Au pair ill: what happens when the au pair falls sick?

An au pair, too, will fall ill at some point.

A cold, an upset stomach, flu, a headache or an infection – over the course of an au pair stay of up to a year, it is completely normal for there to be a few days here and there when the au pair simply cannot work.

But what happens when the au pair is ill? Who pays the doctor? Does the pocket money keep coming? And what responsibility does the host family have?

In principle, the answer is fairly straightforward:

If the au pair is ill, they are ill and are allowed to recover.

Au pairs are insured for illness

An au pair arrangement in Germany is not subject to the normal statutory social insurance obligation.

Nevertheless, adequate insurance cover must be in place for the au pair throughout their stay. The host family bears the cost of the required insurance (Versicherung) against illness, pregnancy and birth, as well as accident.

At Besondere Sterne, we inform our host families about suitable au pair insurance even before arrival – for example, through the special au pair tariffs offered by DR-WALTER.

This way, the au pair is covered in the event of illness throughout their stay.

What happens if the au pair has a week of flu?

Then they simply have a week of flu.

It doesn't have to turn into a big problem.

If the au pair has a fever, a more serious infection, or genuinely doesn't feel able to work, they need rest and time to get well again.

Childcare must be organised differently by the family for that period.

An au pair shouldn't have to look after children while ill with a fever – not least because otherwise the whole family may catch it too.

The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) puts it very clearly as well: of course an au pair, too, is allowed to be ill, and in that case the host parents need to look after the au pair.

Pocket money continues during illness

This point matters to host families too.

The au pair does not receive a normal wage but a monthly pocket money of €280.

Falling ill does not mean the family then starts doing the sums:

“You were ill for five days, so we're deducting those days from your pocket money.” (Translated)

The usual au pair contractual arrangements provide for the continued payment of pocket money during illness – until the end of the au pair arrangement, for a maximum of six weeks.

So an ordinary illness lasting a few days, or a week for example, is nothing out of the ordinary at all.

When the au pair needs to see a doctor

If the au pair needs a doctor, they can access medical treatment through their au pair health insurance (Krankenversicherung, the German term for statutory or private health insurance).

Especially at the start, the host family is welcome to lend a bit of support here.

Perhaps the au pair doesn't yet know a family doctor (Hausarzt).

Perhaps they don't know which practice to call.

Perhaps their German isn't yet good enough to arrange an appointment over the phone.

In that case, you can make the first call together, or accompany the au pair to the practice.

Next time, they will already know their way around the German healthcare system a little better.

A bit of care and attention is part of living together

The au pair is far away from their own family.

If they're lying in bed with a temperature of 39 degrees, their mum may be several thousand kilometres away.

So we think it's only natural to check in and ask:

“Do you need anything?” (Translated)

Perhaps you bring them a tea.

A soup.

Something from the pharmacy.

Or drive the au pair to the doctor if they're really unwell.

Not because the host family now has to take over nursing care.

But because, for this one year, the au pair is a family member on time.

And what about headaches or period pain?

Not every physical complaint automatically means a whole working day has to be written off.

Especially with headaches, period pain or general unwellness, it helps to talk to one another:

How are you really feeling today? What do you feel up to?

Perhaps a quiet afternoon is possible.

Instead of going to the playground, books are read.

A jigsaw is done.

Drawing happens.

A board game is played.

Or a children's film is watched together.

At the same time, of course: if the au pair is in real pain or is genuinely ill, they must be allowed to rest.

Severe, unusual or recurring symptoms should be medically assessed and not simply dismissed as “just my period” or “just a headache”.

Illness is simply part of a year of living together

Anyone who welcomes a young person into their family for several months has to expect that this person will fall ill at some point too.

Perhaps for three days.

Perhaps for a week.

Perhaps the whole family will go down with the same infection, one after another.

That's part of life.

What matters most is that insurance cover is arranged from the outset and that the au pair knows how to get medical help if they fall ill.

And after that, it really can be just as straightforward as with any other family member:

Ill is ill. Get well. And then normal au pair everyday life carries on.

Note: Au pair arrangements are not subject to the statutory social insurance obligation. However, the host family must take out and pay the contributions for the required insurance covering illness, pregnancy/birth and accident.