How-to · Requirements · Steps · Pocket money
How to become an au pair in Europe
Direct answer
To become an au pair in Europe, be aged roughly 18–30, meet the host country's age, visa and insurance rules, create a profile, then match with a host family and agree a convention setting hours and pocket money. You get room and board plus a monthly allowance — for example €326–391 in France.
Prepared by the AuPair Connect Compliance Team · Last updated: 31/08/2026.
Becoming an au pair in Europe: what you need to know
An au pair stay in Europe is a cultural and language exchange, not a classic job: you live with a host family, help with the children and light household tasks for about 20–30 hours a week, and receive private accommodation, meals and pocket money in return. Each country has its own convention, age limits and official allowance.
- Usually aged 18–30 for most destinations; caps can be 26, 30 or 35.
- No childcare diploma required in most countries — experience is a plus, basics can be learned.
- A host-family convention or contract frames the stay, not an ordinary labour contract.
- Visa depends on your nationality: many Europeans travel within the EU/EEA without a work visa; outside citizens usually need a long-stay au pair visa.
- Insurance for the au pair is generally the host family's responsibility.
Choose your destination first, then check that country's exact rules. Our everyday-life guides and the platform comparison help you plan each step.
The 6 steps to become an au pair in Europe
1. Pick your destination country
Compare cost of living, pocket money, age limits and how easy the visa is for your nationality. France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium all have well-established au pair conventions.
2. Check the requirements for that country
Verify the age range, whether you need a visa, and the insurance obligations for the country — rules differ between EU/EEA travel and long-stay au pair visas (for example the VLS-TS "young au pair" in France).
3. Create a strong profile
On a platform like AuPair Connect, describe your childcare experience, languages, desired hours and eating habits. A compatibility algorithm surfaces the host families whose everyday style best matches yours.
4. Match and get to know a host family
Share profiles, video-introduce yourselves and discuss the daily routine before you commit. On AuPair Connect the first exchanges and get-to-know-you phase stay free. First time searching? Our first-time guide to finding a host family walks through the profile, the interview and the red flags.
5. Sign the convention and arrange the visa
Formalise the hours, tasks, meals, pocket money and time off in the host-family convention, then handle any visa or declaration the country requires (such as the Urssaf declaration in France).
See our host family handbook6. Prepare and enjoy the experience
Budget for your free time, plan a language course and set clear house rules from day one. Our rematch & conflict guide helps if a change of family is ever needed.
Pocket money as an au pair in Europe by country
The allowance is set by each host country's rules — not arbitrarily by the family. Figures below are official or reference values, dated and checked by our Compliance Team in 2026, and include accommodation and meals unless stated.
| Country | Pocket money | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| France | €326–€391 | per month (EU/EEA, room & board). €320 minimum for non-EU/EEA. |
| Germany | ≈ €280–≈ €280 | per month — Bundesagentur recommendation, set in the contract. |
| Spain | ≈ €320–≈ €320 | per month (≈ €80/week) — reference value, no legal minimum. |
| Switzerland | ≈ CHF 600–≈ CHF 900 | per month (room & board), varies by canton. |
| Belgium | ≈ €250–≈ €450 | per month (room & board), depending on the convention. |
Germany
SpainSources: Service-Public.fr (F13348, France) · Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Germany) · Ministerio de Inclusión (Spain) · SEM & Fedlex (Switzerland) · IBZ/Dofi (Belgium). For the latest amounts always check the authorities of your destination — see the what is an au pair guide.
Which is the best country for an au pair in Europe?
There is no single "best" country: it depends on your language goals, budget, visa situation and the kind of family life you want. France pairs high pocket money (€326–391 with room and board) with a strong cultural-exchange framework; Germany offers a steady ≈€280 reference and public support; Spain has a lighter setup and varied cities; Switzerland pays the most (CHF 600–900) but has a higher cost of living; Belgium is flexible via convention.
Many au pairs also consider a stay within Europe rather than overseas for easier travel, language immersion in a familiar region and clearer EU/EEA rules. Whatever you choose, confirm the official current rules of that country before you commit.
Coming from the UK, US, Australia or Canada and weighing a move to Europe? See our country-pair guide for anglophone candidates — it frames how Youth Mobility, J-1 and Working Holiday statuses interact with a European au pair stay.
Ready to start your European au pair journey?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a J-1 visa to be an au pair in Europe?
No. The J-1 exchange visitor programme only governs entry TO the United States — it plays no role for a US citizen going to Europe. In Europe, each destination has its own long-stay route: the VLS-TS "jeune au pair" visa in France, a national D "Au-Pair" visa in Germany, and a long-stay study authorisation in Spain.
What age do you need to be to become an au pair in Europe?
Most destinations set a range of roughly 18–30. Germany caps at under 27, France at 30 for non-EU/EEA young au pairs, and Spain at 18–30. Always confirm the exact range for your destination before applying.
How much pocket money does an au pair get in Europe?
Amounts are set by each host country, not by the family arbitrarily. In 2026, France guarantees a minimum of €320/month for non-EU/EEA au pairs (€326.25–391.50 for EU/EEA trainee-family helpers); Germany has a reference of about €280/month fixed by contract; Spain has no legal minimum (a commonly cited reference is ~€320/month). Accommodation and meals always come on top.
How many hours can an au pair work per week in Europe?
It depends on the country. France caps family and household tasks at 5 h/day and 25 h/week. Germany sets no fixed legal weekly ceiling — the standard Au-Pair-Vertrag settles on about 30 h/week. Spain leaves hours to the written agreement with the family. An au pair stay is a cultural exchange, not a full-time job.
Do US citizens need a visa to be an au pair in Europe?
Yes. The United States is not in the EU/EEA, so a US national is a third-country citizen and needs a long-stay visa: the VLS-TS "jeune au pair" (France), a national D "Au-Pair" visa with Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval (Germany), or a national D study visa (Spain). UK citizens follow the same post-Brexit third-country route.
How long can an au pair stay in Europe?
Typically 6 to 12 months. Germany limits the au pair stay to 6–12 months and it can only be done once in a lifetime; Spain allows 6 months to 2 years maximum; France is generally 6–12 months under the hosting agreement. Renewal rules differ by country.
Planning a route from a specific country? The USA → France, USA → Germany and USA → Spain corridors each have their own visa mechanism and an explicit "no J-1 in Europe" note.