Au pairs in Germany need three types of insurance: health, accident, and liability. Your host family is legally required to cover the costs — typically €30–60/month. Get this wrong and your visa can be refused before you even board the plane.
This guide explains exactly what you need, who pays, which providers offer the best value, and what rules apply if you’re au pairing in France, Spain, the Netherlands, or elsewhere in Europe.
What Insurance Do Au Pairs in Germany Need?
German law requires three separate coverage types for au pairs:
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance (Krankenversicherung) | Doctor visits, hospital stays, emergencies, prescriptions | Yes |
| Accident insurance (Unfallversicherung) | Injuries during childcare duties, commuting accidents | Yes |
| Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) | Damage to the host family’s property, third-party claims | Yes |
The German federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is explicit: the au pair contract must state that the host family arranges and pays for all three types of coverage. No insurance clause in the contract = no approval for a residence permit.
What About GKV (Public Health Insurance)?
Au pairs cannot join the statutory public health insurance (GKV) as au pairs. GKV membership requires an employment relationship subject to social security contributions — and au pair arrangements are legally classified as a cultural exchange, not employment. This is a common point of confusion.
Your only option is private au pair insurance — purpose-built plans from specialist providers.
Who Pays — Host Family or Au Pair?
In Germany, the host family pays. This is a legal obligation embedded in the Au-Pair-Richtlinien (guidelines by the Federal Employment Agency). It must be written into the au pair contract.
In practice:
- The host family takes out the policy and pays the monthly premium
- The au pair should receive a copy of the insurance certificate
- Costs are typically €30–60/month depending on provider and coverage level
- Some families use the agency they booked through to arrange insurance; others purchase directly from providers like Care Concept or HanseMerkur
If a host family tries to deduct insurance costs from your pocket money or asks you to pay yourself, this is not standard practice in Germany. Your pocket money (currently €260–340/month) is separate from insurance costs.
Legal Basis: What German Law Says
The Au-Pair-Richtlinien of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) set out the minimum requirements:
- The au pair must be covered for illness, pregnancy, childbirth, and accident
- Coverage must be in place from the first day of arrival to the last day of the stay
- The au pair contract must explicitly state the host family’s obligation to insure
- For non-EU nationals, proof of health insurance is required for the au pair visa application
Additionally, the AuPairG (Au-Pair Act, introduced in 2022) formalised these obligations at statutory level, replacing earlier administrative guidelines. § 2 AuPairG codifies the host family’s duty of care and the minimum benefits to which au pairs are entitled, including adequate insurance cover.
Provider Comparison: Best Au Pair Insurance Plans in Germany
Three providers dominate the German au pair insurance market. All three are accepted by the German embassy for visa applications.
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Health Limit | Accident Cover | Liability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care Au-Pair (Care Concept + HanseMerkur) | from €21/month | €100,000 | Included | Add-on available | Most widely used; accepted by all agencies |
| HanseMerkur Au-Pair | from €7.60/month | €20,000 (Basic) | +€0.23/day | Included | Basic plan may not meet embassy requirements |
| MAWISTA Au-Pair | from €35/month | €100,000 | Included | Available | Strong coverage; popular with non-EU au pairs |
| Dr. Walter / AU-PAIR24 | from €25/month | €100,000 | Included | Included | All-in-one; used by AuPairWorld platform |
Our recommendation: For non-EU au pairs requiring a visa, choose a plan with at least €100,000 health coverage, accident insurance, and a liability component. The HanseMerkur Basic plan’s €20,000 limit is too low for visa purposes.
What Good Au Pair Insurance Should Cover
- Emergency and urgent medical treatment
- Inpatient hospital stays (no co-pay or low co-pay)
- Prescription medications
- Dental emergencies (tooth pain, acute treatment)
- Repatriation / emergency transport home
- Accidents during childcare duties
- Damage to host family property (liability)
- Loss of host family’s house key (yes, this specific cover exists)
- Mental health: basic crisis support (varies by plan)
What Is Typically NOT Covered
- Pre-existing conditions (most plans exclude these)
- Elective or cosmetic procedures
- Glasses or routine dental care
- Planned pregnancies (emergency pregnancy care is included)
- Sports with extreme risk (some plans exclude adventure sports)
EU vs. Non-EU Au Pairs: Different Rules
EU Citizens Au Pairing in Germany
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers emergency and medically necessary treatment in Germany — but it does not replace full au pair insurance.
The EHIC does not cover:
- Accident insurance during childcare duties
- Liability for damage to host family property
- Repatriation costs
- Private care, dental emergencies in many cases
German embassies and host family agencies still require a dedicated au pair insurance policy even for EU citizens. The EHIC works as a supplementary safety net, not your primary coverage.
Non-EU Citizens (Requiring a Visa)
If you need a German au pair visa, you must provide proof of insurance that covers:
- Health: minimum €30,000 (most providers recommend €100,000)
- Accident coverage
- Validity: entire au pair stay
The visa application is handled at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. Insurance proof is typically submitted alongside the host family’s invitation letter, the signed au pair contract, and your financial means documentation.
What Happens During Your Stay: Practical Tips
Getting Medical Care in Germany
With your au pair insurance card, you visit any doctor in Germany. The process:
- Present your insurance card or certificate at reception
- For non-emergency visits: schedule an appointment at a GP (Hausarzt) first
- Emergency? Go to the nearest hospital emergency room (Notaufnahme) or call 112
- Keep all receipts and medical documentation — some plans reimburse rather than pay directly
Accidents During Childcare
If you’re injured while looking after the children — a fall at the playground, a kitchen accident — this falls under your accident insurance. Report the accident to your host family and contact the insurer within 24–48 hours. Delayed reporting can complicate claims.
Claiming for Property Damage (Liability)
Accidents happen: a broken laptop, a scratched car, a cracked window. Your liability cover handles third-party claims. Keep the original invoice and report the incident to the insurer before paying anything out of pocket.
After Your Au Pair Year: What’s Next?
Your au pair insurance ends with your au pair contract. What happens next depends on your plans:
| Next Step | Insurance Solution |
|---|---|
| Start a degree program in Germany | Switch to GKV student rate (~€146/month via TK, AOK, etc.) |
| Language course / Studienkolleg | Continue private insurance (MAWISTA Student, Care Concept Student) |
| Return home | Policy ends; enroll in home-country coverage |
| Au pair in another country | New host-country policy required |
If you’re transitioning to student status in Germany, apply for GKV before your au pair contract ends if possible. There is a grace period, but gaps in coverage can be expensive. Read our guide to health insurance for students in Germany for details on the transition.
Au Pair Insurance in Other European Countries
Germany’s rules are among the most codified in Europe. Other popular au pair destinations have different setups:
France
- Host families are strongly recommended — but not always legally required — to provide insurance
- EU au pairs can use their EHIC for medical treatment and claim reimbursement
- Non-EU au pairs should arrange private health insurance before arrival
- France’s Sécurité Sociale is technically accessible to long-stay au pairs, but the enrolment process is complex and slow — private cover is more practical
- Recommended: Chapka, Avi International, or Care Concept plans covering France
Spain
- The minimum required coverage is €30,000 for health insurance (embassy requirement)
- The Spanish EHIC equivalent is the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE) — usable by EU citizens
- Non-EU au pairs must have private insurance as a visa condition
- Host families vary in how much they contribute — check your agency contract carefully
- Some regions (Madrid, Barcelona) have more au pair agencies with established insurance frameworks
Netherlands
- Host families are expected to cover insurance costs — this is considered an obligation by Dutch au pair agencies
- EU citizens: EHIC covers emergency care; dedicated au pair policy still recommended
- Non-EU au pairs: private insurance is a visa condition (minimum €30,000 health coverage)
- Dutch health insurance (Zorgverzekering) is not available to au pairs
United Kingdom
- Since Brexit, the EHIC no longer covers the UK for EU citizens
- EU citizens in the UK can use the NHS (National Health Service) — free at point of use — once resident
- An EHIC/GHIC only applies while traveling, not as a resident
- Au pairs in the UK on a visa should check with the hosting agency about insurance obligations
- Private insurance from €25/month is recommended as a backup
Austria, Switzerland, Belgium
- Austria: rules mirror Germany; private au pair insurance is standard
- Switzerland: Switzerland is NOT in the EU — non-EU citizens need separate Swiss health insurance; EU citizens’ EHIC does not apply
- Belgium: Host families typically arrange and pay for insurance; EU au pairs can supplement with EHIC
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my home country’s travel insurance as an au pair? Usually not. Standard travel insurance is designed for short trips, not stays of 6–12 months. It typically excludes work-related accidents, liability for employer property damage, and ongoing medical conditions. You need a dedicated au pair insurance policy.
What if my host family refuses to pay for insurance? This is a red flag. Under German law, the host family is obliged to cover insurance costs. If they refuse, contact your au pair agency or the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Do not arrive in Germany without valid insurance — you risk being turned back at the border.
Does au pair insurance cover pregnancy? Emergency care related to pregnancy complications is typically covered. Planned pregnancy and elective procedures are not. If you are pregnant before starting your au pair stay, disclose this to the insurer — some plans will cover pregnancy complications as an acute condition.
Can I extend my insurance if my au pair stay is extended? Yes. All major providers allow mid-stay extensions. Notify the insurer before your policy expires. Extensions are usually priced pro-rata.
What is the minimum insurance required for a German au pair visa? German embassies typically require health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage, valid for the full duration of the stay. Most agencies recommend a higher limit (€100,000) to be safe. Accident and liability coverage are additionally required by the au pair guidelines but may not be checked at the visa stage.
Is MAWISTA or Care Concept better for au pairs? Both are well-established. Care Concept (in partnership with HanseMerkur) is the most widely used and accepted by virtually all German au pair agencies. MAWISTA is a strong choice for non-EU au pairs who want higher coverage limits and may later transition to MAWISTA’s student plan.
Do I need insurance from day one? Yes. Coverage must begin on your first day in Germany. Many providers allow you to set an exact start date when purchasing online, even weeks in advance.
What happens if I get seriously ill and need to return home? Good au pair insurance includes repatriation coverage — the insurer organises and pays for medically supervised transport back to your home country if necessary. Check whether your plan includes this (most do at €100,000+ coverage levels).
The Bottom Line
Au pair insurance in Germany is non-negotiable — for your visa, for your safety, and for your legal protection in the host family’s home. The good news: your host family pays, policies are affordable (from €21/month), and setup takes under 15 minutes online.
For most au pairs going to Germany: Care Au-Pair (Care Concept/HanseMerkur) or Dr. Walter’s AU-PAIR24 plan are the safest bets — widely accepted, good coverage, competitive pricing.
For EU au pairs: Your EHIC is a useful supplement but never a replacement. Still take out a dedicated au pair policy.
Planning to study afterwards? Use your au pair year to research the German health insurance system. Our Germany country guide and health insurance comparison will help you plan the transition.
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