Frequently asked questions from Au pairs

You need to be between 18 and 30 years old, unmarried with no children.

Yes, it is mandatory to have a contract with your host family. Your contract includes you and your host family's rights and duties as well as how many hours you will be working, your living conditions, etc. You need to sign it together with your host parents before you leave your country.

Tu peux être au pair entre 2 mois (pendant l’été) et 24 mois (après le renouvellement de ton visa). La durée maximale pour être au pair en France ne peut pas dépasser 2 ans.

Après l'obtention de ton visa « Jeune Au Pair », ce dernier ne sera valable uniquement un an. Si tu souhaites poursuivre ton expérience au pair, tu peux prolonger ton séjour en France de 1 an seulement.

La plupart des séjours au pair dure entre 6 et 12 mois. C’est le temps suffisant pour pouvoir s’immerger dans la culture du pays, se sentir à l’aise et vraiment progresser dans la langue.

You need to get in contact with the French Embassy or Consulate in your home country to check if you can get a "Jeune Au Pair" visa.

Yes ! However, you should keep in mind that is harder for a male au pair to find a host family, but it is not impossible if you have strong childcare references. Check out this article on our blog to read more about what it is like to be a mail au pair! 

Most of the embassies do not require French knowledge anymore to be au pair in France. So you can come even if you can only say “Bonjour” and “Merci” ! However, sometimes, to have a better connection with your host kids and make them respect you and the rules, it is better to understand and speak correct level of French. It can help a lot if you are in a multilingual speaking family ! 

No ! Most of our families live in big and medium sized cities with public transportation. However, having a driver's license will provide you with more host family options! Keep in mind that your BUTRFLY host family will pay for at least one driving class in France to help you feel more confident.
 

In France, the minimum is 70€ weekly for European Au Pairs and 80€ for non European au pairs.  But most of our host families give 90€ or 100€ per week for pocket money. The BUTRFLY Agency requires each host family to give a minimum of 90€  per week. 

In France, the flight is at the expense of the au pair. But your host family can offer to pay if they want to.
 

No, the French classes are at the expense of the au pair. However, some families will offer some financial help to pay for their au pair’s language lessons, especially if the course is expensive (subject to the location).

The au pair has to pay for their visa process (around 135USD for the visa + 60 EUROS to validate your visa once in France). You will also have to to pay for the agency fees. This fee is only charged once you have found your host family.
Your pocket money also helps you pay your French classes. Sometimes your host family can help pay for these. However, given that it is not mandatory, we advise you to arrive with some savings!

It is mandatory that the host family pays for the following :

- housing and food: even if you are in a live-out position - in this case the family can give you extra pocket money to buy your own food if you are not living directly in the same building.

- your own transport: a transport card or a car if you need it for your job or to go to your french classes. Gas for the mentioned uses is paid by the family. However, if you have a car, you will be in charge of filling the tank if you use the car for “personal matters”.

- your health insurance: it will cover your necessary health expenses during your stay in France and it is required by the embassy. Although the embassy requires only a 3 month cover, all BUTRFLY host families pay a health insurance for your whole stay.

- your sim card: some families will provide a phone, but it is not mandatory so it is better if you bring your own unlocked mobile/cell. You should discuss that when you have found your host families.

In France, it is mandatory also for your host family to declare you at URSSAF (public health insurance). Your host family pays about 209€ fees per month towards URSSAF.

Preferably, yes. You are here, as an au pair, to share this family’s life. Meals are a very important part of the day, especially in France! It is important to immerse yourself as much as you can, and as the family would like you to.
 

No, you have to pay for your own products. However, the family provides the au pair with sheets and towels, as well as laundry detergent.
 

No, as long as you are going as their Au Pair, the family has to take care of that. However, if you have a day-off during this trip/holiday, and you decide to do some sightseeing by yourself and have lunch/dinner on your own, you will be in charge of your own expenses.

Yes. Your host family agrees to welcome you and accommodate you for a certain period of time (hence the contract). Therefore, they cannot ask you to leave when they want or have to go somewhere.

Generally speaking, the matching process takes about 1.5 months from the day you finish all parts of your application to the day you sign your contract with your host family. Plan for extra time to go through the visa process, and to arrive in your new country. 

We can’t provide an exact amount of how much you should save. Budget according to how much you would like to travel and how many different activities you would like to while you are an au pair. How much time are you spending abroad? Are you taking language courses? Do you want to participate in extra activities? Generally speaking, 1000€ saved can get you quite far during your year, if you budget wisely. But, it really depends on the type of person you are and what you do! 
 

Your host family pays for your major expenses such as food, accommodation, your transportation, medical insurance and sometimes your SIM card. That said, you can definitely survive on the minimum au pair salary. The legal minimum au pair salary is 80€ a week, but BUTRFLY families pay at least 90€. If you want to travel, eat out often, and you want a bit more flexibility financially, you should start your au pair year with some money saved aside. 

Normally yes, the number of paid leaves is written in the agreement between the family and the au pair. Also, you should not pay for your meals. The family must leave you some money or make sure you have enough food in the house. This is why communication between the au pair and the family is fundamental!
 

Au Pair, it's getting ready! 

To take the time to find the host family that suits you, we advise you to register and start your search between 3 and 6 months before your departure. 

Many families in France are looking to host an au pair from September or  from January.