Babysitter rates 2026: what does a babysitter cost per hour in the Netherlands?

What does a babysitter cost per hour?

There is no single babysitting rate. Most babysitters in the Netherlands are school pupils or students, and for them a minimum wage applies that rises with age. A 15-year-old babysitter therefore costs a lot less than an adult one. Nibud, the Dutch national budget information institute, gives €4.50 to €7.50 an hour as a guideline, based on the minimum wage for 15- to 18-year-olds.

If you hire an adult babysitter, for example a student of 21 or older, the minimum is €14.99 an hour plus 8% holiday pay. That comes to about €16.19 an hour.

Babysitter rates by age

Below is the statutory minimum wage per hour that has applied since 1 July 2026, with and without holiday pay. The last column shows what Nibud or parenting magazines give as a guideline.

The Nibud rate and the law: how do they fit?

Babysitting falls under the Regeling dienstverlening aan huis, the Dutch scheme for services in and around the home. Because of it, from age 15 the minimum wage for the babysitter's age applies, plus 8% holiday pay. The Nibud guideline of €4.50 to €7.50 follows from that: €4.50 is the minimum wage of a 15-year-old, €7.50 that of an 18-year-old. Note that, strictly speaking, 8% holiday pay comes on top.

For adult babysitters that guideline does not work. A babysitter aged 21 or older is entitled to at least €14.99 an hour plus holiday pay. Paying an adult babysitter €7 an hour is therefore below the legal minimum, even if it is only a few hours a week.

What may a babysitter of 13, 14 or 15 do?

For young babysitters there are rules not only about money, but also about working hours.

• 12 or younger: children aged 12 are in principle not allowed to work.
• 13 and 14: may do small jobs around the house and in the neighbourhood, such as babysitting for family or acquaintances. At most 2 hours on a school day, 7 hours on a day without school, 12 hours in a school week and 35 hours in a holiday week. Only between 7:00 and 19:00. On days without school and in the holidays this can be until 20:00 under certain conditions.
• 15: at most 2 hours on a school day, 12 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a day without school and 40 hours in a holiday week. Also only between 7:00 and 19:00.

Worked example: three babysitting evenings

This is how it works out in practice. The amounts include 8% holiday pay where it is required.

The same evening with an adult babysitter therefore costs well over twice as much as with a 17-year-old pupil. An older babysitter may bring more experience, though, which matters with a baby or several children.

What determines the rate?

1. The babysitter's age

The biggest factor. The minimum wage rises every year with age, from €4.50 at 15 to €14.99 from 21.

2. Number and age of the children

Looking after a baby or three children at once is more work than one school-age child who goes to bed at eight. It is reasonable to pay a little more than the minimum then.

3. Time and duration

Agree beforehand what you pay after midnight and for a night when the babysitter stays over. Nibud gives the same advice. There is no fixed amount or percentage for this.

4. Extra tasks

Does the babysitter cook, pick the children up from school or help with homework? Then discuss beforehand whether that is part of the hourly rate.

Rules and benefits

A babysitter you hire as a private person and who works for you fewer than 4 days a week falls under the Regeling dienstverlening aan huis. How many hours a day does not matter. What that means:

• From age 15 you pay at least the minimum wage for their age plus 8% holiday pay.
• The babysitter is entitled to paid leave of 4 times their weekly hours, and if they are ill you keep paying for up to 6 weeks. This mainly matters with a regular babysitter.
• You do not withhold wage tax. The babysitter declares the money themselves as income from other work in their own Dutch tax return.
• If someone babysits for you 4 days a week or more, it is an ordinary employment contract.
• No childcare benefit. You only get kinderopvangtoeslag (Dutch childcare benefit) for registered childcare: a day nursery, after-school care or a registered childminder. For a babysitter you hire yourself you get nothing back.

Tips for fair and affordable agreements

Looking for a babysitter in your own neighbourhood? On KlusjeBij you post a job for free and replying is free too. We charge no commission. You and the babysitter agree the hourly rate together and pay each other directly, in cash or with a payment request. More on the page babysitter wanted.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

All sources are in Dutch.

• Nibud: what a child costs
• Rijksoverheid: minimum wage amounts 2026
• Rijksoverheid: what work you may do at 13 or 14
• Rijksoverheid: how many hours you may work at 13 or 14
• Rijksoverheid: how many hours you may work at 15
• Rijksoverheid: may children of 12 work
• Rijksoverheid: hiring someone for household work
• Belastingdienst (Dutch tax office): declaring income from household work
• Ouders van Nu (March 2026, babysitting rate at 13 and 14)