Au Pair Programme Germany

 

Contract

Sign a contract with your au pair. Thus, you will both be on the safe side. Aupair World offers you the official standard contract, which complies with the European Agreement on Au Pair Placements, free of charge in different languages as a PDF download. You can find additional information about contracts on our page Contract, insurance, driving licence & Co.

Duties

The main duty of an au pair is to look after the children. Furthermore, an au pair helps with light housework. You should clarify with your au pair, what these duties will exactly involve. It is recommended to make a note of these duties in the au pair contract.

Costs

Accommodating an au pair results in higher living costs. During the au pair placement, an additional adult will be living with you at home.

Board and lodging

An au pair receives free board and lodging for his/her entire stay. The same applies in case of illness and during the au pair holiday. Providing the au pair with a separate room with a window is considered as an important standard pre-requisite. The room should be lockable, heatable and at least 8 square meters big.

Pocket money

An au pair receives a monthly pocket money of 260 euros - also in case of illness or while the au pair is on holiday.

Journey cost

Normally, the au pair bears the costs of the journey to the host country and back home by himself/herself.

Working hours

Arranging the time for carrying out household chores can be done according to the family's habits and needs. The au pair is not supposed to work more than 6 hours a day and 30 hours a week, including babysitting.

Time off

Your au pair is entitled to one day off per week. Once a month, this day should fall on a Sunday. As a host family, you should make sure that your au pair has at least 4 free evenings a week.

Holiday

An au pair is entitled to 4 weeks paid holiday, provided that the au pair placement in planned for a whole year. Should you go on a holiday and should your au pair resume his/her regular duties such as babysitting, this is considered as work for your au pair. Accompanying the host family on their holiday does not count as an au pair holiday, unless the au pair's duties are minor and he/she is not obliged to be available.

Language course

Your au pair should attend a language course in order to better learn the language of the host country. The au pair pays the cost by himself/herself. As a host family, you can help your au pair find an appropriate course.

Termination

The au pair placement ends with the end of the period agreed upon. If one of the two parties cancels the contract, this should be done in writing. In the standard contract a period of 2 weeks notice is suggested. This provides you with sufficient time to find a replacement. Furthermore, it gives you some time to organise your au pair's trip back home, or to help him/her find another host family. In case of serious circumstances, the contract can be terminated with immediate effect.

Costs are tax-deductible

The costs of the au pair placement can be deducted from your taxes. Attention: The pocket money should be transferred to the bank account of the au pair in order to be acknowledged.

Tip: You open a bank account for your au pair at any German bank or "Sparkasse". Ask your bank if it offers low priced accounts or even accounts free of charge for young persons or students.

Separate treatment for families with four children or more

Families with four children or more may employ two au pairs at the same time.

Information from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency)

• for host families (PDF)

More information for host families in Germany

• Quick Check for host families
• Entry requirements for au pairs
• Contract, insurance, driving licence & Co.

More information for au pairs in Germany

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[Last update: October 2011]