Au pair in Austria.

Who can become an au pair in Austria?

AuPairWorld describes the programme as open to people aged 18–27 with basic German. For third-country applications, AMS explicitly requires applicants to be at least 18 and younger than 28, with a minimum level of German before the placement begins; an A1 certificate can provide evidence.

The purpose is to improve German and experience Austrian family life while helping with childcare and light household tasks. It is not a route for unrestricted full-time nanny work. Check the conditions for your own nationality rather than assuming every applicant follows the same permit process.

Au pair pay in Austria in 2026

For employment relationships starting on or after 1 January 2026, the official minimum-pay tariff sets €551.10 gross per month for 16.5 hours a week, including standby time. Lower hours mean proportionately lower remuneration under the tariff. Room and meals are provided in addition, not as a replacement for the cash payment.

The tariff also provides special payments. WKO's remuneration guidance describes a full year's entitlement as three additional monthly payments, pro-rated for shorter employment. Do not budget only twelve ordinary payments or assume the usual two-payment shorthand covers the entitlement; use the tariff and official contract to check calculation and payment dates.

AuPairWorld also lists €551.10 but labels its figure as 2025. For this guide's 2026 pay and 16.5-hour limit, we use the Austrian government's 2026 tariff and USP guidance linked below.

Working hours, babysitting and time off

For 2026 starts, the weekly maximum is 16.5 hours, including standby. Childcare, babysitting and light household help belong inside the agreed hours, not on top. A family needing substantially more care should plan additional childcare rather than treat an au pair as a full-time nanny.

Au pairs have employment entitlements including paid holiday and continued pay during illness. Put the weekly rest pattern, holiday arrangements and how standby is counted in the contract, using the official Austrian sample rather than relying on another country's rules.

• Write down start and finish times, school runs and babysitting evenings
• Leave time for German classes and the cultural part of the stay
• Agree duties related to children and light household help before accepting a placement

Visas and AMS confirmation: EU/EFTA vs non-EU

EU/EFTA nationals do not need a visa to enter for an au pair stay, but address registration still applies. For a stay longer than three months, a residence registration certificate is also required. This is different from a third-country residence permit.

For third-country nationals, the host family must notify the relevant AMS office at least two weeks before employment starts and obtain an au pair confirmation. The confirmation initially covers six months and may be extended for another six if the conditions are met. It is not a visa: the au pair must separately confirm the appropriate entry and residence permission with the Austrian authorities.

Au pair employment is limited to twelve months overall. AMS also checks previous au pair employment in Austria: third-country applicants must not have worked as an au pair there for more than a year during the preceding five years. Do not book travel before your required permissions are in place.

What hosting an au pair costs in Austria

A family's budget starts with the applicable gross monthly pay and statutory special payments. It also needs to cover accommodation, meals, social-insurance obligations, employee pension provision contributions and the course contribution in the contract. There is no single reliable all-in price for every household.

The official sample contract says the family enables German-course attendance and pays half the course cost. If the family requires a pedagogical qualification course, such as babysitting training, it pays that course's full cost.

Social-insurance registration and AMS notification are separate tasks. The family must register the employment before work starts and check which insurance contributions and benefits apply. Do not assume registration alone provides comprehensive health cover; confirm health and accident protection before arrival.

• Ordinary pay: €551.10 gross per month at 16.5 weekly hours for 2026 starts
• Budget statutory special payments separately, including pro-rating for shorter stays
• Provide a room and meals, and account for household and agreed transport costs
• Pay half the German-course fees under the official sample contract
• Agree travel, insurance and any setup costs in writing rather than assume who pays

How to find a match

On The Pair Network, families and au pairs can create a profile, browse members after signing in and talk directly. State that the placement is in Austria and include the town, start date, length of stay, children's ages, German level and the planned weekly routine.

Discuss the 16.5-hour limit, gross pay, special payments, course costs and paperwork in a video call before making a commitment. Check references and agree a written Austrian contract; an online match does not establish visa eligibility or replace those checks.