Au Pairing in Iceland

Program Outline

Qualifications and Conditions for Au pairing in Iceland:

Be 18 to 25 years of age.
Have obtained secondary school/high school diploma or its equivalent.
Have practical child-care experience.
Have a good command of the English language.
Although not compulsory, it is recommended that the au pair holds a valid driver license.
Willing to stay with the family for 6-12 months, depending on the time of arrival (Can also accept a limited number of summer au pairs in the May/June/July timeframe for 2-3 months periods).
Be prepared to work 30 hours per week taking care of children and doing general household chores.
Baby-sit from time to time in the evenings, max. 3 times a week, paid extra.
Prepare light meals.
Become a member of the family and follow the house rules.
Enrol into Icelandic language course, which is compulsory, at the au pair's expense (see Icelantic Studies).
Follow and sign, with their host family, the agreement regarding au pairing in Iceland.
Follow the Icelandic rules regarding visa procedure and registration.

Selection and Screening:

Complete an application in English.
Attach four(4) passport photos.
Write a personal letter to your prospective host family; include your childcare experience.
Create a "Photo Collage".
Provide three references, written in English
One reference at least, must be a child-care reference. The character references should be from a teacher and//or an employer.
Provide a medical report.
Provide a criminal record.
Provide a copy of your school certificate
Provide a copy of your passport.

Au pairs in Iceland receive:

10.000 IKR min. (approx. US$160) per week in pocket money.
Free room and board.
Private room.
One and a half day off per week.
At least one weekend off per month.
One week off with pocket money for every 6 months completed.
Au Pairs travel cost - The au pair pays her/his way to the host country and the family reimburses 1/12 (one/twelfth) of the total cost of

the airfare, each month the au pair stays or max ISK 54.000 (approx. US$850) for one year.

The Icelandic host family is responsible for medical and accidental insurance of the au pair.
Support from the agency.
December Festival and meetings with Club Au Pair.

The Au pair in Iceland Team will:

Carefully choose a suitable host family for you.
Offer you intensive counselling during you stay
Support you if you need help during your stay.
Provide you with an emergency number.
Give you a list of au pairs in Iceland.
Welcome you into the "Au Pair Club " meetings.
Invite you to the December festival.

Au Pairing in Iceland Details:

Responsibilities. The au pairs' main responsibilities are taking care of children, and doing light housework.

Working hours. The au pair is expected to work 30 hours per week or 120 hours per month. The host family may ask the au pair to watch over the children 1- 3 evenings per week for 1-5 hours at a time. The au pair gets paid extra for those hours.

Vacation. After every 6 months the au pair has stayed with the family she/he get one week paid vacation.

Pocket money. The Ministry of Social Affairs in Iceland decides the amount of pocket money per month for au pairs. Since January 2005 the amount shall be minimum ISK 10.000 per week, (approx. US$160 per week). The au pair should get paid weekly on Friday or Saturday unless she/he and the host family have agreed on otherwise. If the au pair is paid monthly, an agreement regarding this arrangement should be signed by the au pair and the host family and sent to Local Agent. Pocket money for extra hours at day and night time shall be a of minimum ISK 400 per hour.

Au Pairs travel cost. The au pair is responsible to buy her/his airfare to the host country. However, the family is responsible to reimburse 1/12 (one/twelfth) of the total cost of the airfare each month the au pair stays with the host family. The amount is maximum ISK 4.500 each month or maximum ISK 54.000 if the au pair stays for 12 months.

Visa. Au Pairs from countries outside the Schengen area have to apply for a special Visa before they enter the Schengen area. The countries that participate in the Schengen agreement are Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Belgian, France, Greece, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, Spain and Germany. Citizens of Britain and Ireland do not need to apply for the visa.

Driving license. The au pair can use her/his own driving license in Iceland.

The "Au Pair Club". In order to be able to keep track of our au pairs, assist them if needed and see if everything is going well, we operate an “Au Pair Club”. These meeting take place every third month. At these meetings the au pair meets up with other au pairs and they get to know each other. At the “Au Pair Club” we discuss various things that have to do with being an au pair, adjusting to new culture and customs and the au pairs share information. We also do other things like going bowling, ice-skating, hiking etc. The au pairs choose where the meetings take place, so in fact it is up to you how much fun it is.

Icelandic Studies. Being an au pair is a cultural exchange and the program is meant to give young people from all over the world opportunity to stay in different countries for some months and get to know the host country’s culture and customs. Therefore it is compulsory that the au pair studies Icelandic while staying in the country. The host family should assist the au pair to find the appropriate courses. The au pair is responsible for paying the course, although many host families choose to reimburse the au pair this cost as a “Bonus” if they feel the au pair has been taking good care of their children. The families will help au pair to choose the right courses to study Icelandic.

Basic facts and information about Iceland

How To Apply:

Contact Scotia Personnel Ltd. for more information/application forms:

Request for more information/Contact us