English (UK) 
Deutsch (Deutschland) FAQ for host families
Basically, it is not difficult to find young people abroad who are looking for an au pair position in Germany. Relevant platforms on the Internet are full of them.
The difficulty lies in finding a really suitable AuPair who also meets the requirements. Afterwards you have to fight your way through the jungle of bureaucracy in order to finally be able to take on a halfway suitable AuPair.
With your order to us, we take over all this work for you and provide you with an au pair that suits your needs.
Many of the AuPair applicants have been checked and selected by our agents abroad. The well-known "lazy fishes" are thus reduced to a minimum.
Of course you can look for an AuPair on one of these platforms and commission us to handle the formalities for this applicant.
Many would like to have their au pair already yesterday.
Unfortunately, when applying for a visa for AuPairs, a large number of documents must be obtained before a visa can be applied for at the responsible embassy.
The processing time is then relatively generous there. There is no hurry.
From the day of application to the issuing of the visa, it can take 6-8 weeks or more.
Early planning of the needs of an AuPair is definitely advisable.
Unfortunately that is not possible. The main task of an au pair is childcare.
In this case, only a household help would be considered.
Quote from "AuPair in German Families" by the Federal Employment Agency:
"Families are considered to be married couples of the same or opposite sex as well as unmarried couples with at least one child under 18 years of age living continuously in their household. Single parents with at least one child under 18 years of age living continuously in their household are also considered a family. The definition of family in this sense does not include single persons or couples, spouses or domestic partners without children."
Refugees from crisis or war zones can apply for asylum in Germany. The residence permit that is then issued does not initially entitle you to take up work - not even as an au pair.
If a work permit is then granted, the persons concerned will certainly aspire to other activities than just being an au pair.
Of course, a regular AuPair visa procedure could be considered. However, the foreign representations in countries threatened by war usually. closed so that no processing of a visa application of any kind can take place.
In the case of a change of AuPair, there is only a transfer from one host family to the other. The reasons for this can be varied.
Of course, a qualitative assessment of the AuPair cannot be made in advance.
However, exchange AuPairs also go through our application and evaluation processes before they are released for placement.
Advantage: The AuPair is already in Germany with a valid visa or residence permit and is available at relatively short notice.
Disadvantage: The AuPair can only work in your family for the remaining time of the AuPair year.
Sometimes unforeseeable circumstances can occur that make it impossible to comply with the maximum working time.
As long as this is not permanent, your AuPair should understand it.
However, you should be accommodating and ensure that your AuPair has free time in lieu in the following month.
Unfortunately, no.
The AuPair activities are limited to light housework in addition to childcare.
Nursing activities for adults are not permitted.
Definitely not!
Working as an AuPair is only permitted with the host family.
"Borrowing" the AuPair to other people or families is not permitted.
Be sure to refrain from such offers!
Inquire at your community, district office, district administration or similar. They have directories of reputable carriers and providers.
When choosing a language school for your au pair, make sure that it offers language courses that meet the standards of the Goethe Institute.
The "language course" you discovered is in all probability just a little "chatting in German", with which no qualified qualification is acquired.
Remember: Your AuPair may need another Goethe certificate for their professional career.
Unfortunately, no.
The length of stay for AuPairs is limited to 12 months.
Even if your children have gotten used to their AuPair and the AuPair fits perfectly into your family, there is unfortunately no way to extend the AuPair contract beyond the maximum permissible period.
Even later, it is not possible for the au pair to come to Germany a second time as an au pair.
If the AuPair comes from an EU member state, they enjoy freedom of movement within the EU and can continue to reside in Germany. However, the activity as an AuPair ends after one year at the latest.
You could only continue to employ your former AuPair as a nanny/household help or similar afterwards.
And there's an agency trying to throw them some of the 'secret tips' AuPairs from a particular country on bread?
How embarrassing...
Look at the countries from which these agencies relate their 'Super-AuPairs' and compare them with the alleged origin of the owners of the agencies. At the latest, you should notice that the AuPair communication is dedicated only to the purpose of bringing your own relationship, friends or countrymen to Germany.
No reputable agency can recommend a special suitability of AuPairs from certain countries.
We do not do this in any case!
We are happy to inform you what AuPairs we have gained so far positive or negative experience. However, a basic recommendation for a specific country of origin would never be expressed.
Problems with our AuPair
Encourage your AuPair to speak German.
Keep asking questions and include her/him in your family conversations. Show your interest in the culture and life in the AuPair's home country.
Your AuPair will love nothing more than telling you something about his/her home country.
Don't make sentences that are too long or complicated. At first, speak slowly and clearly to the AuPair. Avoid dialect and, if necessary, repeat sentences if you have the impression that you have not been understood.
If your AuPair makes a mistake in pronunciation or grammar, correct it.
On the one hand, it is understandable that it is important for an au pair who is perhaps several thousand kilometers away from home to communicate with family and friends. Especially in the beginning, this excessive communication serves to compensate for homesickness.
Therefore, the use of the Internet during the au pair's free time should not be restricted or forbidden.
However, while working or looking after the children, work takes precedence. Children quickly feel neglected if, for example, playing with the au pair is constantly interrupted by phone calls.
Talk to your au pair and agree on rules for using the phone.
You can discuss this point with the au pair before their arrival and, if necessary, record it in the au pair contract.
A restriction, such as switching off the router, should only be used as a last resort.
Have patience.
In completely new situations, children are quite quick with spontaneous absolute evaluations.
Statements like "I don't like this one!" are not rare there.
The situation is as new for the children as it is for the parents and the AuPair themselves and it can be difficult for them to accept a new person when they have only spent time with their parents.
Thorough preparation of the children is more important than some people imagine. Telephone calls and video chats with your future au pair are best suited for this, in which you should definitely include your children.
Unconditionally welcome your au pair into your family as soon as they arrive and include them in all family activities. In this way, your children will learn to see the au pair as a big brother or sister.
Before deciding on a specific applicant and before signing the AuPair contract, you should get a comprehensive impression of your candidate.
Conduct multiple interviews and video chats to ensure the applicant understands and is interested in the content of the program.
- Does your AuPair candidate show interest in your children?
- Does she/he keep in touch?
- Would she/he like to know more about your family?
Feel free to ask about professional and family plans for the future.
