Summer au pair: Vacation-time childcare & a holiday job abroad
A summer au pair typically lives with a host family during the summer holidays for a shorter period of time than a regular au pair stay (just 1 - 3 months). The main aim of the stay is to help the family with childcare during the school holidays while giving the au pair a compact experience in a foreign country.
Responsibilities of a summer au pair
Summer au pairs perform the same tasks as long-term au pairs: they support their host families with child care and light housework. Both long- and short-term au pairs receive the same pocket money and have the same number of working hours. Just like long-term au pairs, summer au pairs strive to improve their language skills and get to know a new culture whilst living abroad. Sometimes, they can also accompany their host families on holiday, taking care of the children during this time.
Who can benefit especially from a summer au pair stay?
- Employing a summer au pair is a great idea for families who need to continue to work during school holidays and therefore need a child care solution during this time.
- A summertime au pair placement can also fit very well for students, who wish to go abroad to work as au pairs during their term break.
- Furthermore, it is an ideal introduction for both au pairs and host families who have not experienced au pairing before and are unsure as whether a long-term placement would suit them.
In which countries are summer au pairs especially needed?
This summer families from Spain, Italy and France are particularly interested in hiring a summer au pair. The chances of finding a great family in one of these countries is especially high. In Spain, Italy and France au pairs can look forward to beautiful countryside, exciting cities, gorgeous beaches and delicious national cuisine. The super benefit for both au pairs and families: The experience lets you expand your whole idea of what a family can include!
You can also become a summer au pair in English-speaking countries, such as Ireland, or in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria or Switzerland, although there are fewer families looking for a summer au pair in these countries.
Summer holidays in different countries
Finding summer au pairs and host families on AuPairWorld
As soon as you have a profile on AuPairWorld, adjust the start and end date for the stay to fit with the planned summer period. That way families and au pairs interested in a stay for the summer period can find each other
Interested?
Check how many families are available or how many au pairs want to go away for the summer and register to be able to write to them.
What's it really like?
Here are some reports from and about other young people who have been a summer au pair:
Video: How to become a summer au pair
Video: How to become a summer au pair
Summer au pair - Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I be an au pair just for the summer?
- Where are summer au pairs most in demand?
- How do I find a summer au pair or host family?
- When should I start searching to become a summer au pair?
- What are the best countries to improve my English as a summer au pair?
- Do summer au pairs get the same pocket money?
Can I be an au pair just for the summer?
Yes! Many host families look for au pairs during the summer months to help with childcare.
Where are summer au pairs most in demand?
Countries with long school holidays (2 to 3 months), such as France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Ireland often need summer au pairs.
Note: In France, the "stagiaire aide familial étranger" status requires a minimum stay of three months.
How do I find a summer au pair or host family?
While there’s no specific "summer au pair" search filter, you can set the following criteria in your EasyFind:
- set your start date in June and stay duration (1–3 months).
- Mention "summer au pair" in your profile texts.
When should I start searching to become a summer au pair?
Fundamentally your search doesn't differ from the usual search to work as an au pair. If you need a visa for your host country, you'll need to start looking about 6 months beforehand. If you are an au pair from the EU, travelling to another EU country, you'll need about 3 months. However even in May, many summer au pairs still manage to find suitable host families.
What are the best countries to improve my English as a summer au pair?
In European countries the need for summer au pairs is relatively high, also the demand of European au pairs since they usually do not need a visa. Here's our recommendations:
- UK and Ireland: most popular but competitive, specially specially if you want to become an summer au pair in London.
- the Netherlands, Iceland and Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland): widely spoken English and more opportunities to find a family.
- Canada, New Zealand and Australia: require a Working Holiday Visa, which can only be used once.
Do summer au pairs get the same pocket money?
Yes! Summer au pairs receive the same pocket money, free board, and lodging as longer-term au pairs.
