Many au pairs in debt when they arrive in Denmark

Thousands of kroner going to recruitment agencies back home

Every fifth au pair coming to Denmark is forced to pay huge sums to recruitment agencies at home and arrives saddled with debt, according to a new survey by Radio24syv radio station.

The survey, which questioned 116 au pairs in Denmark, revealed that the au pairs typically have to pay over 6,000 kroner on average to recruitment agencies to have the chance to come to Denmark – but they only get 4,050 kroner per month for 30 hours of work.

“Because the au pairs are in debt for so much money, it’s obvious they are under greater pressure to earn money in Denmark,” Helle Stenum, a migration researcher at Roskilde University, told Radio24syv.

“It makes it even more important for the au pair to stay with their host family, to earn when they can, and to perhaps not complain about a poor room in the basement, or that they have to work much more than they were supposed to.”

READ MORE: ‘Au pair rule’ scrapped: Gentofte to receive more refugees

Working black
The survey showed that 43 percent of the au pairs said they worked more than the 30 hours per week, and that recruitment agencies often promise unrealistic possibilities, such as being able to study or work in Denmark afterwards – something the Danish au pair visa doesn’t permit.

Another consequence of being burdened with debt is that many au pairs take on second jobs (often for undeclared income) outside their au pair duties in an attempt to earn more money – something that is also encouraged by recruitment agencies back home.

“The area is especially vulnerable because the Danish authorities don’t have any control on whether an au pair has paid a middleman or recruitment agency to get to Denmark,” said Stenum.





  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.