What domestic staff costs in Europe: how the budget breaks down

When a family looks for a nanny or a housekeeper abroad for the first time, the first question is almost always the same: what will it cost. The answer has two parts, and it is worth keeping them apart — they are very different sums.

Two separate costs

The candidate’s salary is what you pay the person every month, directly. This is the main, recurring part of the budget.

The agency fee is a one-off payment for the placement: sourcing candidates, checking documents and references, personal interviews, arranging the introduction. With us it also covers the free replacement guarantee for a year and support after the person starts working.

What drives the salary

Country and city. The gap between Prague, Berlin and London can be twofold — every labour market is its own.

Working arrangement. Live-in, full-time or a few hours a week are different sums and different terms. With live-in, part of the package is covered by accommodation and meals, so the take-home figure looks smaller.

Qualifications and languages. A nanny with a teaching degree and English, a caregiver with medical training, a cook experienced with receptions — all of that sits above the base level.

Number of children and special requirements. Two toddlers, a child with additional needs, irregular hours — a heavier load shows up in the salary.

Market reference points

These are observations from open data for 2026, not our price list. The figures depend heavily on the city and the exact terms, so treat them as an order of magnitude rather than a quote.

• United Kingdom: from £13–20 per hour; live-in from £1,800 per month
• France: from €12–20 per hour; live-in from €1,200 per month
• Germany: from €12–18 per hour; live-in from €1,200 per month
• Czechia: noticeably below the Western European level
• Ireland: close to the UK market

The upper end is open almost everywhere: for rare combinations of skills — a governess with two foreign languages, say, or a manager for a large household — families pay considerably more.

What else to budget for

• Employment paperwork under local law: contract, taxes, contributions
• Accommodation and meals if the person lives in
• Relocation if the candidate is coming from another country
• Holiday and sick leave under your country’s rules

Why we do not publish a price list

There is no universal price list in staff placement: finding a housekeeper for a few hours a week in Prague and a live-in governess in London are tasks of a different scale. We have written separately about how our pricing works.

We will name the exact figure for your case after a short call — tell us who you need, in which city and on what schedule. You will receive the first candidate profiles on the day you reach out.