Employing an au pair in France
Particulier employeur (CESU / Pajemploi)
Last reviewed
This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Employment law changes, varies by region and depends on your exact arrangement. Figures below are researched from official sources but go out of date — always confirm the current position with the official body linked on this page, or with a qualified labour adviser, before you rely on it.
In France a household that employs someone for childcare at home is a “particulier employeur”, covered by the national collective agreement (IDCC 3239) and declared through Pajemploi (in-home childcare) or CESU. Confirm details with URSSAF / service-public.fr.
Pay floor
≈ €12.02 / hour (SMIC)
Verify — the sector’s collective-agreement minimum is usually higher than the SMIC, and both change; confirm the current conventional rate.
What to get right
Written contract
A written employment contract is expected under the particulier-employeur collective agreement. Use the contract template in the NannyTank app as a starting point.
Minimum wage
Pay must be at least the SMIC, and the sector’s collective-agreement minimum (usually higher) applies. Confirm the current conventional rate.
Declare via Pajemploi / CESU
Declare the employment and pay social contributions each month through Pajemploi (in-home childcare) or CESU — required even for part-time arrangements.
Paid leave
Paid leave (congés payés) applies, commonly settled as a 10% uplift, along with the collective agreement’s other entitlements.
Official sources
Check these for the current position — they are the authority, this page is not.
An editable contract template for France
NannyTank includes a downloadable employment contract template that references Particulier employeur (CESU / Pajemploi) — you fill in the agreed pay and hours. Available in the app, along with hours, overtime and claim tracking.
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NannyTank is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page is a starting point to help you know what to look into; it may be incomplete or out of date, and it does not account for your specific circumstances. Confirm anything you rely on with the official bodies above or a qualified adviser.