2026 Au Pair Predictions: Popular Destinations and Trends

Even if it is hard to make predictions, we are going to attempt to make some for this year. In this blog post, we will go over current trends in terms of favourite Au Pair destinations (or some that could become favourites), and popular languages to learn in 2026. And by the end of this read, we are convinced you will have learnt a few new reasons to become an Au Pair ;)

Where To Go?

Some popular spots for Au Pairing do not change (Germany, France, the USA, or Australia), but the fact is, trends and tastes do change. There’s also visa procedures to think about, and whether you will find a suitable Host Family in those countries.

So here we have compiled a short list of a few trendy spots that people have been visiting more, whether because of their magnetic culture, interesting language, or just the overall atmosphere of the country, and that we predict will become favourite destinations for Au Pairs this year: 

• Ireland: great literature, pubs, landscapes & hikes
• South Korea: K-pop, K-dramas, history and beautiful cities
• China: very ancient and interesting history, rich in culture, dynamic cities
• Hong Kong: futuristic atmosphere, nature, culture
• Italy: great food, people, history & culture
• Switzerland: (also) great food, breathtaking views, beautiful architecture

Now, these are already popular destinations, but they have been on the rise recently, and we think they will become even more prominent in the Au Pair world.

What To Study?

Popular destinations come hand in hand with popular languages to learn. Since learning languages has recently been blowing up as an attractive activity among young people, Au Pairing is the best way to cement your journey as a languages student. 

English is obviously one of the main languages people want to learn, as well as French, Spanish and German. But what languages have recently become more popular?

• Korean, Japanese & Mandarin

The rise of Eastern Asian popularity in culture has seen a rise in curiosity for these languages. It does not matter if you are a fan of history, dramas or art: China, South Korea and Japan have become hot-spots for tourists and enthusiasts.

• Portuguese & Spanish

Spanish and Portuguese have been growing in the number of students, mainly due to the Latin American presence online and tourism. Music, food and beaches have been drawing thousands to visit Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, in both Europe and Latin America. 

Why Should You Do It?

Why travel to these destinations? Why study these languages? The simple answer is - because they are growing in prominence, and it never hurts anyone to join the fun!

In an increasingly globalised world, it is important to know a foreign language. English is a basic must, but more and more students see the need to learn one more language. Employers expect workers to be able to communicate with clients or partners from different countries (even different continents!).

Learning a new language has been proven to not only help you become better at reasoning and improving your memory, but it is also an excellent educational activity to dedicate your free time to!

And as everyone knows, the best way to learn a language is by living it, immersing yourself fully in it. Being an Au Pair is exactly that! You become a part of your Host Country and learn from its culture, its history and its language. 

So here are our 2026 predictions: Asian destinations are slowly but surely growing as Au Pair favourites (even if some European and North American countries remain the most popular), and Latin American and Asian languages are the ones most people want to - and will continue wanting to - learn and experience.

Top 6 countries+languages:

• South Korea - Korean
• Japan - Japanese
• Ireland - English
• China & Hong Kong - Mandarin
• Italy - Italian
• Switzerland - French/German