GERMANY 

Germany can accept au pairs from both EU countries and non-EU countries as Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Switzerland, USA, and Cyprus.  
 
EU au pairs must be aged between 18 and 30 years old, non-EU au pairs must be aged between 18 and 25 years old. 
The duration of the stay is 12 months maximum, and the contract cannot be repeated by the same au pair who cannot go a second time in Germany as an au pair. 
The au pair must have a basic knowledge of German which will be evaluated at the time of visa application for the non EU au pairs, and at the time of application for a residence permit for the others. 
 
All families in which at least one parent is German are authorized to host an au pair but they should have at least one minor child. 
Families with more 4 children may accommodate 2 au pairs simultaneously. 
The working hours are 30 per week and no more than 5 hours a day, including 1-2 evenings of babysitting. 
Au Pair housework is small and routine tasks; therefore it is excluded big cleaning or ironing shirts or cleaning the bathroom except for the one at exclusive use of the Au Pair. 
 
The family has to stipulate a private insurance against illness and public liability insurance against others. 
Travel expenses shall be in charge of the Au Pair. 
The au pair must have a room for herself with a window and heating. 
Pocket money is around 230-260 euros per month. 
The au pair must have 4 weeks of remunerated vacation for at least 12 months of work and at least 2 weeks for shorter periods. 
The au pair must have one day off a week including at least 1 Sunday per month, and must have the opportunity to attend a German language course. 
The course fees are charged to the Au Pair. 
 
Visas 
Germany may accept au pairs from the EU or from non-EU countries such as Andorra, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Switzerland, USA, and Cyprus. 
 
Citizens from Australia, Canada, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, USA, can enter Germany without a visa. For periods longer than 3 months, however, they will need a residence permit. 
EU citizens need to register at the Federal Office of the Registry and obtain a residence permit that is issued if the au pair proves to have a basic knowledge of German. Citizens from new EU Member States do not need a visa but must apply for a work permit which will have a minimum of 6 months and will be released upon verification that the au pair has basic knowledge of German. 
The au pairs from all other countries require visa. To obtain it, the au pair cannot have more than 24 years and the duration of the stay in the contract must be for a minimum of 6 months. To obtain a visa the au pair has to go to the German Embassy of her country and turn in a letter of invitation from the host family with the directions of the employment relationship. The au pair will undergo a language test to determine if she has a basic knowledge of German. The Embassy will contact the relevant authorities in Germany. If the visa is granted the au pair can travel to Germany and the family must register her to the Foreign Office. This office will contact the Federal Employment Agency for obtaining work permits. 

Read the useful information concerning the other countries.
 
Read our FAQ to find out more about the au pair job.