Au Pair Rules and Costs: Pocket Money, Hours, Insurance and Who Pays What
An au pair arrangement is a cultural exchange with a clear framework: capped hours, fixed pocket money, defined free time and shared costs. This page summarizes the rules that apply in most programs and shows who typically pays for what.
Pocket money: an allowance, not a salary
Au pairs receive pocket money on top of free room and board. It is legally an allowance within a cultural exchange, not a wage — which is why amounts are set by program rules rather than labor-market negotiation. Typical monthly rates: €280 in Germany, €320–410 in France, around €300–340 in the Netherlands and Spain; the USA sets a weekly minimum stipend (currently from $195.75). Pocket money is paid in full even in weeks with fewer duties, and continues during the au pair's paid holiday.
Working hours and free time
- Weekly caps: commonly 25–30 hours in Europe, 45 in the USA — babysitting counts
- Daily caps: many programs limit duty time to 5–6 hours per day (10 in the USA)
- Free days: at least one completely free day per week; several free evenings
- Holiday: typically 2 weeks paid holiday for a 12-month stay (4 weeks in Germany)
- Language course: the schedule must leave room for course attendance
Who pays for what
| Cost item | Usually paid by |
|---|---|
| Room & board | Host family |
| Pocket money | Host family |
| Health/accident/liability insurance | Host family in many countries (e.g. Germany); shared or au pair in others |
| Travel to the host country | Au pair in most European programs; sponsor/family contribution in the USA |
| Language course fees | Au pair, with family contribution in some countries (Germany: €70/month) |
| Visa fees | Au pair (sometimes reimbursed by agreement) |
| Local transport ticket | Negotiated; family in many arrangements |
Insurance: not optional
Health insurance covering the entire stay is mandatory in effectively every program; accident and liability cover are strongly recommended and required in several countries. In Germany, the host family must take out and pay for the au pair's health, accident and liability insurance. Clarify insurance before departure and put it in the contract — an uninsured emergency abroad can cost tens of thousands of euros.
Taxes and social security
In most European programs, pocket money within the official framework does not trigger income tax or regular social security contributions for the au pair. Host families may still have registration duties (for example registering the au pair with local authorities). In the USA, the au pair stipend is taxable income and au pairs file a US tax return. Rules differ by country and change — for binding answers, consult the national tax authority or a professional advisor.