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ARRIVE. EXPERIENCE. GROW.

A year in Germany.
Strategic. Not accidental.

For many people, the au pair year is the first real step into Germany. But only those who go in with a clear plan actually get somewhere.

Confidential & Secure No subscription Based in Germany
Based on official sourcesBAMFMake it in GermanyGoethe-InstitutAs of 2026
Does this sound like you?

You want to come to Germany. The au pair year is your first step.

“My German is still weak. Can I come anyway?”

Yes. For the au pair visa you need basic German, not fluency. The Goethe-Institut offers courses in your country. If you're motivated, B1 or better within a year is realistic.

Question about your language level
“How do I win over the host family in the interview?”

The conversation with a German host family runs differently than you're used to. More direct, more matter-of-fact, with clear expectations. Prepare well and you have a real edge.

Question about the host family interview
“What comes after the au pair year?”

The au pair year is the start, not the goal. Use it strategically and you move on to an Ausbildung or a degree. Do it without a plan and you fly home after 12 months.

Question about what comes next
The facts that matter most

What you really need to know about the au pair year

You live with a German host family, help around the house and with childcare, and have time for German courses. Go into the year with a clear goal and you come out of it in a far stronger position.

  • Age: 18 to 26 years old at the time you enter Germany
  • Pocket money: € 280 per month (as of 2026)
  • Working hours: A maximum of 30 hours per week, spread over no more than 6 days
  • German course: You have the right to attend a language course. Your host family pays you a subsidy of at least € 70 per month toward it (as of 2026), at least € 840 over 12 months. They cover your travel costs to the course on top of that. You cover the rest yourself.
  • Room & board: Included with the host family
  • Duration: At least 6 months, at most 12. In exceptional cases up to 24 months. bamf.de →
An au pair in Germany

Visa: You apply for the au pair visa at the German embassy in your home country. You need a placement agreement and a contract with your host family. make-it-in-germany.com →

The most common mistake: Starting too late. Your search for a host family and an agency should begin at least 4 to 6 months before your planned departure. Start later and you lose out on the best families and risk delays with your visa.

The host family interview

Your first interview for Germany. We get you ready.

German host families run the conversation more directly than you're used to. What you say and how you say it decides between a yes and a no.

For the host family interview
Interview Prep · € 99
  • A mock interview with real host family questions
  • Direct feedback on how you come across and how you phrase things
  • Cultural differences spelled out
  • In German or English
Go to Interview Prep
For afterward: The Ausbildung interview
After the au pair year.

Many of my clients finish the au pair year with B1 German and want to start an Ausbildung. The interview at the company is the next step. I know the questions that get asked.

Practice the Ausbildung interview
How it works

5 steps to your host family

Always plan backward: When do you want to leave? Count back 4 to 6 months from there. That's your starting point.

1

Find an au pair agency and register

A reputable agency matches you with suitable host families, vets the families beforehand, and guides you through the process. Compare several options and watch for transparency on costs.

Extra tip: If you can already state A1 German when you register, German host families take you considerably more seriously. It shows real interest, rather than signing up somewhere just to see what happens.

2

Build your profile carefully and tailor your documents

Your au pair profile is your first impression. Write something personal that shows who you are, why you want to come to Germany, and what you bring. Upload good photos: you cooking, with kids, in everyday life.

From my own experience: Putting real effort into your profile tells the host family, before you have even spoken: this person means it. That's often the deciding difference.

3

Meet host families and have the conversations

The agency suggests suitable families, or families reach out to you. Then come the video calls. German host families ask direct questions and expect clear answers. Prepare for that.

Tip: A mock interview with me gives you confidence. I know the questions host families ask and I give you direct feedback. Interview Prep € 99 →

4

Prepare your documents and apply for the visa

Once you've found a host family, they give you the au pair contract, the letter of invitation, and confirmation of insurance. Depending on your home country, further documents may be needed, for example from the Federal Employment Agency.

  • Au pair contract with your host family
  • Letter of invitation from your host family
  • Confirmation of insurance
  • Proof of A1 German (Goethe-Institut or an equivalent institute) goethe.de →
  • Possibly further documents depending on your home country

Extra tip on the embassy: Some embassies hand out appointments within days, others have waiting times of several months. Look into this early. Sometimes it's worth reserving an appointment in advance, even if not all your documents are ready yet. Embassy appointments →

5

Book your flight and go

Once your visa comes through, you agree an arrival date with your host family. Then it begins: your own jump to Germany.

Remember: Plan backward. When do you want to leave? Count back 4 to 6 months. That's the day you should have started.

Making the year in Germany count

What to do, and when

The au pair year goes fast. Arrive without a plan and after 12 months you're back at square one.

Months 1 to 3

  • Register at the residents' office
  • Start an intensive German course
  • Set your goal: Ausbildung or a degree?
  • Start gathering information on your next step

From month 4

  • Aim for a B1 language certificate
  • Prepare your application documents
  • Apply for Ausbildung positions
  • Sort out a visa extension or your Ausbildung visa
What fits next

What's possible for you after the au pair year

Ausbildung in Germany

With B1 German and an au pair reference, you're in a good position for an Ausbildung place. We show you which occupations fit you.

Go to the Ausbildung page

Studying in Germany

With B2 or C1 and a recognized school certificate, a degree is possible too. We work out what specifically applies to you.

Go to the study page

Volunteer service in Germany

Not sure yet whether it's an Ausbildung or a degree? A volunteer service straight after the au pair year buys you time, pushes your German further, and opens doors in the social and cultural sector.

Go to volunteer service

Learning German: Which course?

Not at B1 yet? On the German language page we explain which certificates matter for an Ausbildung and for a degree.

Go to Learn German
Jump2Germany