Au Pair Visa

What this visa is

The Au Pair visa allows young people (men and women equally) from outside the EU to live with a German host family for 6 to 12 months, supporting with childcare and light household duties while learning German and experiencing German culture. It is one of the most accessible entry routes to Germany for young people, because it does not require a blocked account and the family takes care of housing, and sometimes even the cost of the flight — and a popular first step towards longer term pathways such as an Ausbildung or university study.

Who it is for

• ✓Those aged 18 to 26 at the time of application
• ✓Must be unmarried and have no children of their own
• ✓German language skills at A1 level are required
• ✓Must have a confirmed au pair contract with a German host family where German is spoken as the mother tongue or primary family language
• ✓No prior au pair stay in Germany is permitted — only one stay is allowed per person

Key facts

• →Stay lasts a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months — not extendable
• →Host family provides free accommodation, meals and health insurance
• →Pocket money of at least €280 per month (2026), paid by the host family
• →Host family must contribute €70 per month towards German language course costs
• →Working hours are regulated — no more than 30 hours per week including childcare and household duties
• →Federal Employment Agency approval is required as part of the visa process
• →A strong stepping stone: many au pairs use this year to reach B1 or B2 German and then apply for an Ausbildung, university place or skilled worker visa

Source: Federal Foreign Office — Au Pair Visa