Finding an au pair in Austria: The guide for host families (2026)

Host families in Austria may find their own au pair – an agency is not required. Unlike in Germany, the au pair is legally employed on a marginal basis: they receive a minimum salary of €551.10 gross per month (2026), paid 15 times a year, for up to 16.5 hours per week. The family registers the employment and provides accommodation, meals, and at least half of the German‑course costs.

This guide is for families in Austria who are taking on an au pair for the first time or want to organize it without an agency. All figures come from the Au pair information sheet and the 2026 model contract of the Public Employment Service (AMS) and from the Business Service Portal USP.gv.at, checked on 18 September 2026.

Sources: AMS, Au pair information sheet (as of 1 January 2026) and Au pair model contract 2026 (ams.at); Business Service Portal, Au pair (usp.gv.at, updated 10 August 2026). Checked on 18 September 2026. The minimum wage is adjusted each year to the marginal earnings threshold. This overview does not replace legal advice.

In Germany the au pair allowance is a recommendation from the Federal Employment Agency. In Austria the compensation is a minimum wage tariff, set by the Federal Collective Agreement Office and tied to the social‑security marginal earnings limit. From this follows everything else: the weekly hours are 16.5, well below the 30 in Germany; the au pair is legally covered by accident insurance; and there are 15 monthly payments instead of twelve – two vacation payments and a Christmas bonus, just like any employment contract in Austria.

What this means for your daily life: an au pair in Austria does not replace full‑time childcare. It suits families who need help at off‑peak times – getting children ready in the morning, picking them up in the afternoon, helping with homework, playing, reading aloud. In addition, it offers something a childcare centre cannot: your children experience a different language and culture in everyday life. An au pair is not a household helper; cleaning, laundry and cooking for everyone are not part of the role.

• Compensation: at least €551.10 gross per month, 15 times a year. That’s roughly €8,270 annually for compensation alone. More is allowed.
• Room and board: a furnished, lockable private room and full meals, both free. The au pair eats with you and is part of family life.
• Language course: time for a German course and at least half of the course fees.
• Insurance: you register the au pair with the statutory accident insurance at the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK); this is sufficient up to the marginal earnings threshold. Health insurance is also required: private if no social security agreement exists with the home country. It is mandatory for the residence permit.
• Free time: maximum 16.5 hours per week, at least one full day off per week, 30 working days of vacation per year.
• Search: on AuPairMatch during the startup phase €0; on other platforms or agencies depending on the provider.

How Austrian compensation compares to other countries is shown in our Taschengeld country comparison 2026. The rules from the au pair’s perspective are on our country page au pair in Austria.

Au pairs from the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not need a permit. They must register within four months of arrival and receive a registration certificate. Still use the AMS template contract and follow the limits in the information sheet — this lets both parties know the rules from the start.

Au pairs from outside the EU need two things. First, the family must report the employment to the regional AMS at least two weeks before it starts and obtain an notification confirmation, initially for six months and renewable for another six months. Second, the au pair must obtain a residence permit for special cases of non‑self‑employed work, which they apply for personally at the Austrian representation in their home country. A German language proof at level A1 is required before starting. Additionally, the au pair must not have been in Austria as an au pair for more than twelve months in the past five years.

In the conversation, more matters than a résumé. Ask specifically: What have you already done with children of this age? What do you do when a child won’t settle down after kindergarten? How much German do you speak, and what do you want to learn in Austria? Be honest about your daily life, including the challenging parts: early mornings, holiday care, evenings with babysitting. You’ll find a detailed list in our questions families should ask au pair candidates.

On AuPairMatch you start the video meeting after the match directly on the platform, without exchanging phone numbers.

• Calculate with last year’s figures. The minimum wage rises each year with the marginal earnings threshold, and the hourly limit changes: in 2024 it was 17 hours, in 2026 it is 16.5. Check the AMS information sheet and template contract before signing.
• Treat the wage like pocket money. It is a gross amount from an employment relationship; registration with the ÖGK is required.
• Do not count availability. Time when the au pair must be present for the children counts toward the 16.5 hours — including evening babysitting.
• Do not view the au pair as a household helper. If you need domestic staff, an au pair is not the right solution.
• Start too late. For au pairs from outside the EU, the AMS notification and residence permit are also needed. Build in a time buffer before committing to a start date.

Because families in Austria report the employment themselves, you don’t need an agency to search. On AuPairMatch you create a family profile, see which au pairs match your wishes via the match score, and contact them directly. Messages and profile texts are automatically translated into your language, with the original just one click away. The video‑call introduction happens right on the platform. During the launch phase this is free for host families, including contact.

AuPairMatch launched in 2026 and is growing; established providers have more profiles. Many families therefore search on several platforms at once – an extra free profile expands your search. You handle the paperwork (sample contract, AMS notification, ÖGK registration) yourself or with an agency of your choice.