Can I stay in Germany after my Au Pair year ends?

The Au Pair visa itself cannot be extended beyond 12 months. However, if you find a job, get accepted into a university, or decide to start vocational training (Ausbildung), you can apply for a change of residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde without leaving the country.

Do I get paid vacation days?

Yes. For a 12-month contract, you are legally entitled to 4 weeks (24 working days) of paid vacation where you continue to receive your €280 pocket money and are free from all duties. If your contract is shorter, the days are calculated pro-rata (2 days per month).

What if I hate my host family?

You are never trapped. By law, you have a 2-week notice period (Kündigungsfrist). You can terminate the contract, but you must find a new host family and inform the Ausländerbehörde to transfer your visa to the new family.

Au Pair in Germany 2026: Visa, Salary & Requirements

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Quick Summary

Becoming an Au Pair in Germany is one of the most culturally immersive ways to experience the country. You live with a German host family, help care for their children, and learn the language firsthand. Because the Au Pair system is heavily regulated by the German government to prevent exploitation, the rules regarding working hours, mandatory pocket money, and language school subsidies are strictly defined. This guide explains exactly how to legally become an Au Pair in Germany.

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1. The Legal Requirements for Au Pairs
2. Your Rights: Working Hours and Salary
3. The Visa Application Process
4. Health Insurance for Au Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. The Legal Requirements for Au Pairs

Germany views the Au Pair program as a cultural exchange program, not as cheap domestic labor. Therefore, to be granted an Au Pair visa, both you and the host family must meet strict criteria set by the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).

Au Pair Requirements

Age Limit
Source: You must be between 18 and 26 years old.
hard
Language Skills
Source: You must prove basic A1 German skills (Goethe Certificate).
medium
Duration
Source: The contract must be for a minimum of 6 months, maximum 12 months.
easy
Language Rule
Source: The host family's native language must be German.
easy

Note: If you are an EU citizen, the age limit is slightly relaxed (up to 30 years old), and you do not need a visa, but the working conditions still apply.

2. Your Rights: Working Hours and Salary

As an Au Pair, you are not an employee, but you are not a guest either. The German government dictates exactly what the host family must provide you in exchange for your childcare assistance.

Working Hours & Duties

required

You may work a maximum of 30 hours per week, and no more than 6 hours per day. This includes babysitting and light household chores (like emptying the dishwasher or making kids' meals). You are NOT a professional cleaner or gardener.

Free Board and Lodging

critical

The host family must provide you with a private, lockable, furnished room in their home (at least 9 sqm with a window) and full board (all meals), completely free of charge.

Pocket Money (Taschengeld)

critical

Regardless of how many hours you work, you are legally entitled to exactly €280 per month in pocket money. This must be paid even if you are sick or on vacation.

Language Course Subsidy

optional

The host family must contribute €70 per month towards your German language course, plus they must pay for your transportation (bus ticket) to get to the school.

3. The Visa Application Process

If you are from outside the EU (and not from a privileged nation like the US, Canada, Australia, etc.), you must apply for an Au Pair Visa at the German Embassy in your home country before traveling.

You cannot apply for this visa until you have successfully matched with a family and signed an official Au Pair contract. Most candidates use platforms like AuPairWorld or registered agencies to find a family.

Documents you will need for the Embassy:

Your valid passport.
The signed original Au Pair contract.
An invitation letter from your host family.
Proof of basic German knowledge (A1 certificate).
A completed "Fragebogen für die Gastfamilie" (Questionnaire filled out by the host family).

4. Health Insurance for Au Pairs

This is the responsibility of the host family!

Under German law, an Au Pair cannot be insured under the standard public health insurance system (GKV) because they are not technically "employed." Instead, the host family must take out a special, comprehensive private "Au Pair Insurance" policy for you.

The host family must pay 100% of the monthly premiums for this insurance. It must cover medical treatment, pregnancy, accidents, and ideally, liability (if you accidentally break something expensive in the house).

You should ask to see proof of this insurance before you fly to Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Educational Notice & General Advice

This content is educational and reflects analysis based on our 11 years of market experience, our 200,000+ community insights, and current regulatory knowledge.

As a 34d-licensed insurance broker and experienced financial advisor, I provide this guidance in good faith. However, for personalized advice especially regarding insurance, mortgages, or tax-specific decisions—please consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional in your specific situation. Past expat experiences and historical market data do not guarantee identical results for your unique circumstances.

How to become an Au Pair in Germany