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Au Pair in Austria: Information on the Program

As an Au Pair in Austria (ages 18–28), you’ll live with a Host Family and, in exchange for up to 16.5 hours per week of childcare and light housework, you’ll receive a monthly allowance of at least €551.10, full board, and room and board.

Austria is a popular Au Pair destination for anyone who wants to learn German, explore cities like Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg, and enjoy a mix of culture, music, history, and Alpine nature.

Both EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and non-EU/EEA citizens can work as Au Pairs in Austria, provided they meet the requirements. Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs must obtain a visa or residence permit before entering Austria and demonstrate basic German language skills (A1 level).

Program requirements

The Complete Guide to the Au Pair Program in Austria

For Au Pairs

18 to 28 years old
Basic knowledge of German (Level A1 according to the CEFR)
Valid passport or ID card
Want to improve your German skills and learn about Austrian culture/social life
Not have worked as an Au Pair in Austria for more than 12 months within the last 5 years
Not an Austrian citizen
Non-EU/EEA citizens: need to obtain a visa/residence permit before entering Austria
Valid health insurance
Able to cover visa and travel expenses

If you meet all the requirements, start looking for your Host Family here. If not, explore other countries or programs.

Free Registration as Candidate

For Host Families

Have at least one child under 18 living in the household
Able to pay for the Au Pair’s meals, insurance, and subsidy for the language course
Pay the Au Pair a regular pocket money of a minimum of 551.10 € per month
Able to provide a private, lockable room for the Au Pair
Need no more than 16.5 hours of childcare and light household chores help per week

Do you meet all requirements? Start your search to find your Au Pair. If you don’t meet them, check our other programs.

Free Registration as Family

Working Conditions

Working Hours

Maximum 16.5 hours per week (including babysitting and on-call time)
Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs: check requirements for residence permit application (There may be additional conditions regarding working hours)

Time Off and Holidays

At least one fixed day off per week
Two days of leave per month
For a 12-month stay, this is about four weeks of paid holiday

Language Course

A language course is not mandatory
The Au Pair should be able to attend a German-language course
The Host Family has to pay at least half of the costs

Au Pair Responsibilities

Childcare and babysitting
Light household chores
Helping children with daily routines, homework, and preparing simple meals if agreed
Transporting the children to and from school or kindergarten, extracurricular activities, and playdates
Note: The Au Pair is not a professional caregiver/cleaner
Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs are not allowed to work outside the Au Pair job

Click here to learn more about the Au Pair’s duties.

Au Pair Insurance

Host Families must register the Au Pair with the Statutory Social Security (ASVG) before the stay begins
Below the marginal earnings threshold: statutory accident insurance is sufficient
The Host Family registers the Au Pair for accident insurance and pays the premiums
Private accident insurance does not replace the required statutory accident insurance
EU/EEA au pairs may be covered by health insurance via the EHIC
Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs need all-risks accident and health insurance valid in Austria

Driving Licence

If relevant, driving should be discussed upfront
Check the validity of the driver’s licence
Non-EU/EEA: usually valid for 6 months after registering residence in Austria. Afterwards, they must be exchanged for an Austrian licence.
A foreign driving licence that is not written in German is only valid with an international driving licence or a translation.
All terms should be in the contract

Host Families provide Au Pairs with:

Accommodation

The Host Family must provide the Au Pair with a private bedroom. The Au Pair needs to be able to lock the room from both the inside and the outside.

Meals

The family provides the Au Pair with free food and beverages, even when the Au Pair is sick or on leave.

Pocket Money

The minimum wage for Au Pairs in employment relationships established on or after January 1, 2026, is 551.10 € (= the monthly minimum wage threshold under the ASVG) for a workweek of 16.5 hours, including on-call time for childcare and light household chores. Au Pairs are legally entitled to 15 monthly salary payments a year, including two months' pay for paid leave and one month's pay for Christmas. If an Au Pair works fewer than 18 hours per week, their entitlement to these payments is reduced proportionately.

Language Course

The Host Family must enable the Au Pair to attend a German language course and pay at least half of the course fees. Non-EU/EEA citizens need to attend a German-language course if they wish to extend their Au Pair contract to 12 months in total.

Health Insurance

The Family must register the Au Pair with the Austrian social insurance system. If the Au Pair’s pay remains below the marginal earnings threshold, registration for statutory accident insurance with the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) is usually sufficient. Private accident insurance does not replace this statutory registration. The Family declares and pays for accident insurance. Health insurance is required for the Au Pair's entire stay and is also necessary to obtain a visa. The Au Pair pays for health insurance, which can be taken out either in Austria or in another country, but it must be valid in Austria.

Transportation

Host Families in Austria are not officially required to provide a public transport card, bike, or car. However, if transportation is needed for childcare duties, the Family should cover the related costs or provide suitable transportation. Any private use of a car, bike, or public transport ticket should be agreed upon in writing before the Au Pair’s stay begins.

Legal Support

The Host Family should provide the relevant documents for visa/residence permit applications, like the Au Pair contract. They also need to report their Au Pair to AMS and register them with the Austrian statutory social insurance.

Everything You Need to Know

Begin your Au Pair journey with practical guidance for every step.

Visa & Next Steps

Entry options based on the Au Pair’s nationality
Required visa/residence permit documents
Local registration steps and arrival obligations

Au Pair in Austria: Guided tour Being an Au Pair in Austria is awesome! Check out our list of interesting and beautiful places to visit in Austria and read our tips for Au Pairs.
Explore Austria

Reasons to learn German You're looking for an intellectual stimulation and are not afraid of grammar? Then learning the German language seems to be the perfect choice for you.
Start Learning

Contract Information

Understanding your agreement

Written Agreement A sample contract can be found on the Labour Market Service (AMS) website. Both parties need to sign the contract, and a copy is required for the residence permit application (for Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs). An Au Pair's residence permit is valid for as long as the contract with the Host Family, but for no longer than 12 months. More about the residence permit application can be found on our Visa & Legal Steps page.

Contract Duration Au Pairs can stay in Austria for a maximum of 12 months. For Non-EU/EEA citizens, it is important to know that the initial confirmation of report is valid for six months, but can be extended for another six months, provided certain conditions are met (e.g., evidence of improved language skills).

Both the Au Pair and the Host Family may terminate the contract at any time without providing a reason, with a two-week notice period. If the contract is terminated early, this must be reported to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (MA 35). If there is a change in Host Families, an application to amend the purpose of the stay must also be submitted.

Contract Must Include

Start and end date
Working hours per week
Free time and holidays
Au Pair duties
Pocket money
Accommodation
Language course
Insurance

Au Pair Program Costs in Austria

For Host Families and Au Pairs

Host Family Covers

Pocket money: At least €551.10 gross per month for Au Pair contracts starting from 1 January 2026.
Special Payments: Au Pairs are entitled to 15 monthly payments per year, which include holiday and Christmas payments.
Accommodation: Private bedroom in the family household, which is lockable from the inside and outside.
Food: Daily meals must also be provided if the Au Pair is sick or has the day off.
Statutory Accident Insurance: The Host Family is responsible for registering for and paying for the Au Pair's statutory accident insurance.
AMS Notification Fee: For Au Pairs from third countries, the family must notify the AMS. The current AMS fee for Au Pairs is €44.
Language Course Contribution: The Host Family must allow the Au Pair to attend a German course and pay at least half of the costs.
Transport: Costs if transport is needed for childcare or household duties.
Household-related costs: internet, utilities, and everyday living expenses.
Optional Extras: You may choose to contribute to health insurance, travel costs, public transportation, phone/SIM card, or the use of a private car. These contributions should be agreed upon in writing.

Au Pair Covers

Travel Costs: to and from Austria, unless agreed otherwise.
Health Insurance: can be taken out either in Austria or in another country, as long as it is valid in Austria.
Language Course Contribution: The Au Pair usually covers the remaining costs of the German course if the host family pays half.
Residence Permit Fee: Third-country Au Pairs require a residence permit called "Sonderfälle unselbständiger Erwerbstätigkeit". From 2026, the fee for a temporary residence permit is €218.
Visa Fee: for a Working Holiday visa (€195 for most countries).
Document Costs: Additional documents required for the visa application or residence permit may incur additional costs.
Personal Expenses: Private spending, leisure activities, personal travel, phone plan, etc.

What else?

Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs are not allowed to accept any other job or employment in Austria.
The Host Family must provide the Au Pair with a dated breakdown of their working hours, the remuneration paid for those hours, and details of any deductions made.
Third-country citizens require a special employment residence permit that covers the full duration of their Au Pair employment.
Non-EU/EEA Au Pairs: A Host Family can only employ a foreign Au Pair if they have notified the relevant regional office of the Public Employment Service (AMS) of the Au Pair arrangement (using the notification form) no later than two weeks before the Au Pair begins work, and the AMS has issued a confirmation of notification.

What our customers have to say about us and our service:

Member since 3 years

Nicola's family, Austria

❱ American Au Pair

We have found our first Au Pair on AuPair.com and are very happy. We now started to look for our new Au Pair for next year.

Jana, German

Au Pair in Austria
My host family has been very open and friendly. My main responsibility was the 4-year old girl while the parents were at work. I helped with small household chores such as folding laundry or ❱❱

Member since 5 years

Michaela's family, Austria

❱ German Au Pair

Madlen met our expectations exactly and exceeded them by far. We hope that if she wants to work as an au pair again, we will be able to welcome her back.

Member since 9 years

Maria's family, Austria

❱ South-African Au Pair

Best experience ever! We wish he could stay longer!