Working as an Au Pair in France
Information on working as an au pair in France. Details about legal requirements, legal rights, income, accommodation, safety and where to find work …
An au pair is normally a single person (aged between 18 and 30) who lives with a host family - usually in a country other than their homeland - in order to help with childcare during the day. In addition to their main duty, an au pair may also be asked to do other related activities such as light housework, babysitting, or even helping the children learn a new language or sport. An au pair can also be invited to take part in family activities. Being an au pair provides the opportunity to study a language and culture while living as part of a family.Finding a Host Family
There are many different ways to find a host family; the main ones are listed below. When finding work via an online database or classified advertisement (that is, without the support of a conventional agency that normally carries out extensive screening of both parties) it is sometimes difficult to know the precise situation and expectations of the potential employer. Therefore, to ensure that the au pair and host family get what they are expecting, working conditions, duties, salary, days off and living conditions should be agreed upon before beginning work.Au pair agencies
It is possible to find au pair placements through French agencies. Some agencies charge high fees that must be paid in advance. A number of established agencies belong to the Union Francaise des Associations Agences Au Pair (French Union of Au Pair Agencies, UFAAP).Online agencies
Online agencies provide databases of host families looking for an au pair and au pairs looking for jobs. Prospective au pairs normally pay a small fee to register their details (age, nationality, relevant experience and usually a photograph) which then become accessible to registered host families. When an au pair finds a suitable host family (or vice versa) the two parties can make contact via email and then telephone and decide whether they are compatible.Classified advertisements
Many families looking for an au pair use Internet forums to post classified advertisements. In general they give a brief outline of their requirements and ask potential au pairs to respond directly by phone or email. In addition, au pairs looking for work also place ads on these sites. In both cases the more information provided in these ads the better the chance of success. Note: Young people already living in Paris can look for host families via classified advertisements posted on notice boards at organisations such as The American Church in Paris and The American Library in Paris.Work contract
Once agreement has been reached regarding working terms and conditions, the au pair and the employer/host family sign a contract, the Accord de placement au pair d’un stagiaire aide familial. A non-EU citizen and the host family must sign the contract before the au pair leaves their home country. EU citizens can sign the contract after they have arrived in France.- Information from the Council of Europe on the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement
Visas and residence permits
There are different formalities for EU and non-EU citizens. EU/EEC nationals do not need to obtain a visa to enter France. France has working-holiday agreements with several countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia. A national of one of the participating countries may work in France as an au pair provided that they are coming to France to travel and are using the au pair job to fund that travel. Anyone entering this programme must:- Be aged between 18 and 30 when work begins
- Have a valid passport
- Have a return ticket showing the start date and end date of the trip
- Provide proof that they have the funds to cover expenses for the duration of the stay
- Be aged between 18 and 30 at the time of the visa application
- Have not participated in the scheme before
- Have a valid passport
- Have a return ticket or proof that the applicant has enough funds to purchase a return ticket
- Provide proof that the applicant has enough funds at the beginning of the stay to cover the expenses of the entire trip
- For information on residence permits see the Angloinfo Guide, Non-EU Citizens Moving to France
Language courses
A non-EU citizen is required to enrol in a French language course to achieve a minimum language standard. This should normally involve between three and ten hours of lessons per week. Most host families contribute towards the cost of language classes. French lessons are offered by a variety of public associations/institutions and private companies. The local Mairie (mayor’s office) should have information on associations offering classes.Working hours and days off
An au pair will usually work between 25 and 30 hours per week and can be expected to work two or three evenings per week babysitting. They will normally be allowed one or two days off per week (one normally being Sunday).Salary
The host family provides accommodation (a private bedroom) and all meals. In addition, an au pair can expect to receive a salary (often called pocket money) which varies depending on the number of hours worked and the types of additional duties undertaken. Note: In Paris, host families also provide a monthly citywide travel pass.Travel costs
The au pair will normally be asked to cover the cost of travel from their home country to France. In some instances the host family will pay part of the travel cost after working for at least half the agreed time.Work conditions
In the event that something goes wrong or conditions are unsatisfactory, it is best to discuss this directly with the host family. If the issue cannot be resolved or be discussed with the host family, then the agency should be contacted for assistance.- Find a support group for English-speakers living and working in France
Public and Private Health Insurance
Au pairs are entitled to French state-subsidised health
insurance. The host family is obliged to register and pay any medical insurance
contributions for their employee. To be insured by the French national health
service, the host family is responsible for registering the au pair as a Stagiaire Aide
Familial (student/family
helper) with URSSAF (Unions de Recouvrement des Cotisations de
Sécurité Sociale et d'Allocations Familiales) and register them
with their local French national health insurance provider (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie, Ameli)
within eight days of their arrival. Private health insurance is not obligatory
in France but it is advisable that the au pair have health and travel insurance
to cover the duration of their stay. For more information on healthcare and insurance
see:
- The
Angloinfo Guide, Health Care Abroad - Europe
- The
Angloinfo Guide, State Health Insurance in France
Resources for Employers
- Accord Européen
Pour le Placement Au Pair
- Assurance Maladie
- DDTEFP (Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi, de la
Formation Professionnelle et du Dialogue Social)
- URSSAF (Unions de Recouvrement des Cotisations de
Sécurité Sociale et d'Allocations Familiales)
- UFAAP (Union Francaise des Agences Au Pair)
Further Information
- Information
from the French Government website, Service
Public (in French)
- IAPA (International Au Pair Association)