How to become a Host Family

You would like to find out how to become a Host Family? You need some support with childcare and would like to host an Au-Pair at your home? Here you can find out which requirements you have to fulfill in order to participate in the Au-Pair program. We will also introduce you to the requirements that the candidates have to meet in order to be accepted into your family.

Host Family requirements

How to become a Host Family? Host Families are couples and single parents with at least one child under the age of 16 living with them. A further requirement for German Host Families is that German is spoken in everyday life. Accordingly, German citizenship is required. If this is not fulfilled, an application as a Host Family is possible if the mother tongue of the family is German. But this does not only apply to German Host Families but to many other countries. Please understand that the Au-Pair wants to learn the language of your country. Therefore speaking it at home is a crucial requirement.

Moreover, no relative of the family may be accepted as an Au-Pair. If you have four or more children, it is possible to admit a second Au-Pair. Furthermore, the Host Family should integrate the Au-Pair into the family. It is also important to be open to the culture of the Au-Pair.

List of requirements: How to become a Host Family

  • At least one minor child in the household
  • A room for the Au-Pair
  • The language of the country must be spoken in the household
  • The means to cover the cost for healthcare insurance in some cases
  • Willing to host a foreign person and to participate in a cultural exchange
  • All Au-Pair costs together: approx. 500€/month

 

 

Requirements for Au-Pairs

The age limit for candidates in Europe is usually between 18 and 30 years. However Germany is an exception to this rule: candidates have to be between the age of 18 and 26 in order to come to Germany as an Au-Pair. If they come from an EU or EEA country, they can participate at the age of 17 to 30. Au-Pairs should not have children of their own. Moreover, they should also be in good health. In the best case, they are non-smokers.

It is important that they already have some knowledge of the country's language. They must be able to prove their knowledge with an official certificate and must be willing to learn the language during the stay. Many country programs expect Au-Pairs to have at least basic knowledge of the language. You can read more about the language requirements here.

As an Au-Pair, you must already have gained experience in childcare and enjoy working with children. This also applies to most other Au-Pair countries. Additionally, it is advantageous for an Au-Pair to have a driving license and driving experience.

Formal and informal requirements

Depending on the country of origin, a visa must be presented for a stay as an Au-Pair. The Au-Pair visa may only be issued once. Exceptions are Au-Pairs from the European Union who can be readmitted as Au-Pairs. Au-Pairs from the EU do not need a visa: they only need to have a valid identity card and passport.

If you want to be an Au-Pair, you do not only have to fulfill the formal Au-Pair requirements. The candidates should be prepared to live with a Host Family for at least 6 months. On top of this, an Au-Pair is ideally adaptable and interested in the culture of the country.

Do you fulfill the Host Family requirements? Then do not wait any longer and find your suitable Au-Pair. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us directly!