The Au Pair programme is the cheapest legal way for an Indian to live in Germany. You move in with a host family for 6–12 months, help with childcare and light housework 25–30 hours a week, and in return you get a room, all meals, health insurance, €280/month pocket money, and a language course paid for. Total out-of-pocket cost from India: around ₹50,000–80,000 including the visa and flight.
It is not a career step — you leave Germany at the end unless you convert to another visa. But used right, Au Pair is the perfect bridge for Indians aged 18–26 to learn German to B1, experience daily life, and line up the next route (Ausbildung, Chancenkarte, or study) before the 12 months end.
Who qualifies
- Age 18 to 26 (27 is possible but strongly discouraged by consulates)
- German A1 minimum — Goethe, telc, or ÖSD certificate
- No child of your own (the visa category assumes you have no dependents)
- Not married
- Unmarried and childless host family relationship — you cannot au pair for your own relatives
- Basic experience with children — babysitting, teaching, tutoring counts
The Au Pair contract — what the host family provides
- Private, furnished room in their home
- Three meals a day
- At least €280/month pocket money (Gastgeld)
- Monthly public transport ticket (in most cases)
- Access to a German language course — family pays €50/month toward fees
- Public health insurance coverage
- Four weeks paid leave per year
- Maximum 30 working hours per week (including max 6 hours/day)
- Maximum 2 Sundays of work per month
What you provide
- Childcare — picking up from school, play time, bath time, occasional bedtime
- Light household help — loading dishwasher, their kids’ laundry, keeping common areas tidy
- Sometimes light meal prep for kids
- Your time and companionship for the family
Au Pair work does not include deep cleaning, cooking for adults, caring for elderly family members, or pet care as primary duties. If a host family asks for these, it is a red flag — report to your agency.
Finding a host family
Recognised matching platforms
- Aupair.com — largest platform, free basic membership
- AuPairWorld — Europe-focused, strong German presence
- Aupair-in-Deutschland.de — Germany-only, vetted families
- Smart Au Pair — includes matching interviews and contract support
Vetted agencies (recommended)
- Gütegemeinschaft Au Pair (GAP): industry self-regulation body. Agencies with the RAL-Gütezeichen seal follow strict standards.
- VIJ (Verein für Internationale Jugendarbeit): non-profit, best pastoral support if something goes wrong
Avoid any agency asking for more than €300 in fees. Reputable agencies in India charge ₹15,000–25,000 total.
The visa: §12 AufenthG
Documents
- Passport (12 months beyond intended stay)
- Signed Au Pair contract (standardised template, 2 copies in German)
- German A1 certificate
- Proof of childcare experience (references, letters from parents you’ve babysat for)
- Education certificates up to 12th (apostilled)
- Clean police record (PCC from your local police, apostilled)
- Medical certificate confirming fitness for work
- Host family’s formal invitation (Einladung) and proof of their income / housing
- Travel health insurance until public insurance starts (usually covered from day 1)
Processing
- Apply at the German consulate (Mumbai / Delhi / Bangalore / Chennai / Kolkata)
- Processing time: 6–10 weeks
- Visa fee: €75 (approximately ₹7,000)
- Approval rate: ~85% for complete applications
Typical cost from India
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| A1 German course (Goethe or equivalent) | ₹18,000–35,000 |
| A1 exam fee | ₹9,500 |
| Agency (if used) | ₹15,000–25,000 |
| Apostille + translations | ₹5,000 |
| Visa fee + VFS | ₹8,200 |
| Flight (one-way) | ₹35,000–55,000 |
| Pocket money for first week on arrival | ₹10,000 |
| Total | ₹1,00,000–1,50,000 |
Compare this to a Master’s route’s ₹12–18 lakh upfront cost — Au Pair is 10x cheaper to try.
Using Au Pair as a bridge
This is the strategic value Indians miss. Your 12 months in Germany can set up the next route:
Bridge to Ausbildung
Spend your 12 months getting German to B2. In months 8–11, apply to Ausbildung contracts starting the following September. Convert visa without leaving Germany. See Ausbildung guide.
Bridge to Studium (university)
Apply to German universities during months 3–9 using Uni-Assist (how Uni-Assist works). Convert to student visa at the Ausländerbehörde.
Bridge to work (for candidates with a Bachelor’s)
If you already have a Bachelor’s, use the 12 months to network, find a job offer, and convert to a work visa or Blue Card. See Blue Card vs work visa.
Bridge to Chancenkarte
At the end of your Au Pair year, you have B2+ German and 12 months of German residency — both earn you points on the Chancenkarte. Strong candidate profile.
Common problems (and how to avoid them)
- Host family treats you like a full-time housekeeper: the 30-hour limit is the law. If it’s exceeded, contact your agency. In extreme cases, VIJ will help you switch families within the visa period.
- Remote village placement: you end up in a town with one bus a day and no language school. Before signing, demand that the placement is in or near a Goethe-Institut city (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Dresden).
- Language course not paid: the €50/month contribution is mandatory. Put it in the contract explicitly.
- Salary delays: the €280 pocket money is not negotiable and must be paid monthly. Open a Sparkasse or N26 account in your first month so it lands digitally.
- Visa extension denied: Au Pair visa is 12 months maximum, no extensions. Plan your next route by month 6.
Is Au Pair right for you?
Yes if: you are 18–26, have basic German, want to live in Germany for a year to test fit, and plan to parlay the time into Ausbildung / study / Chancenkarte.
No if: you want a full-time career path, cannot tolerate living in someone else’s home for 12 months, or are uncomfortable with childcare as your primary daily activity.
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