Au Pair
What is an Au Pair
The au pair program is a unique cultural exchange experience for both the au pair and the host family.
The actual term “au pair” means ‘on par’ or “equal to” in French and that is exactly what being an au pair is all about – becoming an equal member of your host family during your placement.
Looking after children and integrating with your host family in a caring home environment gives you the incredible opportunity to learn about a different culture while also sharing your own. Au pairs also have the possibility to study alongside childcare hours.
The regulations around the au pair program differ from country to country, but in general an au pair should meet the following criteria:
- An au pair can be both male or female
- Usually an au pair is between the age of 18 and 30
- Depending on the country you can be an au pair between 3 – 12 months
- Have childcare and/or babysitting experience (references) depending on your host country regulations.
- Provide a clean Police Record
- Be in good health
- Basic language knowledge
“Au pairing contributes to fostering people-to-people contacts by giving third-country nationals an opportunity to improve their linguistic skills and develop their knowledge of and cultural links with the Member States…”
Recital 23, Directive (EU) 2016/801
Good to know
Setting Expectations
Is being an au pair right for you?
Are you eligible for the Au PAir programme?
What should you expect?
What does it cost to become an au pair?
Where do you want to go?
Why use an Au Pair Agency?
“Through the Au Pair program, participants and host families take part in a mutually rewarding, intercultural opportunity. Participants can continue their education while experiencing everyday life with an American family, and hosts receive reliable and responsible childcare from individuals who become part of the family.”
U.S. Department of State, BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor Program
On YouTube
Top 5 Reasons to use an IAPA member agency
Next steps
Are you ready to become an Au Pair?
Review the list of IAPA members and contact a member in your country directly
Are you ready to apply to be an au pair? The process is simple and straightforward.
At IAPA we bring together a worldwide network of reliable, trusted member au pair agencies to help you find an au pair placement with your ideal host family.
Fill out our Au Pair enquiry form
This will automatically be sent to the members in your own country and they will contact you directly. The details you submitted will be provided to relevant member agencies only and can be used for future research purposes. IAPA will NOT distribute your details to any third parties.
No IAPA Members in Your Country?
Contact the relevant governmental department in your country of residency and ask them to provide you with a list of reputable au pair agencies.
Note: it is important to check the reliability of any non-IAPA member agency.
Contact an IAPA member in the country that you would like to go to as an au pair. It is possible that our IAPA member agency has a partner organisation in the country where you are located.