Services
Who really helps with the Persönliches Budget
You submit the application elsewhere. The figure inside it comes from us.
What we take on — and who does the rest
Funding, in full or in part, through the Persönliches Budget ("personal budget", a cash sum a person with a disability can use to arrange their own support instead of receiving it in kind) may be possible. Whether it is, and how much, depends on individual circumstances – for example the child's support needs, the responsible Leistungsträger (the public funding body that decides and pays, such as the youth welfare office or the social welfare authority), and the family's personal situation. We do not offer individual advice on applications. Once you have made a binding choice of your au pair, you will however receive a video series in your host family area with general information, other families' experiences and helpful tips about the Persönliches Budget. For an individual assessment and advice, we recommend an independent advice centre, for example an EUTB (Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung, a free, independent counselling service for people with disabilities) — whichever advice centre you feel comfortable with.
Who answers what
Five questions, five doors
Each question belongs to a place. Two of them are not us.
Are we entitled to anything?
Answered byan advice centre.
The EUTB is based in every German federal state and advises free of charge. Some associations run their own advice centres. Go to whichever advice centre you feel comfortable with.
From ustwo short videos — what it is and who is responsible. We do not assess your entitlement.
What the Persönliches Budget isHow do we make the application?
Answered bythe same place.
The application asks about income, assets, pensions and inheritances. That does not belong in a placement conversation. And practice differs from one federal state to another.
From usnothing.
The path through the Persönliches BudgetWhat does an au pair cost over a year?
Answered bywe answer that.
Every item with its date and source. That way you can give the funding body a figure that is correct and that you can prove.
From usthe full cost breakdown.
All costs at a glanceWhat documents does the funding body want to see?
Answered bythe funding body, and it asks similar things everywhere.
Four sheets come from us: weekly schedule, boundaries, draft contract, cost breakdown. Wording and justifying it is the advice centre's job, not ours.
From usfour sheets, at Stop 02.
All costs at a glanceCan we deduct this from our taxes?
Answered byyour tax adviser.
The au pair contract can be submitted as childcare costs. What is recognised is decided by the Finanzamt (tax office).
From usthe contract and the receipts.
What to keep for that
Two of these five questions are answered by an advice centre, not by us.
What usually holds up an application
You submit the application elsewhere. The figure inside it comes from us.
Who advises you free of charge
Go to whichever advice centre you feel comfortable with. The EUTB is one of them, not the only one.
What to keep for your tax return
An au pair contract can be submitted as childcare costs. What is recognised is decided by the Finanzamt (tax office).
- The signed au pair contractThe sheet stating the term and services.
- Receipts of the monthly transfersPocket money and allowances, month by month.
- The au pair account recordsAccount opening and transactions, not the cash.
Preparation
Three things worth knowing beforehand
Asked before applying
Questions about the Persönliches Budget
Do you advise on the Persönliches Budget?
No. We only point out that it exists.
We are a placement agency, not an advice centre. An application asks about income, assets, pensions and inheritances. Practice also differs from one federal state to another. We do not assess your case. We tell you that this option exists — and we provide the documents the funding body wants to see.
Do I have to go to the EUTB?
No. Any advice centre is fine.
We mention the EUTB because it is based in every federal state and advises free of charge. It is not the only address. Some associations run their own advice centres, and they often know their subject very well. Go to whichever advice centre you feel comfortable with.
Will our costs be reimbursed?
The funding body decides that, not us.
We do not promise any cost coverage, in any form. Whether and to what amount something is covered is decided by the Leistungsträger based on your case.
Can we deduct the au pair from our taxes?
The contract can be submitted.
An au pair contract can be submitted with your tax return as childcare costs. Keep the contract and the transfer receipts. Whether and how much is recognised in your case is decided by the Finanzamt (tax office) — and your tax adviser can advise you on that.
Next step
The next step costs nothing
Twenty minutes on the phone: you tell us about your child, we explain how it works.