Au Pair Visa, § 12 BeschV
All important information and guide for host families and au pairs on applying for an au pair visa in Germany
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Here you learn ...
... what an au pair is and how you can apply for an au pair visa
... which documents you need to submit for an Au Pair visa
... which au pair placement agencies are reputable
... everything about the au pair contract and the working conditions for au pairs
Table of contents
1. Au pair in Germany
1.1 What is an au pair?
1.2 Purpose of stay for the Au Pair Visa
2. Au Pair Visa Germany Requirements
3. Application process for an Au Pair Visa in Germany
3.1 Required documents for the Au Pair Visa
3.2 Au Pair Contract
3.3 Questionnaire Host Family Au Pair Germany
3.4 Working conditions for au pairs in Germany (salary, vacation, insurance)
3.5 Au Pair Visa Processing Time
4. Au pair placement and government placement seal of approval
5. Integration opportunities for au pairs
6. Au Pair Visa FAQ
7. Conclusion
1. Au pair in Germany
1.1 What is an au pair?
Au-pair comes from French and means "reciprocal". The au-pair visa is intended to enable young foreign people to learn the German language and get to know German culture in return for small services within a German family. In return, they receive a small fee (pocket money) and are provided with free food and accommodation . In return, au-pairs carry out tasks such as:
- Childcare (e.g. supervision and play),
- Help with housework (e.g. washing clothes),
- preparing meals.
The au pair stay can only take place in families that have one child. Married couples without children cannot therefore employ an au pair (instructions of the Federal Employment Agency on Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance).
1.2 Purpose of stay for the Au Pair Visa
The Au Pair Visa is basically intended to enable the Au Pair to get to know German culture and the German language. The Au Pair must, for example, have the opportunity to take part in a German course . To do this, the host family must contribute to the costs of the relevant course with an amount of 70 euros per month. For a stay of 12 months, the total costs for a German course for the host family are therefore 840 euros.
2. Au Pair Germany Requirements
In order to apply for an au pair visa for Germany, various requirements must be met. These have been set by the national legislator. There is also a " European Agreement on Au Pair Employment " adopted by the Council of Europe in 1969, which contains framework regulations on living and working conditions, language instruction, social security and the rights and obligations of the host family and the au pair. However, this agreement has not been confirmed by the Federal Republic of Germany and therefore has no legal status here. Nevertheless, the German authorities (embassies and immigration authorities) partly base their requirements for au pair visas in Germany on this agreement.
In order to obtain an Au Pair Visa, the following requirements must be met according to Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance :
The au pair must be between 18 and 27 years old,
German is spoken in the family with child,
the au pair has basic knowledge of the German language (A1),
the au pair must not be related to a family member (no circumvention of family reunification regulations).
In addition to these requirements, there are also numerous formal regulations that must be complied with in order to employ an au pair. These are described below.
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3. Application process Au-Pair Visa Germany
To apply for an au pair visa, numerous documents must be submitted to the Federal Employment Agency, the embassy and the immigration authorities .
3.1 Necessary documents Au-Pair visa
Which documents need to be submitted to apply for an au pair visa depends on the country in which the au pair visa for Germany is applied for. You can usually find the relevant information on the website of your country's embassy.
For example, if you apply for a visa as an au pair for Germany in Georgia , the following documents must be submitted:
Au Pair Visa application form,
Passport,
biometric photo,
Au-Pair contract with the host family
Questionnaire of the Federal Employment Agency for Au-Pair Host Families,
Copy of the passport or identity card of the parents in the host family,
letter of motivation (au pair),
tabular CV,
Proof of language skills A1 (e.g. language certificate),
Proof of educational qualifications (e.g. school or university),
travel health insurance.
The embassy or immigration authorities may request additional documents in individual cases if the clerk considers this necessary.
3.2 Au Pair Contract
According to the instructions of the Federal Employment Agency, the necessary au pair contract must contain at least the following components :
Name of the contracting parties (i.e. au pair and host family),
Start, duration and end of the contract,mutual obligations of the host parents and the au pair,
Clause on payment of pocket money of EUR 280 per month,
The host parents are obliged to ensure that the au pair participates in
to support German language courses with EUR 50 per month,
Obligation of the host parents to insure the au pair at the host parents’ expense in the event of illness, pregnancy, childbirth and accidents,
Working hours agreement (max. 6 per day and 30 hours per week, min. 2 working days vacation per month).
The Federal Employment Agency provides a fillable sample PDF for an au pair contract in Germany . It is recommended that you use this template, as it is generally accepted by embassies and immigration authorities. However, its use is not mandatory.
3.3 Questionnaire Host Family Au-Pair Germany
In addition to the employment contract, the host family must submit the so-called host family questionnaire to the embassy. The questionnaire is intended to enable the host family to be checked in order to protect the au pair . The host family questionnaire in the case of an au pair visa can be downloaded from the Federal Employment Agency as a fillable PDF form.
3.4 Working conditions Au-Pair Germany (salary, vacation, insurance)
Certain working conditions also apply to au pairs in Germany. The most frequently asked questions about working conditions for au pairs in Germany are answered in the following FAQ.
3.5 Processing time for Au Pair Visa
The processing time for au pair visas varies from country to country. In principle, German authorities must process applications (including visa applications) within 3 months (§ 75 VwGO). After the 3 months have expired, you can file a claim for failure to act. We have written a separate VISAGUARD article on this, which shows you the options for speeding up visa applications .
Regardless of the standard processing time, au pair visas are usually processed faster than other visa applications. In Tbilisi/Georgia, for example, the processing time is around 6 - 8 weeks, according to the embassy.
4. Placement of au pairs and quality seal
Neither the host family nor the au pair are obliged to establish contact through an agency. Nevertheless, these agencies are regularly used because they significantly reduce the organizational effort . The agencies are also available to help both the host family and the au pair if problems arise.
Au pair placement agencies should, however, be chosen carefully . In order to guarantee a high quality of au pair placement in Germany, the Bundestag, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), has created a seal of quality in which common quality standards were developed together with around 200 au pair agencies. The so-called “ Au pair Quality Association eV ” was founded for this purpose. This quality association issues the RAL “Au pair” quality mark (see picture on the right), which is registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office and published in the Federal Gazette. In total, around 50 au pair agencies bear the quality mark.
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The agency finder of the Au pair quality association can be used to find reliable agencies for au pair placements . In Berlin, for example, the agency “au-pair-berlin” is widely used (not an affiliate link).
What does the placement of au pairs cost for the au pair?
According to the common standards of the quality association, au pair agencies should charge a maximum of EUR 150 (including VAT) from au pairs. The fee is only payable once the au pair contract has been concluded with the host family.
5. Integration opportunities for au pairs
The law assumes that au pairs are in Germany to get to know the local culture. Whether this is the case, whether au pairs are only used as workers, is often the subject of official disputes.
To ensure successful integration (and thus to meet the visa purpose), au pairs can do the following:
1. Improve your language skills: One of the most effective ways to settle in Germany quickly is to learn the German language. Many families support their au pairs by offering or financing language courses. Regular communication with the host family and attending language courses help to quickly improve your language skills.
2. Make social contacts: In order to feel comfortable in a new environment, it is important to make friends. Many cities offer special meetings or get-togethers for au pairs. Here they can exchange ideas with other au pairs, plan joint activities and find support in the new environment.
3. Get to know German culture: Germany has a rich culture that is worth discovering. Visits to museums, events and festivals help au pairs to better understand the country. In addition, daily life with the host family can give them authentic insights into German traditions and customs.
4. Make use of leisure activities: Au pairs should make use of the leisure activities available locally. Sports clubs, music groups or voluntary work not only offer the opportunity to pursue hobbies, but also to meet new people.
5. Open communication with the host family: A good relationship with the host family is essential for successful integration. Regular discussions about expectations and needs help to ensure that both sides feel comfortable.
6. FAQ (Au Pair Visa)
How often are au pairs allowed to work per week?
Au pairs in Germany are entitled to at least 1.5 days of rest per week.
How long are au pairs allowed to work per day?
Au pairs are usually allowed to work 6 hours per day.
How much is the pocket money/salary for au pairs?
According to the instructions of the Federal Employment Agency, the pocket money for au pairs is 280 euros net per month.
Do au pairs have holidays?
Yes, au pairs also have vacation time. If the au pair is employed for 12 months, they are entitled to a full month of vacation. Family leave does not count as vacation time for the au pair if the au pair continues to perform family responsibilities during this time.
How long can an au pair be employed?
Au pair placements must last a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months. An extension of the au pair visa is not possible (even if the 12 months have not been used up).
Do au pairs have to be insured?
Yes, au pairs must have health and accident insurance. However, they are not subject to any other social security obligations.
What documents do au pairs in Berlin need to submit?
If you would like to apply for a residence permit for au pairs in Berlin, the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin provides the necessary information (requirements and documents for au pairs) on the website of the Berlin Foreigners' Authority .
Which countries do most au pairs come from?
Most au pairs come from Georgia (10.83%), Colombia (8.41%) and Tanzania (7.10%).
Can au pair relationships overlap?
Several au pair arrangements in a row may overlap for a period of 4 weeks.
Can au pairs change host families?
Yes, a change of host family is possible. However, the change must be requested in advance and a clear justification must be provided to the authorities.
What is the legal basis for the au pair visa?
The legal basis for the au pair visa in Germany is Section 19c Paragraph 1, Section 18 Paragraph 2 Nos. 1 and 2 of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance.
Do au pairs from EU countries need an au pair visa?
No, au pairs from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not need their own au pair visa. The normal freedom of movement regulations apply to them.
Can au pairs stay in Germany after their au pair visa expires?
An extension of the au pair visa is generally not possible. Switching to another visa is also only possible under certain conditions. If you wish to remain in Germany despite the expiration of your au pair visa, you should seek advice from a German immigration lawyer.
Where can I find help in emergencies with my au pair or as an au pair?
In the event of emergencies involving foreign au pairs, the Federal Employment Agency has set up a telephone counseling service or the Aupair Society eV emergency hotline :
Emergency hotline telephone counseling: + 49 - 800 111 0 111 or + 49 - 800 111 0 222 2)
Emergency hotline Aupair Society eV: + 49 - 800 110 287 247
These numbers are for emergency calls only.
7. Conclusion
An au pair visa allows young people between 18 and 27 years of age from third countries to stay in Germany for a limited period of time to learn about the language and culture (Section 12 of the Employment Regulations). Requirements include a valid au pair contract, proof of basic German language skills (A1), and insurance for the au pair through the host family. The maximum number of hours worked per week is 30. Applications are processed by the embassy, the Federal Employment Agency, and the immigration authorities (see the VISAGUARD Guide to Applying for a Visa (Step by Step) ). Visa extensions or conversions are generally not possible. A change of host family is only possible with approval.
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List of sources
[1] Offer/Mävers, Employment Ordinance, 2nd edition 2022, § 12
[2] Visa Handbook, Au Pair, 78th Supplement, as of February 2024
