which is freely agreed upon. A written contract is mandatory. The easiest way is to look for an au-pair from the EU, because for au-pairs from outside the EU the permission outside of exchange programs is limited to three months.

This guide is written for families living in Italy who are looking for an au-pair for the first time — or who want to organize it themselves this time, without an agency. The general rules from the au-pair’s perspective can be found on our country page Au-pair in Italy.

Sources: European Agreement on Au‑Pair Employment in the Italian version of Law No. 304 of 18 May 1973; DPR 394/1999, Art. 40 paragraph 20 (published by the Italian Ministry of Labour, lavoro.gov.it); Legislative Decree 30/2007, Art. 9. Retrieved in September 2026.

Because Italy has not set its own au‑pair rates, there is no official amount. Calculate with these items:

• Pocket money: freely agreed. The youth portal of the city of Turin (Torino Giovani) cites as a guideline roughly €260 to €300 per month (as of July 2026). Set the amount and the payment date in the contract.
• Board and lodging: The au‑pair eats with the family and, as far as possible, gets a private room. This mainly costs you space and food, not a fixed amount.
• Insurance: An au‑pair from the EU is covered by the European Health Insurance Card. Where public coverage does not apply, the family must, according to the agreement, take out private insurance and bear the full cost.
• Language course: The au‑pair must have enough time for an Italian course. Whether you cover the fees or share them, you agree on this in the contract.
• Optional: Monthly pass for bus and train, mobile phone contract, contribution to travel costs. None of this is mandatory, but it makes your offer more attractive.

Social contributions: According to Torino Giovani, a genuine au‑pair stay does not constitute an employment relationship, so no social security contributions to INPS are due. This applies only as long as it is truly an au‑pair stay—childcare and cultural exchange with limited hours, not a full‑time household worker.

In addition, there are one‑time search costs. On AuPairMatch, these are free for host families during the founding phase, including contact initiation. Well‑known other platforms charge from €49.70 per month for contact initiation (AuPair.com) or €49.90 (AuPairWorld) as of September 2026. Agencies charge significantly more but also provide pre‑selection and support.

Au-Pairs from the EU can travel freely and do not need a permit. If they stay longer than three months, they must register with the municipality (iscrizione anagrafica). For most families this is the simplest route.

Au-Pairs from outside the EU need a permit (nulla osta) before entry, which is processed through the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione of the prefecture, and then a visa from the Italian consulate. The written contract must be presented at that time. Important: According to DPR 394/1999, the permit for Au-Pairs outside youth‑exchange or youth‑mobility programmes may not exceed three months. A full Au‑Pair year with a person from outside the EU therefore works only within such a programme. Check this with the Sportello Unico of your prefecture before you accept a candidate.

Because there is no official template contract in Italy, your contract is the most important safeguard for both parties. The agreement requires it in writing—ideally before the au pair’s departure, at the latest during the first week. Include at least the following:

• Start date, duration and termination (for indefinite contracts the agreement stipulates a two‑week notice period; in case of serious breaches immediate termination is possible)
• Tasks: childcare, school runs, play, language practice—an au pair is not a domestic helper
• Hours per day, fixed days off, evenings with babysitting
• Allowance: amount and payment day
• Room and board
• Language course: schedule and who pays the fees
• Insurance: which card or policy, who pays
• Vacation and what applies during your family holiday

The agreement also provides that a copy of the contract must be filed with the appropriate authority. For au pairs from outside the EU this is done with the application for approval.

In a conversation, more matters than a résumé. Ask specifically: What have you already done with children of our kids' age? How do you react when a child doesn’t want to participate? What do you want to learn in Italy? How do you envision your days off? Speak honestly about your daily life — including what’s challenging. And ask for references, for example from families where the person has already cared for babies.

On AuPairMatch, the meeting takes place directly in the app: after the match you start a video meeting without exchanging phone numbers. A meeting lasts up to 75 minutes and can be extended once by 60 minutes.

AuPairMatch is a self‑search platform: you create a profile, see au‑pairs with a match score — how well wishes and offers align — and write to them directly. In the launch phase this is free for host families, including contact. Messages and profile texts are automatically translated into your language, the original is just one click away. This also lets you write to au‑pairs who don’t yet speak Italian. And your au‑pair can find other au‑pairs nearby through the au‑pair community.

AuPairMatch launched in 2026 and is growing; established providers have more profiles. Many families therefore search on multiple platforms in parallel — an additional free profile expands your search.