Au-Pair in Austria

Austria has an official au‑pair program — but a special one: au‑pairs are legally considered marginal employees. They do not receive pocket money, but a minimum wage of €551.10 gross per month (2026) for up to 16.5 hours per week, 15 times a year, plus free board and lodging.

What distinguishes Austria from Germany

The main difference lies in the legal nature. In Germany the pocket money is a recommendation of the Federal Employment Agency; in Austria it is a minimum wage tariff, set by the Federal Collective Agreement Office and tied to the marginal employment threshold of social insurance. This leads to the second difference: the weekly hours are significantly lower at 16.5 compared with 30 in Germany — including on‑call time.

Instead there are 15 monthly payments instead of twelve: two vacation payments and a Christmas bonus are included, as in any employment relationship in Austria. Vacation entitlement is governed by the Vacation Act.

The path for non‑EU citizens

The host family registers the employment at least two weeks before the start with the regional AMS and receives an registration confirmation, initially for six months, extendable to twelve. For a stay longer than six months an additional residence permit for special cases of non‑self‑employed work is required, which must be applied for in person at the Austrian representation authority in the home country.

A German language proof at level A1 is required before the start. Within the last five years one may not have been an au‑pair in Austria for more than twelve months. EU citizens need none of this — only a registration certificate within four months.

What the host family provides

A furnished, lockable private room and full board, both free of charge. At least half of the German course costs. And registration for accident insurance with the ÖGK — a private accident policy does not replace this.