Au pair pocket money in country comparison 2026
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
How much pocket money does an au pair receive? In Germany it is at least €280 per month – the legal minimum, regardless of the state. It also includes free accommodation and meals, a language‑course allowance, and insurance. In other countries the allowance can be considerably higher or structured differently.
This guide compares the pocket‑money amounts in the most popular au pair destinations and explains why the figures vary. Important upfront: the amounts are legally defined in Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands and the USA – in the Netherlands as a ceiling, elsewhere as a minimum. Italy and Spain have no legal rate; the amount is freely negotiated. We highlight this clearly in the table.
Pocket money in country comparison
| Country | Allowance / month | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | min. €280 (legal) | Minimum amount, plus language course subsidy from €70 |
| Austria | minimum €551.10 (legally) | Higher than in Germany — but only 16,5 hours per week allowed |
| France | minimum €320 (legal) + board and lodging | Pocket money plus free accommodation and meals, partly as a train ticket |
| Netherlands | up to €340 (legal maximum) | No minimum, but a maximum amount — any earnings above that are taxable. |
| USA (J‑1) | at least US$195.75 per week | Nationwide regulated program through agencies |
| Spain | freely agreed, not a legal provision | There is no au pair residence permit for non‑EU citizens. |
| Italy | freely agreed, not a legal provision | No uniform fixed amount nationwide |
Important to note: the pocket money is always extra—free accommodation and full board are included in the au pair model everywhere. So never compare the pocket money to a regular salary. When you add rent and meals, the real value is far higher than the cash amount.
Why do the amounts differ so much?
That an au pair in Austria or the United States receives a higher allowance than in Germany has several reasons—and it is rarely just generosity. The main factors:
- Cost of living: In countries where leisure, transport and consumption are more expensive, the allowance is higher so it covers everyday needs.
- Legal vs. customary: Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands and the United States have regulated amounts. In Italy and Spain there is no binding minimum—the amount is freely negotiated between the family and the au pair and varies accordingly.
- What is included: In some places the family also covers public‑transport tickets, a larger share of language‑course fees or a travel‑expense allowance. The allowance alone never tells the whole story.
- Working hours: In the US J‑1 program up to 45 hours per week are possible, in Germany at most 30. More hours often come with a higher allowance.
Therefore it pays to look at the whole package: allowance plus accommodation, meals, insurance, language course and any extras.
Germany in detail
For Germany the figures are the clearest. The au pair receives at least €280 pocket money per month — for a maximum of 30 working hours and up to 6 hours per day. In addition, the host family provides fixed benefits:
- Own furnished room and full board — free of charge
- Language course subsidy of at least €70 per month
- Health, accident and liability insurance
- At least 1.5 days off per week (including one Sunday per month) and at least 4 weeks paid vacation per year
This makes the German amount lower than in Austria or the USA, but it is reliable and legally protected. As a family or as an au pair you know exactly what to expect.
Never rely on a single figure from the internet. Legal rates are updated regularly—Denmark, Sweden, Luxembourg, and Austria at the turn of the year—and where no legal rate exists, it varies anyway. Always check the current guidelines of the destination country before confirming.