Explore au pair opportunities abroad involving cultural exchange and life with a host family. An au pair normally lives with a family and provides a limited amount of childcare and light help connected with everyday family life in exchange for accommodation, meals and, where applicable or legally required, pocket money or another allowance.

Au pair arrangements should remain balanced and clearly defined. They should not be used to disguise full-time nanny work, extensive housekeeping or another role that would normally require a paid employee.

Rules concerning age, working hours, childcare duties, compensation, insurance and immigration vary significantly between countries. Always check the current legal requirements that apply to your nationality and destination before accepting an arrangement.

What is an au pair?

An au pair is generally a young adult who temporarily lives with a host family in another country as part of a cultural and language exchange.

In a typical arrangement, the au pair becomes part of everyday family life while providing an agreed amount of help, usually connected with children and light household tasks related to them.

In return, the host family normally provides accommodation and meals. Depending on the country and arrangement, the au pair may also be entitled to pocket money, an allowance, insurance, language courses, paid leave or other benefits.

There is no single international au pair system. The legal meaning of the term and the conditions attached to it vary from one country to another.

What can an au pair help with?

Depending on local rules and the agreement with the family, suitable activities may include:

• spending time with the children;
• playing and organising age-appropriate activities;
• helping children with language practice or homework;
• preparing simple meals or snacks for the children;
• helping with school or activity routines;
• keeping children’s rooms and play areas reasonably tidy;
• light laundry or household tasks directly connected with the children;
• sharing language, traditions and everyday culture with the family.

The exact tasks should be agreed before arrival. Duties should remain proportionate to the cultural exchange and consistent with the rules that apply in the destination country.

Au pair or nanny?

An au pair and a professional nanny are not automatically the same thing. Au pairing is generally structured around cultural exchange and shared family life, while a nanny is normally employed primarily to provide childcare.

Warning signs that an arrangement may be closer to employment include very long schedules, responsibility for children throughout most of the day, extensive household cleaning, frequent overnight childcare, unclear days off or duties that would normally require an experienced paid childcare worker.

If the family mainly needs someone to replace a regular nanny or domestic employee, the role should be treated according to the applicable employment rules rather than simply labelled as volunteering or cultural exchange.

Au pair or babysitting?

Babysitting usually refers to caring for children for shorter or occasional periods and does not necessarily involve living with the family.

An au pair arrangement is normally broader and longer-term, involving accommodation with the host family and participation in everyday family life.

Some opportunities may reasonably belong to both categories, but a casual babysitting request should not automatically be classified as au pair.

Hours, days off and private time

Ask for the expected schedule in writing before travelling. Do not rely only on descriptions such as “a little help”, “flexible hours” or “just like part of the family”.

Clarify:

• the approximate number of hours expected each day and week;
• normal start and finish times;
• how many days off you receive;
• whether evening babysitting is expected;
• whether overnight responsibility for children is ever required;
• whether the schedule changes during school holidays;
• how much genuinely free time you will have;
• whether language classes or other cultural activities can fit around the schedule.

Being treated as part of the family should not mean being permanently available whenever help is needed.

Accommodation and privacy

Because an au pair normally lives in the host family’s home, accommodation and privacy are particularly important.

Ask where you will sleep, whether you will have a private room, which bathroom you will use, whether there is secure storage for personal belongings and what household rules apply.

Discuss visitors, curfews, use of shared spaces, meals, internet access, transportation and other everyday expectations before arriving.

Living with a host family creates a closer relationship than many other work exchanges, but both sides should still respect reasonable personal boundaries and private time.

Pocket money and other costs

Au pair compensation varies by country. Some destinations specify an allowance or pocket money, while others regulate the arrangement differently.

Ask exactly what you will receive and how often. Also clarify which costs are covered by the family, including food, local transport, insurance, language classes, visa-related expenses or other programme costs where applicable.

Any agency fee, deposit or other mandatory payment should be explained before you commit. Ask what it covers and what cancellation or refund conditions apply.

Childcare experience and responsibility

Looking after children is not simply another household chore. Before accepting an opportunity, be realistic about your experience and comfort level with the ages of the children involved.

Caring for a school-age child for a limited period is different from taking responsibility for babies, several young children, children with additional needs or situations requiring specialist care.

Ask the family about routines, allergies, medication, behavioural needs, school schedules and house rules. You should also know how to contact the parents and local emergency services.

If responsibilities exceed your experience, say so before the placement begins rather than attempting tasks you are not prepared for.

Safeguarding, boundaries and privacy

Both the children and the au pair need appropriate boundaries. Families should explain their expectations concerning discipline, physical contact, photographs, social media and privacy.

An au pair should never be asked to use physical punishment or other inappropriate disciplinary methods.

Children’s photos, personal information and family circumstances should not be shared publicly without appropriate permission.

For additional guidance, read Voluntouring’s information about safer volunteering and cultural exchange involving children.

Adults only on Voluntouring

Voluntouring.org currently promotes volunteering and work exchange opportunities for participants aged 18 or over.

Individual countries and official au pair programmes may have their own age ranges or eligibility requirements. Being over 18 does not automatically mean that you qualify for every au pair programme, so check the rules for the specific destination before applying.

Visas and legal status

Do not assume that an au pair arrangement is permitted on an ordinary tourist or visitor status simply because it is described as cultural exchange.

Some countries have specific au pair visas or residence permits, while others may treat childcare duties as work or regulate family-based cultural exchange under different immigration categories.

Rules may also depend on nationality, age, length of stay and the nature of the arrangement.

Check official immigration information for your destination and make sure that the documents supplied by a host or agency correspond to the status you are actually applying for.

Using an au pair agency

Some arrangements are made directly between an au pair and a family, while others are organised through an agency or cultural exchange programme.

If an agency is involved, ask what services it actually provides. These may include host-family matching, orientation, contracts, emergency support, insurance assistance or mediation if problems arise.

Check all fees carefully and find out what happens if the host family arrangement does not work out. Do not assume that the presence of an intermediary automatically guarantees the quality, legality or safety of a placement.

Questions to ask a host family

Before accepting an au pair opportunity, clarify:

• the ages and number of children;
• the exact childcare responsibilities;
• the weekly schedule and days off;
• whether evening or overnight childcare is expected;
• household duties beyond childcare;
• accommodation and privacy;
• meals and dietary arrangements;
• pocket money or other compensation;
• transport and local mobility;
• language course opportunities where relevant;
• insurance arrangements;
• emergency contacts and procedures;
• the expected duration of the stay;
• visa or residence requirements;
• what happens if either side wants to end the arrangement early.

A video call with the family before making a commitment can also help you understand the household, expectations and communication style.

How to use this page

Browse the opportunities below and open the listing that interests you. Check the publication date first, because host family requirements and programme conditions can change.

Look for the contact details or application instructions in the listing and read the complete conditions before applying.

Voluntouring does not recruit au pairs, select families, perform background checks, arrange contracts or visas, manage payments or supervise placements. Unless explicitly stated otherwise for a particular programme, communication and agreements are handled directly between participants, families and any organisation involved.

Publication on Voluntouring.org does not in itself constitute verification, endorsement or a recommendation of a family, agency or au pair programme.

For more general guidance, read Voluntouring’s information about safety and legality in volunteering and work exchanges.

Related opportunities

• Au pair opportunities in China
• Babysitting opportunities
• Cultural exchange opportunities
• Language exchange opportunities
• Home and family exchange opportunities

Important: au pair rules, visa requirements, allowances, working hours and programme conditions can change. Confirm current requirements with the host or programme and consult official information for the destination before making travel or financial commitments.

Last reviewed: September 2026.

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Browse the opportunities below and use the “Older Posts” navigation if available to continue exploring previous listings. Always confirm the current family situation, duties, schedule and legal conditions before applying.

Do you host an adult au pair cultural exchange with clear, balanced conditions and appropriate childcare responsibilities? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.

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