If you are planning to hire a nanny in Europe, it is important to understand in advance what budget to plan and what the true cost of a nanny consists of. Today, the monthly cost of a nanny in Europe ranges from about €1,500–2,000 in more affordable countries to €5,000–8,000 in the premium segment. Salary levels differ from country to country and even from city to city, but the overall logic is similar everywhere: the nanny’s legal status, work format, specialisation and country determine the final cost.
What the cost of a nanny in Europe depends on
When a family asks “what is the average nanny salary in Europe” or “how much does a nanny cost for a child”, there is no single universal figure. The final cost of a nanny depends on several key factors at the same time.
Nanny’s status: citizenship, residence permit, visa‑free stay.
A nanny with an EU passport or residence permit is usually hired officially, with a formal employment contract, taxes and insurance. In the mass segment this is around €2,000–2,500 per month, rising to €3,500–4,500 and more in the higher segment.
Ukrainian nannies with temporary protection or visa‑free entry remain highly sought after: many families are ready to pay them 10–20% more compared to local nannies working “off the books”, to keep them motivated and compensate for the instability of their status.
Nannies from third countries (the Philippines, other parts of Asia, etc.) almost always require a work visa, and on top of their salary you must add the cost of the visa, flights and legalisation.
Work format: live‑in vs live‑out
A live‑in nanny costs the family less in terms of monthly salary, but the employer covers housing and food. In many European countries, professional live‑in nannies cost around €2,000–3,500 per month.
A live‑out nanny is most often paid by the hour: typically €12–25 per hour depending on the country and the nanny’s level. With full‑time hours this comes to €2,500–4,500 per month or more.
For the family it is important to calculate not only the nanny’s salary, but the full cost: accommodation, food, taxes, insurance and flights if applicable.
Specialisation: regular nanny, newborn nanny, teacher, governess
A newborn nanny, night nanny or maternity nurse is more expensive than a regular nanny. With an intensive schedule and live‑in format, the monthly cost for such a nanny easily reaches €5,000 and above.
A nanny‑teacher or governess with a university degree, foreign languages and at least five years of experience usually sits in the upper segment: around €3,000–5,000 per month, especially if her duties include the child’s development, school preparation and travel with the family.
Age and level of responsibility
The most in‑demand age for nannies in Europe is roughly 30–47. This age is perceived as an optimal balance of maturity, experience and energy.
Very young candidates (under 25) more often work in the au pair model, where the family provides accommodation and food, and the nanny receives pocket money of around €300–450 per month. This is not a fully professional nanny but rather a cultural and language exchange.
Background: local nanny, British nanny, Ukrainian nanny, Filipina nanny
British, French‑speaking and Swiss nannies are considered a premium category. Their monthly salary in international families in Europe often ranges from €4,000 to €8,000 with live‑in and extended responsibilities.
Filipina nannies traditionally belong to the more budget‑friendly segment: in the Gulf states, live‑in nannies typically earn €500–950 per month, while in Europe their pay is slightly above the local minimum but below that of European and English‑speaking nannies. At the same time, the family must factor in visa, flights and accommodation costs.
Nanny salaries in the UK: what to expect
The UK sets the benchmark at the upper end of the price scale, so when families ask about nanny salaries in Europe, British rates are often used as a reference for the maximum.
Nanny costs in London and major UK cities
A live‑out nanny in London earns on average £18–25 per hour. At 45–50 hours per week, this translates to roughly £3,200–4,800 per month.
A live‑in nanny will cost the family around £600–900 per week, i.e. £2,600–3,900 per month. In addition to the nanny’s salary, the employer must provide a private room, food and utilities.
If the family needs a newborn nanny, multiple languages and strong VIP‑family experience, the price will move toward the top of this range or above it.
British nannies for families in Europe and the Middle East
If a family lives outside the UK but wants a “British nanny”, they should plan a budget of around €3,500–5,000 per month for a live‑in role.
A governess with educational duties, school runs, tutoring and frequent flights can cost the family €6,000–8,000 per month. This is a genuinely premium cost level for a nanny.
Nanny salaries in Western Europe: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal
When we talk about nanny prices in Europe, employers most often look at these countries. Here, the gap between the local market and the international premium segment is very clear.
Nanny costs in France
A local nanny in France typically earns €12–13 per hour. With a 40‑hour work week, this is around €2,000–2,300 per month.
If a family needs a governess with languages, experience in affluent households and a teaching degree, the hourly rate rises to €20–25, and the monthly cost of the nanny reaches €3,500–4,300 or more.
Nanny costs in Germany and Austria
For a typical family, the cost of a nanny in Germany is usually in the range of €2,000–3,000 gross per month for standard full‑time hours.
International families and expats who need a foreign language, live‑in and a flexible schedule generally budget €3,000–4,500 net per month for an experienced nanny or governess.
Therefore, if you are specifically interested in the “cost of a nanny in Germany”, it makes sense to decide up front whether you are looking for a local day nanny or a foreign nanny/governess with live‑in and extended responsibilities.
Nanny salaries in Spain, Italy, Portugal
Local nannies often earn €1,200–1,800 per month for full‑time work, sometimes with live‑in included. This is the basic level of the market.
For foreign families, especially on the coasts (Costa del Sol, Liguria, the Algarve), an English‑speaking nanny with live‑in and more than five years of experience will cost €2,500–4,000 per month. Newborn and travel nanny formats are already €4,000–5,000 and above.
So, when answering queries like “nanny cost in Spain” or “nanny prices in Italy”, it is crucial to understand that the range depends primarily on the family profile: local vs international, budget vs premium.
Switzerland, Benelux
Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg are regions with some of the highest budgets for domestic staff. Here the question “how much does a nanny cost” will have the highest figures, but there are also flexible solutions thanks to Ukrainian nannies.
Nanny costs in Switzerland
The average cost of a nanny in Switzerland is around CHF 4,800 per month. In large cities and the premium segment, families pay CHF 6,500–10,000 per month for live‑in roles.
These amounts usually include not only the nanny’s salary but also taxes, health insurance, flights and bonuses. This is the top end of nanny salaries in Europe.
Nanny costs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
A local nanny typically costs €2,000–3,000 per month. This is the standard level for a professional full‑time nanny.
English‑speaking governesses and nannies for expat families are more expensive: €3,500–5,500 per month with live‑in, especially where travel and support across multiple countries are required.
Ukrainian nannies in Europe
Against the backdrop of the average income in Ukraine (around €450–500 per month), working as a nanny in the EU is very attractive, so choosing a Ukrainian nanny becomes a logical option for many families.
Ukrainian nannies in Poland, Czechia, Germany and Italy typically earn €2,000–3,500 per month in expat families with live‑in.
Ukrainian nannies with temporary protection, foreign language skills or newborn specialisation with proven experience can earn €3,000–4,500 per month. For the employer this is a compromise: quality and commitment are higher than with very budget options, but the nanny’s cost is lower than that of British or Swiss governesses.
Eastern Europe and Filipina nannies: when budget is critical
If we look at nanny salaries in Europe from the perspective of minimum budgets, the lowest ranges are in Eastern and Central Europe.
Nanny salaries in Poland, Czechia, Hungary and the region
Local nannies in typical families earn around €800–1,500 per month, sometimes with live‑in. This is the basic nanny cost for the local market.
For expat families who want an English‑speaking nanny used to a Western style of parenting and ready to travel, budgets are usually €2,500–3,500 per month and higher.
Filipina nannies: budget‑friendly but complex
In the Gulf states, Filipina live‑in nannies earn €500–950 per month, and many families expect similar budgets when considering a Filipina nanny in Europe.
In reality, in the EU you must consider local minimum wage rules, visa requirements, flights and accommodation, and the final cost of a nanny may end up higher than initially planned, although still lower than for European or British nannies.
By comparison, a Ukrainian nanny with temporary protection or visa‑free entry, earning €1,800–2,500 per month, is easier to legalise, adapts more quickly and often already has experience with European families and values close to those in Eastern Europe and the CIS.
If you look at nanny salaries in Europe through the eyes of an employer, the spending range runs from €800–1,500 per month for a local live‑in nanny in Eastern Europe to €5,000–8,000 per month for a British or Swiss governess in the premium segment. The exact cost of a nanny for your family will depend on the country, the nanny’s status and origin, work format (live‑in or live‑out), specialisation (regular, newborn, educational) and the level of responsibility you are ready to delegate.
