Pocket money, working hours, contract for au pairs in France

The au pair contract regulates the various rights and duties of the au pair and the host family. It must be signed by both parties and this should be done before the au pair travels to France. Non-EU au pairs also need the contract for the visa application.

Downloads
There are two different contracts for France depending on the nationality of the au pair:

• Au pair contract in French (non-EU au pairs)

• Au pair contract in French (EU au pairs)

Terminating an au pair contract
It is possible to terminate the au pair contract at any time. In accordance with the European Agreement on the Au Pair Placement, both contracting parties should observe a two weeks' notice period in taking such a step. This gives the au pair sufficient time to search for a new host family or to organise a trip back home. In serious cases, it is possible to terminate the contract with immediate effect.

An au pair can have an au pair stay in France ranging from 3 to 12 months. The au pair stay can be extended to a total of 24 months.

The au pair helps with childcare and with light housework and receives room and board as a temporary member of the family. The au pair and host family should discuss the duties of the au pair in detail prior to the commencement of the au pair stay and put the agreed tasks into the written contract as precisely as possible.

More information on the topic:

• What exactly are the responsibilities of an au pair?
• Using a schedule to organise au pair activities

According to the French regulations au pairs from a non UE country are entitled to at least 320 € pocket money per month and EU au pairs receive monthly pocket money between 271.50 € and 325.80 €. The amount that is agreed must be specified in the au pair contract. The host family should give the au pair a receipt documenting the money paid each month particularly when these payments are made in cash. 

More information on this topic:

• Is there extra pay for babysitting?

In exchange for  help with childcare and light housework, au pairs are entitled to free board and lodging. An au pair should have his or her own room in the host family home.

More information on the topic:

• What should an au pair room look like?

Host families in France have the status of an employer. They therefore have to register their au pair with their local URSSAF office and pay employer premiums. Visit the official website of the Service Public Français in order to calculate the amount of these premiums.

The time an EU au pair dedicates to tasks around the house and children must not exceed 5 hours per day and 30 hours per week, babysitting included. Au pairs from a non EU country are not allowed to work more than 25 hours per week, babysitting included. The work schedule should be arrange so that time is available for the au pair to attend a French language course.

More information on the topic:

• What are working hours and what is free time?
• How are public holidays handled?

Au pairs in France are entitled to at least one full day off per week. Once every month, this day should be a Sunday. For au pairs who are not EU citizens and wish to work for a different employer during their free hours, the total working time must 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. The hours worked for the host family also are included in this total. 

There are no specific regulations in France concerning the holiday an au pair is entitled to. The host family and au pair should therefore agree in advance how many days of holiday there will be in the course of the au pair stay and and specify this in the au pair contract. well in advance. Au pairs are usually entitled to a two-week holiday if they stay with their host families for six months in total. 

More information on the topic:

• Family holidays and your au pair – What works best?
• Going on family holidays without the au pair - how to handle?

It is compulsory for au pairs from EU countries to participate in a French course for foreigners. Au pairs from non-EU countries should have the possibility to take a French course if they wish. Au pairs bear the cost of this course themselves. The host family, on the other hand, is responsible for enrolling the au pair in a course. Language courses are offered by universities, adult education centres and other organisations. Courses which run over varying time spans (an entire year, a semester or the summer) can be selected.

More information on this topic:

• Do au pairs have to attend a language course?
• Which language level do I need to become an au pair?

Au pairs in France must be covered by the statutory social insurance in case of illness, work accident or maternity. The host family therefore needs to register the au pair with their local URSSAF within 8 days upon arrival. The host family is required to pay the necessary premiums for this insurance coverage. Following registration, the au pair obtains a social insurance number making it possible to receive benefits.

In addition to this, au pairs from all countries (EU and non-EU) need to have a comprehensive private au pair insurance for au pair stays in France to be safely and fully insured. This cost is also normally covered by the host family. 

AuPairWorld recommends the PROTRIP-WORLD insurance package for this purpose. It is especially designed for au pairs and other young people spending time abroad. Among other benefits, this insurance covers the full costs of inpatient and outpatient medical care (often not covered in full with the EHIC card for EU au pairs), plus return transport to the home country for medical reasons (not covered at all with the EHIC card).

More information on insurance:

• Expert advice and online insurance purchase from AuPairWorld's partner DR-WALTER.
• How should I be insured as an au pair?

We recommend that the host family extend their personal liability insurance to their au pair. Alternatively, the host family can take out an individual liability insurance for the au pair alone. Additional information is available on this point in Frequently asked questions about the au pair stay in France

The host family and the au pair should clarify in advance if the au pair will be expected to drive. Should this be the case, the au pair needs to find out whether his or her driving licence is valid in France. It may be necessary to apply for an international driving licence. The website of the French Road Safety Authority provides more information on this subject. It is also important to clarify the following questions in advance of the au pair stay: What happens in the event of an accident? Who will pay for the damage? Often it is possible to extend the family's insurance to cover the au pair.

More information on this topic:

• Do au pairs really need a driving licence?