The Most Important Things About Au-Pair
1. Au-Pair is an international program where young people who want to see the world and improve a language go to a country of interest, live with a host family, and help the hosts take care of children.
2. The Au-Pair program is completely legal, regulated by the 'European Agreement on Au-Pair' adopted in 1969. Each participant receives a special au-pair visa, which is considered both a temporary residence permit in the host country and a work permit. The host family also provides the au pair with temporary registration in their home and health insurance for the entire stay.
3. The Au-Pair program is free: the participant only pays for travel there and back (sometimes by agreement the host covers it). They can search for a family on their own or contact agencies that support the program (up to €500). Agencies have extensive databases of host families and help with organizational issues.
4. All program participants must be unmarried, not divorced, without children, with no criminal record, and free from chronic or other serious illnesses. Having a driver's license, references, and experience with children is desirable but not mandatory.
5. All program participants must be fluent in a foreign language. Note: no certificates confirming your knowledge are required.
6. Before departure, the operator company must provide you with a phone conversation with the host family (this is where your language skills will be assessed). Be sure to discuss all departure conditions: how many children in the family, what room you will live in, whether bed linens will be provided, etc.
7. You will have meals at the common table. Therefore, before leaving, inform the hosts about any foods you cannot eat for religious or health reasons.
8. The Au-Pair program includes a vacation (from two weeks) which you can use as you wish: go home, to another EU country, or travel with the host family. Note: the family cannot insist that you spend your vacation with them. However, most program participants do go on vacation with the family – it's a good opportunity to see the world for free and earn some extra money.
9. A contract on a government form is concluded between the au pair and the host family, specifying the rights of both parties. Each family undergoes a check by the migration office of its country. If a conflict arises between the family and the au pair, or if the au pair feels they can no longer stay with that family, the program operator will intervene. In some cases, it is possible to change host families without leaving the country.
10. According to statistics, almost all Au-Pair program participants enroll in universities in the country where they lived. There are no special conditions for au pairs (nor obstacles). The language skills obtained are simply sufficient to pass all entrance exams.
Au-Pair in Germany
You can live in Germany as an au pair for no more than a year. The greatest demand from German families is for girls aged 17-24. Standard requirements: love for children and ability to perform basic housework (using a washing machine, ironing a child's clothes, washing dishes).
Young men can also go to Germany through the Au-Pair program. They are mainly sought after by single mothers who want their sons to receive male upbringing. However, requirements for young men are very high: first, they must have a driver's license and experience with children. Second, the German side almost always expects them to be able to do minimal 'men's work': hammer a nail into the wall or tighten a bicycle chain.
Language requirements for Au-Pair program participants are very democratic: for girls, an intermediate level of German is sufficient (to pass the embassy interview); young men must speak and understand fluently. Communication with children can be in English, but during the stay in Germany, you must attend German language courses. In almost all cities with universities, au pairs can find several free courses. Paid options range from €30 to €60 per month; the participant pays for them out of pocket.
Naturally, for working with children (no more than 30 hours per week, one day off), you will be paid from €260 to €300 per month.
Au-Pair in Austria
The standard Au-Pair program for Austria is one year, participants aged 18-27. Most agencies supporting the program accept participants who have already been au pairs in Germany and have references from German families, or have completed language internships there (at least six months).
All participants must have the standard set of qualities for an au pair, although Austrians place special importance on the health of candidates: in addition to the usual list of diseases, myopia and high blood pressure can be disqualifying. As in other countries, having a driver's license and experience with children is considered an advantage. Note: male applicants are almost never accepted in Austria.
The host family is obliged to pay the au pair a stipend of at least €60 per week (usually around €100). Participants must work no more than 25 hours per week and have at least one day off. Language courses in Austria cost about €45, and the participant pays for them independently.
Au-Pair in France
France is the second country after Germany where au pair services are widely used. Girls and young men up to 29 years old (sometimes up to 35) can participate in the program. Standard requirements apply to au pair workers, but the main focus is on having experience with children.
The requirements for young men are, as always, higher: they must be able to drive a car, speak French at an intermediate level, and must have work experience in children's (preferably preschool) institutions, not necessarily state-run. An important advantage, as in Germany, will be 'golden hands'. In the European understanding, this means the ability to replace a bicycle tube or hang a picture on the wall.
As in Austria, an au-pair receives at least €60 per week for 30 hours of work (in practice, the stipend is rarely below €100). Note that the French more often than others offer au-pair overtime, but they also pay for overtime more generously or cover the cost of language courses (from €20 to €100 per month).
Au-Pair in Scandinavia
The Au-Pair program for Scandinavian countries has a number of features. First, participants are not required to know the local languages, but they are required to have good spoken English. Second, young men are not in demand here at all, so agencies supporting the program practically do not accept applications from them. However, some find families on their own, mainly in Norway. Third, candidates must have experience working with children.
The duration of stay with a family varies depending on the country: in Sweden an au-pair can stay for a year, in Norway – six months to a year, in Denmark participants can legally live with a family for up to two years.
Scandinavian families guarantee the au-pair free accommodation, meals, health insurance, and a stipend from €320 (Denmark) to €370 per month (Sweden and Norway). In all countries, work is no more than 30 hours per week, and overtime is no more than seven hours per week for additional pay.
The Scandinavian version of Au-Pair has one important advantage – participants almost never pay for language courses. In Denmark, they are available to all foreigners; in Sweden and Norway, families usually finance training for one to three months.