Au-pair in Germany: Requirements, Visa, Contract, and Rules for Participation

An au pair in Germany is a cultural exchange program for young people who live with a host family, help with the children and light household chores, learn German, and get to know life in the country. It is not a typical nanny job, nor is it a way to get a job as a housekeeper: the program has restrictions regarding age, duration, working hours, contract, insurance, and visa.

What is an au pair?

The term “au pair” comes from French and means “on equal terms.” In the German context, it means that the participant temporarily becomes part of the family, receives room and board and an allowance, and in return helps with everyday family tasks.

The main focus of the program is language and culture. Therefore, the host family must allow the au pair to attend German classes, participate in family life, and have free time. If an au pair is required to perform full-time housework, care for the elderly, or work continuously beyond the permitted limits, this goes beyond the scope of the program.

Duration of Participation

According to the rules of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, an au pair placement must last a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months. An important difference from older accounts: re-employment as an au pair in Germany is not permitted, even if the first stay was shorter than a year.

If the contract is for less than 12 months, any extension within the permitted maximum must be discussed in advance with the family, the Ausländerbehörde, and, if applicable, the agency. For third-country nationals, the duration also depends on the visa and the Aufenthaltstitel.

Participant Requirements

Basic requirements for au pairs in Germany:

You must be at least 18 years old when you start with the family;
At the time of applying for an Aufenthaltstitel, the applicant must not yet have reached the upper age limit of 27;
a minimum German language proficiency at the A1 level;
a willingness to live with a family and help with the children;
a valid passport for the duration of entry and stay;
For third-country nationals: a national visa or other residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) that explicitly authorizes au-pair status;
Honest documents: resume, cover letter, information about your family, and experience with children.

An official memo from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit states that even married candidates may be eligible. However, specific embassies and host families may ask additional questions about your motivation, plans after the program, and ties to your home country.

Requirements for Host Families

The host must be a family, not a single person without children. At least one child under the age of 18 must live with the family full-time.

For citizens of third countries, language and family conditions are particularly important:

Employment is typically permitted in a family where German is the native language;
If German is spoken as the family language, the au pair does not have to be from the same country as the host parents;
At least one adult family member must be a citizen of Germany, the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland;
An au pair must not be related to the host family;
An au pair must have a private room within the family’s home;
Meals are provided free of charge, usually together with the family.

The family also provides insurance coverage for illness, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as accidents. Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is often recommended as an additional measure, even if it is not described as a mandatory minimum requirement.

Money, German Lessons, and Expenses

An au pair does not receive a salary, but rather Taschengeld. An official memo from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit specifies an amount of 280 euros per month, regardless of the number of hours worked within the permitted limit.

For contracts entered into starting in May 2023, the host family must contribute at least 840 euros over 12 months toward German language course expenses. This can be paid as 70 euros per month, provided the expenses are actually incurred. In addition, the family covers the necessary travel costs to the nearest suitable language course.

Typically, the au pair pays for their own travel to and from Germany, unless the parties have agreed otherwise. It’s best to specify any additional perks—such as a transit pass, a bicycle, a SIM card, or family outings—in the contract.

Working Hours and Time Off

An au pair helps with the children and light household chores. According to official rules, work hours must not exceed 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week, including babysitting. If hours are temporarily exceeded due to special circumstances, this must be agreed upon in advance and compensated for with time off.

Minimum guarantees regarding time off:

1.5 full days off per week;
at least one free Sunday per month;
at least 4 free evenings per week;
For a full-year stay: 4 weeks of paid vacation;
For shorter stays, vacation time is proportional, usually 2 workdays per full month.

Time set aside for language courses, religious practices, cultural events, and excursions must be free from family responsibilities.

What is and isn’t included in the responsibilities

Typical au pair responsibilities:

looking after children;
taking children to preschool, school, or extracurricular activities;
playing, going for walks, and helping with simple household tasks;
preparing simple meals for children;
keeping the children’s room tidy;
helping with light laundry and household chores;
occasionally looking after pets, if agreed upon.

The following should not be the responsibility of an au pair:

independently managing all household duties;
regular heavy cleaning;
caring for sick or elderly family members;
working in a family business;
a full-time replacement for a professional nanny;
responsibilities unrelated to children or family integration.

If the scope of responsibilities is too broad, it’s important to set a written schedule and contact an agency or counseling organization before a conflict escalates.

The Au-pair Contract

Before the au pair begins their stay, both parties sign a written contract. It should specify:

start and end dates;
working hours and a sample schedule;
Au-pair responsibilities;
the amount of Taschengeld;
room and board;
the family’s contribution toward the cost of the German language course and transportation to it;
insurance;
vacation and days off;
Who pays for the trip to Germany and back;
the procedure for early termination;
Additional arrangements: public transportation pass, bicycle, trips, and use of a car.

For visa purposes, citizens of third countries typically need a contract already at the application stage. The host family also fills out the official Au-pair Fragebogen as part of the approval process with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.

Visa and Residence Permit

Citizens of the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland can work as au pairs without a permit from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Citizens of third countries need an Aufenthaltstitel that specifically authorizes au pair work. Typically, a visa is applied for at a German embassy or consulate before entering the country.

After entering the country on a visa—which is often issued for an initial period—you must apply in a timely manner to the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners’ Office) in your place of residence and obtain an Aufenthaltserlaubnis before your visa expires. You should only work as an au pair once your visa or Aufenthaltstitel permits it.

There are countries whose citizens can enter Germany without a visa and apply for an Aufenthaltstitel once they’re already in the country, but this is an exception. You should check the official website of the German embassy in your country, because the list of required documents, the application process, and passport requirements depend on your citizenship.

Documents Required for Application

The exact list is provided by the German embassy or consulate, but you will usually need:

application form for a national visa;
a valid international passport;
passport-sized photos;
a signed au pair contract;
a completed questionnaire for the host family;
Proof of German language proficiency at the A1 level or a language proficiency test at the agency;
a personal statement;
biography;
documents regarding education and experience, if requested;
proof of insurance;
information about the host family and registration in Germany;
document translations, if required by a specific embassy.

Don’t rely on generic lists from blogs. Visa requirements and technical rules regarding passports change, so before applying, you should check the website of the Auswärtiges Amt or the German embassy or consulate in the country where you’re applying.

How to Find a Family

You can look for a family on your own or through an agency. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit recommends using a placement agency because the agency can help resolve any issues that arise between the family and the au pair.

When choosing an agency, it’s helpful to look for the RAL quality seal and membership in the Gütegemeinschaft Au pair e.V. This isn’t the only option, but such a seal indicates that the agency operates according to verified standards.

Before agreeing to a host family, ask these questions:

how many children and what ages;
What is a typical schedule on weekdays and weekends?
what specific household chores are expected;
where the au pair’s room is located;
who pays for the language course and transportation;
Is there a German language school nearby?
how the family resolves conflicts;
Has the family had an au pair before?

If a conflict arises or exploitation occurs

Problems don’t always stem from malicious intent. Sometimes the family and the au pair simply have different understandings of their responsibilities. But there are warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored:

regular work totaling more than 30 hours per week;
no free evenings or weekends;
the requirement to care for the elderly or sick;
refusal to pay Taschengeld;
a ban on attending language courses;
the risk of visa revocation or deportation;
isolation, pressure, humiliation.

First, document the facts: schedule, correspondence, payments, and agreements. Then contact the agency if it was involved in the placement, or consult with advisory organizations. In emergencies, you can use the contacts for Telefonseelsorge or Aupair Society e.V. listed in the Bundesagentur für Arbeit’s guide.

Can you stay in Germany after your au pair program?

An au pair program is not an immigration program for permanent residency. Once the program ends, you must either leave the country or switch to another valid residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in advance.

Possible next steps:

how to apply to a German university;
begin an Ausbildung once a program has been found and visa requirements have been met;
Find a job in Germany and obtain the appropriate residence permit;
to marry a German citizen provided there is a genuine family relationship.

It’s best to plan your departure several months before the program ends: gather your documents, check the deadlines at the Ausländerbehörde, and ensure you don’t lose your legal status.

Quick Checklist

Check your age, A1 level, and passport.
Find a family with a child under 18 years of age.
Discuss your schedule, room, German language course, and responsibilities.
Sign a written contract.
If you’re a citizen of a non-EU country, apply for a visa before entering Germany, unless there’s an exception for your country.
Make sure your Aufenthaltstitel explicitly permits au-pair work.
Keep your contract, schedule, proof of payment, and insurance documents.
If you encounter any violations, seek help early on, not after your visa has expired.