Best Countries to Au Pair Abroad: Free Housing and High Pay

Working as an au pair abroad provides you with a stable job, room and board, and some pocket money to explore your new home. If you love kids and want to immerse yourself in a different culture, au pairing might be the right move for you.

Some countries have established au pair visas and guidelines while others can be hit or miss. With this in mind, we've chosen the following eight countries due to the ease of applying for a proper visa and for the high compensation provided. Make one of them your new home during your au pair year abroad!

• Age limit: Non-EU citizens should be between 18-26, while EU citizens should be between17-30.
• Typical hours: No more than 30 hours over 6 days.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: a minimum 280€ ($300 USD). Host families are required to pay for health care costs, but not language courses.

Germany has a diverse landscape, from the Alps in the southern state of Bavaria to the harbors of northern Hamburg. There are plenty of cities and smaller towns with universities, language schools, and young people making it a good place for au pairs to meet new friends. Additionally, most Germans speak English incredibly well so you’ll be able to meet and converse with locals easily.

How to get an au pair visa for Germany

Germany offers an au pair visa to non-EU/EEA nationals who are between 18 and 26. This visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months and can't be renewed. This isn't a work permit, so au pairs aren't allowed to work outside of their childminding duties.

Au pairs must have a beginner level knowledge (A1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) of German. You will have to take a test when applying for the visa if you don’t have a certificate.

Additionally, the au pair is responsible for covering the cost of their visa and flight to Germany.

• Age limit: Au pairs should be between 18 and 30 years old.
• Typical hours: no more than 38 hours a week.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: Between $800 - $1,000 AUD ($550 - $688 USD) a month in addition to room and board.

Australia is a mecca for young people looking for a year abroad making it a wonderful choice for an au pair looking to combine work with travel. Au pairs will have no problem meeting other travelers and Aussies are always keen for a night out.

If you’re from an English-speaking country you’re less likely to have a language barrier issue (though don’t count it out completely -- Aussie slang can be like an entirely new language itself) and those looking to learn the language will find plenty of opportunities to do so.

How to get an au pair visa for Australia

Although Australia has no official au pair visa, they offer a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa to citizens of many countries who are between 18 and 30 years old. This visa allows for casual work, though you can’t stay with the same employer for longer than six months.

• Age limit: Au pairs in Sweden must be between 18-30.
• Typical hours: a maximum of 25 hours a week.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: 3,500 SEK (about $330 USD). In addition to the mandatory language course, host families in Sweden must provide room and board.

Being an au pair in Sweden will give you the opportunity to live and work in a country that might otherwise be too cost-prohibitive to spend much time in. Although your au pair salary isn't as high as other European countries on the list, free room and board will mean you'll the important stuff covered during your time in Sweden. You'll also have the chance to be exposed to a new language and, hopefully, have a chance to try some homemade Swedish meatballs.

How to get an au pair visa for Sweden

In Sweden, non-EU citizens can get a work permit to be an au pair. Au pairs in Sweden must be between 18-30 and should have an interest in studying Swedish as enrollment in a language course is required (and paid for by the host family). Au pairs can stay up to 12 months.

• Age limit: To be an au pair in the United States you must be between 18-26.
• Typical hours: no more than 45 hours a week and no more than 10 hours a day.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: $783 a month. They are also given 2 weeks of paid vacation each year, their own bedroom, and three meals a day.

Although there's a 50/50 chance that if you're here, reading this article, you're American, there's also a 50/50 chance that you're not. If you're not American, here are a few reasons to consider becoming an au pair in the U.S.

The United States is a large and diverse country with a city or town for an au pair with any preference. Especially in larger cities, there are large numbers of au pairs making it easy to meet other young people from around the world. Additionally, you'll be able to improve your English or study something at the college level with the education requirement.

How to get an au pair visa for the US

Au pairs can come to the United States through the J-1 au pair visa program. Au pairs must find their family through one of 14 agencies authorized by the United States government which means the process of finding an au pair family is slightly different.

Prospective au pairs must have a solid knowledge of spoken English and pass a criminal background check. Au pairs sign 12-month contracts which can be extended by 6, 9, or 12 months to a maximum of 24 months. Au pairs receive an educational stipend of $500, paid for by the host family.

• Age limit: EU citizens must be between 17-30 years old and au pairs from non-EU countries must be between the ages of 18 and 25.
• Typical hours: no more than 30 hours a week.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: 500 - 700 Swiss Francs (around $550 - $770 USD). The host family also provides room and board and must pay for half of the required language course.

If you want to au pair in Europe and make a great salary at the same time, this is the country for you. Switzerland is bordered by five countries and is just a short train ride away even more making it the perfect place for the au pair who wants to explore more of Europe. Like Sweden, Switzerland is an extremely expensive country and living there as an au pair will give you a chance to learn about the culture without breaking the bank.

Plus, Switzerland has four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh) so you should be able to find a family in a canton that speaks your target language.

How to get an au pair visa for Switzerland

Switzerland offers au pair residence permits to EU citizens and au pair visas for those who come from non-EU nations. EU citizens can work in Switzerland for up to two years. Au pairs from non-EU countries can stay for up to one year. Au pairs must attend a language course for a minimum of 3 hours a week.

Read more: What to Know About Becoming an Au Pair in Switzerland

• Age limit: To secure a working holiday visa for au pairing, participants must be at least 18 but no older than 30.
• Typical hours: between 25 to 30 hours a week.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: Au pairs in Canada are paid the minimum wage for the province where they're living. After room and board is deducted, they can earn between $1,219 - $1,579 CAD ($906 - $1,174 USD.

Like the United States, Canada is a huge country land-wise and offers au pairs a good chance to work while improving their English (or French, if you choose to go to Quebec). Canadians are known for being warm and friendly, so au pairs will no doubt find it easy to make local friends.

How to get an au pair visa for Canada

Canada has no official au pair program but has a working holiday visa called International Experience Canada that gives people between the ages of 18-35 years old from 27 countries the right to work in Canada on short term contracts.

Read more: How to Become an Au Pair in Canada: Requirements, Salary, & Benefits

• Age limit: Denmark au pairs must be between 17 and 29 years old.
• Typical hours: no more than 30 hours a week.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: 4,550 DKK ($656 USD) a month. Your host family will also pay for insurance and, if you’re from a non-European country, your trip home at the end of your contract..

Yes, maybe Denmark isn’t the first country you think of when planning your European au pair year, but with a high salary and prevalence of English speakers, it might be worth giving it a shot. Plus, Denmark is incredibly safe and it’s a culture that values relaxing and socializing with friends and family. How great of an au pair year would that make?

How to get an au pair visa for Denmark

Denmark issues residence permits to au pairs between 17 and 29 years old. To get this permit, the host family and au pair must sign a contract drafted by the Danish government ensuring both parties agree to all the requirements. The residence permit is only valid for 12 months.

Read more: What You Need to Know About Becoming an Au Pair in Denmark

• Age limit: Au pairs must be between 18 and 30 years old.
• Typical hours: between 30 -35 hours a week with at least one day off.
• Average monthly pay & benefits: between $680 - $920 NZD ($427 - $578 USD) in addition to room and board.

The adventurous spirit of New Zealand, coupled with the warm hospitality Kiwis are known for makes this an irresistible location to au pair abroad. New Zealand is a beautiful, diverse country. You can walk practically anywhere. Plus, if your first language is English, you won't have to worry about the language barrier.

If you want the opportunity to be a part of a family, New Zealand is the perfect place to au pair. You will be treated as more than a nanny -- you'll become a big sibling.

How to get an au pair visa for New Zealand

Similar to Australia, you will need to obtain a Working Holiday Visa to au pair in New Zealand. This visa is good for one year.

Working as an au pair will expose you to another culture and give you the opportunity to explore the world. But choosing the right country for you is important. Having the security of a work permit will ensure you not only have a great time but get the compensation and benefits you deserve for your hard work. Picking one of the above countries is a great first step to a fulfilling time abroad!

Read more: 5 Reasons You Should Au Pair Abroad