Working hours and tasks
How many hours does an au pair work?
Short answer
An au pair works no more than 30 Stunden per week and a maximum of 6 Stunden per day, spread over no more than 5,5 Arbeitstage. Babysitting also counts as working time — even when the children are already asleep and the au pair only needs to be present and, for example, keep an ear on the baby monitor.
In addition, the au pair is entitled to 1,5 consecutive days off per week, 4 free evenings per week, and 2 Tage of paid holiday per month spent with you.
Last updated: 13.08.2026
What lies behind it
Working hours can be tailored individually to your family's daily routine and can be spread differently from day to day. What matters is that the limits of a maximum of 30 Stunden per week, 6 Stunden per day and no more than 5,5 Arbeitstage per week are kept.
Working time includes any time during which the au pair is scheduled for the family or required to be present. This also includes babysitting in the evening. If the children are already asleep and the au pair only keeps an ear on the baby monitor, this still counts as working time.
In most host families, working time is split roughly between 80 % childcare and 20 % light household tasks connected with the children. This can include, for example, tidying up after shared activities, children's laundry, or preparing simple meals for the children.
Sufficient free time is also important: the au pair has 1,5 consecutive days off per week and 4 free evenings per week. This leaves enough time alongside family life for the language course, friends, activities and rest.
In addition, there is a holiday entitlement of 2 Tage of paid holiday per month spent with you.