Official Host Family Guide · Germany Updated for 2026 Regulations

Au Pair Insurance in Germany: Legal Rules, Costs & Coverage

Which insurance policies are legally mandatory for an au pair in Germany? Learn who is responsible for paying the premiums, what risks must be covered for visa compliance, and what host families must verify prior to arrival.

💡

Summary: Key Facts for Host Families

✓

Statutory Duty: The host family must contract and pay 100% of the insurance premiums.

✓

Required Components: Health insurance, accident insurance, and pregnancy/childbirth coverage.

✓

No Travel Insurance: Standard holiday travel policies are rejected by German embassies and immigration.

✓

Typical Costs: Dedicated packages cost approximately €35 to €55 per month with zero deductible.

Jump to: 01 Legal Requirements 02 Policy Comparison 03 Costs & Calculator 04 Emergency Steps 05 Pre-Arrival Checklist 06 FAQ 07 Official Sources

01 · Legal Framework

Which Insurance is Mandatory for Au Pairs in Germany?

According to official guidelines from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and § 12 of the German Employment Regulation (Beschäftigungsverordnung - BeschV), host families must ensure full insurance coverage for their au pair from the very first day of arrival.

🏥

Health Insurance

MANDATORY BY LAW

Covers outpatient doctor visits, inpatient medical hospital care, emergency dental relief, and medically prescribed prescription drugs during the au pair's stay.

Check: Verify whether a deductible applies and confirm coverage for existing medical conditions.

🛡️

Accident Insurance

MANDATORY BY LAW

Provides 24/7 financial protection for accidents occurring both during childcare tasks and during personal free time. Includes disability benefits and rescue costs.

Check: Ensure coverage is not restricted only to working hours and check disability compensation limits.

🤰

Pregnancy & Childbirth

STRICT VISA REQUIREMENT

German immigration authorities specifically require insurance that covers pregnancy-related checkups, medical deliveries, and postpartum care.

Check: Beware of policies with 8-month waiting periods (Wartezeiten) which could invalidate visa approval.

⚖️ Statutory Cost Obligation: Under German law, the host family is strictly required to pay all insurance premiums. Premiums may not be deducted from the au pair's pocket money (€280 per month) or food allowances. In addition, taking out private liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) to protect against accidental damage to your home or property is strongly advised.

02 · Coverage Comparison

What is Covered — And What Must You Check Before Signing?

Not all au pair insurance policies offer the same protection. Use this comparison matrix to evaluate policy benefits and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Insurance Component	What is Covered?	What to Clarify Before Booking?	Status
Health Insurance Krankenversicherung	Outpatient doctor visits, emergency dentist care (pain management, simple fillings), hospital accommodation, prescribed medicines and dressings.	Deductible per treatment (€0 vs €25-€50), coverage of pre-existing conditions, dental reimbursement limits.	Mandatory
Accident Insurance Unfallversicherung	Permanent disability compensation, death benefits, medical rescue/salvage costs, accidental cosmetic surgery.	Disability capital amounts (recommended: min. €50,000 with progression scale), rescue cost limit (min. €5,000).	Mandatory
Pregnancy & Childbirth Schwangerschaft & Geburt	Prenatal examinations, medical delivery at a hospital, treatment of unexpected pregnancy complications.	Absence of waiting periods (Wartezeiten) and whether conception occurring prior to entry is covered or excluded.	Mandatory
Personal Liability Privathaftpflicht	Accidental bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties (e.g. at the playground, while cycling, or in public).	Damage to the host family's property (Mietsachschäden) and loss of private/master apartment keys.	Recommended
Repatriation Transport Krankenrücktransport	Medically supervised return transport to the au pair's home country if continuous treatment in Germany is not feasible.	Check whether wording states "medically necessary" (medizinisch notwendig) or the more generous "medically advisable" (medizinisch sinnvoll).	Essential
Motor Vehicle Cover Kfz-Zusatzschutz	Coverage for the au pair while driving the family vehicle (e.g. driving children to school or daycare).	Must be registered with your vehicle insurer as an additional young driver. Foreign driving license is valid for only 6 months in Germany!	If Driving

* Note: This comparison serves as an orientation guide. Exact benefits, reimbursement limits, and deductibles are determined solely by the terms and conditions of your chosen insurer.

03 · Budget & Pricing

What Does Au Pair Insurance Cost in Germany?

Dedicated au pair insurance in Germany is generally very cost-effective, typically ranging from €35 to €55 per month. Factors affecting the price include the chosen coverage tier, zero-deductible options, and included liability protections.

Basic Plan

~€35 / month

Meets statutory visa requirements
Basic health and accident cover
May include €25–€50 deductible

RECOMMENDED

Comfort Package

~€45 / month

€0 Deductible on all treatments
Comprehensive maternity coverage
Includes liability & key loss insurance

Premium Full-Cover

~€55 / month

Higher disability benefit capital
Enhanced dental care limits
Luggage protection & 24/7 hotline

🧮 Sample Cost Estimator for Budget Planning

Enter your planned monthly premium and stay duration to estimate total insurance expenditure.

Monthly Premium (€)

Length of Stay

Estimated Total Cost

540 €

* Early departure guarantee: Reputable au pair insurers in Germany refund unused full months if an au pair leaves earlier than scheduled, upon submission of proof of deregistration.

→ View all host family au pair costs in Germany (Pocket Money, Taxes & Language Courses)

04 · Emergency Procedure

What to Do if Your Au Pair Falls Ill or Has an Accident?

Follow these 4 clear steps to ensure your au pair receives prompt medical care while keeping the reimbursement process smooth and hassle-free.

Seek Medical Care

In acute emergencies, dial 112 immediately. For urgent medical consultation during evenings/weekends, call 116 117 (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst). For general illness, visit a local GP (Hausarzt).

Have Policy Ready

Keep the insurance policy number, member certificate (Versicherungsschein), and emergency 24/7 hotline saved on the au pair's smartphone and displayed at home.

Notify the Insurer

For hospital admissions, operations, or major diagnostics, contact the insurer beforehand to request direct cost coverage confirmation (Kostendeckungszusage).

Collect Invoices

Keep all itemized doctor invoices (GOÄ-Rechnungen), pharmacy receipts, and medical reports. Submit them digitally via the insurer's customer portal for quick reimbursement.

Important Warning: A standard European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or temporary holiday travel insurance is strictly insufficient for an au pair stay in Germany. Official German authorities require dedicated Au Pair insurance contracts that specifically cover au pair work and pregnancy.

05 · Host Family Checklist

Pre-Arrival Insurance Checklist

Check off each item before your au pair departs for Germany. You can copy the completed list or reset it anytime.

Completion Progress 0 of 7 items verified

Dedicated Au Pair Policy Booked: Health and accident insurance policy contracted specifically for an au pair stay in Germany. Pregnancy & Childbirth Verified: Policy terms explicitly confirm coverage without restrictive pre-travel waiting periods. Seamless Date Range: Coverage start date aligns exactly with the scheduled day of entry into Germany. Certificate Downloaded: Official insurance confirmation certificate (Versicherungsbestätigung) printed for the visa appointment / airport border inspection. Deductibles & Exclusions Reviewed: Both the host family and au pair understand reimbursement rules, emergency numbers, and deductibles (€0 recommended). Personal Liability Included: Privathaftpflicht coverage secured to cover third-party damage, host family property, and lost home/apartment keys. Vehicle Insurance Clarified: Au pair added as an authorized driver to the family auto insurance policy if they will drive family vehicles in Germany.

06 · Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Au Pair Insurance

Find quick, authoritative answers to the most common questions raised by host families in Germany.

Is the host family legally required to pay for the au pair's insurance?

Yes. Under German statutory regulations and standard Au Pair contract guidelines issued by the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), the host family is legally obligated to take out and pay 100% of the insurance premiums for the entire duration of the au pair's stay. This expense may never be deducted from the au pair's statutory pocket money (€280/month).

Can our au pair use a standard travel health insurance or EHIC?

No. A standard travel health insurance (Reisekrankenversicherung) is strictly intended for short vacations and explicitly excludes employment and au pair stays. Furthermore, ordinary travel insurance does not cover pregnancy, childbirth, or mandatory liability risks. German embassies and local immigration offices (Ausländerbehörde) will reject visa applications supported only by tourist insurance.

When exactly should the insurance coverage begin?

The policy should start on the exact date of your au pair's scheduled arrival in Germany. If the au pair enters the country even two days before coverage begins, an uninsured window occurs which can cause complications at border control or if an accident happens during travel.

What happens if our au pair leaves early or we switch au pairs?

Dedicated German au pair insurance providers (such as Care Concept, Dr. Walter, or Mawista) offer flexible termination options. If your au pair returns home early or moves to another host family, simply submit official deregistration or flight ticket proof. The insurance company will cancel the policy and refund paid premiums for unused full months.

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

Generally no. Standard au pair health policies cover unexpected acute illnesses and accidental injuries occurring during the insured period in Germany. Pre-existing chronic illnesses, ongoing treatments initiated before arrival, and routine cosmetic treatments are typically excluded.

Is our au pair automatically insured to drive our family car?

No. Au pair health and accident insurance does not cover automobile liability or vehicle damage. If your au pair will drive your family car to take children to school or kindergarten, you must notify your motor vehicle insurance provider (Kfz-Versicherung) to add the au pair to the list of authorized young drivers. Also verify that their foreign driving license is valid in Germany (non-EU licenses are generally valid for only 6 months without conversion).

Can host families deduct au pair insurance costs on their German tax return?

Yes! Under German tax law (§ 35a EStG), au pair expenses (including pocket money and insurance contributions paid by traceable bank transfer) can be claimed as childcare costs (Kinderbetreuungskosten) or household-related services (haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen) up to legal maximum limits. Cash payments are not eligible for tax deduction.

07 · Official Guidelines