1.5 Days Off Per Week

The minimum time off required by most European au pair regulations — typically one full day plus half a day, with at least one full weekend off per month.

200 Hours of Childcare

The minimum verified childcare experience required for J-1 au pair candidates going to the USA. Documented through written references.

A1 Language Level

The basic beginner level on the CEFR scale. Required for the German au pair visa — you should be able to introduce yourself and have simple conversations.

Alliance Française

France's official cultural network, offering French language courses worldwide. The most common destination for au pairs in France using their language course allowance.

Anmeldung

The mandatory address registration in Germany. Au pairs must register at their host family's address within 14 days of arrival at the local Bürgeramt (citizens' office).

Au Pair

A young person (typically 18-26) from abroad who lives with a host family, helps with childcare and light household tasks, and participates in cultural exchange. In return they receive room, board, pocket money and the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and language.

Au Pair in America

A common umbrella term for J-1 visa au pair programs in the United States. Different from European 'au pair visa' arrangements which are direct between au pair and host family.

Au Pair Plus

An optional extension some European programs offer where an au pair works extra hours (up to 35-40/week) for higher pocket money.

Au Pair Society

The German professional association of au pair agencies that sets quality standards for member agencies. Look for member agencies if going through an agency in Germany.

Au Pair Visa (Germany)

Germany's dedicated visa category for non-EU au pairs aged 18-26. Requires a contract with a registered host family, basic German skills (A1), and registration with the local Foreigners' Office on arrival.

Au Pair Year

The standard length of an au pair placement, usually 12 months. Some programs allow extensions of 6, 9 or 12 additional months.

Aufenthaltstitel

The German residence permit that au pairs receive after arriving in Germany on their au pair visa. Issued by the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) and valid for the duration of the au pair year.

Background Check

A criminal records check au pairs are required to pass in most countries. May include local police clearance and/or international checks.

BSN (Burgerservicenummer)

The Dutch citizen service number. Au pairs in the Netherlands need to register at the local Gemeente to receive one before they can work or open a bank account.

Carte de Séjour

France's residence permit for non-EU au pairs. Required for stays over 90 days; applied for at the local prefecture after arrival.

CEFR

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The European standard for measuring language proficiency, with levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Many au pair visas require A1 or A2 in the local language.

Childcare Hours

The number of hours per week an au pair is expected to provide childcare. Most European countries cap this at 30 hours per week. The United States allows up to 45 hours.

Codice Fiscale

Italy's tax identification code. Au pairs in Italy need one to register with the local authorities, open a bank account, or sign a phone contract. Free to obtain at any tax office.

Cultural Care Package

A bundle of services some agencies offer including visa sponsorship, medical insurance, and 24/7 support. Available only through agencies, not marketplaces.

Cultural Exchange

The mutual sharing of language, traditions, food, and customs between an au pair and their host family. It's the heart of every au pair program.

DS-2019

The 'Certificate of Eligibility' document required for J-1 visa applicants going to the USA. Issued by the sponsoring au pair agency.

ECPAT Code of Conduct

An ethical code many European au pair platforms and agencies follow to protect young people from exploitation and trafficking. A trust signal worth checking.

Education Allowance

Money the host family contributes toward the au pair's local language or college courses. In the USA this is $500-$1,000 per year; in Germany it's typically €50/month.

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

A free card that gives EU/EEA citizens access to state-provided healthcare in any other EU/EEA country. Useful for au pairs from EU countries; non-EU au pairs need separate private insurance.

EU/EEA Freedom of Movement

The legal right of citizens from EU and EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) to live, work, and become au pairs in any other member state without a visa or permit.

Free Browsing

On DearAuPair, host families can browse every au pair profile for free. Messaging requires an active membership.

Goethe-Institut

Germany's official cultural institute, offering German language courses worldwide. Many German host families contribute toward au pairs' courses here or at similar schools like the Volkshochschule.

Hire Request

A formal offer from a host family to an au pair (or vice versa) to begin an au pair year together, sent through a platform like DearAuPair.

Host Family

The family that welcomes an au pair into their home. They provide accommodation, meals, pocket money, and treat the au pair as part of the family during their stay.

J-1 Visa

A non-immigrant visa for the United States that allows foreign nationals to participate in approved exchange visitor programs, including the au pair program. Requires a designated sponsor agency.

Live-In Childcare

Any childcare arrangement where the caregiver lives in the host family's home. Au pairs are the most common form of live-in childcare globally.

Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

The national visa most non-EU au pairs need to live in a European country for more than 90 days. Issued by the destination country's embassy and tied to a specific purpose like 'au pair'.

Marketplace

A platform where au pairs and host families connect directly without an intermediary handling matching, contracts, or payments. DearAuPair is a marketplace.

Match

The agreement between an au pair and a host family to live and work together. A successful match is the result of profile browsing, interviews, and mutual trust.

Membership

A paid plan that unlocks unlimited messaging on DearAuPair for host families. Plans start at €9.99/month, with no auto-renewal.

Pocket Money

The weekly or monthly stipend paid to an au pair on top of free room and board. Amounts vary by country, from around €260/month in Germany to ~$195/week in the United States.

Profile

A digital page on an au pair platform showing photos, experience, languages, availability, and preferences. The first impression a family or au pair gives.

Profile Completion

How much of a profile the user has filled out. DearAuPair requires at least 60% completion plus a profile photo before users can browse or be browsed.

Reference Letter

A written endorsement from a previous childcare employer, family or teacher attesting to the au pair's character and experience. Strongly recommended on every profile.

Rematch

The process of finding a new host family or au pair when an initial match doesn't work out. Common in agency-based programs.

Repatriation

Returning to your home country at the end of an au pair year, usually with a return flight included in the program or covered by the host family.

Room and Board

The au pair's private bedroom and all meals, provided free of charge by the host family. This is a fundamental part of every au pair arrangement.

Schengen Area

The 27+ European countries that have abolished passport controls between each other. EU and EEA citizens can freely move and work as au pairs across the Schengen Area without a visa.

SEVIS Fee

A US government fee (currently around $35) paid by J-1 visa applicants to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Sponsor Agency

An organization (mostly relevant in the USA) authorized by the government to vet, train, and support au pairs and host families. DearAuPair is NOT an agency — we're a direct marketplace.

TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

The Spanish foreigner identity card that non-EU au pairs in Spain need to obtain within 30 days of arrival. Required to open a bank account and access services.

Trial Period

A short period at the start of an au pair placement (usually 2 weeks to 1 month) where either party can end the arrangement without penalty.

Verified Profile

A profile whose owner has confirmed their email and (for families) verified a payment card with Stripe to prevent spam.

Volkshochschule (VHS)

Germany's network of adult education centers. Affordable language courses in German that many au pairs in Germany attend with the family's contribution.

Working Holiday Visa

A travel authorization (e.g. for Australia, New Zealand, the UK) that lets young people work and travel abroad for up to a year. Often used by au pairs going to countries that don't have a dedicated au pair visa.

Au Pair Glossary