What is an au pair?

An au pair is a young person aged 18 to 30, unmarried with no children, going abroad for a temporary period of time and living with a host family. Whilst living abroad, the new temporary family member assists his or her host family with childcare and light housework.

Incidentally, the term au pair is French and means « by mutual agreement ». Therefore, au pairs receive a pocket money, live free of charge with their host families, just as regular family members, and share meals with the families. The monetary allowance and amount of working hours are defined by the regulations of the respective host country. The main objective of an au pair placement is the mutual cultural exchange – within an informal setting.

As a « big sister » or « big brother », an au pair occasionally takes on the responsibility of looking after the children. By living with a host family, he/she improves his/her language skills and normally attends a language course. He/she gains an insight into the family’s life, as well as culture, language and the lifestyle of the host country. The au pair gets to know more about the daily routine of his or her host family, as well as new customs and habits. He/she gains new experiences, impressions and perspectives. All these are advantages – even for their future careers.

What will my tasks as an au pair be?

As an au pair, you will be living with your host family like a regular family member assuming daily tasks during this period. As a „son or daughter for a determined period of time“, you are primarily in charge of childcare, a task which requires a great sense of responsibility on your part. Apart from this, you will help with minor household tasks related to childcare, such as: 

• preparing the children’s’ meals
• washing and ironing laundry and putting it into the wardrobes
• tidying up de children’s’ rooms
• taking the children to school or their spare time activities and back home
• helping them with their homework and supporting their school development

However, you should not only be aware of your duties, but also of your rights: an au pair is neither a nanny nor home help nor care for the elderly. He or she is no employee, but must be considered a fully adequate family member throughout his or her entire stay as an au pair.

Is au pairing the right thing for me?

• You wish to get to know a different culture and explore a foreign country?  
• You intend to improve your language skills in your host country and gain new important experience for your personal and professional future? 
• You love caring for children?

Should you have answered these questions with « Yes », au pairing would be just the thing for you. Eastacare will help you to thoroughly get to know the culture and language of your host country. At the same time you will live with your host family as a « big brother of sister for a determined period of time », thus having close persons who support you while you are abroad. 

Au pairing entails much joy and fun, however, also a great deal of responsibility, especially when it comes to childcare. Therefore, it is very important that you love to assume responsibility and that you are not afraid of new challenges. After all, it can be very life-enhancing for an au pair to tackle challenges.

Will I receive a salary?

No, as an au pair you will not receive a salary, but pocket money from your host family. The amount of pocket money varies according to the relevant host country and partly depends on your working hours. 

What is the cost of becoming an au pair?

Costs which incur in the home country are to be paid by the au pair. Such costs could be: expenses for visa or medical checks. Furthermore, the au pair pays the travel costs by himself or herself. In most countries, au pairs also bear the costs for the language course. This, however, depends on the relevant host country.

We at Eastacare recommend that host families contribute to the expenses of the language course and return trip.

What should I bear in mind if I wish to become an au pair?

As an au pair, you always need to stick to the regulations of your host country. You will find the most important regulations concerning your stay as an au pair in our Info. Good to know: In our conversation you will find useful information regarding your au pair placement to make sure that you will have a great time as an au pair.

In which countries au pairs are particularly required?

Most host families who are registered on our partners Agencies are from Europe. The most significant host countries are Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany.

What is a host family?

A host family has at least one child under the age of 18 and invites an au pair from a foreign country for a limited period of time. Single parents also qualify as host families if their children permanently live with them. The au pair lives with the host family just as a regular family member and participates in family activities. Au pair means « by mutual agreement ».

The main duty of an au pair living with a host family is looking after the children and helping with light housework. In return, the family offers their au pair free board and an own room at their home. They also pay the au pair pocket money.  The amount of pocket money and working hours are defined by the regulations of the respective host country. The au pair should have the possibility to improve his/her language skills by attending a language course.

Who can apply?

– You are at least 18 years of age.
– You like children and have some child care experience/education.
– You have graduated from high school.
– You have no criminal record.
– You would be interested to stay with your host family for 6 to 12 months.
– You will purchase your own flight ticket (refunded by your host family).
– You will arrange travel insurance at your own expense.

What does an au-pair do?

During your stay as a family member in your host family you will be required to take care of the child/children. You can work with younger children or school age children depending on which family you decide to stay with. You will be giving them breakfast, lunch, prepare/cook dinner. Join in and play with them, help with school work and drive them to and from school. Sometimes take them places, in short be there for the children as company, for help and support.

The family also wants you to do some lighter housework. You can be asked to do the dishes, vacuum, clean, do the laundry, walk the dog (if they have one), sometimes cook, bake, etc. Your duties will come as a natural part of living with your host family. All your duties will be discussed and put on paper before you go. When and if the family goes on vacation, you will, in most cases, travel along to help with the kids.

In return you will be provided with your own room, weekly pocket money, and all meals catered for. You will have regular days off to study, meet friends, go sightseeing, and do sports or other social activities.

For your information

There will always be one of our agencies partners. We are there for you, for help and support of any kind. It’s important to us that you have a great time during your stay with your host family. In any event of a disagreement, give us a call and we will try our best to solve it. We will supply you with an emergency phone number which you can call 24 hours a day.

In any event of dispute or disagreement with your host family it’s important to be willing to talk it out and solve it. Most things can be solved if you let them know how you feel. You will have a responsibility to stay the agreed time; otherwise you will lose the refund of your flight ticket. Don’t hesitate to contact us, we are there for YOU. Should the need arise, we will find you another host family. However, we are confident that you are going to enjoy yourself and have a wonderful time!

General rules for European countries

This agreement has been signed by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, and Switzerland. Similar rules apply to other European countries.

– The au-pair has to be between 17 and 30 years old. The upper age limit may be lower in some cases. We only accept applications from au-pair candidates between 18 and 30 years of age.

– The au-pair is allowed to work for the same family for a maximum of 12 months, in exceptional cases 24 months.

– The au-pair must have a medical certificate not older than three months.

– The duties of the au-pair must be specified in a signed agreement between the au-pair and the host family. The agreement must also specify the payment to the au-pair.

– The au-pair must not work more than 35 hours per week. (May differ in some countries.)

– The au-pair has the right to be totally free from work at least one day each week. The day off must be a Sunday at least once each month.

– The au-pair has the right to take a language class.

– If the au-pair needs insurance not provided by the authorities in the host family’s country, such insurance should be paid for by the host family.

– Both the au-pair and the host family must give at least 14 day’s notice if the au-pair leaves earlier than agreed upon. Only in case of serious misbehavior or other serious circumstances can the au-pair leave or be asked to leave immediately.

In Germany, there is a special rule saying that at least one of the parents in the host family must speak German from birth.

Special rules for au-pairs from EU-countries

Au-pairs from EU-countries must register within 3 months and get a residence permit

Special rules for au-pairs from non-EU-countries

– Au-pairs from non-EU-countries need visa

– Au-pairs from non-EU-countries must be under 25 years of age (30 in Scandinavia)

– Au-pairs from non-EU-countries need residence permit and work permit

Fill in your application

As soon as we receive your application form, we will put it on file. The application is forwarded to our main office. There we will start the search for a suitable host family. You will be notified as soon as the right family has been found. The chosen host family will also contact you. This will give you opportunities to find out more about the family and what they expect from you. Since this is a good time for questions, you should prepare a list of things you would like to know in advance