Au Pair in Germany: Living, Learning, and Childcare

An au pair stay in Germany is a cultural exchange, not a regular job. You live with a German host family, help with childcare and light household tasks related to the children, and use free time to improve your German.

In return, you receive pocket money, a private room, meals, support for a language course, and paid vacation. Most stays last about one year. It can be a strong way to experience daily life in Germany, but it is not a direct path to permanent residency.

EU citizens can usually start once they have a host family and contract. Non-EU citizens need a visa and should secure a host family before applying at the German embassy.

For study after your stay, see Student Visa for Germany. For skilled work routes later, see Skilled Worker Visa (Germany). For address registration, see Anmeldung. To enter and search for work without a host family, see Opportunity Card in Germany.

Who can become an au pair

Typical age range. You are usually between 18 and 26 years old.

Personal situation. You should generally be unmarried and in good health. Some countries require a medical examination as part of the visa process.

Language and experience. Basic German (A1) is recommended. Prior experience with children is helpful, even if informal (babysitting, younger siblings, volunteering).

Visa documents (non-EU). You typically need:

• A signed au pair contract with your host family
• A host family invitation letter
• A language certificate if you have one (not always mandatory at A1, but useful)
• Health insurance valid in Germany
• A passport valid for your full planned stay

Pay, benefits, and daily duties

What you receive

• Pocket money: at least €280 per month (current minimum)
• Private room in the family home
• Meals provided by the host family
• German course support: the family contributes €70 per month toward your course
• Paid vacation: 4 weeks per year
• Insurance: the host family must provide health insurance and liability insurance for you

What you are expected to do

Under Bundesagentur für Arbeit guidelines, you may work a maximum of 30 hours per week and 6 hours per day.

Typical tasks.

• Childcare: playing, school pickup, homework help
• Light housework related to the children
• Helping with children’s meals

Not allowed as au pair work.

• Heavy general housework
• Care for elderly or sick household members
• Full-time nanny duties with no cultural exchange element
• Work outside the host family

Your rights to free time.

• At least 1.5 days off per week
• At least one free Sunday per month
• Enough time to attend a German course

Stay length, visas, and registration

Duration.

• Minimum stay: usually 6 months
• Standard maximum: 12 months
• In some cases, up to 24 months total with a new host family and a new arrangement

Non-EU visa process. Find and interview a host family, sign the contract, then apply at your German embassy with the required documents.

After arrival. Register your address at the Bürgeramt (Anmeldung) and complete any steps required by the local Ausländerbehörde for your residence title. See Anmeldung.

Plan visa transitions early if you want to stay in Germany after the au pair year. Changes between permit types often take several months.

Good placements and warning signs

Signs of a good placement.

• The family treats you as part of daily family life, not only as help
• Clear weekly schedule and agreed working hours
• Real support for your German course
• A private room you can lock
• Chances to meet other au pairs or young people locally

Red flags.

• Regular work above 30 hours per week
• No time or flexibility for language classes
• Treatment like a full employee with no cultural exchange
• Social isolation with no days off
• Late or missing pocket money payments

Using a reputable matching agency is optional but can help with contracts, expectations, and dispute support.

Next steps

1. Research programs and platforms (agency optional).
2. Create a profile and contact host families.
3. Interview families by video call and compare expectations in writing.
4. Sign an au pair contract before booking travel.
5. If you are non-EU, apply for your visa at the German embassy.
6. Arrange travel, insurance checks, and arrival details with the family.
7. After arrival, complete Anmeldung and any Ausländerbehörde appointments.

After your au pair year, you might:

• Return home with stronger German and childcare experience
• Apply for a student visa if you plan formal study
• Apply for a skilled work visa if you secure a qualifying job
• Continue as an au pair with another family, up to the maximum total stay allowed (often up to two years in total)

Useful links

• AuPairWorld (matching platform; verify contracts and legal requirements independently)