Au pair in Denmark: eligibility, pay, permits and living costs 2026

Kristian

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Updated July 22, 2026

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Applying as an Au Pair

You start by finding a host family – either through an agency that specialises in au pair placements or by arranging a private match. Agencies help with matching, contracts and sometimes the permit paperwork; private matches can work but you must be extra careful about a written contract.

Pick the location with your priorities in mind: Copenhagen for the most jobs and language schools, Aarhus for student life and cheaper rent, Odense for quieter island living and biking culture, Roskilde if you prefer history and a small-city feel. Remember that city choice affects daily costs and transport time – check the cost of living in Denmark when budgeting.

1. Find and interview potential host families (ask about children’s ages, duties and daily schedule).
2. Agree a written au pair contract with clear working hours, days off and stipend.
3. If you need a residence permit, the family should help with the application to SIRI; if not, register locally for residence proof.
4. When you arrive, register for a CPR number and get a tax card so you can be paid correctly.

Au Pair in Denmark Requirements

To be eligible you typically must meet these basic conditions:

• Be between 18 and 29 years old.
• Be unmarried and without children.
• Have conversational knowledge of one of: Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German.
• Hold a valid driving licence (and international permit if required) if you will drive the family car.

Some families or agencies may also ask for a clean criminal record or references from previous families – request these requirements in writing before you accept a placement.

Visa Requirement for Au Pair in Denmark

Visa and permit rules depend on where you come from:

• If you are an EU/EEA or Nordic citizen you normally don’t need a work or residence permit but you must register your residence locally and prove you can support yourself while au pairing.
• If you come from outside the EU/EEA you usually need a residence permit for au pair work applied for at SIRI (the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration). The application is typically submitted online and must include the signed au pair contract.

Processing times and exact document lists change, so start the permit application early and follow SIRI’s checklist. For broader context on permits and which permit category might apply, see our guide to work permit in Denmark.

Salary of Au Pair in Denmark

Au pairs work approximately 18-30 hours per week (usually 3-5 hours per day) and receive a monthly stipend rather than a salary. The commonly cited stipend is DKK4,150 per month, paid regardless of short-term sickness and during agreed holidays.

Stipends are taxable income in Denmark. When you arrive register for a CPR number and obtain a tax card so the family can pay you correctly – you can start that process via borger.dk or get practical tax tips in our tax in Denmark guide (useful even if you are not from the UK).

Other Benefits for Au Pairs

Standard benefits and obligations for host families include:

• At least 1.5 days off per week and time off on public holidays; if you work those days the family should compensate you.
• A one-off language-course contribution from the host family (commonly quoted around DKK5,275) to help cover Danish lessons.
• Free room and board, basic health insurance coverage while you are registered with the Danish system, and practical support to register with local authorities so you can get a CPR number and health card.
• If you are a non-EU au pair the host family often covers your travel to and from Denmark – confirm this in the contract.

For specifics on holiday and leave entitlements, see rules similar to annual leave in Denmark – au pair arrangements must be clearly set out in the contract so both sides know what time off and compensation look like.

Cost of Living in Denmark as an Au Pair

Because food, lodging and utilities are normally provided by the host family, your major outgoings will be personal spending: social life, clothes, phone, travel and any language-course extras. Copenhagen is the most expensive city for leisure and transport; smaller cities and towns will be cheaper.

Plan a monthly personal budget for these items and keep at least a small emergency fund. If you need to travel to language classes, look for city or regional travel passes – they are usually cheaper for frequent users. Also consider free or low-cost ways to practise Danish such as language exchanges and apps; try our list of apps to learn Danish for beginners.