Taking the leap and leaving your home country to work as an au pair is an exciting option that is popular among young people. The best places to au pair in Europe are mostly centralized in Western Europe and/or in the Scandinavian countries due to the excellent benefits and vast opportunities to immerse yourself in various European cultures.
Deciding where to au pair in Europe is one of the most important questions you need to figure out first. Note, in Europe you will get paid a reasonable salary with room and board included. On top of this, sometimes there are extra benefits like language courses, health insurance, and more.
If you enjoy hanging out with kids, then taking care of young children abroad is a great way to get international work experience. Also, you will get to have fun while learning important life skills while getting paid to live and work in Europe!
Is it a good idea to au pair in Europe?
We’ll let you in on a little secret…if you love working with kids, becoming an au pair in Europe is a GREAT idea.
Becoming an au pair in Europe is a great idea. You will be close to other countries, allowing you to travel and explore different cities in your free or “off time.” Because English is spoken so widely in Europe, it will be easier to get around and find fun activities with the kids you are an au pair for!
While you’re young, it is the best time to go. Most countries have 12-month (or one-year) visas available for au pairs around the age group ranging from 18 to 30 years old. However, make sure you check with each country’s embassy because eligibility varies.
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8 best places to au pair in Europe
The best places to au pair in Europe are based on your own personal preferences. It’s easy to pick where to au pair in Europe once you gather information on benefits, salary, and other requirements.
When picking a country, make sure you take visa requirements seriously. Also, you must make sure you check to see if there are eligibility requirements for international au pairs.
1. Sweden
Sweden is a great country to live and work. Popular cities to au pair in include Stockholm and Gothenburg. The average age requirements to au pair range from 18 to 30 years old. You’ll have plenty of time to work on a degree or at another job because au pair positions in Sweden are usually part-time at around 25 hours per week.
Because it is only a part-time job, the salary for an au pair is not that high. However, the benefits of the position might outweigh this because your room and board will be paid for by your employer!
Also, employers pay for a mandatory language course that au pairs need to take. It’s a great opportunity for some free education while improving your foreign language skills.
- Recommended program: Au Pair Abroad with World Voyage
2. Germany
See another side of Germany when you head there as an au pair.
Germany is a great place to live and work, even temporarily. English is spoken well in most major cities in Germany such as Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne.
However, beginner-level German is usually a requirement needed to obtain a 12-month visa for an au pair job in Germany. You will most likely need to take a test to prove your German language skills.
On the positive side, health insurance is usually provided for au pairs in Germany, even though you’ll work a maximum of 30 hours each week. The salary is a reasonable living wage and the typical hiring age range is from 18 to 26 years old.
- Recommended program: German Au-pair: for Australien, Kanada, USA, und Europa
3. Ireland
Ah, the luck of an au pair worker in Ireland! Working temporarily or working on your holiday is popular for internationals in Ireland.
Accommodations, training, guaranteed job placement, and in-country emergency support are included in some au pair programs in Ireland. Some popular cities to au pair in include Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick.
A nice bonus to working in Ireland is that English is spoken there, but you may have trouble understanding some of the thicker accents. The ages for au pair positions are between 18 and 30 years old in Ireland. As an international or foreigner, it will be easier to obtain a working visa in Ireland if you meet this requirement.
- Recommended program: Work Holiday in Ireland - Cash In on the Luck of the Irish
4. Denmark
Denmark au pairs range from 17 to 29 years old. The positions are no more than 30 hours per week, which could leave you time to find another job or maybe take a couple of classes while abroad.
Another huge appeal for Americans is that your health insurance is paid for by your employer. On top of this, sometimes your trip home is even paid for as well. Working in Denmark usually comes with a higher salary in the cities of Copenhagen, Aarhus, or Odense.
There are lots of English speakers, so communication with locals will not be a problem. Denmark is a very relaxed, comfortable country to spend a year working with children.
- Recommended program: Au Pair Abroad with World Voyage
5. Spain
Ready to find out for yourself why Spain is one of the best places to au pair in Europe?
If you aren’t enticed to live and work in Spain just based on the great weather, beautiful beaches, and delicious food, then go for the flexible work arrangements. It’s possible to au pair in Spain for one month, three months, six months, or even a full year.
You don’t even need to speak Spanish to become an au pair. Language skills are ideal, but beginners and advanced Spanish language learners are all welcome.
Some au pair programs even include a short Spanish crash course to prepare you for living in great cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Bilbao, and more.
- Recommended program: Au Pair Posts Available for Spanish Families!
6. France
You can work part-time in France in cities like Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and more. You will have the opportunity to take care of children while teaching them your native language as well. To qualify for an au pair in France, you need to commit to working for at least three months.
While English is spoken widely, learning French couldn’t hurt. Some au pair placement providers offer French classes to help workers hit the ground running.
It’s a great idea to au pair in France because every day you will be exposed to rich, beautiful French culture while getting paid to hang out with kids.
- Recommended program: Part-time Nannying Jobs in France
7. Italy
You’ll never run out of things to do in Italy. It is so much fun to eat, sightsee, hike, bike, and explore the country. The endless options for activities will make entertaining children and yourself easy to do!
In most big tourist cities like Rome, Florence, Sorento, Verona, and so on, English is spoken very well. However, it is recommended that you learn some basic Italian to make sure you can communicate well with your host family and/or employer.
After you get your work visa, you will be paid a reasonable salary with accommodations included.
- Recommended program: Au Pair in Italy - Travel, Work and Earn
8. United Kingdom
Have fun exploring all the UK has to offer while bonding with the kids.
Have you considered being an au pair in the UK? Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England have many great opportunities for young people to work and live for a short amount of time.
Internationals love working in the UK because it’s easy to communicate with others in English, it’s close to other countries and cities worth exploring, and there is free accommodation (like most au pair jobs). Some of the most popular cities for au pairs include London and Manchester.
In the UK, you will most likely work part-time hours, which gives you plenty of alone time while abroad. Also, showing that you lived and worked in an unfamiliar environment looks great on your resume.
- Recommended program: Au Pair in the UK – Become Part of the Family!
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Build your resume and see Europe from a new perspective as an au pair!
Free accommodation abroad, a stable job, international work experience, health insurance, and language learning opportunities are all great benefits you could receive when you become an au pair! This opportunity is different from studying or interning abroad. You will get paid a reasonable and liveable salary while having a great time taking care of children.
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