Country guide · 290 families hosting
Au pair in Ireland.
English immersion, small-town warmth. Here is what the exchange typically looks like there — money, hours, paperwork and pace of life.
- Typical pocket money
- €120–€180 / week
- Hours
- Max 30 hours / week
- Time off
- 2 days off weekly (typical)
- Typical stay
- 6–12 months
- Language
- English
The visa, in plain language
Ireland has no dedicated au pair visa and treats live-in childcare as employment, so agreements must respect minimum wage rules with board and lodging offset. EU citizens arrive freely; others usually come on a working holiday authorisation.
- 01
Check whether your country has a working holiday agreement with Ireland
- 02
Agree hours, duties and payment in writing before you travel
- 03
Apply for the authorisation and register with immigration on arrival
- 04
Get a PPS number and an Irish bank account in your first weeks
Typical current practice, January 2026 — not legal advice. Always check the country's official immigration guidance before applying.
What makes Ireland different
- Full English immersion with famously friendly host families
- Higher payments than continental Europe because of employment rules
- Dublin, Cork and Galway all within a few hours of each other
- Wild coastline and national parks for days off
Read before you go
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