Au Pair Cost: A Breakdown of Expenses Across the U.S., Europe, and China

How Much Does an Au Pair Cost?

Hosting an au pair does not just include paying the weekly/monthly stipend but also agency fees, cultural activities, food, accommodation, and so on until many factors make up the overall au pair cost. The costs will vary extremely depending on the host country. Are Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, or Austria options for having an au pair? Then Au Pair Wave will be able to assist you through the process without the headache of high agency costs.

Common Expenses When Hosting an Au Pair

• Agency placement fees: Matching of a family with an au pair and handling the paperwork.
• Visa and legal fees: Documentation for legally bringing an au pair into your country.
• Weekly stipend or salary: Payment to the au pair for services.
• Accommodation and meals: Meals and accommodation are provided.
• Insurance: Health and travel insurance for the au pair.
• Educational costs: Many countries require the au pair to attend language or cultural classes.

Agency’s Role in Au Pair Costs:

The majority of the families find an au pair for themselves with the help of an au pair agency. The agencies take care of the legal and logistical issues, which makes it comparatively easy for the families, while for this convenience they have to pay a certain amount.

Agency Fees in the U.S., Europe, and China

• United States: It generally costs host families from $8,000 to $12,000 in placement fees. However, this is one of the most expensive ways when it comes to au pair services. Only US J-1 designated visa sponsors can facilitate this process.
• Europe: In Europe, the agency fees are generally low but vary considerably by country:
  • Germany: Approximately €500 to €1,500.
  • France: €600 to €1,200.
  • Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, and Austria: Au Pair Wave offers competitive pricing; families are guaranteed the best quality at an affordable rate. It is with only DKK 4,000 or EUR 500 incl. VAT upon successful placement of au pairs.
• China: In China, au pair placement agencies may charge around $1,000 to $3,000, but the services often lack the extensive legal support that Au Pair Wave offers to European clients.

Au Pair Salary and Weekly Stipend

One of the major recurring costs to the host family is the allowance of the au pair, which is quite different from country to country and bound by local regulations.

United States

In the U.S., the Department of State sets a minimum weekly stipend. That number currently sits at about $195.75 per week. However, many families choose to pay more, based on their region’s cost of living-especially in high-demand cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, which can have up to $250 to $350 per week stipends.

Europe

European countries are even more varied in their au pair stipends:

• Germany: The average allowance for an au pair in Germany is about € 260 a month, relatively inexpensive compared with that of the U.S.
• Denmark: From January 1, 2024, the minimum monthly stipend is 4,850 Danish krone (about $725 USD).
• Austria: Au pairs are normally paid between €500 to €550 monthly, in addition to board and lodging provided by the host family. In addition, the host family pays accident insurance for the au pair while health insurance is covered by the au pair herself.
• France: Au pairs in France generally receive about €80 to €100 per week, adding up to about €320 to €400 per month. Moreover, some families also contribute to extras like language courses or transport cards.
• United Kingdom: In the UK, the average weekly allowance ranges from £70 to £100 per week, again depending upon the location of the family and experience of the au pair.

China

Many Chinese families welcome an au pair as part of their family rather than treating them as a domestic employee. In terms of Au Pair Cost, China usually offers lower stipends compared to most Western countries. Typically, an au pair in China receives about ¥1,500 to ¥3,000 per month, depending on the region, which translates to approximately $210 to $420. In large cities like Beijing and Shanghai, families may offer a higher stipend to help offset the higher cost of living.

Extra Cost of Hosting an Au Pair

Besides that allowance, host families have a lot of other expenses beyond that, some of which are specific to the home country of residence.

Accommodation and Meals

Providing accommodation is necessary when hosting an au pair: the accommodation must include a private room for the au pair, and you are also expected to provide food for them. The price will vary depending on your location and how your household is set up.

• United States: In major, high-cost cities, an additional person in the home may add as much as $200 to $400 per month to household expenses for added food and utilities.
• Europe: The cost of room and board in Europe can be slightly lower. In countries like Denmark, Germany, Austria, and France, one should budget an added €100 to €200 monthly for increased food and housing expenses.
• China: Compared to most countries, it is less costly to host an au pair in China because the cost of living is not so high. Additional food and utility expenses may be around ¥500 to ¥1,000 ($70-$140) approximately.

Transportation Expenses

Transportation is an additional expense that may apply depending on the requirements of the au pair. If your au pair will have to drive or bring children to and from school or activities, this may involve:

• Public transportation passes in countries – particularly in Europe and China – where public transit is the way things are typically done.
• Car insurance and gas if you provide an au pair with a car, are more common in the U.S.

Visa and Legal Fees (Paid by The Applicant)

Some visa and legal requirements differ by country and add to the total cost.

United States

There are a few costs associated with obtaining a J-1 Visa for an au pair in the United States. The visa application itself costs $160, typically paid by the au pair. In addition to that, families may be required to pay for the travel cost of the au pair to the United States, which adds between $500 and $1,000.

Europe

Most European countries offer more affordable au pair visas. For example:

• Germany: Visa application costs about €75, and the process is fairly easy. Usually, no family has to bear the travel expenses.
• Denmark: This was updated recently that the visa processing fee for au pairs in Denmark is DKK 2,110, approximately €280. This is required when you apply for a residence permit, which citizens of non-EU have to apply for in order to be able to work as an au pair in Denmark.
• France: The process is the same in France, although the application fees are €99.

China

It is less cumbersome in China; the fees are therefore less, compared to the U.S. and Europe. Most of the time, the fee will be roughly ¥300 to ¥500, or $40 to $70, which makes China an even more approachable destination for an au pair.

Insurance Costs

In fact, medical and travel insurance is required in many au pair programs. The cost of such insurance does vary from country to country.

United States

In the United States, host families must provide health insurance for their au pair visitors. These insurance plans typically cost between $500 and $1,000 annually, depending on the coverage extent. Many families prefer to purchase more comprehensive coverage.

Europe

Most European countries require au pairs to have basic health insurance. These countries offer significantly lower insurance costs than the United States.

• Germany, Denmark, Austria: Health insurance in Germany costs approximately €30 to €60 per month for an au pair, around €360 to €720 annually.
• France: In France, au pair health insurance typically costs between €250 and €500 annually. The exact price depends on the provider and coverage content.

China

In China, an au pair’s basic medical insurance can be added to the family’s policy at a significantly lower cost than in the West. Normally ¥600 to ¥1,200 a year, approximately $85-$170.

Educational and Cultural Costs

United States

U.S. regulations require host families to invest up to $500 per year in their au pair’s education, usually language classes, college credits, or some other activity accredited by the State.

Europe

In Europe, educational support is often less formal. Some families pay for language classes or cultural experiences to help them adapt:

• Germany, Austria: Most host families contribute €50 to €100 per month toward language classes.
• Denmark: The Danish language class is 19,305 DKK and the application fee is 4,740 DKK, according to a new update by The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI)
• France: The families may also compensate for the French lessons, which vary from about €200-€400 per term.

China

China does not require language classes, but we strongly recommend taking a language course. An elementary Mandarin lesson will cost around ¥2,000 to ¥4,000 per term, approximately $280 to $560.

Cost of an Au Pair Compared to Other Child Care Options

By comparison, when lined up against other methods of childcare, the bottom-line cost can be quite competitive.

• Nannies: A full-time nanny in the United States, depending on the city she is in, may make upwards of $600 to $900 per week, which is clearly higher than an au pair.
• Daycare: Full-time daycare throughout the United States runs about $300 to $500 per week, comparable and at times higher than hosting an au pair.
• Babysitters: The babysitter’s fee ranges from 14 to 20 Euros per hour in Europe and can easily add up higher than the cost of an au pair in one month.

How to Choose an Au Pair Agency?

When choosing an au pair agency for the Au Pair program, consider factors such as experience, support, and transparency. A great agency will guide you through the entire au pair process. They provide continuous support from the initial application onwards. This support extends to helping you match with the right au pair.

Be sure they are very transparent about all Au Pair Expenses, including the cost of placement, travel, and insurance. This way, there will be no surprises. Clear up the refund and replacement conditions.

A good agency will continue with after-placement support to ensure both your family and the au pair are happy. The personal connection to, and clear communications from, the agency will make all the difference in finding the right match for your family.

For families looking for a more affordable option, Au Pair Wave offers a competitive placement service, charging only DKK 4000 or EUR 500, payable after the successful placement of the au pair in Europe. 

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