For Host Families

Au Pair Room

Ensuring the Au Pair’s comfort is paramount in fostering a genuine family dynamic. As a valued member of the household, the Au Pair is entitled to a personal sanctuary throughout their stay.

The Au Pair’s room should span no less than 8 square meters, providing ample space for relaxation and privacy. Beyond dimensions, a thoughtfully heated space with access to natural light creates an inviting atmosphere. For added peace of mind, having a lockable door ensures the Au Pair’s sense of privacy is respected.

Furnishing the room appropriately—equipped with essentials like a wardrobe, bed, dresser, and desk—adds a touch of home. While these details aren’t rigidly dictated by program guidelines, a candid conversation with the Au Pair helps tailor the space to their preferences.

Crucially, the Au Pair’s room should seamlessly integrate into the family’s living quarters. Sharing the same apartment fosters a sense of belonging, allowing the Au Pair to live and breathe alongside the host family. This integration ensures that the Au Pair not only works within the family but lives as an integral part of it.

Children in the Host Family

In the hosting family, the presence of at least one underage child is a key criterion for welcoming an Au Pair.

The Au Pair program, designed to blend cultural exchange with childcare, hinges on two fundamental principles. Firstly, the Au Pair should hail from a nationality different from the hosting family. Secondly, a hosting family can only host an Au Pair when there is at least one underage child in need of the care provided by the Au Pair.

It’s worth noting that the responsibilities of an Au Pair exclude caring for adult family members. Therefore, the Au Pair program isn’t suited for families requiring assistance with elderly members.

Moreover, the Au Pair is not obligated to care for children outside the hosting family, although occasional flexibility on this matter may be discussed.

Pocket Money

When welcoming an Au Pair into your home, it’s essential to comprehend the details of pocket money, a vital aspect of the Au Pair experience. The average Au Pair salary is subject to various factors, including the regulations of the host country’s Au Pair program, the number of working hours, and any extra tasks undertaken by the Au Pair.

The maximum working hours and minimum wage for Au Pairs are specified by the Au Pair program regulations, ensuring a fair and structured arrangement. Besides pocket money, Au Pairs also receive full board and accommodation, with live-in Au Pairs entitled to holidays, as stipulated by the Au Pair program.

Au Pairs, being temporary members of the family, contribute to the household by assisting with light housework and serving as big brothers or sisters to the Host Kids. In addition to full board and accommodation, they receive pocket money, which aids in covering personal extra costs. This financial support is crucial, considering Au Pairs do not receive a traditional salary but are part of a cultural exchange.

The amount of pocket money may vary based on factors such as the Host Family’s preferences, working hours, and the regulations of the host country. Host Families can offer extra holidays if an Au Pair babysits on additional days. Additionally, families may choose to assist Au Pairs with expenses like mobile phones, transportation, or even allow the use of the family car during free time.

To provide an approximate understanding of the rates in different countries, we have compiled a list of the most popular host countries along with the corresponding Au Pair wages and maximum working hours. It’s important to note that these rates are official and must be respected, though they can be subject to change based on local regulations. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check with local authorities.

Pocket Money Overview by Country:

  • Australia: 25-30 hours/week, 800 – 1000 AU$
  • Austria: 18 hours/week, 500.91 € (15x/year)
  • Belgium: 20 hours/week, 450 €
  • Canada: 25 hours/week, Minimum wage
  • Denmark: 30 hours/week, 4050 – 4150 DKK
  • Finland: 30 hours/week, 280 €
  • France: 25 hours/week, EU: 271.50 – 325.80 €, Non-EU: minimum 320 €
  • Germany: 30 hours/week, 350 € (280 + 70)
  • Iceland: 30 hours/week, 40,000 ISK
  • Ireland: 30 hours/week, Minimum wage
  • Italy: 30 hours/week, 260 – 300 €
  • Japan: 30 hours/week, 40,000 Yen
  • Luxembourg: 25 hours/week, 480 – 500 €
  • Netherlands: 30 hours/week, 340 €
  • New Zealand: 40 hours/week, 1000 NZ$
  • Norway: 30 hours/week, 5900 NOK
  • Spain: 30 hours/week, 280 – 320 €
  • Sweden: 25 hours/week, 5250 SEK
  • Switzerland: 30 hours/week (Contact the responsible cantonal tripartite commission)
  • United Kingdom: 30 hours/week, 360 GBP or minimum wage
  • USA: 45 hours/week, 783 USD

Understanding the financial aspects of the Au Pair experience ensures a harmonious arrangement between the Host Family and the Au Pair, fostering a positive cultural exchange. If you are considering hosting an Au Pair, explore potential matches on AuPair.com to find the perfect fit for your family.

Language Course

Understanding the significance of language courses is crucial when hosting an Au Pair, as it not only enhances their communication skills but also contributes to a richer cultural exchange. While not obligatory in all host countries, attending a language course is highly recommended for Au Pairs.

These courses provide Au Pairs with an excellent opportunity to improve their language proficiency and connect with new people. The benefits are tangible, leading to increased confidence in communication and a deeper understanding of the local language. Although the mandate for attending language courses varies by country, some, like France and China, make it an integral part of the Au Pair program.

For Host Families, it’s essential to know whether the language course is mandatory in their country. While some countries, such as Sweden, offer language courses free of charge, others may require the Host Family to cover part or all of the fees. The table outlines the language course requirements for various host countries.

Language Course Overview by Country:

  • Australia: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Austria: Mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Belgium: Mandatory for 3 months. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Canada: Mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • China: Mandatory. Host Family pays for a course in advance.
  • Denmark: NOT mandatory. Host Family pays for a course.
  • England / United Kingdom: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Finland: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • France: Mandatory for 3 months. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Germany: Mandatory. Host Family pays 50 Euro fee.
  • Ireland: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Italy: Mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Luxembourg: Mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • New Zealand: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • The Netherlands: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course but can do it.
  • Norway: NOT mandatory. Host Family has to pay the tuition up to 8400 NOK per year.
  • Sweden: Mandatory and free of charge.
  • Switzerland: Mandatory and will be partially covered by the Host Family.
  • Spain: Mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • Turkey: NOT mandatory. Host Family is NOT obliged to pay for a course.
  • USA: Mandatory. The Host Family has to pay up to $500 for the course.

Host Families are encouraged to assist Au Pairs in finding a suitable language school nearby. With courses typically scheduled 2-3 times a week, Host Families need to consider these timings in the Au Pair’s daily schedule. While the Au Pair is generally responsible for covering language course costs, some countries, like Germany or Denmark, may require Host Families to contribute.

Investing time and money in a language course is undoubtedly worthwhile for Au Pairs. Beyond the enhancement of language skills, it opens doors to new opportunities, perspectives, and friendships. The benefits extend to a deeper understanding of the local culture and improved interactions with Host Kids, making it a valuable aspect of the Au Pair experience.