Au Pair
Due to the remit of UK-German Connection, we are unable to offer direct assistance and advice on going to Germany as an au pair. However, we have put together a number of links to external organisations which might be able to help.
Au pair placements are usually for young people aged around 18–27. As an au pair, you live with a family, and are expected to work around 30 hours a week, looking after the children and doing some light housework. Au pair placements are usually for a period of at least six months. As an au pair in Germany, you are entitled to free board and lodging in your own room and some weekly pocket money.
Keep in mind that any UK agency you find online should be registered with either the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) or the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
Useful links
Au Pair Society
Au pair society in Germany, providing information for au pairs, host families and agencies
au-pair-society.org
The British Au Pair Agencies Association (BAPAA)
Trade association for the au pair industry in Britain
www.bapaa.org.uk
The International Au Pair Association (IAPA)
Global trade association for organisations active in all aspects of au pair and cultural exchange programmes
www.iapa.org
Verein für Internationale Jugendarbeit
Information about what to expect as an au pair
www.au-pair-vij.org
European Youth Portal
Information about becoming an au pair
www.europa.eu
Gütegemeinschaft Au Pair
German au pair association which accredits au pair schemes with the RAL quality seal
www.guetegemeinschaft-aupair.de
As an au pair, you will usually need to have some knowledge of German. You can check the level of your German with the Goethe-Institut's online test: