Starting July 1, 2026, the Philippine Embassy will halt the approval of new au pair contracts for Filipinos heading to the Netherlands, citing numerous reports of exploitation and labor violations by host families and agencies.
According to the embassy, multiple grievances have been filed by Filipino au pairs who were allegedly forced to work excessive hours for sub-standard pay.
Many reported that their daily responsibilities mirrored those of full-time, professional childcare providers rather than cultural exchange participants.
“The suspension will remain in place until it is determined that a clear mechanism exists to address the issues encountered by au pairs and to ensure effective compliance by relevant parties with the regulations of the Philippines and the Netherlands on the au pair arrangement as a cultural exchange program,” the embassy said.
An official investigation into the living and working conditions of Filipino au pairs in the Netherlands is currently underway. While new visa applications are frozen during this review period, the embassy clarified that any contracts submitted prior to the July 1 deadline will still be honored and processed.
The embassy emphasized that the program is strictly designed as a cultural exchange for young adults aged 18 to 25 to immerse themselves in Dutch life while staying with a host family.
However, authorities expressed concern that some households are exploiting the system as a loophole for cheap domestic labor. Investigations revealed that several au pairs log well over the legal limit of 30 hours per week doing heavy housework and childcare. Furthermore, some hosts fail to provide the mandated two days of weekly rest or the required €340 monthly stipend.
This exploitation creates massive savings for hosts, as hiring professional cleaners or babysitters in the Netherlands typically commands a steep rate of €15 to €25 per hour.
The Netherlands is not the first European destination to face such restrictions from Manila. Similar bans were previously enacted by Philippine embassies in Denmark, Norway, and Belgium in 2016, 2017, and 2024, respectively, following comparable patterns of program abuse.
Meanwhile, Dutch media outlets reported that the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the embassy’s decision, though it mentioned that no advance formal notice was given before the public announcement.