✦ Auost Magazine · Au Pair & Family Life

How to Find an Au Pair in Germany: The Complete Host Family Guide

Auost Team 8 Aug 2026 56 likes

To find a suitable au pair, first define your childcare needs, duties, schedule, start date, and family routines. Then compare candidates by childcare experience, language, personality, and availability. Several video calls, document checks, references, and a written contract matter more than making a fast decision.

Start by clarifying when support is needed, the children’s ages, essential experience, driving requirements, which duties belong to the au pair, which remain with the parents, free evenings and weekends, the language spoken at home, and what the family offers beyond the minimum.

Do not select from photographs and short introductions alone. Review the ages of children previously cared for, duration and regularity of experience, training, language ability, actual driving practice, motivation for Germany, desired length of stay, pets, diet, allergies, and expectations about duties and privacy.

For the first 30–45 minute video call, ask open questions: “Tell us about a difficult situation with a child”; “How do you prefer to receive feedback?”; “What does being part of a family mean to you?”; and “Which duties do you expect—and which do you not?” Be honest about early mornings, noisy children, rural transport, or changing routines.

In a second call, walk through a real-life scenario. For example: “It is Tuesday at 7:00. One child refuses to get dressed and the other cannot find a school bag. What would you do?” Practical discussion reveals more than a general statement such as “I love children.”

Before agreeing, verify identity and documents, contact references with consent, assess language ability, hold several calls, avoid large payments to unknown individuals, and confirm visa and insurance through official sources. The contract should cover dates, duties, hours, rest time, holiday, pocket money, language course, travel costs, insurance, and termination.

Frequently asked questions

How long does finding an au pair take? It depends on location, start date, requirements, and visa needs. Start several months in advance.
What makes a good match? Compatible expectations, open communication, and realistic boundaries—not only shared hobbies or an attractive profile.
Can an au pair provide all childcare? No. Parents retain responsibility and au pair duties are limited.

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Related: Costs · Requirements · Visa · Insurance

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