Want to become an Au pair in Germany but don’t know where to start? Check out this post for a step-by-step guide on how to become an Au pair in Germany!
As someone who is in the process of becoming an Au pair in Germany, I felt like there were very few resources I could go to for support. I mean for the most part, some Au pair agencies were helpful, but there was little to no information on the little stuff, like what to look out for in a host family or where to book your flight. All in all, by creating a step-by-step guide for all of you prospective Au pairs for Germany, I figured you all would be in a much more better head space than me.
So, if you’re interested in becoming an Au pair for the first time in Germany, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone highlights an easy walk-through of what steps are needed to become an Au pair in Germany and what you need to keep in mind prior to your start date.
Au Pair in Germany Series
P.S. This is a post in my Au Pair in Germany series. Here is the complete series:
Au Pair Origin and History: What is an Au Pair: The Origin and History
Au Pair Tasks: What Does an Au Pair Do: Au Pair Tasks
Au Pair Agencies: The 7 Best Au Pair Agencies for Americans
German Language Learning Apps: The 10 Best Apps for German Learning as an Au Pair
Au Pair Guide: How to Become an Au Pair in Germany
Au Pair Visa: Au Pair Visa Germany: Requirements for Americans
Au Pair vs. Nanny: Au Pair vs. Nanny: What is the Difference?
Au Pair Salary: German Au Pair Salary: What to Expect
Au Pair Rematch: The Top 10 Reasons Why Au Pairs Rematch
Au Pair Driving: The Au Pair Guide to Driving in Germany
German A1 Exam: How To Pass Your German A1 Test To Become An Au Pair
Host Family Interview: Here Are 100 Host Family Interview Questions You Need To Ask
Host Family Red Flags: 10 Host Family Red Flags You Should Watch Out For
Packing List: Au Pair Packing List: Germany Edition
BFD: BFD in Germany: What Americans Need To Know
FSJ: How to Do an FSJ in Germany
Ausbildung: Ausbildung in Germany: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Disclaimer: This step-by-step guide is written from the perspective of an American who is planning to become an Au pair in Germany. Therefore, do take note, that some of the information in this post may not apply to you if you have a different nationality.
Step 1: Check to see if you meet the requirements to be an Au Pair in Germany
To become an Au pair in Germany, the first step you need to do is check the requirements to see if you qualify. These requirements are based on what Germany looks for in an Au Pair and they differ based on nationality. Therefore, if you don’t fulfill any of the requirements to become an Au pair in Germany, then this country is not for you.
Here are the requirements for Non-EU Citizens:
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 26 when you apply.
- You must have a basic understanding of German at an A1 Level.
- You must be single and have no children of your own.
- You must be able to afford your airfare to Germany.
- You must be able to work as an Au pair from 6 months to a year.
- You must have not been an Au pair in Germany already.
Here are the requirements for EU and EFTA Citizens:
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
- You must have a basic understanding of German (at least A1)
- You must be single and have no children of your own.
- You must be able to afford your airfare to Germany
Step 2: Find a Host Family
The second step to becoming an Au pair in Germany is finding a host family. Although finding one may be easier said than done. Choosing the right one is also very important. This is because, as an prospective Au pair, there are a lot of host families out there who may tell you they’re looking for an Au pair, but in reality, what they’re really looking for is a slave, a housekeeper, or a nanny. So, to help you in your pursuit of a host family, it’s important to know exactly what an Au pair is and the difference between an Au pair vs. nanny.
In addition, to figure out where to look, it’s better to focus on Au pair agencies who are actually based in Germany than agencies that are based anywhere else.
In fact, a few German Au Pair Agencies that come to mind for me include:
Therefore, it’s best to use your own judgement as you figure out which agency works best for you. It can even be more helpful to have some non-negotiables in mind walking in as you start to meet with these host families virtually over Zoom.
Step 3: Sign an Au Pair Contract
Signing an Au Pair Contract is crucial to your journey as a prospective Au pair. It solidifies the agreement you have made with your host family and it guarantees you room and board throughout your stay. Therefore, whatever contract you’re signing, it’s important to make sure that it contains the following specifications at the minimum:
- Description of the Au Pair and the Host Family – the contract should clearly indicate who the Au pair is as well as the name of the host family
- Duration of the Au Pair Contract – the Au Pair Contract should be for at least 6 months but no later than a year
- Responsibilities of the Au pair – the responsibilities of the Au pair should be clearly stated in the contract. In fact, although they vary from family to family there are some general tasks that are to be expected
- Pocket Money – the contract should state the amount of pocket money the Au pair should expect to receive from the host family every month and it should be no less than 280 euros
- Working Hours – the working hours of the Au pair should be a maximum of 6 hours a day but no more than 30 hours a week. The Au pair should also have 1.5 days off a week as well as 4 free evenings, in addition to 1 Sunday off per month.
- Health Insurance – the contract must also include details of the health insurance the host family has that will cover the Au pair in the event of illness, pregnancy, or an accident
- Paid Vacation – if the Au pair is staying with the host family for a full year, the contract should entitle the Au pair to 4 full weeks of paid vacation. If the duration of the contract is shorter than a year, than the Au pair is entitled to 2 working days of paid vacation for every full month worked. However, if the Au pair joins the host family on their family vacation, then this is not considered a vacation if they are expected to carry out their Au pair duty of taking care of the children
- Number and Age of the Host Children – the contract should state the number of children the Au pair is taking care of as well as their ages
Step 4: Take the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
The fourth step to becoming an Au pair in Germany is taking the Goethe-Zertifikat A1 Exam for German. Passing this exam will certify that have you acquired the basic language levels that are expected of someone at an A1 level. You will also receive an official certificate from the Goethe-Institut that is internationally recognized everywhere.
To pass the Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 exam, one must achieve at least 60 points of the maximum point score (100) and complete all sections of the exam.
However, this is easier said than done! Therefore, if you’re planning to get a certificate from the Goethe-Institut, I highly recommend learning German in advance. Babbel is one of my favorite apps for studying and learning German as a prospective Au pair so I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a subscription from them. In fact, if you purchase your subscription online through their site, you’ll even get an additional amount of free time on your account as a reward.
Furthermore, if you pass the exam, the arrival of your certificate is dependent on your testing location.
Therefore, be sure to book your exam as early as possible before you depart for Germany. Seats fill up quickly and you need time to study in advance.
Step 5: Make Arrangements For Your Departure
The fifth step to becoming an Au pair in Germany would be to make arrangements for your departure. In fact, although there are a lot of different places where you can purchase your flight to Germany, I highly recommend using WayAway has your search engine.
In addition, their comprehensive search filters give travelers some flexibility when they’re booking their flight since they can toggle their results based on different features like baggage requirements, flight details, layovers, or luggage recheck.
Therefore, if you’re planning to book your flight to Germany, but you also want to save some money, it wouldn’t hurt to book it with WayAway for some cashback. In fact, if you use my promo code TBLOSSOM10 today, you’ll even get 10% off your WayAway Plus subscription.
Step 6: Gather Documents for Your Au Pair Visa
After you have received the documents from Steps 3, and 4, your next step is to gather all of the additional documents you need for your Au Pair Visa so that you can start working as an Au pair once you land in Germany. An appointment will obviously have to be made at a German consulate in your area so be sure to do this as soon as possible.
***To learn more about the standard documents you may need for your visa appointment, please read my Au Pair Visa Germany: Requirements for Americans post.***
Step 7: Register Your Address with the Bürgeraemt
The seventh step to becoming an Au pair in Germany is registering your address with the Bürgeraemt once you have arrived. This process is called the Anmeldung and it gives the German government a record of confirmation of where you live in Germany.
In fact, legally, an Au pair is expected to do their Anmeldung within 2 weeks of arrival. But, since this entirely depends on when you’re able to secure an appointment at the Bürgeraemt, I highly recommend doing this as soon as possible.
Furthermore, your host family should also be able to help you if you don’t know where the closest Bürgeraemt is near you. You can even visit The Deutsche Post website for a directory of Bürgeraemter if you need help finding the closest one available.
Once the Anmeldung is complete, the Bürgeraemt will provide you with an Address Registration Certificate that you will need for your Auslaenderbehoerde appointment.
Step 8: Make an Appointment with the Auslaenderbehoerde
Making an appointment at the Auslaenderbehoerde for your residence permit is the eighth step to becoming an Au pair in Germany. If you are unsure of the closest Auslaenderbehoerde near you, be sure to visit this site. It has a list of all of the Immigration Authorities in each German Federal State, as well as the contact information and opening hours.
In addition, to make an appointment with your Auslaenderbehoerde, be sure to reach out to your host family so that they can contact them for you. There are even some Immigration Authorities in Germany that will allow you to make the appointment online too.
Therefore, it’s important to check the Immigration Authority’s website for more details. In fact, as you’re booking the day and time of your appointment, be sure to give yourself enough room ahead of time. You’ll have to gather a lot of documents prior to the appointment which may take you longer than expected.
Step 9: Attend your appointment at the Auslaenderbehoerde
The ninth step to becoming an Au pair in Germany is attending your resident permit appointment at the Auslaenderbehoerde. If they have the time, one of your host parents can even accompany you to the appointment as well.
The instructions of where you need to go will also be in your resident permit appointment confirmation if you get lost.
However, since there’s no measure of the amount of time you might spend waiting in the Auslaenderbehoerde, I highly recommend bringing a snack and a drink with you, if it’s allowed.
Step 10: Get your Resident Permit at the Auslaenderbehoerde
The last step to becoming an Au pair in Germany is picking up your resident permit from the Auslaenderbehoerde. Depending on the Immigration Office, it should take about 4-6 weeks for the resident permit to be ready after your initial appointment. Once it’s ready, they will contact you to come pick it up in the office, or in some cases, they will mail it to your registered address.
Either way, once it’s in your hand, you will officially become a legally registered Au pair living in Germany!
Au Pair in Germany FAQs
So, to end this post, I thought it would be helpful to answer some frequently asked questions you might have about being an Au pair in Germany!
How much does an Au pair make in Germany?
Au pairs in Germany receive 280 euros a month as pocket money!
Do Au pair host families pay for the flight?
Host families in Germany are not expected to pay for the Au pair’s flight to their home country. However, in some cases, the host family may decide to contribute to the Au pair’s flight back home if they were satisfied with the Au pair during his or her stay.
How many hours does an Au pair work in Germany?
As stated previously, an Au pair in Germany should work no more than 30 hours a week with at least 4 free evenings and 1.5 days off a week.
What are some Au pair duties in Germany?
To learn more about the responsibilities and duties of an Au pair, please visit What Does An Au Pair Do: Au Pair Tasks!
Can you quit being an Au pair?
An Au pair can terminate their Au pair contract with their host family at any time provided that they give them a notice as specified in the contract. However, in some exceptional cases, no notice is required to be provided to the host family if the reason for termination is due to safety.
Is being an Au pair worth it?
If you enjoy taking care of children, and have the desire to live abroad in another culture with a new family, then being an Au pair is definitely worth it! <3
In the end, I really hope you enjoyed reading about how to become an Au pair in Germany. Please let me know in the comments down below if you have any questions about this post. I would love to hear from you! 🙂
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