Au Pair Germany: Full Requirements -- Age, German Level and Host Family Contract

You have found a host family in Germany. They are ready to sign the contract. Now you need to know exactly what the German Embassy Colombo will ask for, what the contract must legally contain, and what can delay or block your visa.

The au pair visa process from Sri Lanka has specific requirements that differ from tourist or student visa applications. This guide covers every requirement in the order you need to address it -- from your age and language certificate through to the contract terms, health insurance, and document authentication.

Applicants who know these requirements in advance move through the process faster. Applicants who find out at the embassy appointment often have to reschedule and restart.

Au Pair Germany Requirements: The Complete 2026 Checklist

The German Embassy Colombo assesses au pair visa applications against a fixed checklist. Every item below is required. Missing any one of them means your application is incomplete.

1. Age between 18 and 26 at the time of visa application. This is strictly enforced. Most host families prefer candidates aged 19 to 24.
2. German language certificate at A1 level minimum. Accepted certificates: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, OSD A1, and telc A1.
3. Signed au pair host family contract (Gastfamilienvertrag or Vertrag uber ein Aupairaustausch). The contract must be in German and signed by both parties.
4. Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your planned departure date from Germany.
5. Completed visa application form (Antrag auf Erteilung eines Visums) from the German Embassy Colombo website.
6. Proof of comprehensive health insurance covering the full duration of the au pair stay.
7. Criminal record certificate (police clearance) from Sri Lanka, apostilled by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
8. Proof that you can cover return travel costs and basic personal expenses at the start of the stay.
9. Biometric passport photographs meeting German Embassy specifications.

Age Requirement: 18 to 26 Years Old

The German au pair programme is legally defined as a cultural exchange for young adults. The Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) sets the eligible age range at 18 to 26. There are no exceptions. An applicant who turns 27 before the visa is issued is ineligible.

Most host families prefer candidates between 19 and 24. Families with young children often prefer slightly older au pairs for maturity. Families with older children are sometimes more flexible on the lower end.

If you are 25 or 26 and considering the au pair pathway, timing matters. Submit your application well before your 27th birthday. German Embassy Colombo appointment waiting times are currently running 2 to 4 months ahead. Account for this in your planning.

German Language Requirement: A1 Certificate Before the Embassy Appointment

The German au pair visa requires a minimum A1 language certificate at the time of application. This is not optional and cannot be substituted with a letter of intent to study German.

In Sri Lanka, the three accepted A1 certificates are: Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka, Colombo), OSD Zertifikat A1 (OSD examination centre Sri Lanka), and telc Deutsch A1 (telc examination centres in Sri Lanka).

A1 in German means you can introduce yourself, ask and answer basic questions about familiar topics, and interact in a simple way. It is achievable in 3 to 4 months of dedicated study starting from zero. MALIROSA offers German language preparation courses aligned to the A1 examination format.

Host families expect some German before you arrive. A1 is the visa minimum, not the arrival target. Many families ask that au pairs reach A2 before or shortly after arriving. Enrolment in a language course in Germany is typically a contractual obligation.

The Au Pair Host Family Contract: What Must Be in It

The host family contract (sometimes called a Gastfamilienvertrag) is a legal document required for your visa application. The German Embassy will not process an au pair visa without it. The contract must be in German, signed by both parties, and cover specific items required under German law.

A legally compliant au pair contract must include the following:

1. Working hours: maximum 30 hours per week and maximum 6 hours per day. This is set by German law and host families cannot exceed it.
2. Pocket money: the legal minimum is €280 per month as of 2026. Any contract stating less is non-compliant and will be flagged at the embassy.
3. Private room: you must be provided your own room in the host family home at no cost.
4. Language course: the host family must support your German language course attendance. Many contracts state that the family covers the course fee or a contribution toward it.
5. Days off: minimum 1.5 days off per week, which must include Sunday.
6. Duration of the au pair stay: typically 12 months, with an extension possible up to 24 months in total.
7. Notice period and termination conditions for both parties.
8. Health insurance provision: confirmation of how comprehensive health insurance is arranged and who bears the cost.

Red flag: any contract that omits the pocket money amount, sets working hours above 30 per week, or does not mention the language course obligation is non-compliant with German law. Do not sign such a contract and do not submit it to the embassy.

How to Find a Host Family in Germany

The German government does not assign host families. You find your host family yourself, or through a registered au pair agency. The visa application is submitted only after you have a confirmed and signed contract.

The main platforms for finding German host families are AuPairWorld.net, AuPair.com, Cultural Care Au Pair (culturalcare.com), and AIFS Au Pair in America (which also places in Germany). These platforms allow you to create a profile, contact families directly, and conduct video interviews.

Registered au pair agencies can assist with matching and contract preparation. Agency fees vary. If you use an agency, confirm that they are registered and that the contract they prepare meets the legal requirements listed above.

Once you have a confirmed host family, both parties sign the contract. You then book your German Embassy Colombo appointment. Current appointment waiting times are 2 to 4 months, so book as soon as the contract is signed.

Health Insurance for Au Pairs in Germany

You must have comprehensive health insurance covering the full duration of your au pair stay. The insurance must meet German statutory health coverage standards.

In most cases, the host family registers the au pair with their statutory health insurance provider (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) such as AOK, TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), or Barmer. Au pairs under 25 can be covered under the family insurance scheme at no additional premium in many cases.

Clarify health insurance arrangements with your host family before signing the contract. If the family expects you to arrange your own private international health insurance, factor this cost into your decision. Private travel health insurance for 12 months in Germany from Sri Lanka typically runs €400 to €800 depending on coverage level.

The embassy will ask for evidence that health insurance is in place. A letter of confirmation from the host family or the insurance provider is accepted.

Police Clearance Certificate from Sri Lanka

The German Embassy Colombo requires a criminal record certificate (police clearance) issued by the Sri Lanka Police. This must be apostilled by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submission.

The apostille process takes 2 to 5 business days after the police clearance is issued. The police clearance itself takes 3 to 7 business days from the Sri Lanka Police Headquarters or a divisional office. Allow 10 to 15 working days for the full process.

The certificate must be recent. Most embassies require that police clearances are no older than 6 months at the time of the visa appointment. Obtain your clearance after your embassy appointment is booked, not before.

Timeline: From Host Family Confirmation to Departure

The realistic timeline from confirming your host family to departing Sri Lanka is 3 to 5 months. This assumes you already have your A1 language certificate and are not starting from zero on German.

What Comes After Your Au Pair Year in Germany

The au pair visa is valid for up to 12 months, extendable to 24 months total. After your au pair year, you have several legal options to remain in Germany if you meet the requirements.

Language course visa: if your German has reached B1 or B2 during the au pair year, you can apply for a language course visa to continue intensive study while deciding your next pathway.

Student visa: if you have been admitted to a German university or Fachhochschule, the student visa pathway is available. Many au pairs use the year to research programmes and apply.

Ausbildung visa: if you have secured an Ausbildung training contract with a German employer, the Ausbildung visa pathway becomes available. This is one of the most direct routes from au pair to a long-term Germany pathway. MALIROSA supports this transition.

Each of these options requires advance planning. MALIROSA discusses post-au-pair pathways as part of the initial consultation so candidates arrive with a plan, not just a visa.