A domestic helper who works for and resides with a host family in Germany is known as an au pair in Germany. In exchange for a monetary allowance for personal use, au pairs typically take on a portion of the family’s caregiving duties, particularly child care.
The idea of an Au Pair began as an intercultural exchange program that gave young people the opportunity to travel, see new cultures, and learn or improve their language skills in exchange for help with childcare duties. The program is advantageous to both sides in that the host family has the chance to learn about the Au Pair’s culture.
Since “au pair” means “on equal terms” in French, it is implied that the host family and the au pair are on equal footing. No one may be subjected to discrimination or treated as a subordinate.
Many people have relocated to another nation for this reason. This is a fun and cost-free way to learn German while also learning about Germany if you are a young person who enjoys playing with children. How to go to and remain in Germany through the Au Pair program is explained in this article.
Requirements/Expectations
Age limit to become an Au Pair
Government restrictions on Au Pair placements are frequent, and the age boundaries are frequently between 18 and 26. This indicates that, in accordance with government laws regarding Au Pair programs, only young people between the ages of 18 and 26 are taken into consideration for the exchange.
Gender for an Au Pair
This program is open to male and female participants. The guys are frequently referred to as the “Bro Pair.” However, the host family will determine this choice, which is typically included in the requirements..
Education/Work Experience for an Au Pair
Anyone with a high school diploma is eligible to apply for this program. The English counterpart of a high school diploma is a secondary school diploma, or “Abitur.” Before you are accepted as an Au Pair in Germany, you might need to provide evidence that you are skilled in child care. This does not imply that you must have been a trained childcare worker; all you need is a genuine love for children. You can demonstrate this by describing any experiences you’ve had, even with kids in your own family, and your motivation for enjoying looking after kids.
Language Proficiency to become an Au Pair in Germany
To work as an Au Pair, you don’t necessarily need to speak German well. Additionally, learning the local language and culture is a major benefit of becoming an au pair. But before you go on to work as an au pair in Germany, it would be helpful to acquire at least the fundamentals of the language. This will enable you to communicate informally with the locals and, more significantly, forge some kind of bond with your host family.
Financial requirement to become an Au Pair in Germany
You should at the very least have enough money to pay for your travel and visa costs to Germany. While your host family will pay for the majority of your expenses, you will need to pay for your own visa and travel expenses since they are not covered by them. It is not necessary for all families to donate, however some might.
Passport requirement to become an Au Pair in Germany
You must be in possession of a current passport from your home country. This is a necessary requirement that acts as a way of identification.
Marital Status
Whether you are married, single, divorced, etc. is irrelevant. Regardless of whether you are married or not, you can still take part in the program. However, you might not be allowed to participate in the Au Pair program if you have any very young children. No children are permitted to go with you to your host nation.
Relationship with Host Family as an Au Pair
You should not be related to any member of your host family or come from the same country as them. Recall it is an intercultural exchange program, there will be no cultural exchange if you are already familiar with your host family, and it defeats the aim of the entire program.
Time Frame for an Au Pair
You are only permitted to live in Germany as an Au Pair for a period of six months to a year. Because an Au Pair visa expires after a year, you cannot stay for that long.
Residence/Work Permit.
You must apply for both a work permit and a resident permit in Germany prior to departure at the German consulate in your home country.
Benefits of Au Pair in Germany
- As an Au Pair, you are not entitled to receiving a ‘salary’ which means you do not have to pay tax or make social contributions. However, you are entitled to a monthly allowance or ‘pocket money’ of 260 to 300 Euros.
- You get a day off a week, usually off days are Sundays. You also get four evenings free every week. If you work for a full year, you are entitled to four weeks off.
- Your host family pays for your health insurance, so you do not have to worry about that.
- Your host family’s responsibility is to pay for your German language learning at a German language school for up to 90 Euros.
- You are entitled to have access to public transportation, in the form of a car or a monthly pass for the local public transportation.
- As an Au Pair in Germany, you are entitled to a free room that guarantees your privacy and free meals on account of your host family.
How to become an Au Pair in Germany
Since you now understand what an au pair is, the qualifications, and the advantages, the next natural thing to learn is how to actually become one.
- Finding the ideal family to partner with is the first step in becoming an Au pair in Germany. The amount of kids they have, their income, the tasks you must complete, and any special needs they may have should all be taken into account at this point. You might require the help of an agency when looking for families in order to locate the best match. You might think about using websites like GreatAuPair and AuPairWorld if you want to handle everything on your own.You are able to sign up as an au pair on these websites. When a host family seeks an Au Pair that matches your qualifications, you are notified. Additionally, you can look for families that would fit your preferences and get in touch with them. Prior to accepting the offer, be sure to speak with the family on the phone. This enables you to assess whether the family is a good fit.
- The next step is to apply for a visa, particularly if you are a non-citizen of the EU or EEA. Since most families start looking for an Au Pair a few months before they need one on the ground, you should apply as soon as possible. Depending on your home country, securing a visa could also take some time.
There aren’t many requirements for becoming an au pair, such as acquiring a professional career or relocating to Germany for education or a full-time job. All you actually need to do is meet the conditions outlined above, discover a compatible family, and be eager to learn about and share your culture with your host family. If you plan to work as an Au Pair in Germany, you might wish to enroll in a language school or hire a private tutor to help you learn the language. Whichever one would fit your preferences and help you learn quickly is strongly advised.
Some programs restrict the Au Pair’s duties to those that include children, such as picking up and dropping off kids at school, helping them with their homework, and providing snacks for them after school. Others increase their duties to include light housekeeping chores like grocery shopping, laundry, and dishwashing. When you move in with your host family, ask them what duties they anticipate of you and whether you are capable of doing them.
Keep in mind that this program supports families who require child care while fostering cross-cultural interactions. Be aware that this program differs significantly from hiring a normal nanny or in-home care. You almost feel like a member of the family in this program. Be at ease and open to learning about German culture and sharing it with your host family.
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