Insurance for au pairs and a few other standard questions

[MizZan]

Hi all - our au pair to be, from Slovakia, just asked me whether we are going to buy her health insurance. Apparently she needs something to show her insurance company in Slovakia that she is covered here. I had never heard of anyone here buying health insurance for au pairs, is this commonly done? Or if not, have any of you run into this issue, and what would I need to give her to show she is covered by the NHS (which I assume she is, since she will be living here and since Slovakia is part of the EU)?

Would appreciate any suggestions/advice from those with more experience.

On an unrelated note:
Is it unreasonable of us to say she cannot have friends to stay overnight? And/or to say she cannot invite friends here without asking first? She will be living very much within the house (own bedroom but all else shared) and we just don't feel we'd be happy having her invite lots of friends round...but don't want her to feel hard done by either.

thank you in advance, all!

She'll be covered by the NHS.

Different families feel differently about having friends over. My own point of view is that letting friends stay can make a big difference in the au pair's happiness, so worth it. I'd say decide what you'd do if the au pair was your own child - you'd probably allow friends over to stay, but would expect to be asked first.

I'd worry about having to feed a multitude, but in my experience, it only amounted to the odd slice of toast and cup of tea.

She will be covered by the NHS here, but she needs health insurance when she is in Slovakia - but that is down to her. Of course the NHS won't cover her for all types of dental treatment, such as visits to the hygenist, but that is up to her to fund.

I did not allow AP friends or relavtives or boyfriends to stay the night. Friends for visits (in the evenings) were OK as long as I was asked in advance (and had the possibility of refusal) and I was in the house. Friends in the house without permsission or when I was not in during the dayu were not allowed.