Start with the information pack
The regularly updated pack covers administrative steps, who pays for what, banking, language schools, mobile contracts, rights and duties, taxes and tax IDs, broadcasting contributions and medical costs.
Useful topics
- Opening a bank account for an au pair.
- The German tax identification number.
- Travel with an au pair visa.
- Electronics cover and exclusions in liability insurance.
- Health insurance and medical costs.
- Online German courses.
- Childcare expectations and cultural differences.
House rules
Adapt the agency’s German or English house-rule template to your family. Discuss it during the first days. Expectations that seem obvious may differ across cultures; talking early reduces misunderstandings later.
Medical confidentiality
Host parents are not directly related to the au pair, so a doctor cannot automatically provide them with medical information. The source provides a release-of-confidentiality template so the au pair can authorise support in an emergency.
Arrival checklists
Use the relevant checklist for an au pair arriving from abroad or changing families.
If an arrangement ends early
The source explains that notice must be written, received by the other party and does not require a countersignature. Au pair contracts generally provide two weeks’ notice. Immediate termination is reserved for serious circumstances.
If the family releases the au pair from duties and arranges alternative accommodation during the notice period, the source explains that accommodation and meals must be provided or paid for. Friends or relatives may also help while a new family is found.
Arrange an orderly handover of the room and keys. Obtain a receipt for pocket money paid in cash, and document outstanding claims and damage before departure.
Inform the agency and send a photograph of the termination notice. The agency can usually cancel health insurance. If the agency is not informed, placement commission may continue to be charged. The source provides templates for notice from either party.
Request the documents
Contact the agency or use the information-pack page for the relevant templates and downloads.