FINLAND
The age to work as an au pair in Finland must be between 17 and 30 years old.
The duration of the stay cannot exceed 12 months.
The purpose of the au pair in Finland is to learn the Finnish or Swedish language by living with a host family where she/he has to look after children and care for light housework.
Finland accepts au pairs from all Countries except for the Philippines because there isn't the condition of reciprocity.
Working hours are a maximum of 30 per week for not more 5 hours a day.
The pocket money is at least 252 euro net besides the food and possibly to have a free accommodation in private room. Host families should inquire of the Finnish tax office VERO in this regard.
The au pair has one day off per week, at least once a month will be on Sunday, plus 2 days off per month.
Travel expenses are in charge of the au pair.
The au pair who wants to stay in Finland longer than 6 months must apply for a personal identification number at the Maistraatti (Registration Office is responsible for location). The personal identification number is used for identification at the Tax Office, bank and doctor. The au pair mustn't have ties of kinship with the host family and the au pair should not have children.
The au pair must demonstrate to has a basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, or she/he must demonstrate to has already gained deep knowledge of history, politics and culture in Finland. In any case it is required to attend a course of Finnish or Swedish, this is essential to be able to apply for a residence permit. The family may voluntarily assume the costs for the language course.
To be au pair in Finland you do not need a permit to work.
The au pairs coming from one member state EU and EFTA do not need neither a visa nor a residence permit, but if they stay in Finland more than 3 months, it will be required to register their residence local authorities to police.
Citizens of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden do not have to register with local police but at the registry competent Maistraatti.
The au pair from others Countries do not need a visa. But they need a residence permit. To apply for a residence permit, the au pairs must demonstrate to have sufficient financial resources for their maintenance during their stay in Finland. The temporary residence permit is required at the Finnish embassy in the Country of residence of the au pair before she leaves her Country.
Regarding the health insurance the au pairs who come from EU or EFTA Member State are covered by your insurance, it is useful to conclude an additional private insurance.
The au pairs from a non-EU Countries must take out a private health insurance. The host family must pay the costs of the au pair’s insurance.
Coverage of private liability insurance of the host family also extends to the au pairs.
It is mandatory that the family should conclude in favor of the au pair an accident insurance and a life insurance and an insurance against unemployment. The employer must not pay any contribution if the au pair earns less than 940 euros per month, or whether the au pair works less than 18 hours per week. In other cases the host family must pay the insurance contribution amounting to 20.3%. The employer pays contributions and forwards the confirmation of the monthly payment to Etera. The employer has the right to deduct 4.3% of contributions from the remuneration that receiving the au pair.
The contribution to the pension fund amounted to 1.5% of salary. The pension will be paid by Finland to persons throughout the world. For more information on insurance for foreigners in Finland, please contact the Finnish insurance company Ethers or Finnish Institute of Pension Insurance Eläketurvakeskus (Pensionsskyddscentralen).
The au pair job in Finland is still subject to taxation. The tax rate is usually around 7%. If the au pair does not require a tax code, pocket money will be taxed of 60%. Should be considered income also nonmonetary monthly free accommodation amounting to 371 euros if the au pair should have at her disposal a single and independent room, or to 357 euros per month if the au pair will share a room with an other person.
The host family shall deduct the tax from salary and paid to tax office.