This guide covers the updated 2026 rates in Portugal, the average hourly pay, and practical examples to help you calculate how much to charge based on your experience, location, and work schedule.
Just started babysitting and not sure what to charge? Or maybe you’ve been at it for a while and want to know if your rate is fair? In Portugal, the average hourly rate for a babysitter in 2026 is between €7.50 and €8.50, according to recent data from babysitting platforms and market studies.
But this is only an average: the actual pay can vary widely depending on your city, your experience, the number of children you care for, and the type of responsibilities involved. Babysitting rates in Portugal can range from €6.00 to €14.00 per hour, influenced by key factors such as your age, childcare experience, first-aid certifications, the children’s ages, and especially your location.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to understand how much to charge as a babysitter, how to calculate your babysitting rate, and when it’s reasonable to ask for a higher wage.
How Much Does a Babysitter Earn per Hour?
As mentioned earlier, the average hourly rate for a babysitter in Portugal is between €7.50 and €8.50, according to recent data. Of course, this is only a national average, and your rate may be higher or lower depending on your individual situation.
A good starting point for calculating your rate is the National Minimum Wage, which can serve as a useful reference to make sure you’re not undervaluing your work. Beyond that, several personal and practical factors influence the amount: the city where you work, your skills and experience, the children’s age and number, the time of day (daytime or evening), and the type of arrangement you have with the family. Let’s look at what the law says.
Babysitting Rates and the Minimum Wage in Portugal
If you work regularly as a babysitter in Portugal, it’s important to understand how the National Minimum Wage may apply to your situation.
You’re entitled to the legal minimum wage if:
- You work fixed or regular hours for a family
- You’re formally employed (not just helping out occasionally or on a one-off basis)
- You’re not a family member and not volunteering
- You’re considered a “worker” under Portuguese labor law
If your babysitting work is part of a family’s regular childcare routine (for example, you work every week, receive pay slips, or pay taxes), you’re likely entitled by law to earn at least the corresponding minimum wage.
National Minimum Wage (as of 2026)
In Portugal, there is a National Minimum Wage (SMN) that applies to workers with a formal contract, including babysitters who work on a regular, formalized basis.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly minimum wage | €920 |
| Approximate hourly rate (full-time equivalent) | ~€5.30 per hour |
(Source: Government of Portugal – 2026 update)
This monthly amount corresponds to a full 40-hour work week. If you only babysit occasionally (for example, a few hours on a Saturday evening), the arrangement is usually informal and may not be covered by labor law. Even so, it’s essential to agree on a fair hourly rate in advance, one that reflects your time, responsibility, and experience.
Understanding these minimum wage guidelines can help you set your rate with confidence and make sure you’re paid fairly for your work.
Example: Babysitter (18 years old), 3 children + dinner preparation
Sarah is 18 years old and has already built up considerable babysitting experience. She recently started a teacher training course and holds a pediatric first aid certificate. Once a week, she works for a family with three children aged 8, 5, and 3.
She arrives around 4:00 PM, picks the children up from school and kindergarten, brings them home, prepares a snack, and plays with them. The parents also value the fact that she prepares dinner, so the family can eat together when they get home from work, around 6:30/7:00 PM.
Rate calculation
- €8.50/hour → Base rate for a young babysitter with training
- +€2.50/hour → For caring for two additional children
- +€1.50/hour → For first aid certification and training in the field
- = €12.50/hour
She works about 3 hours:
€12.50 × 3 = €37.50
The family can round up to €38 per session, keeping the arrangement simple, professional, and fair for both side.
Nanny Salary in Portugal
A nanny’s pay is usually higher than that of an occasional babysitter. While babysitting tends to be one-off or part-time work, nannies generally have fixed schedules, take on more responsibilities, and look after the children throughout the day, including meals, routines, school runs, and educational activities.
For this reason, a professional nanny in Portugal (with training, a regular schedule, and sometimes live-in arrangements) usually charges between €9 and over €14 per hour. Alternatively, they may receive a monthly salary of between €1,000 and €1,800, depending on responsibilities, experience, and location.
Nannies with training in early childhood education, pediatric first aid, or several years of experience tend to be at the top of this pay range.
Babysitting Hourly Rates in Major Portuguese Cities
While the national minimum wage is a useful reference, the actual hourly rate is always agreed between the babysitter and the family and depends on several important factors. One of the most significant is location. Babysitting rates vary quite a bit from region to region.
For example:
- In Lisbon, babysitters usually earn between €8 and €14 per hour, reflecting the higher cost of living and greater demand for childcare.
- In other cities such as Porto, Braga, or Coimbra, rates are generally between €7 and €11 per hour.
- In smaller cities or rural areas, average rates tend to fall between €6 and €9 per hour.
That said, location isn’t everything. If you look after several young children in a less central area, or have plenty of experience and qualifications, you could earn more than a beginner babysitter in a bigger city. Ultimately, your hourly rate should reflect your experience, your responsibilities, and the specific needs of the family you work with.
Average Hourly Babysitting Rate
| City | Rate |
|---|---|
| Lisbon | €8 – €14 |
| Porto | €7 – €11 |
| Braga | €7 – €11 |
| Coimbra | €7 – €11 |
| Small towns / rural areas | €6 – €9 |
How to Calculate Your Babysitting Rate
Besides the area where you work, there are many other factors that can influence how much you earn as a babysitter: your experience, your qualifications, the number of children in your care, and any extra tasks the family asks you to do. All of this affects your final pay and the rate you can charge per hour.
The infographic below helps you calculate a realistic hourly rate based on the type of work you do for the family.
Infographic: How to Calculate Babysitter Pay
Try the Sitly calculator to instantly see babysitter rates in your area. Enter your city, the babysitter’s tasks, and the number of children, and get an immediate average rate.
How Much Does an Experienced or Trained Babysitter Earn
If you’ve already been working with children for several years or have specific training (such as early childhood education, teaching assistant courses, or first aid), you can charge more than the base rates. Families are generally willing to pay a higher rate when they recognize professionalism, trustworthiness, and solid childcare skills.
How Much Does a Babysitter Earn per Hour Looking After Two Children
When you look after two or more children, your hourly rate can increase by around 20% compared to the base rate, depending on the level of effort required. Looking after two young siblings, for example, requires more attention and energy than caring for a single older child. And if their ages are very different, managing both their needs and finding suitable activities can be even more challenging.
Hourly Pay for Babysitters Doing Light Housework
Tidying the playroom, preparing the child’s lunch, washing the dishes you used, or folding the child’s laundry are tasks that fall within your duties as a babysitter.
However, if the family asks you to help with other household chores (such as folding the family’s laundry, dusting, or vacuuming), these are additional responsibilities and should be paid separately.
Babysitting Rates When Using Your Own Car
Many babysitters pick children up from school, take them to swimming or dance class, and bring them back home. If you use your own car for these trips, you can agree with the family on a weekly or monthly reimbursement to cover fuel and travel costs.
How Much Does a Babysitter Earn in the Evening or Overnight
Babysitting in the evening or overnight is usually paid a bit above average, since it involves working less convenient hours. In general, you can charge between 10% and 20% more than your daytime rate. For example, if you usually earn €10 per hour, it’s reasonable to ask for between €11 and €12 per hour for evening shifts, especially if you stay late or spend the night at the family’s home.
That said, it also depends on the level of responsibility involved.
If you arrive after the children have already had dinner and they go to bed shortly after, sleeping soundly through the night, you can accept a slightly lower rate. But if the children are very young, wake up several times, or need constant attention during the night, it’s fair to ask for a higher rate.
Tip: always arrange in advance with the parents how your safety will be ensured on your way home. Will they drive you? Will they pay for a taxi? Or will they walk you to your car? Your safety always comes first and should be a shared responsibility between you and the family.
Example: Babysitter (16 years old), 2 children, weekend nights
Lia is 16 years old and attends secondary school (11th grade). She has over two years of experience looking after her younger brother and cousins. She occasionally looks after two children on weekends.
When she arrives around 8:00 PM, the children are already in bed. She stays until midnight (12:00 AM), and the parents drive her home afterward. During the evening, they provide snacks and drinks and ask her to load or unload the dishwasher.
What’s a fair rate for Lia?
- €7.00/hour → Suitable rate for a teenage babysitter with light tasks
- +€1.50/hour → For supervising an additional child
- = €8.50/hour
However, since the children are already asleep and no active care is needed, Lia and the parents agree on a flat rate of €8.00/hour.
Total: €8.00 × 4 hours = €32.00
Lia is very happy with this arrangement: it’s a quiet evening, she feels valued, and the rate reflects the light responsibilities involved. trusted, and the rate reflects the light responsibilities.
Babysitting Pay: Hourly Rate or Flat Fee?
Is it better to be paid by the hour or receive a flat fee? It depends on the type of work you do for each family. For occasional jobs or when schedules change frequently, an hourly rate is preferable; that way, you’re only paid for the hours you actually worked.
If, on the other hand, you work regularly with a family, it may be convenient to agree on a fixed monthly amount. In that case, it’s essential to clearly define what’s included in that amount. For example:
If the family doesn’t need you on a given day, are you still paid the same? If something unexpected comes up and they ask you to stay an extra two hours, is that paid separately? And what if you usually work on Tuesdays, but there are five Tuesdays in a given month?
Tip: clarify all these details in advance to avoid misunderstandings and maintain a calm, professional relationship with the family.
Last-Minute Babysitting Rate for Emergencies
What if the family calls you at the last minute because of an emergency? For example, first thing in the morning because the child woke up with a fever. In these cases, it’s common to ask for a higher rate, between 10% and 20% above your usual amount.
Ideally, you should agree in advance on an “emergency rate” that applies whenever you’re asked to fill in for someone or show up unexpectedly. This way, everything is clear, and your flexibility is recognized and fairly compensated.
Example: Babysitter (21 years old), 1 child, after-school support and dinner preparation
Nina is 21 years old and is studying Early Childhood Education. She holds a pediatric first aid certificate and has a flexible university schedule this semester. Every Wednesday afternoon, she looks after one child for a family she works with regularly. She picks the 6-year-old boy up from school at 4:00 PM, prepares a light snack/dinner, plays with him, and stays until the parents get home from work around 6:30/7:00 PM.
The child is quite active, so Nina stays engaged with him throughout the whole time. The family provides all the food and reimburses small expenses, such as public transport or an occasional snack.
What’s a fair rate for Nina?
- €11.00/hour → Typical rate for a qualified babysitter in Portugal
- +€1.50/hour → For first aid certification and training in the field
- = €12.50/hour
She works about 3 hours, so:
€12.50 × 3 = €37.50
How Much Does a Babysitter Earn per Month?
A babysitter’s monthly income in Portugal can vary quite a bit depending on the number of hours worked, their experience, and the area they live in. A part-time babysitter working around 20 hours a week can earn between €600 and €900 per month, depending on the hourly rate and location.
If you work close to full-time hours and have qualifications, such as training in Pediatric First Aid, or experience with babies or children with special needs, your monthly income can exceed €1,200 to €1,500.
Professional nannies, with more responsibilities or in live-in arrangements, can earn between €1,000 and €1,800 per month. In these cases, the work is generally more formal, with a contract, social security contributions, and other labor rights.
How Much Does a Babysitter Earn per Day?
If you only work on specific days, for example during school holidays, teacher training days, or when the parents travel for work, you can agree on a daily rate instead of an hourly one. The calculation is simple: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours worked.
For example, an 8-hour day in Portugal can bring in between €60 and €100, depending on your experience and location. The amount can be higher if you’re caring for babies, looking after more than one child, preparing meals, helping with homework, or staying later.
Tip: agree in advance on working hours, the tasks included during the day, and how payment will be handled if you need to stay longer due to something unexpected. Setting everything out clearly from the start avoids misunderstandings and ensures you’re fairly compensated for your time and responsibilities.
How to Set Your Babysitting Rate
To set your hourly rate, you should take several factors into account:
- your qualifications and experience
- the number and age of the children
- the average rate in your area
- the time of day you work (daytime or evening)
- the responsibilities the family expects you to take on
Once you’ve settled on a rate you consider fair, the next step is to talk openly with the family. It may feel a bit awkward at first, but being clear about pay from the start is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and get the professional relationship off on the right foot.
A good strategy is to come prepared: research the going rates in your area and calmly explain why your rate makes sense — for example, based on the children’s ages, the schedule, or extra tasks involved. You can also ask the family what amount they had in mind. This makes the conversation more open and transparent, making it easier to reach a fair agreement for both sides.
Want more tips? Check out our blog for our article on how to become a great babysitter.
Table of contents
FAQ
In 2026, most babysitters in Portugal earn between €7.50 and €8.50 per hour. The amount can vary depending on location, the babysitter’s experience, and the number of children.
In larger cities such as Lisbon, Porto, or Braga, it’s common for babysitters to charge between €8 and €14 per hour. In smaller towns or rural areas, rates are generally between €6 and €9 per hour.
Yes. Most babysitters in Portugal adjust their rate when looking after more than one child.
It’s common to add €1 to €3 per hour for each additional child, depending on the children’s ages and specific needs.
Lisbon has some of the highest babysitting rates in the country. Rates generally range between €8 and €14 per hour.
Babysitters with more experience, specific training, or added responsibilities can charge higher rates, especially when they take on extra tasks or care for younger children.
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If you want to become a babysitter and find regular work, the key is to build experience, gain parents’ trust, and show that you take the role seriously. Even if you’re young, you can start by helping family members, offering to work as a “mother’s helper,” taking a First Aid and CPR course, and creating a professional babysitter profile on a platform like Sitly. By setting a fair hourly rate based on your age, experience, and responsibilities, and by going the extra mile during each job, you’ll increase your chances of getting more babysitting work and keeping parents happy.
