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Employing an au pair in Germany

Household employment (Minijob / Haushaltsscheck)

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 Figures below are researched from official sources but go out of date — always confirm the current position with the official body linked on this page, or with a qualified labour adviser, before you rely on it.

Household help in Germany is usually employed either as a “Minijob” (registered via the Minijob-Zentrale’s Haushaltsscheck procedure) or, for higher pay, through standard social-insurance channels. Confirm details with the Minijob-Zentrale.

Pay floor

€13.90 per hour

Verify — Germany’s Mindestlohn is set by law and changes periodically; may be outdated.

What to get right

1

Written agreement

A written employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag) covering hours, duties and pay is strongly advisable. Use the contract template in the NannyTank app as a starting point.

2

Minimum wage

The statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) applies to household work. Confirm the current rate.

3

Register the job

For a Minijob, register the employee with the Minijob-Zentrale via the Haushaltsscheck procedure; above the Minijob earnings limit, standard social-insurance registration applies.

4

Insurance & leave

Registered household employees are covered by statutory accident insurance; statutory paid annual leave and continued pay during illness (Entgeltfortzahlung) apply.

Official sources

Check these for the current position — they are the authority, this page is not.

An editable contract template for Germany

NannyTank includes a downloadable employment contract template that references Household employment (Minijob / Haushaltsscheck) — 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 This page is a starting point to help you know what to look into; it may be incomplete or out of date, and it does not account for your specific circumstances.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.