What does Aupair cost

Example: Costs in Germany (Snapshot)

Pocket money 280 € / Month
Language course subsidy 70 € / Month (800 € total)
Au-pair Insurance approx. 40 € - 55 € / Month
Board & Lodging (estimated) approx. 150 € / Month
Travel costs/Visa Often paid by the Au-pair

Estimated Total Costs ~550 € / Month

What influences the total costs?

The expenses for an Au-pair can be divided into various areas:

Pocket money: Fixed legal or recommended amount.
Insurance: Mandatory for the host family in some countries (like DE), voluntary in others.
Board & Lodging: A private room and full meals are always mandatory.
Language course: Proportional or full coverage depending on the country.
Transport: Monthly pass or car access.
Voluntary Extras: End-of-stay bonus, welcome gifts, shared vacations.

Compact Country Comparison

Country	Pocket Money / Salary	Working Hours	Language Course	Insurance	Estimated Total Costs/Month
Germany	280 € / Month	Max. 30 h / Week	70 € / Month	Host family pays	~500 - 600 €
Austria	518.44 € (15 Salaries)	Max. 18 h / Week	Au-pair often pays themselves	Host family registers & pays	~750 - 800 €
Switzerland	500 - 800 CHF	Max. 30 h / Week	Host family pays	Health insurance mandatory (often shared)	~900 - 1200 CHF
France	~ 320 € / Month	Max. 30 h / Week	Mandatory for Non-EU	Host family registers with URSSAF	~600 - 700 €
Spain	70 € - 80 € / Week	Max. 30 h / Week	Mandatory (Visa)	Health insurance required	~500 - 600 €
USA	$ 195.75+ / Week + Fees	Max. 45 h / Week	$ 500 Subsidy	Agency/Program basis	~$ 1500 - 1800

Discover Other Countries

Select a country to get detailed information about costs, visas, and requirements. View all countries & requirements →

Au-pair Cost Calculator (Estimator)

Calculate the estimated costs for your family based on country and duration.

Destination Country

Additional monthly extras (Public transport, sports, etc.)

Monthly

600 €

6 Months

3.600 €

12 Months

7.200 €

Au pair Tax Check (DE)

Declare your childcare costs in your tax return. Find out which costs might be tax-deductible.

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Childcare Check

Is an Au-pair the right childcare model for your family? Find out in our quiz before you start your search.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Au-pair Costs

What are the costs for an Au-pair in Germany?

In Germany, the average monthly costs for an Au-pair are around 550 to 600 Euros. This includes pocket money (280 Euros), a contribution to the language course (70 Euros), as well as health insurance and boarding.

Who pays for health insurance?

In most European countries, such as Germany, the host family is legally required to cover the costs of adequate Au-pair health, accident, and liability insurance.

Who pays for the language course?

This varies by country. In Germany, the host family pays a monthly subsidy of 70 Euros towards the language course (in addition to pocket money). In other countries, host families contribute voluntarily or the Au-pair covers the costs themselves.

Are travel costs reimbursed?

Generally, Au-pairs cover their travel costs (return flight) themselves. However, many host families voluntarily cover part of the costs or reimburse the return flight if the year is successfully completed.

Are Au-pair costs tax-deductible?

In Germany, up to two-thirds of childcare costs, with a maximum of 4,000 Euros per child per year, can be deducted from taxes as special expenses. Use our Tax-Check for further guidance.

Au-pair vs Nanny/Babysitter - what is cheaper?

An Au-pair is in most cases significantly cheaper than a trained nanny or regular babysitters, but also comes with other requirements (such as a free room and boarding). It is also primarily a cultural exchange.