So, you want to become a host family in France and host an au pair? What are the requirements for doing so? What does the process consist of? Which documents do you need, and what can you expect from your au pair? In short, how do you become a host family in France?
Requirements
These are the requirements for an au pair before they can come to France:
- They have to be between 17-30 years old (or 18-30 if the au pair is from outside the EU)
- They can not have French nationality
- They speak at least an A1 level of French
- They are unmarried and have no children
- They will stay in France for at least 3 months
- They will have enough money to pay for the trip
- They are willing to follow a French language course
Process
Au pairs and host families must sign 2 copies of the au pair contract before one can start working as an au pair with the host family.
The host family must register the au pair as “trainee aide familial étranger” with the URSSAF within 8 days of arrival. In addition, you must be registered as an au pair with the public health insurer CPAM and you will receive a citizen service number (BSN). The host family pays the social security contributions for the au pair.
More information to get started as an au pair in France can be found here.
Contract
The au pair and host family should discuss mutual expectations before arrival. These agreements must then be laid down in a contract. This includes vacuuming, loading the dishwasher, and doing laundry.
Minimum and maximum stay
The au pair can stay for a minimum of 3 months and for a maximum of 2 years in France.
Earnings
Au pairs from a country outside the European Union are entitled to at least €320 pocket money per month. Au pairs from countries within the European Union are entitled to pocket money between €289.50 and €347.40 per month. This amount must be specifically stated in the au pair contract.
A host family in France is seen as an employer. Due to this, the au pair must be registered with the local URSSAF office and be paid as an employee. Calculate here how much you have to pay the au pair.
Language course
Au pairs from EU countries are required to participate in a French language course. Au pairs from non-EU countries should have the opportunity to take a French course if they wish.
As a host family you do not pay for these courses, au pairs have to pay these costs themselves. You are responsible for enrolling the au pair for a course.
Amount of working hours
In France, au pairs are not allowed to work as an au pair for more than 5 hours per day and 30 hours per week. This includes babysitting. Au pairs from countries outside the European Union are not allowed to work more than 25 hours a week, including babysitting. The au pair’s schedule must allow enough time for the au pair to attend a language course.
Days off and holidays
Au pairs are entitled to at least 1 day off per week. At least once a month this should be a Sunday. For au pairs from outside the European Union who work in addition to their “au pair” hours with another employer, the total working time may not exceed 60% of the legal number of working hours as defined by French law; this corresponds to a total of 964 hours per year. This total also includes the hours worked by the host family.
There are no official rules regarding holidays for au pairs in France. You will discuss this with your au pair. When the au pair stays longer than 6 months, he/she is usually entitled to 2 weeks of vacation.
Au pair insurance
Au pairs in France must be insured in case of illness, accident at work, or when someone becomes pregnant. You, as a host family in France, must therefore register the au pair with their local URSSAF within 8 days of arrival. After registration, the au pair will receive a social security number with which he or she can receive benefits.
Are you ready to become a host family in France?
As discussed, there are a number of conditions that you must meet to host an au pair. In addition, there are a number of steps after the au pair arrives in France, such as registration with the URSSAF and registration with the public health insurer CPAM. Host families in France are seen as an employer. Due to this, the au pair must be registered with the local URSSAF office and be paid as an employee.
It is important that the agreements between the au pair and the host family are captured in a contract. For example, the amount of pocket money per month and on which days the au pair is free.
Register as a host family
If you want to register as a host family you can do it right here!
