A live-in nanny lives in the family's home as well as working there. That changes two things: how the room counts towards pay, and how working hours and rest are counted.
We compare the rules in Great Britain, Spain and the United States, then give pay figures for each.
Live-in nanny rules compared
| Great Britain | Spain | United States (federal law) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum pay | £12.71 an hour at 21 and over, from April 2026 | €1,221 a month in 14 payments for a full-time week, 2026 | $7.25 an hour; the worker may be entitled to a higher hourly wage under state law |
| Free accommodation and pay | Counts as £11.10 a day (£77.70 a week) towards minimum wage pay | Room and board can be deducted by agreement, up to 30% of total pay, with at least the minimum wage paid in money | A lodging credit of up to 7.5 times the federal minimum hourly wage a week (about $54.38); more only with records of the actual cost; acceptance must be voluntary |
| Weekly working hours | The 48-hour average weekly limit doesn't apply to domestic workers in a private household | Up to 40 hours of actual work a week, plus agreed presence time: up to 20 hours a week averaged over a month, paid at least the ordinary rate, unless swapped for equivalent paid rest | Not covered here |
| Overtime | Not covered here | Follows art. 35 of the Estatuto de los Trabajadores | None for live-in workers employed directly by the household; third-party employers such as agencies must pay it |
| Rest and unpaid time | Usually 11 hours between working days and 24 hours a week | At least 12 hours between days (can drop to 10 for live-in, made up within four weeks); at least 2 hours a day for main meals, not counted as work; 36 consecutive hours a week | Sleep, meal and free time can be left out of paid hours by a reasonable agreement; free time must be long enough to use; interruptions count as hours worked |
| Holiday | 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year | 30 calendar days; the nanny isn't obliged to live in the family home during them | No federal requirement to pay for time not worked, such as holidays |
| Records | Payroll records kept for 3 years | Not covered here | The employer must record all hours worked and keep a copy of the agreement |
In Great Britain, a live-in nanny who shares in the family's work and leisure and is treated as one of the family is still entitled to the minimum wage; the employer's own family members living in the home aren't (British government guidance). See your duties as a nanny's employer.
In Spain, a live-in employee on sick leave has the right to stay housed for at least 30 days, unless hospitalisation is medically recommended. A decision to end a live-in contract can't be carried out between 17:00 and 8:00, except for a very serious breach of loyalty and trust (Real Decreto 1620/2011).
In the United States, the overtime exemption doesn't apply when a third party, such as an agency, employs the worker (Department of Labor).
What live-in nannies are paid
Great Britain
For a 60-hour working week, the minimum wage comes to £12.71 × 60 = £762.60. With a free room, the £77.70 offset counts towards it, so at least £684.90 a week must be paid in money (£35,614.80 a year).
Published live-in nanny salary figures in London are higher. Norland's salary guide gives £46,800 to £78,000+ a year gross for a Norland Nanny in a London residential role on 60 hours, from first year qualified to experienced. One London nanny agency's 2026 guide gives about £600 to £900 a week gross for a live-in permanent nanny on five days and about 60 hours, for nannies with at least two years' full-time experience.
Spain
Full time, a live-in nanny in Spain must get at least €1,221 a month in 14 payments in money, even with the room provided. If room and board are agreed as pay in kind, the maximum deduction depends on the total salary: nothing at €1,221, €379 at €1,600 and €540 at €1,800.
At the minimum wage, the family pays €17,094 a year in pay plus €3,806.88 in Social Security, €20,900.88 a year, plus the cost of the room and food. See our guide to live-in household staff in Spain (in Spanish) and hiring household staff in Spain.
United States
For a live-in nanny in the US, the federal floor of $7.25 an hour is $435 for 60 hours worked in a week; the worker may be entitled to a higher hourly wage under state law. We don't quote US market pay figures.
Live-in nanny or au pair?
British government guidance gives au pairs as an example of people living in the home as one of the family who are entitled to the minimum wage.
In Spain, au pair arrangements (some childcare, language teaching or marginal household tasks in exchange for meals, lodging or simple expenses) aren't covered by the household employment rules, unless proven to be employment.
So the two countries can treat one arrangement differently.
For the US au pair rules, and how au pairs, nannies and governesses compare, see our au pair vs nanny guide.
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FAQ
How much is a live-in nanny paid?
In Great Britain, at least £684.90 a week in money for 60 hours with a free room; one London agency's 2026 guide gives about £600 to £900 a week gross. In Spain, at least €1,221 a month in 14 payments, full time.
Can a family deduct the room from a live-in nanny's pay?
In Great Britain, a free room counts as £11.10 a day towards minimum wage pay. In Spain, up to 30% of total pay can be deducted by agreement, with at least the minimum wage paid in money. Under US federal law, the voluntary lodging credit is up to about $54.38 a week.
Do live-in nannies get overtime?
Under US federal law, live-in workers employed directly by the household aren't owed overtime, but agencies must pay it. In Spain, overtime follows art. 35 of the Estatuto de los Trabajadores.
Is an au pair the same as a live-in nanny?
British government guidance treats au pairs living as one of the family as entitled to the minimum wage, while Spain's household employment rules don't cover au pair arrangements unless they're proven to be employment.
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026. Rules and rates as at 22 October 2026, summarised from official sources in each country, with pay figures from Norland and one London agency; this isn't legal or tax advice.
