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Which insurance does an au pair need in Germany?

In short

Which insurance does an au pair need in Germany? Health and accident insurance that also covers pregnancy and childbirth. The Federal Employment Agency requires this, and the host family pays all premiums. Liability insurance is not mandatory, though many agencies recommend it. Packages cost about EUR 25 to 70 a month.

Which insurance does an au pair need in Germany?

What it costs

Published premiums for au pair packages and for a tariff for young guests in Germany, checked in November 2026.

ExampleTypical range
Au pair package with health, accident and liability cover, depending on scopeabout EUR 25 to 70 a month
Tariff for young guests in Germany, health only, basic tarifffrom EUR 1.19 a day, about EUR 36 for 30 days
Same tariff with accident, liability and emergency packagefrom EUR 1.46 a day, about EUR 44 for 30 days
Higher tariff with package including luggagefrom EUR 2.35 a day, about EUR 71 for 30 days

Daily prices as of November 2026 from published tariff pages;

the 30 day and one year figures are calculated from them.

The host family's obligations come from the Federal Employment Agency information sheet of April

2023.

As a broker we obtain the right tariff for your au pair.

Worked example

Family with two children, au pair for twelve months

How the mandatory costs add up for one year, using the published daily prices and the rules of the Federal Employment Agency.

Health, accident and liability package, basic tariff (365 × EUR 1.46)about EUR 533
Alternatively higher tariff without waiting period for delivery (365 × EUR 2.35)about EUR 858
Pocket money (12 × EUR 280)EUR 3,360
Contribution to the German courseat least EUR 840

With the basic package about EUR 4,733 a year, not counting room, food and travel passes. The higher tariff costs about EUR 325 more and closes the gap for pregnancy and delivery in the first six months.

What the host family must insure

Au pair placements in Germany are not subject to compulsory social insurance, so the au pair does not automatically join a statutory health fund. According to the information sheet of the Federal Employment Agency, insurance covering illness, pregnancy and childbirth as well as accidents must be taken out for the au pair. All premiums are borne by the host family.

The host family does not need an employer number for this. The information sheet does not distinguish between au pairs from the EU and from other countries when it comes to insurance. The policy must run for the whole stay.

InsuranceRequired?Who pays
Health insurance including pregnancy and childbirthyeshost family
Accident insuranceyeshost family
Liability insuranceno, but often recommendedusually the host family as part of a package
Luggagenoby agreement
Travel to and from Germanyno insurance, the au pair usually pays the faresau pair

Why ordinary travel health insurance does not fit

Travel health insurance for holidaymakers usually covers trips of a few weeks. An au pair stays for at least six months and at most one year, so you need a tariff for young guests in Germany that covers the whole period.

Watch the waiting periods. Some au pair tariffs pay for pregnancy check-ups and delivery only after six months in the basic tariff, while the higher tariff pays them from day one. Dentures are covered there only in the higher tariff, and only after six months. Ask exactly what applies from the first day before you sign.

Accident and liability in the package

The accident cover in the package pays a lump sum for permanent injury. In a published tariff for young guests in Germany this is EUR 20,000 in the basic and EUR 60,000 in the higher tariff.

Liability cover is not required but matters: if the au pair drops a neighbour's phone while playing with the children or causes a crash on a bike, the au pair is personally liable. Good packages also cover damage in the host family's home, in the tariff mentioned up to EUR 10,000 or EUR 25,000.

Who can be an au pair and what that means for the policy

An au pair must be at least 18 at the start and must not yet have reached 27 when applying for the residence permit. The au pair helps with childcare and light housework for no more than six hours a day and 30 hours a week.

Tariffs for young guests match this: in the example above the insured person must be under 35 and must not be covered by German statutory health and long term care insurance, and the insurer covers stays of up to 365 days. One au pair year is therefore covered; a follow-on stay needs its own solution.

What the host family pays besides insurance

On top of insurance come a private room, free board and pocket money of EUR 280 a month. The family contributes at least EUR 840 to the German course, either EUR 70 a month or in one payment, plus travel costs to the nearest suitable course.

Part of the cost of an au pair can be claimed as childcare costs for tax purposes. Ask your tax adviser how much is recognised.

Step by step

  1. Fix the arrival date and the end of the au pair year, with a few days to spare.
  2. Choose a tariff for young guests in Germany that covers illness, pregnancy, childbirth and accidents.
  3. Compare waiting periods for delivery, check-ups and dentures.
  4. Add liability cover that includes damage in the host family's home.
  5. Set the start date no later than the day of entry and keep the certificate ready for the visa or agency.
  6. Note the premium for your tax return as part of childcare costs.

Checklist

  • Illness, pregnancy and childbirth included
  • Accident insurance with a lump sum for permanent injury
  • Term covers the whole stay
  • Liability cover including damage in the host family's home
  • No excess that overstretches the au pair
  • Age limit of the tariff suits the au pair

Common mistakes

  • Buying holiday travel health insurance that only lasts a few weeks
  • Choosing a tariff that excludes pregnancy or pays only after months
  • Deducting premiums from the pocket money although the host family must pay them
  • Skipping liability cover and paying for damage in your own home

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does the host family have to pay for the au pair's insurance?

Yes.

According to the Federal Employment Agency information sheet,

all insurance premiums are borne by the host family.

Is an au pair in Germany covered by social insurance?

No.

Au pair placements are not subject to compulsory social insurance,

which is why separate health and accident cover is needed.

Is liability insurance mandatory for au pairs?

No.

Many agencies recommend it; in the tariff mentioned the add-on package with accident and liability

cover starts at EUR 0.27 a day.

Does an au pair from the EU also need insurance?

The Federal Employment Agency information sheet requires cover for illness, pregnancy,

childbirth and accidents without distinguishing by country of origin.

How much does au pair insurance cost per month?

About EUR 25 to 70 depending on cover.

A tariff for young guests with health,

accident and liability cover starts at about EUR 44 for 30 days.

How much pocket money does an au pair get?

EUR 280 a month, regardless of working hours.

On top come room, board and at least EUR 840 for the German course.

Sources

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