📅 Feb 6, 2026Written by A. Fruchard
Au Pair Insurance: Coverage, Prices and Best Plans ComparedAu pair insurance that meets official requirements. Health cover, repatriation and liability insurance. Compare plans and get an instant quote.Au Pair Program: Requirements, Visa Rules & Insurance Explained
The au pair program allows young adults to live abroad with a host family in exchange for structured childcare support and light participation in daily household life.
Often associated with the image of a female au pair, this status now applies equally to women and men, and is governed by a precise legal, administrative, and insurance framework.
This guide has been designed as a comprehensive, practical reference for anyone wishing to become an au pair from France (or another country), understand country-specific rules, assess real risks, and choose an au pair insurance policy that is truly suitable.
📌 Key takeaways – Au pair in 30 seconds
- An au pair stay is a regulated cultural exchange, not a standard job
- It involves real responsibility (children, household, third parties)
- Au pair insurance is mandatory or strongly required in most countries
- Standard travel insurance is not suitable for au pair stays
- Non-compliant insurance can lead to visa refusal or program termination
What is au pair status?
An au pair is temporarily hosted by a family abroad in order to:
- help care for children,
- perform light household tasks related to childcare,
- integrate into the family and cultural life of the host country.
In return, the host family provides:
- accommodation,
- meals,
- pocket money,
- and sometimes language courses.
👉 The term au pair applies equally to women and men. The framework is based on a balance between help provided and cultural immersion.
Who can become an au pair?
The required profile is relatively consistent worldwide:
- age generally between 18 and 30 years old (varies by country),
- single, without dependent children,
- sufficient language level to communicate with the family,
- genuine interest in childcare,
- ability to live within a family environment.
👉 The status is identical for male and female au pairs; only common usage terms differ.
How to become an au pair: key steps
- Choose the destination country
- Find a host family (via platform or specialized agency)
- Sign an au pair agreement or contract
- Check visa requirements
- Take out a compliant au pair insurance policy
👉 In non-EU countries, insurance is a core requirement, just as important as the visa.
Compare the best insurance plans designed for au pair stays.
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Get your personalized quoteAu pair requirements by country (visa, age, allowance, insurance)
Conditions for becoming an au pair vary significantly by host country.
Beyond visa and insurance, each country sets specific criteria: age limits, maximum duration, weekly working hours, minimum pocket money, and sometimes language level.
Country | Visa (type) | Insurance required | Key requirements (age, duration, allowance) | Expert insight |
🇺🇸 United States | Yes – J-1 Au Pair | ✅ Yes | age: 18–26 max duration: 12 months (+6–12 extension) allowance: ~USD 195 / week (state-regulated) | Federal program, strictly regulated: visa, allowance, and insurance tightly controlled. |
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Yes – Youth Mobility / student visa | ⚠️ Not mandatory but essential | age: 18–30 max duration: up to 24 months allowance: not regulated | Official au pair status no longer exists post-Brexit → major legal grey area. |
🇮🇪 Ireland | No (EU) | ⚠️ Recommended | age: 18–30 max duration: ~12 months allowance: €80–120 / week | No strict legal framework, but high expectations from host families. |
🇪🇸 Spain | Yes (non-EU) – Au pair visa | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 6–12 months allowance: €60–80 / week | Consulates require private insurance covering 100% of healthcare. |
🇨🇦 Canada | Yes – Visitor / youth visa | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 6–12 months allowance: CAD 150–200 / week | High healthcare costs: health + repatriation insurance essential. |
🇦🇺 Australia | Yes – Working Holiday (417/462) | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 (35 depending on nationality) max duration: 12 months allowance: variable | Insurance required upon entry. |
🇫🇷 France | Yes (non-EU) – Long-stay au pair visa | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 6–12 months allowance: ~€320 / month | Private liability within the household is often checked. |
🇩🇪 Germany | Yes – Au Pair visa | ✅ Yes | age: 18–26 max duration: 12 months allowance: ~€280 / month | Very strict country: health + liability insurance mandatory for visa. |
🇨🇭 Switzerland | Yes – Cantonal au pair permit | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 12 months allowance: varies by canton | Swiss health insurance mandatory → high cost to anticipate. |
🇮🇹 Italy | Yes – Long-stay au pair visa | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 12 months allowance: variable | Heavy administrative process, insurance required for full stay. |
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Yes – Au pair visa (approved sponsor only) | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 12 months allowance: ~€340 / month | Highly regulated program, approved agencies only. |
🇩🇰 Denmark | Yes – Au pair visa | ✅ Yes | age: 18–29 max duration: 24 months allowance: ~DKK 4,650 / month | Strongly regulated status, insurance required. |
🇳🇿 New Zealand | Yes – Working Holiday | ✅ Yes | age: 18–30 max duration: 12 months allowance: variable | Insurance required for all WHV holders, including au pairs. |
⚠️ Regulatory watch points
- Maximum age limits are strictly enforced, especially for official visas (notably the USA).
- Weekly working hours are often capped (usually 25–30 hours).
- Misclassified status can expose both au pair and host family to legal risk.
Expert advice – securing your au pair application
- Ensure the visa truly matches au pair status
- Demand a locally compliant allowance
- Take out au pair insurance compatible with visa + private liability
- Refuse any situation resembling disguised employment
How much does an au pair earn?
Au pair compensation is pocket money, not a salary under labor law. It varies by country and permitted working hours.
Country | Average pocket money |
🇫🇷 France | ~€320 / month |
🇺🇸 United States | ~USD 195 / week |
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | £90–£120 / week |
🇪🇸 Spain | €60–80 / week |
🇨🇦 Canada | CAD 150–200 / week |
🇦🇺 Australia | AUD 250–300 / week |
How much do au pairs earn?
👉 As accommodation and meals are included, the program’s balance relies mainly on the quality of the host family and living conditions.
What are the real risks of an au pair stay?
An au pair stay involves specific, often underestimated risks:
- domestic accidents (children, stairs, kitchen),
- private liability for damage caused to third parties,
- medical expenses abroad,
- contract termination or family change,
- isolation or family conflict.
👉 These situations require operational assistance and private liability coverage adapted to a family setting.
Get a quote for your au pair insurance.Why dedicated au pair insurance is essential
Au pair insurance must cover a residential risk with active liability, which standard travel insurance does not.
- long-term medical expenses,
- 24/7 assistance,
- repatriation,
- private liability insurance,
- continuity of coverage if the host family changes.
👉 Non-compliant insurance may lead to visa refusal, liability exposure, or program termination.
Expert advice – choosing the right au pair insurance
- Check visa compatibility
- Require high private liability limits
- Prioritize real 24/7 assistance
- Ensure coverage continuity for the entire stay
Should you use an au pair agency?
Specialized agencies provide:
- screening and verification of host families,
- administrative compliance,
- visa support,
- mediation in case of issues.
👉 For the United States, Canada, or Australia, using an agency is strongly recommended.
FAQ
No. It is a regulated cultural exchange, with pocket money but no standard employment contract.
Yes in most countries, and always required in practice by authorities or host families.
No. It does not cover domestic private liability or the actual duration of an au pair stay.
Yes, but only if the insurance provides continuous coverage.
The ability to manage incidents involving third parties, not just the medical coverage limit.
A. FruchardCo-Founder & Travel Insurance Expert
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