What Is an Au Pair and How Does It Work?
Are you thinking of spending a period abroad, living with a family, learning a language and getting to know another culture? Here is what an au pair is, what they do, what they get in return and how the whole journey works, step by step.
In one sentence
An au pair is a young person who lives with a family abroad for a period, helps with the children and with everyday tasks, and in return receives food, accommodation and an allowance for personal expenses.
The purpose is twofold: to help the family and to let you improve your language skills and get to know the country's culture from the inside.
The essentials in 4 points
Age
The European reference is 17–30 years old. Each country sets its own limits.
Duration
Normally up to 1 year, extendable to 2 according to the European reference.
Commitment
You take part in the family's daily life: normally no more than 5 hours a day (European reference).
In return
Food, accommodation and pocket money, plus free time and time to study the language.
An important clarification. These values come from the Council of Europe's European Agreement on Au Pair Placement (1969), a common reference. They do not replace the rules of the country you are going to: in Ireland, for example, the law treats au pairs as domestic workers entitled to the minimum wage. Read the guide on Ireland.
What an au pair does
Living with a family means sharing your days. In practice, usually:
✅ Usually included
- taking the children to school or activities, playing with them and helping them with homework;
- preparing breakfast, snacks and simple meals for the children;
- tidying their rooms and lending a hand with the family's everyday chores.
⛔ Usually not included
- replacing a housekeeper with heavy cleaning of the whole house;
- working more hours than those written in the agreement;
- doing tasks that were not agreed beforehand.
What is really included is decided by the written agreement with the family and the rules of the country: always check them before you leave.
What you get in return
Food and accommodation
You live with the family. The European reference provides, where possible, for a room of your own.
Pocket money
A regular sum set out in the agreement. It is not a standard salary: amounts and rules change from country to country.
Time to study
Time to attend a language course and grow culturally is part of the experience.
Days off
At least one full day off a week, and at least one Sunday a month (European reference).
Protections
Insurance, sickness and accident cover depend on the country: find out before you leave.
How it works on Au Pair Plus
The journey is simple and, for you, completely free.
Create your free profile
Tell us about yourself, your experience and where you would like to go, with a photo, CV and introduction. Your profile is checked by our staff.
Browse host families
Discover verified families looking for an au pair like you, with unlimited searches and the option to save your favourites.
Write directly to families
Chat with the ones you like and ask every question you want before deciding, with no intermediaries. Messages are moderated.
Start your experience
Agree the details together and get ready for your trip abroad.
Ready to find your family?
Create your profile in a few minutes: it costs nothing.
Sign up as an Au PairBrowse familiesBefore you go: the checklist
☐ Read the country's rules: visas or permits, working hours, insurance and rights change from one destination to another.
☐ Get to know the family: have a video call and ask about routines, duties and house rules.
☐ Put everything in writing: the European reference provides for a written agreement, preferably before departure and at the latest in the first week.
☐ Check insurance and health: check your health cover and whether a medical certificate is needed (the European reference mentions a recent one, less than 3 months old).
☐ If you are not an EU or EEA citizen: first check whether a suitable permit exists for you in that country.
⚠️ Warning signs
- no written agreement, or conditions that change as soon as you arrive;
- hours and duties very different from those promised;
- they keep your passport or other personal documents;
- you do not have a room of your own or any privacy;
- they ask you for money to get the placement: on Au Pair Plus signing up is free for au pairs.
The rules, country by country
Every destination has its own rules on age, hours, pay and permits. Choose the country you are interested in:
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sign up as an au pair?
Nothing: creating a profile, browsing families and writing to them is free for au pairs, always and with no subscriptions.
Can I choose the family?
Yes. You browse the families' profiles, write directly to the ones you like and ask questions before deciding.
Who checks profiles and messages?
Profiles are verified by our staff and messages are moderated.
Does an au pair receive a salary?
Not in the traditional sense: the European reference speaks of pocket money, a sum agreed in the agreement. In some countries, such as Ireland, however, the law treats the au pair as a worker entitled to the minimum wage. Always check the country's guide.
How long can I stay?
The European reference provides for an initial period of up to one year, extendable to two. Some countries apply different limits: check the guide for your destination.
Do I already need to speak the language well?
It depends on the family. The experience exists precisely to improve the language and get to know the country's culture: ask the family what level they expect.
Are you a family looking for an au pair? Find out how hosting an au pair works
Information current as of October 2026. The European references come from the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement (Council of Europe, 1969), which does not replace each country's rules. Always check the official sources.