Au Pair in Germany
Germany is one of Europe's most popular au pair destinations. Unlike the US J-1 program, the German au pair arrangement is governed by national labor law and cultural-exchange guidelines: au pairs work a maximum of 30 hours per week (including babysitting), receive a monthly pocket money of at least €280, get their own room, and are covered under the host family's health and accident insurance. Non-EU au pairs enter on a Schengen au pair visa (national visa Category D). This hub collects every Germany-specific resource on AuPairSync to help you navigate the German system confidently.
30 hrs
Max hours / week
€280
Min. pocket money / month
1 year
Max program length
Germany Au Pair Guides & Articles
Au Pair Visa for Germany: Everything You Need to Know
Step-by-step breakdown of the German au pair visa: who needs it, required documents, application timeline, and what to do after arrival.
What Does an Au Pair Really Cost in Germany? A Complete Breakdown
All-in cost breakdown for hosting an au pair in Germany: pocket money, social contributions, insurance, and hidden extras.
Au Pair vs. Babysitter vs. Nanny vs. Daycare: The Definitive Childcare Comparison (2026)
Compare au pair, babysitter, nanny, and Kita options across cost, flexibility, and legal requirements in Germany.
Au Pair Babysitting Beyond Regular Hours: How to Handle Extra Requests Fairly
How to handle extra babysitting requests within Germany's 30-hour weekly limit, and make up any extra hours with time off.
The Ultimate Au Pair Schedule: How to Plan Working Hours, Days Off & Routines
Build a Germany-compliant weekly schedule that respects the 30-hour cap, mandatory rest days, and au pair wellbeing.
Managing Au Pair Expenses & Pocket Money: A Fair Reimbursement System
How to set up a clear reimbursement system for your German au pair, covering the €280 minimum and expense tracking.
Emergency Preparedness: What Every Au Pair Needs to Know
Emergency protocols, contact lists, and medical authorizations tailored to the German healthcare and legal system.
The Au Pair Family Handbook: What to Include (and How to Keep It From Going Stale)
Build a family handbook covering house rules, schedules, emergency contacts, and German-program compliance essentials.
How to Interview and Choose the Right Au Pair: A Matching Guide for Host Families
Step-by-step matching advice for German host families finding the right au pair through agencies or direct contact.
Au Pair Rematch: What to Do When It's Not Working Out
How to initiate a rematch in Germany, what agencies require, and how to protect your family during the transition.
Au Pair Scams: Red Flags to Watch for When Matching Online
How to spot fraudulent au pair listings and avoid agency scams common in the German market.
Au Pair Onboarding: A 30-60-90 Day Plan for the First Three Months
A structured onboarding plan to integrate your new au pair into your German household without overwhelm.
Planning an au pair in the United States instead?
Visit our US / J-1 au pair guide hub →Manage Your Au Pair Year in One App
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