Wondering how much a babysitter costs in Belgium in 2026? Whether you’re looking for a teenager to babysit a few evenings a month or an experienced caregiver with more responsibilities, babysitting rates in Belgium vary widely depending on age, experience, and duties. In this guide, you’ll find average hourly rates, real-life examples, and practical tips to help you determine a fair and reasonable babysitting rate.

According to recent data from Sitly Belgium, the average hourly rate for babysitters in 2026 is around €10. This figure mainly reflects occasional childcare provided by teenagers or students, typically during evenings or weekends.

However, babysitting rates in Belgium can vary significantly—from under €10 to more than €16 per hour—depending on several factors, such as the babysitter’s age, childcare experience, first aid training, the number and ages of the children, and where you live. These figures are based on internal data from Sitly Belgium.

The type of babysitter you choose also makes a big difference:

• A professional nanny (with formal qualifications, fixed working hours, or a live-in arrangement) typically charges between €15 and €25 per hour, or receives a monthly salary.
• A 16-year-old student who babysits occasionally usually charges between €9 and €12 per hour, especially in smaller towns or rural areas.

When deciding on a fair rate, it’s important to consider not only the number of hours worked but also the level of responsibility involved. Caring for babies or multiple children, managing bedtime routines, or preparing meals are all responsibilities that generally justify higher pay.

Babysitter Pay and the Legal Minimum Wage in Belgium (2026)

When deciding how much to pay your babysitter, it’s also useful to understand the legal minimum wage that applies to domestic workers. If babysitting is considered formal employment, it falls under Joint Committee 323 – Domestic Staff. This means the sector’s minimum wages are generally higher than Belgium’s guaranteed minimum monthly income (GGMMI).

The exact hourly wage depends on experience and seniority. These sectoral minimum wages increase as the babysitter gains more years of experience or completes additional training.

What Influences the Minimum Wage?

Seniority: A babysitter with several years of experience is entitled to a higher minimum wage. This also creates a clear difference between the rate of an experienced babysitter and that of younger or occasional babysitters.

Qualifications: Additional training, such as first aid certification or childcare courses, can increase pay.

Even without going into all the official wage scales, it’s useful to know that the national GGMMI is approximately €13.29 per hour in 2026 for workers aged 18 and older — a helpful benchmark when agreeing on a fair rate.

The GGMMI only applies from the age of 18 onwards. Younger babysitters are generally not covered, especially when they work occasionally. In those cases, these amounts should be seen as guideline rates rather than a legal minimum wage.

Student Work: How Much Does a Young Babysitter Earn in 2026?

Many babysitters in Belgium are university students or secondary school students who occasionally babysit in the evenings.

When they work under an official student employment contract, they are subject to the rules governing student jobs. This means they are legally allowed to work, but at lower minimum wages than adults.

The legal minimum wage (GGMMI) only applies from the age of 18. Younger students receive a percentage of that amount, depending on their age. As of July 2026, this is approximately:

Age	% of GGMMI (national minimum wage)	Indicative hourly rate (38h/week)
20 years	90%	€ 12.21/h
19 years	85%	€ 11.53/h
18 years	79%	€ 10.72/h
17 years	73%	€ 9.90/h
16 years and younger	67%	€ 9.09/h

Amounts calculated based on the national GGMMI (CAO no. 50), valid as of July 2026. Source: Securex.

Note: this only applies with a formal student contract of at least one month. For occasional babysitting (an evening here and there), these minimums don’t apply — parents and babysitter agree on a rate freely.

Hourly Rate or Fixed Fee: What Is Common for Babysitting?

Most babysitters in Belgium are paid by the hour—especially for occasional or flexible babysitting, or when parents need someone at short notice. This is generally the fairest way to match compensation to the time worked and the responsibilities involved.

That said, some families and babysitters prefer to agree on a fixed amount for the evening, particularly for regular babysitting sessions or when the work is usually quiet (for example, when the children are already asleep).

What to Consider When Choosing Between an Hourly Rate and a Fixed Fee

An hourly rate is better suited to changing schedules, irregular working hours, or additional responsibilities. It ensures the babysitter is fairly compensated, even if the evening runs longer than expected or unexpected tasks arise.

A fixed fee works well when everything is predictable—for example, every Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with no additional household duties. It keeps things simple for both parties and makes budgeting easier in advance.

Tips When Agreeing on a Fixed Fee

• Clearly discuss what is included: the number of children, any household tasks, transport, or late-night hours.
• Make sure the fixed fee does not underpay the babysitter if the workload unexpectedly increases.
• Many parents choose to offer an extra payment or bonus if the babysitter stays later than planned or takes on additional responsibilities, such as preparing dinner or putting the children to bed.

Use the Sitly rate calculator to instantly check babysitting rates in your area. Enter your municipality, the babysitter’s responsibilities, and the number of children, and you’ll immediately see the average local rate.

Example: A babysitter agrees on a fixed fee of €50 for a 5-hour evening when the children are already asleep and no additional work is required. If the babysitter needs to arrive earlier, help with dinner, or stay later than expected, adding an hourly supplement may be appropriate to keep the arrangement fair.

How Experience and Qualifications Affect Babysitting Rates

Not all babysitters charge the same rate—and that’s perfectly normal. A babysitter’s experience, qualifications, and skills all play a major role in determining what they typically earn.

It’s not just about age:

• A 20-year-old student studying childcare or education, or someone with a first aid certificate, will usually charge between €12 and €15 per hour, depending on the region.
• Even a 15- or 16-year-old babysitter with regular experience caring for local families may charge slightly above the average—especially if they have built a reputation for being reliable and responsible.

In general, the more experience or training a babysitter has, the higher the expected hourly rate.

What Makes Sense for Your Family?

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. Are you happy to hire someone who is still gaining experience and pay a slightly lower rate while they build their skills? Or would you rather choose a babysitter with more experience or formal training, and pay a little extra for greater peace of mind? There is no fixed rule or “right” amount. What matters most is agreeing on a rate that feels fair and reasonable for both you and your babysitter.

What Will Your Babysitter Be Doing? Responsibilities That Affect the Rate

A babysitter’s hourly rate doesn’t depend only on age or experience—it also depends on what they’re expected to do while caring for your children. If your babysitter takes on additional responsibilities, it’s only fair that their pay reflects that.

Examples of Responsibilities That May Justify a Higher Rate

• Looking after multiple children: Keeping three children entertained and safe requires considerably more effort than caring for just one, so a slightly higher rate is perfectly reasonable.
• Caring for children with additional needs: If your child requires extra support, medical supervision, or constant attention, this level of responsibility should be reflected in the babysitter’s pay.
• Household tasks: Light additional duties—such as preparing dinner, helping the children with their bath, or tidying up the kitchen—may also justify a modest increase in the hourly rate.

Babysitting Babies vs. Older Children

The age of the children also plays an important role when deciding on a fair babysitting rate. Caring for a baby or toddler requires much more attention—feeding, changing diapers, comforting, and engaging in age-appropriate play—which generally justifies a higher hourly rate.

Children aged 6 and older are usually more independent. They can often eat on their own, use the bathroom without assistance, and entertain themselves for longer periods. As a result, the workload is typically lighter, and this can be reflected in the hourly rate.

In short, the younger and more dependent the child, the greater the responsibility—and the higher the babysitting rate is likely to be.

Babysitting Plus Household Tasks: What’s a Fair Rate?

If you ask your babysitter to help with household chores in addition to looking after your children, it’s perfectly reasonable to increase their hourly rate. A babysitter who not only provides childcare but also helps around the house is taking on additional responsibilities.

Household Tasks That May Justify a Higher Rate

• Vacuuming the living room or playroom
• Loading or unloading the dishwasher
• Folding laundry
• Washing dishes or tidying up after meals
• Preparing or reheating dinner

These tasks may seem small, but they require extra time and effort. That’s why it’s fair for the hourly rate to be slightly higher than a standard babysitting rate.

For comparison, a domestic cleaner in Belgium typically earns between €14 and €17 per hour (gross).

If your babysitter also helps with cleaning or cooking, paying €13 to €15 per hour is generally considered fair—and is often still more affordable than hiring a separate cleaner.

Tip: Always discuss expectations in advance. A babysitter who knows exactly what is expected of them will feel more comfortable and is likely to do a better job.

Last-Minute Babysitting: How Much Should You Pay?

Need a babysitter at short notice because your plans changed unexpectedly? In most cases, you can expect to pay a little more than the standard babysitting rate. A babysitter who is available at the last minute often has to rearrange their own plans, and it’s only fair that this flexibility is reflected in their pay.

Average Babysitting Rates by City in Belgium (2026)

Wondering what a fair hourly rate is for a babysitter in your area? Below you’ll find the average hourly rates listed by babysitters aged 16 to 21 on their public Sitly Belgium profiles. These figures represent the rates babysitters advertise, not necessarily what parents ultimately pay. However, they provide a reliable indication of the going rates and expectations in each region.

The map shows that babysitting rates are relatively consistent across Belgium’s largest cities, with only modest regional differences. On average, babysitters charge between €10 and €11 per hour, representing a slight increase compared with last year.

• Brussels has the highest average rate at €10.88/hour, which is unsurprising given the higher cost of living and strong demand for babysitters in the capital.
• Namur (€10.78/hour) and Antwerp (€10.77/hour) also sit slightly above the national average.
• In Leuven (€10.54/hour), Ghent (€10.51/hour), and Bruges (€10.35/hour), average rates are slightly lower but remain broadly in line with the national average. The lowest average rates are found in Charleroi (€10.26/hour) and Liège (€10.24/hour), where average wage levels tend to be somewhat lower overall.

Map showing the average hourly babysitting rate in Belgium’s largest cities (2026).

Why Location Affects Babysitting Rates

The cost of hiring a babysitter can vary significantly from one city to another—and even between neighbourhoods.

The main reason is simple: supply and demand. In areas where there are plenty of babysitters but fewer families looking for childcare, hourly rates tend to be lower because babysitters compete for fewer jobs.

On the other hand, in neighbourhoods where many families need childcare but relatively few babysitters are available, rates naturally increase. This is often the case in larger cities or communities with many young families and limited after-school childcare options.

Tip: Want to know what’s considered a fair rate in your area? Ask friends, neighbours, or other parents at your child’s school. This will give you a realistic idea of local babysitting rates and help you offer a rate that’s fair for both your babysitter and your budget.

How Much Should You Pay a Babysitter?

There isn’t a single answer to how much a babysitter should earn—every situation is different. A fair rate depends on several factors, including:

• the babysitter’s age, experience, and qualifications (such as paediatric first aid or childcare training);
• the number and ages of your children;
• additional responsibilities, such as preparing meals, helping with homework, or light household chores;
• the time of day—whether it’s daytime, evening, or overnight care;
• where you live, as rates are often slightly higher in cities like Brussels or Antwerp than in smaller towns; and
• your own budget.

Ultimately, the goal is to find the right balance between offering a fair rate and securing reliable, affordable childcare for your family. The most important factor is clear communication. Talk openly with your babysitter about your expectations and what you’re able to pay. When both sides are on the same page, it’s much easier to agree on a rate that feels fair, realistic, and sustainable.