Click to expand the information below to learn more about pocket money, holidays, language courses, and more in France.
The pocket money in France is between € 289.50 and €347.40 per month for EU au pairs and at least €320 per month for non-EU au pairs. This should be agreed upon and noted in the contract.
EU au pairs have working hours up to 30 hours a week and non-EU au pairs can work a maximum of 24 hours a week. All au pairs are only allowed to work 5 hours per day to give them enough time to attend their language courses as well.
Au pairs in France should have at least 1 day off per week and once a month, that day should be a Sunday. There are no official regulations for holiday time, but it is recommended that au pairs get 2 weeks of paid holiday for a 6 month stay as an au pair.
It is common for au pairs in France to stay anywhere between 3 and 12 months. Some have the option to extend their length of stay for a total of 24 months if they wish to continue improving their French language skills.
EU au pairs are required to take a French language course. Non-EU au pairs are strongly recommended to take a course, and if they do not then it is expected that they participate in cultural activities to still improve their skills.
The host family should help the au pair register for the course, but the cost is the responsibility of the au pair.
As part of the au pair program, au pairs are entitled to free room and board. This means that all meals and housing are on the host family. They must live in the same house as their host family and should have a private room with a door, window, bed, wardrobe, and desk as well as access to a bathroom. Their food and living quarters are included if they become sick or are on holiday time.
The au pair is mainly responsible for childcare during their working hours which can include some meals, planning activities, and pick up from school. They cannot work during the night.
They can also contribute to light household tasks especially those that relate to the children such as doing the dishes, organizing toys, or doing the children’s laundry. Their responsibilities do not include heavy household work such as scrubbing bathrooms or vacuuming the whole house.
Au pairs can drive in France, but must have a translated version and international designation along with their home country’s driver’s license.
Au pairs in France should register with the URSSAF to get social insurance during their stay. They should also take out private health and accident insurance, which is typically covered by the host family.
