How old can / should an au pair be?

(Also to be found with keywords Au pair age limits, Minimum age for au pairs and Maximum age for au pairs)

Most au pairs are between 18 and 30 years old. But some countries have slightly different age requirements for au pairs. Therefore an au pair should always check the specific regulations for the host country before finalising arrangements for an au pair stay. 

Young Woman walking over a bridge
Australia 18 - 30 years old
Austria EU: 18 - 28 / Non-EU: 18 - 27 years old
Belgium 18 - 25 years old
Canada 18 - 30 years old
Denmark 18 - 29 years old
Finland 17 - 30 years old
France 17 - 30 years old
Germany EU: 17 - 30 / Non-EU: 18 - 26 years old
Iceland 18 - 25 years old
Ireland 18 - 30 years old
Italy EU: 17 - 30 / Non-EU: 18 - 30 years old
Luxembourg 18 -30 years old
Netherlands 18 - 25 years old
New Zealand 18 - 30 years old
Norway 18 - 30 years old
South Africa 18 - 24 years old
Spain 17 - 30 years old
Sweden 18 - 30 years old
Switzerland EU: 17 - 30 / Non-EU: 18 - 25 years old
United Kingdom 18 - 30 years old
USA 18 - 26 years old