Holidays during an au pair stay: rights, options and planning tips

Holidays are an essential part of any au pair stay. They provide time to rest, recharge, and enjoy cultural exchange beyond the daily routine. To ensure a positive experience for both the au pair and the host family, it’s important to discuss and agree on holiday arrangements before the stay begins.

This guide outlines key information about holiday rights, options for holidaying with or without the host family, public holidays, Christmas planning, and practical tips for organizing everything smoothly.

How many holidays does an au pair get?

Holiday entitlements vary by country, but there are some general guidelines:

• For a full-year stay, au pairs are typically entitled to four weeks of paid vacation.
• For shorter stays, the vacation time is calculated proportionally (e.g. one week off for every three months).
• In addition, au pairs are entitled to regular weekly time off, including at least one full day off per week and one Sunday per month.

Be sure to check the specific regulations for the host country before signing the au pair agreement.

Check country-specific holiday rules

What about public holidays?

In general, official public holidays in the host country are considered days off for the au pair. However, this is not always guaranteed. Some families may ask for help on those days depending on their needs and the mutual agreement.

The key is to communicate early and clearly. If the au pair works on a public holiday, this time should be compensated with additional time off.

What happens at Christmas?

Christmas is a special time for many host families — but it can also mean extra planning, more activities, and additional childcare.

Can a host family ask the au pair to help more during the holidays?

Yes — as long as the number of working hours remains within the agreed weekly limit and there’s a balance between work and rest. It’s important that both sides agree on expectations well in advance.
For example:

• Some families include the au pair in their celebrations as a family member.
• Others may need more support with the children while preparing for the holidays.

If extra help is expected, it should be clearly communicated and appropriately compensated.

Our blog article gives more ideas how you can spend Christmastime as an au pair.

Should the au pair go on holiday with the host family or not?

During school breaks or summer holidays, every family has its own approach. There are two main scenarios:

If the au pair travels with the host family:

This can be a great opportunity to bond, explore new places, and enjoy a change of pace. However, it’s important to clarify whether the au pair is working or off-duty:

• If the au pair continues to help with childcare or household duties during the trip, then this time does not count as vacation for the au pair.
• If they are invited as a guest with no responsibilities, the time should count as holiday.

Tip: Clarify the details in advance — accommodation, work hours, expenses, and free time. If you accompany your host family to another country, please consult the responsible immigration authorities in the destination country to check if any additional procedures are required.

In many cases, au pairs enjoy traveling with the family but still value some personal time off during the trip.

If the host family goes on holiday without the au pair:

In this case, the au pair may:

• Stay in the host family’s home with food and accommodation provided, or
• Use the time for their own vacation plans

The important thing is to agree in advance:

• Whether these days will count as the au pair’s holiday time
• Whether any tasks are expected (like plant care).
• The rules about what the au pair is allowed to do during the family’s absence (for example, inviting friends or family over).

Many families coordinate their travel dates with the au pair’s vacation to ensure both sides enjoy a well-deserved break.

Why early planning is so important

The best way to avoid misunderstandings is to talk about holidays from the very beginning:

• How many vacation days will the au pair have?
• How will public holidays be handled?
• Will holidays be taken together or separately?
• What’s the plan for Christmas or special occasions?

Writing down the agreements — in the contract or separately — is always a good idea.

Conclusion: Well-planned holidays make for a great au pair experience

Holidays are not just about time off — they’re also part of the cultural exchange. When planned well, they strengthen the relationship between au pair and host family and contribute to a rewarding, stress-free stay.