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Au Pair Visa, Section 12 Employment Regulations
All important information and a guide for host families and au pairs on applying for an au pair visa in Germany.
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What an au pair is and how to 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
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
3.5 Au Pair Visa Processing Time
4. Au pair placement and government placement quality seal
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 "reciprocity." The au pair visa is designed to enable young foreigners to learn the German language and experience German culture in return for performing minor 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 perform tasks such as:
Childcare (e.g. supervision and play),
Help with housework (e.g. washing clothes),
Preparing meals.
Au pair placements can only take place in families with one child. Childless couples cannot therefore hire an au pair (instructions of the Federal Employment Agency regarding Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance).
1.2 Purpose of stay for the Au Pair Visa
The au pair visa is essentially intended to enable the au pair to become acquainted with German culture and the German language. The au pair must, for example, have the opportunity to attend a German course . To do so, the host family must contribute €70 per month toward the course costs. For a 12-month stay, the total cost for a German course for the host family is €840.
2. Au Pair Germany Requirements
To apply for an au pair visa for Germany, various requirements must be met. These were established by national law. 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 au pair. However, this agreement has not been confirmed by the Federal Republic of Germany and therefore does not have legal force here. Nevertheless, the German authorities (embassies and immigration authorities) partially base their requirements for au pair visas in Germany on this agreement.
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 a 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, numerous formal regulations must be observed for the employment of an au pair. These are described below.
3. Application process for an Au Pair Visa in 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 Required documents for the Au Pair visa
Which documents must be submitted for an au pair visa application depends largely on the country in which the au pair visa for Germany is being applied for. You can usually find 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 office may request additional documents in individual cases if the officer deems 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 :
Designation 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 and childbirth as well as an accident,
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. This questionnaire is intended to allow for a review of the host family to protect the au pair . The host family questionnaire for an au pair visa can be downloaded from the Federal Employment Agency as a fillable PDF form.
3.4 Working conditions for au pairs in Germany (salary, vacation, insurance)
Certain working conditions also apply to au pairs in Germany. The following FAQ answers the most frequently asked questions about working conditions for au pairs in Germany.
3.5 Au Pair Visa Processing Time
The processing time for au pair visas varies from country to country. Generally, German authorities must process applications (including visa applications) within three months (Section 75 of the Administrative Court Code). After this three-month period, you can file a lawsuit for failure to act. We have written a dedicated VISAGUARD article on this topic, which outlines the options for expediting 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 approximately 6-8 weeks, according to the embassy.
4. Placement of au pairs and quality seal
Neither the host family nor the au pair are required to establish contact through a placement agency. Nevertheless, these agencies are regularly used because they significantly reduce the organizational effort . The placement agencies are also available to both the host family and the au pair for assistance in case of problems.
Au pair placement agencies, however, should be selected carefully . To guarantee the 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), created a seal of quality in which common quality standards were developed together with around 200 au pair agencies. The so-called “ Gütegemeinschaft Au pair eV ” was founded for this purpose. This quality association issues the RAL “Au pair” quality mark (see image 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.
The agency finder from the Au Pair Quality Association helps you 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 Quality Association's common standards, au pair agencies should charge au pairs a maximum of EUR 150 (including VAT). This fee is only payable once the au pair contract with the host family has been concluded.
5. Integration opportunities for au pairs
The law assumes that au pairs are in Germany to experience the local culture. Whether this is the case, and whether au pairs are used solely as labor, is often the subject of official disputes.
To ensure successful integration (and thus fulfill the visa purpose), au pairs can do the following:
1. Improve language skills: One of the most effective ways to quickly settle in Germany is to learn German. Many families support their au pairs by offering or financing language courses. Regular interaction with the host family and attending language courses help to quickly improve language skills.
2. Establish social contacts: To feel comfortable in a new environment, it's important to make friends. Many cities offer special meet-ups or get-togethers for au pairs. Here, they can exchange ideas with other au pairs, plan joint activities, and find support in their new environment.
3. Get to know German culture: Germany has a rich culture worth exploring. Visits to museums, events, and festivals help au pairs better understand the country. Furthermore, daily life with a host family allows them to gain authentic insights into German traditions and customs.
4. Take advantage of leisure activities: Au pairs should take advantage of the local leisure activities. Sports clubs, music groups, or volunteer 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 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 Federal Employment Agency’s guidelines, 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 they have been 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 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 Immigration Office .
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 §§ 19c para. 1, 18 para. 2 no. 1, 2 AufenthG in conjunction with § 12 BeschV.
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 (Paywall)
[1] Offer/Mävers, Employment Ordinance, 2nd edition 2022, § 12
[2] Visa Handbook, Au Pair, 78th Supplement, as of February 2024