Au Pair Requirements in Germany: Complete Checklist for Au Pairs and Host Families

Germany’s au pair rules apply to both sides of the match. The au pair must meet the relevant age, language and immigration conditions, while the host family must be eligible, offer an appropriate cultural-exchange placement and respect the limits on duties, hours, time off and holiday.

Quick answer: For a third-country au pair residence authorisation, applicants are generally 18 to 26 years old, have at least basic German at CEFR A1, are not related to the host family and plan a stay of six to twelve months. The host household must include a child under 18 and meet the family-language and citizenship conditions used in the approval process. Duties are normally limited to six hours per day and 30 hours per week.

Check your individual route: Log in to your Auost account and open the Program tab for detailed requirements, documents, contracts, insurance and visa guidance for your placement.

Au pair requirements: applicant checklist

Requirements are most specific for people who need a German au pair visa or residence permit. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa or Federal Employment Agency approval, but the programme’s standards for duties, living arrangements and cultural exchange remain the right framework for a fair placement.

1. Age

For third-country nationals, the au pair must normally be at least 18 and must not yet have turned 27 when the residence title is decided. Because appointments and processing take time, applicants close to the upper limit should start early and confirm timing with the responsible German mission.

2. German language level

Basic German is required—normally at least CEFR A1 for the visa or residence process. The authority may assess whether the applicant can understand and use simple everyday German. Accepted evidence and interview practice can differ by mission, so check the mission’s current checklist.

Perfect German is not expected. The placement should create enough time and practical support for further language learning.

3. Length of stay

An au pair placement generally lasts at least six months and no more than twelve months. Under the third-country route, au pair employment is limited to one year and normally cannot be repeated. The dates in the contract, insurance and immigration documents should align.

4. No family relationship

The au pair and host family must not be related. The arrangement should be a genuine cultural exchange rather than a way to employ a relative or fill a conventional domestic position.

5. Valid documents and lawful work permission

The applicant needs a valid passport, a written au pair agreement and, where required, a visa or residence permit that expressly authorises the au pair activity. Visitor status alone does not permit work.

The usual immigration file can include the contract, the official questionnaire or confirmation for the host household, proof of German, insurance information, passport photos and other mission-specific documents. Read the Au Pair Visa for Germany guide for the full process.

Host family requirements in Germany

1. A child under 18 lives in the household

At least one minor child must live continuously in the household. Married or unmarried couples and single parents can qualify. A household without a child under 18 does not meet the programme’s host-family purpose.

2. The family-language rule is met

For third-country approval, German is normally spoken as the family’s native language. A placement can also be possible when German is the usual language of the household and the au pair does not come from a home country of the host parents. This point can be fact-sensitive, so confirm it in advance if the family is multilingual.

3. Citizenship conditions are met

Federal Employment Agency guidance for third-country placements indicates that at least one adult family member should be a German, EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. Families with a different constellation should obtain an individual assessment before making travel commitments.

4. The au pair receives room and board

The host family provides a suitable private room in the family home and full meals free of charge. The au pair should participate in everyday family life while also having privacy and reasonable access to household facilities.

5. The family supports language learning and cultural exchange

The schedule must leave enough time for a German course, cultural events and religious activities. The host family pays the required language-course contribution and necessary course travel, and should help the au pair settle into the local area.

6. The family accepts the programme’s financial obligations

The family pays €280 monthly pocket money, the applicable €70 monthly course contribution, necessary transport to the nearest suitable course, and insurance covering illness, pregnancy and birth, and accidents. See the detailed Au Pair Costs in Germany guide.

Which tasks can an au pair do?

Suitable duties are limited, family-based and connected primarily to children and everyday household life. They can include:

• supervising children and playing with them;

• helping children get ready for the day;

• taking children to kindergarten, school or activities;

• preparing simple meals or snacks;

• light tidying, washing up or loading the dishwasher;

• helping with the children’s laundry and rooms; and

• occasional evening babysitting within the agreed hours.

The exact task list should match the children’s ages and be written down before the placement starts.

Which tasks are not appropriate?

An au pair is not a professional nanny, housekeeper, nurse or elderly carer. The role should not include:

• sole responsibility for the entire household;

• heavy or deep cleaning as a primary duty;

• full-time or around-the-clock childcare;

• professional nursing or care of sick or elderly relatives;

• running a family business;

• work for another household or employer; or

• regular hours beyond the programme limits.

Children with disabilities or additional support needs can be part of a warm and successful match, but the family must describe those needs honestly. An au pair cannot replace trained medical, therapeutic or specialist care.

Working hours, free time and paid holiday

Topic	German programme standard
Maximum duties	Normally no more than six hours per day and 30 hours per week, including childcare.
Overtime	Occasional only, agreed in advance and compensated promptly with time off.
Weekly time off	At least 1.5 full days per week.
Evenings	At least four free evenings per week.
Sundays	At least one Sunday per month should be free.
Paid holiday	Four weeks for a 12-month placement, or two working days for each full month.
Language course	The schedule must permit regular attendance.

Babysitting counts as duty time. So do child-related trips or household tasks performed at the family’s request. A weekly schedule makes invisible time easier to recognise and prevents the 30-hour limit from being exceeded.

The family and au pair should agree how to record hours, manage school holidays, handle occasional changes and compensate overtime. Availability during free time should never be assumed.

What should the written agreement cover?

Use the official model contract where required and add a clear schedule or household agreement. At minimum, record:

• start and end dates;

• address and household members;

• normal duties and weekly schedule;

• pocket money and payment date;

• room, meals and household access;

• German course, contribution and transport;

• insurance arrangements;

• free time and paid holiday;

• family trips and travel costs;

• use of a car, driving experience and insurance, if relevant;

• house rules, visitors, internet and privacy;

• notice period and emergency contacts; and

• how disagreements or an early end will be handled.

The contract is not a substitute for an honest conversation. If a routine, expectation or cost matters, discuss it before travel and record the outcome.

Compatibility checklist before accepting a match

Legal eligibility does not guarantee a good match. Both sides should compare:

• the real weekly routine, including early mornings and evenings;

• the children’s ages, personalities and care needs;

• experience with babies or several children;

• driving expectations and local transport;

• pets, allergies and dietary needs;

• smoking, alcohol and household lifestyle;

• language use at home;

• room, bathroom access and privacy;

• course availability and commute;

• family holidays and visits from relatives;

• communication and feedback preferences; and

• backup plans when the au pair or a parent is ill.

A video call with all key household members and a tour of the room and living spaces can surface differences early. Neither side should minimise important needs simply to secure a match.

After arrival: practical obligations

The au pair generally needs to register the new address with the local registration office. Third-country nationals may also need to obtain or extend the appropriate residence permit before their entry visa expires. The family should help with appointments, directions and required local documents.

On the first days, review the schedule, emergency numbers, children’s routines, allergies, house keys, transport, insurance and what to do if somebody feels unsafe. A structured welcome is part of creating a responsible placement.

Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit for an au pair in Germany?

For a third-country au pair residence authorisation, the applicant is generally at least 18 and under 27 at the time of the decision. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not follow this visa rule, although host families or platforms may use programme age criteria.

Is A1 German required?

Basic German, normally CEFR A1, is expected for the third-country au pair immigration process. The responsible authority may assess language ability.

Can a single parent host an au pair?

Yes, provided at least one child under 18 lives in the household and the other host-family conditions are met.

Can an au pair work more than 30 hours per week?

Regular duties should not exceed 30 hours per week or six hours per day. Occasional agreed overtime should be balanced with time off.

Is babysitting included in the hours?

Yes. Childcare, including evening babysitting, counts toward duty time.

Can an au pair care for an elderly relative?

Professional nursing or elderly care is not an au pair duty. The programme focuses on childcare and light household support within a host family.

Does every au pair need a visa?

No. It depends on nationality. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not; most third-country nationals do. Some nationalities can enter visa-free and apply in Germany, but may not work until the residence permit allows it.

Next step: Log in to your Auost account and go to the Program tab for the exact eligibility, document, contract and visa checklist for your placement.

Return to the complete Au Pair in Germany guide.

Official sources

• Federal Employment Agency: Au pairs

• Federal Employment Agency: Au pairs in German families (English fact sheet)

• German Employment Ordinance, Section 12

Editorial note: Immigration decisions are individual and administrative practice can change. Confirm current requirements with the competent German mission abroad, local immigration authority and official programme guidance. This article is general information, not legal advice.

---