Finding an au pair in Sweden: The guide for host families (2026)
Host families in Sweden can find their au pair themselves or through an agency; none is required. The rules are set by Migrationsverket. In 2026 the minimum is 5,920 SEK per month before tax — ten percent of the price base amount —, a maximum of 25 hours per week, and the au pair spends most of the remaining time studying Swedish. The permit application must be submitted from outside Sweden.
This guide is for families in Sweden who are taking in an au pair for the first time. All figures come from Migrationsverket (page Au pairs) and Statistics Sweden SCB (price base amount 2026: 59,200 SEK), checked on 18 September 2026.
The rules at a glance
| Topic | Rule in Sweden | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age of the au pair | 18 to 29 years (the 30th birthday must not have passed at the time of decision) | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Compensation | at least ten percent of the base price amount per month before tax; for 2026 this is 5,920 SEK (base price amount 59,200 SEK according to SCB), taxable | Migrationsverket, SCB |
| Hours | up to 25 per week; assistance and Swedish studies together up to 40 | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Language course | Mandatory: most of the non‑working time is dedicated to Swedish studies. | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Insurance | Accident insurance for work hours, commute, and work‑related illness provided by the family; comprehensive health insurance must be in place or applied for. | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Contract | written agreement on working conditions and remuneration | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Duration | maximum 1 year, non‑extendable, never longer than the passport is valid | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Application | from outside Sweden, fee 1,500 SEK; family members are not allowed to come along | Swedish Migration Agency |
| Stay | Au pairs from the EU or the EEA: no permit; those staying a year or longer register with the Skatteverket population register; from outside the EU: residence permit as au pair | Swedish Migration Agency |
Sources: Migrationsverket, Au pairs (migrationsverket.se); SCB, Price basic amount 2026 (scb.se). Checked on 18 September 2026. The basic amount and therefore the compensation are set anew each year. This overview does not replace legal advice.
What makes Sweden special: studying first?
Sweden treats the au pair year primarily as a language stay. The au pair must spend most of the time not helping you on Swedish studies – this is a condition for the permit. Help and study together may not exceed 40 hours per week, and the help alone is limited to 25 hours. The Migration Agency lists childcare and light household assistance as tasks; an au pair is not a domestic worker in Sweden.
Second peculiarity: the compensation is real, taxable salary, not tax‑free pocket money. It is legally linked to the base price level and amounts to at least 5,920 SEK per month before tax in 2026.
What you offer as a host family?
- Compensation: at least 5,920 SEK per month before tax, which is at least 71,040 SEK per year. More is allowed.
- Room and meals: a private room and full board. The au pair eats with you and is part of daily family life.
- Swedish course time: schedule the weekly plan around the class times, not the other way round.
- Insurance: you must take out accident insurance that covers work hours, commute and work‑related illness – a pure leisure policy is not enough. In addition, comprehensive health insurance must be in place or applied for.
- Written agreement: working conditions and compensation, signed by both parties. It is part of the application.
- Search: on AuPairMatch during the startup phase 0 €; on other platforms or agencies depending on the provider.
How Sweden compares is shown in our 2026 pocket‑money country comparison. The rules from the au pair’s perspective are on our country page au pair in Sweden.
Au pair from the EU or from outside the EU?
Au pairs from the EU or EEA have the right to stay: no permit needed, you can start right away; if you stay for a year or longer, you can register with the population register at Skatteverket. Citizens of the Nordic countries also enjoy free movement. Still, follow the rules on pay, hours and insurance—and sign a written agreement.
Au pairs from outside the EU need a residence permit as an au pair. The application must be submitted from outside Sweden—applying from within the country is not possible. You must include your written agreement and proof of insurance. The fee is 1 500 SEK. The permit is valid for up to one year, never longer than the passport, and cannot be extended. Family members may not accompany you. The au pair may only enter and start when the permit is granted.
How to find your au pair: step by step
In six steps to an au pair in Sweden
Clarify wishes
Period, children’s ages, care hours, languages — and whether an au pair from the EU or outside the EU is suitable. In the latter case, the application from outside Sweden is added.
Create family profile
Describe your daily routine honestly: children, location, room, school and preschool hours, days off, compensation. List the 25 hours and the course times directly in your profile.
Contact candidates and get to know them
Contact suitable au pairs and hold at least one detailed video call, preferably two. Ask about their motivation to learn Swedish—it’s a requirement in Sweden.
Enter into a written agreement
Working conditions, hours, pay, course times, insurance. Both sign, each keeps a copy.
Submit an application
For au pairs from outside the EU, the au pair applies to Migrationsverket from outside Sweden, using your agreement and the insurance documents. Fee 1,500 SEK.
Prepare for arrival
Take out accident and health insurance, enroll in a Swedish course, and for EU au pairs staying a year or longer, plan the registration with Skatteverket.
Typical mistakes — and how to avoid them
- Plan the course as a side activity. The Swedish studies are a condition for the permit. Filling the course schedule with childcare endangers the stay.
- Treat the payment as pocket money. It is taxable salary and must be at least 5,920 SEK before tax.
- Want to submit the application in Sweden. That is not possible. The au pair applies for the permit from outside Sweden.
- Consider a leisure insurance sufficient. The Migration Agency requires coverage for work hours, commuting and work‑related illness.
- Expect an extension. The permit is valid for a maximum of one year and cannot be extended.
Legal pitfalls in Sweden
An au pair from outside the EU may only enter once the Swedish Migration Agency has granted permission; applying in the country is not possible. A salary below 5,920 SEK before tax, more than 25 hours of assistance, or missing course hours violate the permit conditions. This overview does not replace legal advice.
Why AuPairMatch for families in Sweden
Because Sweden does not require an agency, you don’t need any mediation to 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 Swedish and the au pair speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. The video‑call introduction happens right on the platform. During 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 (agreement, application, insurance) yourself or with an agency of your choice.
Find your au pair for Sweden
Create a family profile, view au pairs with match scores and contact them directly — free during the startup phase.