Stay as an au pair
Au pairs may come from any country between the ages of 18 and 26.
Course description
With a visa or residence permit for au pairs, you can stay in Germany with your host family for up to one year and help with childcare.
Visa procedure
Before entering Germany, you must apply for a visa at the relevant German diplomatic mission.
The visa is not required for nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America can also enter Germany without a visa.
EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa, residence permit or work permit.
After entering the country
You must first register your residence at the Citizens Office.
Application for a residence permit
Before your visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit. If you can enter Germany without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Office within 90 days of your entry.
Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.
Period of validity
The residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year.
Host family
As a rule, only couples and single parents with at least one child can be considered as host families. German should be spoken as a native language in the host family. If German is only spoken as a family language, you must not be related to a family member or come from the host parents' home country. In addition, the host family should integrate you well, provide you with your own room in the family home and allow you to take part in meals together.
change of host family:
If you wish to end your employment with the host family prematurely and move to another host family, you will first need the approval of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Office.
Prerequisites
- You are registered in Munich.
- You have German language skills at least at level A 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- You have found a host family.
- You have sufficient health insurance: The host family must take out accident and health insurance (including in the event of pregnancy and childbirth). As health insurance companies do not usually cover the treatment costs of pre-existing illnesses, the host family should make sure that there are no illnesses before entering the country. It is contractually possible to request a current health certificate before entering the country.
Required documents
- Fully completed application form
- Valid passport or passport replacement
- current biometric passport photo submitted digitally by a certified photo studio or drugstore. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo terminals at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Office for a fee.
- Valid visa for entry (if required)
- au pair questionnaire for host parents
- Invitation letter from your host family (with au pair contract if applicable): This must state that you are to join the family as an au pair.
- Proof of health insurance: Insurance card or membership certificate from the health insurance company as well as proof of the monthly insurance premium
Please note:
Further documents may be required in individual cases.
Questions & Answers
A written contract must be concluded between you and the host family regarding mutual rights and obligations. This contract must in any case regulate the following points:
- Working hours: maximum 30 hours per week; usually a maximum of six hours per day (including babysitting)
- Free time: at least 1.5 days off per week (including at least one Sunday per month and at least four evenings off per week); time off for language courses, religious practice, cultural events and excursions; paid holiday leave of four weeks (two working days per full month if working for less than a year)
- Pocket money: at least 280 euros per month is appropriate
in principle, it is possible to change to another residence permit (e.g. for training, studies, employment as a skilled worker).
in principle, you must move out of the host family's home after the au pair activity has ended; exceptions are only possible in special individual cases. Please contact the responsible Foreigners Office.
you may be employed by the host family for up to one year. The one-year period generally begins when you enter the country with a visa.
Legal basis
§ Section 19c (1) AufenthG, Section 12 BeschV
Ausländerbehörde
Phone number
Postal address
Ausländerbehörde
Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München
Address
Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München
Lagehinweis: Eingang A
Room: Servicepoint, Bereich 31, 3. Stock
Only with appointment