Written by The easiest way to travel abroad to most countries of the world and at the lowest cost and you receive Pocket Money too. A global program for young people, as well as an opportunity for adults. The advantage of the program is that it does not require certificates, language, or bank statements.
Through this program, you can also recover the price of the plane ticket, and visa fees, and obtain paid health insurance throughout the year.
Au Pair World Wide
An au pair is a helper from a foreign country working for, and living as part of, a host family. Typically, au pairs take on a share of the family’s responsibility for childcare as well as some housework and receive a monetary allowance for personal use. Au pair arrangements are often subject to government restrictions which specify an age range usually from mid-late teens to mid to late twenties, and may explicitly limit the arrangement to females. The au pair program is considered a form of cultural exchange that gives the family and the au pairs a chance to experience and learn new cultures.
Arrangements differ between Europe, where the concept originated, and North America. In Europe, au pairs are only supposed to work part-time, and they often also study part-time, generally focusing on the language of the host country. In the United States, they may provide full-time childcare. In 1969, the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement was signed, and it came into force in 1971. Au pair companies in the United States have significant non-refundable fees once the au pair arrives in the country. The contract does not guarantee childcare, despite many families’ reliance on the program.
Unlike many other types of domestic assistants, the au pair is considered a part of the host family and not merely an employee. In some countries, the au pair wears a uniform, but more commonly the au pair only follows the host family’s dress code and wears attire appropriate for the work description, typically including a protective apron.
What is the salary of an Au Pair?
The average Au Pair salary varies depending on the host country’s Au Pair program regulation, extra tasks fulfilled by the Au Pair, and the number of working hours. The Au Pair’s wage is determined by the Au Pair program conditions and ranges between 200 $ and 900 $.
How much does an Au Pair cost?
The costs of hiring an Au Pair involve different factors, some of which are compulsory (pocket money, food, and accommodation) and others optional (language course, insurance, and transportation). The pocket money differs between 200-900$ per month and depends on the host country’s regulations.
How much is an Au Pair per month?
The cost of an Au Pair per month depends on the pocket money and the expenses for food and utilities. Read the regulations about pocket money in every Host Country, as they differ depending on where you are, and find out how much it will cost you to have another person living in your house.
How much does it cost to become an Au Pair?
How much it costs to become an Au Pair depends on many factors, e.g. the chosen host country and optional Au Pair agency fees. The Au Pair needs to cover the costs of the visa and flight tickets. In some countries, they also have to pay for insurance. All in all the Au Pair program will cost around 100-2000$.
Can I become an Au Pair?
If you are going to become an Au Pair abroad you need to check first if you meet the Au Pair program requirements.
You can become an Au Pair if you:
- are 17 – 30 years old
- have a good command of English or other language spoken in the host country
- enjoy working with kids
- are not married and don’t have kids of your own
- have at least a high school diploma
- are healthy without any chronic diseases
- have a clear criminal record
- want to spend time abroad
General requirements for Au Pairs from EU countries
| Target country | Age | Language | Education | Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 18 – 30 years | Good command of English | No regulations | Depends on your nationality – for more details check visa regulations in Australia |
| Austria | 17 – 30 years | Basic german (with certificate) | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Belgium | 17 – 30 years | No regulations | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Canada | 18 – 30 years | Basic knowledge of English or French | No regulations | Depend on your nationality – for more details check visa regulations in Canada |
| China | 18 – 29 years | Good command of English | At least a school diploma | Depend on length of the stay – for more details check visa regulations in China |
| Denmark | 18 – 29 years | Knowledge of English, German, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish | Completed 8 – 9 years of schooling | No visa needed |
| England / UK | 17 – 30 years | Good command of English | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Finland | 17 – 30 years | Basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish | At least school diploma | No visa needed |
| France | 17 – 30 years (or more: check Stagiaire program) | No regulations | At least high school diploma or equivalent | No visa needed |
| Germany | 18 – 26 years | Basic german (sometimes you will need at least an A1 certificate) | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Iceland | 18 – 27 years | Good knowledge of English | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Ireland | 18 – 28 years | Good knowledge of English | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Italy | 18 – 30 years | No regulations | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Luxembourg | 18 – 30 years | Good command of English or one of the three official languages of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish, German or French) | At least high school diploma | No visa needed |
| Netherlands | 18 – 30 years | No regulations | No regulations | No visa needed |
| New Zealand | 18 – 30 years | Good knowledge of English | No regulations | Check the visa regulations in New Zealand |
| Norway | 18 – 30 years | Good English or Norwegian skills | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Spain | 18 – 30 years | Basic knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of English, French or German will also work | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Sweden | 18 – 30 years | No regulations – but Au Pair needs to prove interest in Swedish culture | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Switzerland | 17 – 30 years | Good knowledge of language of the canton for which you apply | No regulations | No visa needed |
| Turkey | 18 – 30 years | Good English or basic Turkish | No regulations | Check the visa regulations in Turkey |
| USA | 18 – 26 years | Good knowledge of English | At least high school diploma | J1 visa necessary – learn more about visa regulations in USA |
General requirements for Au Pairs from non-EU countries
| Target country | Age | Language | Education | Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 18 – 30 years | Good command of English | No regulations | Depends on your nationality – for more details check visa regulations in Australia |
| Austria | 18 – 28 years | Basic german (with certificate) | No regulations | Check visa requirements in Austria |
| Belgium | 18 – 25 years | Basic knowledge of at least one of the three national languages: French, German or Dutch | High school diploma or document that grants higher education | Check visa requirements in Belgium |
| Canada | 18 – 30 years | Basic knowledge of English or French | No regulations | Depend on your nationality – for more details check visa regulations in Canada |
| China | 18 – 29 years | Good command of English | At least a school diploma | Depend on length of the stay – for more details check visa regulations in China |
| Denmark | 18 – 29 years | Knowledge of English, German, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish | Completed 8 – 9 years of schooling | Check visa regulations in Denmark |
| England / UK | 18 – 30 years | Good command of English | At least an intermediate school certificate | Check visa regulations in United Kingdom |
| Finland | 18 – 30 years | Basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish | At least school diploma | Check visa regulations in Finland |
| France | 18 – 30 years (or more: check Stagiaire program) | Basic knowledge of French (certificate might be required) | At least high school diploma or equivalent | Check visa regulations in France |
| Germany | 18 – 26 years | Basic german (A1 certificate) | No regulations | Check visa regulations in Germany |
| Iceland | 18 – 25 years | Good knowledge of English (it is not an official requirement but a recommendation) | No regulations | Check visa regulations in Iceland |
| Ireland | 18 – 27 years | Good knowledge of English | At least an intermediate school diploma | Check visa regulations in Ireland |
| Italy | 18 – 30 years | No regulations | No regulations | Check visa regulations in Italy |
| Luxembourg | 18 – 30 years | Good command of English or one of the three official languages of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish, German or French) | At least high school diploma | Check visa regulations in Luxembourg |
| Netherlands | 18 – 30 years | No regulations | No regulations | Check visa regulation in the Netherlands |
| New Zealand | 18 – 30 years | Good knowledge of English | No regulations | Check the visa regulations in New Zealand |
| Norway | 18 – 30 years | Good English or Norwegian skills | No regulations | Check the visa regulations in Norway |
| Spain | 18 – 30 years | Basic knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of English, French or German will also work | At least an intermediate school certificate | Check the visa regulations in Spain |
| Sweden | 18 – 30 years | No regulations – but Au Pair needs to prove interest in Swedish culture | No regulations | Check visa regulations in Sweden |
| Switzerland | 18 – 25 years | Basic knowledge of the language spoken in the canton where you apply, but if you are a native in any of the three official languages of Switzerland, you cannot apply to work as an Au Pair in the region that speaks your mother tongue | At least intermediate school certificate | Check visa regulations to Switzerland |
| Turkey | 18 – 30 years | Good English or basic Turkish | No regulations | Check the visa regulations in Turkey |
| USA | 18 – 26 years | Good knowledge of English | At least high school diploma | J1 visa necessary – learn more about visa regulations in USA |
Granny Au Pair
The Granny Au Pair idea is a pretty new concept, dedicated to older people dreaming about an opportunity to live abroad and immerse in another culture. The Granny Au Pair may be a great alternative to the “standard” Au Pair or other childcare providers. This program is not only for Au Pairs 50 plus: it’s open for everyone who wants to discover the world and doesn’t meet the age limit for the classic Au Pair program.
Granny Au Pairs receive accommodation and full board in exchange for the help they provide to the Host Families. The exact scope of responsibilities depends on the agreement between the Host Family and the Au Pair and is not regulated by any exchange program.
What’s also important, the Granny Au Pairs do not officially receive pocket money nor any other salary/allowance. If they do, they must be employed according to the Host Country’s employment law.
Why the Granny Au Pair may be the right childcare solution.
Recently the number of families opting for Granny Au Pairs is constantly increasing, since it seems that the Granny Au Pairs provide warmth and comfort for the children like no one else.
Why should the family consider this project?
Love, warmth, and experience
Granny Au Pairs are incomparably more experienced than other childcare providers. They are probably already mothers and grandmothers and know perfectly well how to take care of the children.
Granny Au Pairs are also experienced housekeepers and if the agreement between the Au Pair and the Host Family involves housekeeping tasks, the Host Family may be sure that the household will run as smoothly as ever before.
Focus
Granny Au Pairs will be most likely already focused on the children instead of sharing the time between the Au Pair duties, parties, studies, love life, and planning a future career. Granny Au Pairs already have retired, lived their lives to the fullest and now look for new possibilities to share their time, love, and experience.
Thus, they will probably seek children’s company for the pure pleasure of sharing the time with them and see the children as their own grandchildren, understanding perfectly every stage of their development.
Tradition
Granny Au Pairs can bring a bit of tradition and old fashion to the Host Family’s home and help the children learn the right values. They are rich in experience and knowledge gathered through all the years and ready to share them with the Host Family and in particular with the children.
Granny Au Pair – program regulations
The Grannies are volunteers and don’t receive financial benefits for the provided help and company. The Host Family has to ensure that the Granny Au Pair has proper accommodation and full board, but the pocket money or salary paid according to the Au Pair program is not necessary (even illegal).
This does not mean in any case that Granny Au Pairs may be exploited by the Host Family. The Family should make sure that the Granny is satisfied with the conditions and participates in their family life like a real grandma.
Au Pair contract
The Au Pair contract is a legal document that can help you avoid any possible misunderstandings and problems during the Au Pair stay, as well as protect yourself if something goes wrong. The contract mentions all the important details and expectations that are discussed between an Au Pair and a Host Family.
Au Pair contract – at a glance
Below you can see a list of the most important points of an Au Pair contract:
- Length of stay: how long does the stay last?
- Start and end date of the contract: when is the Au Pair stay going to start? When should the Au Pair stay end?
- Weekly / monthly amount of pocket money: how much will the Au Pair earn in exchange for the provided service?
- Holidays: how many free days will the Au Pair have and when?
- Accommodation and full board: where will the Au Pair live? Describe the Au Pair room, general rules, etc.
- Working hours: how many hours should the Au Pair work? What will be the working schedule?
- Travel expenses in the host country: who will cover the travel costs in the host country? Will the Au Pair have the right to use a family car? Will the Au Pair get a monthly ticket?
- Insurance: who will be responsible for the Au Pair’s medical insurance? Will the Au Pair have any extra insurance (liability, accident, etc.)?
- Au Pair’s responsibilities: what will be the duties of the Au Pair during the whole stay?
- Travel expenses: who will pay for the Au Pair’s travel expenses?
- Cancellation of contract: what is the notice period in case of the cancellation of the contract?
- Costs for the visa: who will pay for visa expenses?
Recommendations:
- Search well to find the right family.
- Do not choose a family of the same nationality as you to ensure that you get the visa. It is preferable to choose a family of the same nationality as the country you wish to travel to.
- Do not pay any money as a guarantee for the host family.
- Clearly specify working hours, rest times, and holidays in the contract.
- Send to as many families as possible to increase your chances.
- Search for more Au Pair websites and agencies.
Links: