Information for the au pair
Here you will find information about who can become an au pair and about your rights and obligations.
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) administers the scheme in Norway. Their website states:
As an au pair, you can improve your language skills and become better acquainted with Norwegian society by living with a family. In return, you contribute with light housework and/or childcare for the host family. An au pair should actively participate in family life and be treated as a family member. This means that you do not have the same obligations as an ordinary employee - even if you receive pocket money/salary. For example, you have the right to eat meals with the family and participate in excursions.
It is important that you and your family agree on the conditions through a contract. You can find the contract here. However, you cannot work more than five hours per day and a maximum of 30 hours per week. Please contact our counseling service if you need help with the contract or have any other questions.
Who can become an au pair:
- You must be over 18 and under 30 years of age.
- You can't have children of your own.
- Cultural exchange should be the main purpose.
- The UDI must see that it is likely that you will return to your home country when the au pair period ends. The conditions in your home country must indicate that you can return again.
- You must pay an application fee when you apply for an au pair permit through the UDI. This does not apply if you are from an EU/EEA country. Click here for more information about the application fee.
- More about EEA citizens who want to register as an au pair here.
Your rights and obligations as an au pair:
- The host family can only have one au pair at a time.
- The host family is obliged to provide you with Norwegian language courses worth at least NOK 8850 per year
- You will stay and eat with your host family for free and get your own room in the house/apartment.
- You are entitled to a salary/pocket money of at least NOK 5,900 before tax per month.
- You are entitled to holiday and holiday pay under the Holiday Act.
- You must take a tuberculosis test when you arrive in Norway if you come from a high incidence country.
- The host family must pay insurance for you to cover your return home in the event of serious illness, injury or death.
- Because the au pair scheme is a cultural exchange, your work should be limited to light housework, childcare and pet care.
- Your working hours should not exceed 5 hours per day - max 30 hours per week.
- You are entitled to at least one day off per week and at least one such day off per month must be a Sunday. At least one afternoon off each week.
- You cannot work with other employers or with families other than your host family.
- You have the right to participate in Norwegian language training and leisure activities. The tasks you have should not get in the way of religious practice.
- It is important to discuss the au pair relationship with the host family so that no misunderstandings arise.
- As an au pair, you are entitled to pocket money/salary. You must receive at least NOK 5,900 before tax per month.
- You are entitled to free board and lodging, which means that your host family is responsible for providing you with a place to stay and free food.
- You must pay tax on your income: the sum of pocket money/salary and the value of free board and lodging. The value is determined by the Norwegian Tax Administration and you can find more information here.
- As an au pair, you are entitled to 25 working days' holiday per calendar year. If you start as an au pair after September 30, you are entitled to 6 working days of holiday.
- The same rules apply if you change host family. Remember to get a statement from your previous host family if you have not had a vacation.
- You are entitled to holiday pay. Holiday pay is 10.2% of the holiday pay basis (the sum of income and the value of board, not lodging).
- As an au pair, you are a member of the National Insurance Scheme. This means that you are entitled to free healthcare services in the same way as the rest of the population.
- You should apply for a residence card from the police, then a personal identity number from the tax office for the easiest access to health care.
- You are entitled to a GP and can book and change your GP at Helfo.no.
- Dental services in Norway are not covered by the National Insurance Scheme and are very expensive. It is most likely cheaper to see a dentist in your home country.
- If you are coming from a high incidence country, you must take a tuberculosis test on arrival. You can find which countries these are here. Contact the infection control office in your municipality for this.
- You are entitled to free health care as a pregnant woman in Norway, but if you have a child, you no longer meet the conditions for being an au pair.
- When you return home, your host family must pay for your return journey.
- The host family does not have to pay for travel if it is not to your home country, if you are traveling on holiday, or if you choose to stay in Norway on another basis of residence.
- The host family must pay insurance for you to cover your repatriation/repatriation in the event of serious illness, injury or death.
- Both you and the host family can terminate the contract with a notice period of at least one month. The notice must be in writing.
- The host family cannot dismiss you without just cause. You can demand that the host family state in writing the reason for the dismissal. You do not have to give reasons for termination.
- During the notice period, you will be paid and have the right to stay with the host family.
- Both you and the host family can terminate the contract immediately if there has been a serious breach of contract. There is no notice period.
- You and the host family must notify the police or the UDI if the contract is terminated before your permit expires, and you must inform them of any change of address.
- Termination of the contract does not mean that you must leave Norway immediately. The UDI or the police will notify you that they are considering withdrawing your permit and give you the opportunity to make a statement. You can also find a new host family and apply for a new au pair permit within the deadline given.
- You can apply to change host family at any time if you have a valid au pair permit. The UDI treats this as an application for renewal.
- You can live and work with the new host family once you have submitted a complete application to the police.
Here you can download information booklet for the au pair.