Germany · National (type D) visa · Conditions & documents
Au pair visa in Germany: conditions, documents and consular steps
Germany is one of the few destinations with a genuinely regulated au pair status (BeschV and AufenthG). Third-country nationals need a national "Au-Pair" visa (type D) issued after the Bundesagentur für Arbeit approves the placement. Here are the conditions, the documents and the steps, sourced from the German authorities.
- Visa
- Required
- « Au-Pair »
- Age
- 18–26 years
- Pocket money
- €280.00
- per month
- Working time
- Up to 30 h
- per week
Direct answer
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals need no visa: the written contract and on-site registration are enough. Third-country nationals must get a national (type D) Au-Pair visa before travelling, once the Bundesagentur für Arbeit has approved the placement. Core conditions: age 18–26 (under 27), a 6–12 month stay once in a lifetime, basic German (about A1) and a signed Au-Pair-Vertrag. Pocket money is a reference ~280 EUR/month, plus a room, full board and health insurance. A short-stay Schengen visa does not allow an au pair stay.
Verified by AuPair Connect's Compliance team · Last updated: 29/09/2026 · Sources: Auswärtiges Amt, Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
Not sure what an au pair exactly is? What an au pair is: definition, role & rules.
1. Who needs a visa for an au pair stay in Germany
There are two regimes, decided by nationality — and this is the first thing to check before any booking.
EU / EEA / Switzerland — freedom of movement
No visa. The stay is based on the written au pair contract and, once in Germany, registration with the local authorities. You may still be asked for proof of insurance and the contract.
Third-country nationals — national type D visa
A national au pair visa is required before entry, issued after the placement is approved by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. A short-stay Schengen visa (up to 90 days) is not a lawful route to be an au pair.
Because Germany has a real regulated status (Beschäftigungsverordnung + Aufenthaltsgesetz), the au pair framework is clearer than in destinations where no dedicated status exists. For the general multi-country overview, see our visa and contract guide.
Sources (verified 29/09/2026): Auswärtiges Amt, Visa und Aufenthalt; Gesetze im Internet, Beschäftigungsverordnung (BeschV 2013).
2. The conditions for an au pair in Germany
| Parameter | Rule |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 26 (you must not have reached 27 when you apply for the visa/residence permit). |
| Duration | 6 to 12 months, once in a lifetime. |
| Language | Basic German (around A1); attendance at a German course is part of the exchange. |
| Working rhythm | Max 6 h/day and 30 h/week under the Bundesagentur für Arbeit leaflet; any overtime must be agreed in advance and compensated. At least 1.5 full rest days per week, plus four free evenings a week and one free Sunday per month, per the model contract. |
| Pocket money | ~280 EUR/month reference, fixed by contract. Room and full board provided on top. |
| Insurance | Health insurance required from day one; in Germany it is arranged by the host family, along with accident and liability cover. |
| Language course | The family contributes at least 70 EUR/month (a minimum of 840 EUR over 12 months) to the au pair's German course. |
Sources (verified 29/09/2026): Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Au-pair (employers) and the model contract Au-Pair-Vertrag (PDF). Reference amounts and practice evolve: confirm before committing.
3. The Au-Pair-Vertrag: the centrepiece of the visa file
The Au-Pair-Vertrag is the model contract published by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, consistent with the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement. It gathers the elements the consulate verifies:
- The identity of both parties.
- The dates and duration of the stay (minimum 6 months, maximum 12 months).
- Working hours and the free days (at least 1.5 full rest days per week, four free evenings and one free Sunday per month).
- The pocket money amount and payment terms.
- Health insurance and the language-course contribution.
- The notice and termination conditions.
A verbal or incomplete agreement is a common reason for refusal. Host families can follow the become an au pair in Germany hub for the full destination framework, and compare the German conditions with the French and US ones in the visa and contract guide. Coming from the United States? The United States → Germany au pair corridor walks through the national D visa, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval and the Au-Pair-Vertrag.
4. Documents to prepare for the visa file
The exact list depends on your representation and nationality. Start from this checklist, then confirm it with the German embassy or consulate handling your file.
- Valid passport Valid beyond the planned return date, with blank pages for the visa.
- Signed Au-Pair-Vertrag Model contract from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, signed by both parties.
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval Required for third-country nationals before the visa is issued.
- Proof of health insurance Coverage valid from the first day of the stay; arranged by the host family in Germany.
- Proof of basic German (about A1) Certificate or test confirming your level, plus the language-course clause in the contract.
- Medical certificate Standard form confirming fitness to take part in the exchange.
- Biometric photos & application form Completed national visa application with recent biometric photos.
- Proof of civil status / identity Birth certificate or ID documents as requested by the representation.
Source: Auswärtiges Amt — national visa procedure. The checklist varies by country: always use the official list of the representation that receives your application.
5. The consular steps, in the right order
- Find the family and sign the Au-Pair-Vertrag Both parties sign the Bundesagentur für Arbeit model contract: dates, hours, pocket money, insurance, language course.
- Obtain Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval For third-country nationals, the placement must be approved by the Federal Employment Agency before the visa step.
- Book the consulate appointment and file the visa Apply for the national (type D) Au-Pair visa at the German embassy or consulate for your place of residence before travelling.
- Wait for the decision Processing times vary by country: allow several weeks and book your appointment with margin. Do not book a flight before the visa is issued.
- Register your address on arrival (Anmeldung) Register with the local registration office; you will need this for a bank account and your residence permit.
- Apply for the residence permit File with the Ausländerbehörde before the visa expires, then keep every document for the whole stay.
Processing times vary by country: allow several weeks and never book a flight before the visa is issued. For a broader comparison of timelines and documents across destinations, see the visa and contract guide.
6. After arrival: Anmeldung and residence permit
Once in Germany, register your address (Anmeldung) with the local registration office — you will need this for a bank account and for your residence permit. Then apply to the Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit before your visa expires. Health insurance must be in place from your first day of work (arranged by the host family). Keep every receipt and note the renewal dates.
Daily-life setup for the two main host cities is covered in our guides to settling in as an au pair in Berlin and Munich and to learning German in Berlin and Munich, which pair naturally with the German language-course obligation.
7. Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to be an au pair in Germany?
It depends on your nationality. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens enjoy freedom of movement: no visa is required, only the written au pair contract and, once in Germany, registration with the local authorities. Third-country nationals must obtain a national "Au-Pair" visa (nationales Visum, type D) before travelling, issued after the placement has been approved by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. A short-stay Schengen tourist visa (90 days) does not allow you to live and work as an au pair.
What are the age limits for an au pair in Germany?
The commonly applied range is 18 to 26 (you must not have reached 27 when you apply for the visa/residence permit), with a stay of between 6 and 12 months, once in a lifetime. Age limits and exceptions can change: confirm the rule in force with the German representation before you commit.
Do I need to speak German to be an au pair in Germany?
Basic German (around A1 level) is expected: the au pair placement is a cultural and language exchange, and the Au-Pair-Vertrag provides for attendance at a German course. The host family must contribute to the cost of the language course (at least 70 EUR per month under the Bundesagentur für Arbeit model contract), which is an obligation, not an option.
What is the Au-Pair-Vertrag and why does it matter for the visa?
The Au-Pair-Vertrag is the model au pair contract published by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, aligned with the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement. It states the parties, the dates (minimum 6 months, maximum 12 months), the reciprocal obligations, the pocket money, the health insurance and the working hours. The consulate bases the visa file on this written contract: a verbal or incomplete agreement exposes you to a refusal.
How much pocket money does an au pair receive in Germany?
The reference amount published by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit is around 280 EUR per month, fixed by contract (Merkblatt "Au-pair in deutschen Familien", April 2023, §1.7). A private room, full board and health insurance are provided on top. Pocket money is an allowance, not a salary: it is not subject to ordinary employment contributions.
What is the role of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit?
For third-country nationals, the placement must be approved by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit before the visa is granted. It checks that the placement complies with the au pair framework (age, duration, contract, insurance). The Federal Employment Agency also publishes the model contract and the leaflet that define the reference conditions.
Which documents does the German consulate ask for?
Typically: a valid passport, the signed Au-Pair-Vertrag, proof of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval for third-country nationals, proof of health insurance from day one, evidence of basic German, a medical certificate, biometric photos and the completed visa application. The list varies by representation and nationality: always check the official checklist of the embassy or consulate handling your application.
What happens after I arrive in Germany?
You must register your address (Anmeldung) with the local registration office, then apply to the Ausländerbehörde for a residence permit before your visa expires. Health insurance must be in place from your first day of work (in Germany this insurance is arranged by the host family). Keep every receipt and note the renewal dates to stay lawful throughout your stay.
This guide is informational and does not replace the instructions of the German representation handling your application. Rules change: always confirm on the official Auswärtiges Amt and Bundesagentur für Arbeit pages before committing. Last verified: 29/09/2026.
Prepared by AuPair Connect — Compliance Team
Every legal, tax or safety detail in this content is verified by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team against official sources and dated.
Notice anything inaccurate or out of date? Help us keep this content up to date by writing to [email protected].
To compare the four destinations and print the document list, see the 2026 au pair visa roadmap.