Hi! We're still at the early stages of considering an au pair for the coming academic year.
Can anyone indicate what we might expect to pay an au pair who would be living in our home (i.e. part of her salary would be the accommodation-room-and-board). We're talking about a 40-hour work week over 4 days (10 hours per day and three days off). How much "cash in hand"? Does it make a difference if the contract is official and we pay social charges per Swiss law (pension/AVS, accident insurance etc.). What's considered decent out there?
Many thanks,
Michal
[email protected]
079 276 39 56
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Au pair salaries
Jun 8, 2009 @ 15:03
The text you are quoting:
Hi! We're still at the early stages of considering an au pair for the coming academic year.
Can anyone indicate what we might expect to pay an au pair who would be living in our home (i.e. part of her salary would be the accommodation-room-and-board). We're talking about a 40-hour work week over 4 days (10 hours per day and three days off). How much "cash in hand"? Does it make a difference if the contract is official and we pay social charges per Swiss law (pension/AVS, accident insurance etc.). What's considered decent out there?
Many thanks,
Michal
[email protected]
079 276 39 56
sela_michalJun 8, 2009 @ 15:03
Can anyone indicate what we might expect to pay an au pair who would be living in our home (i.e. part of her salary would be the accommodation-room-and-board). We're talking about a 40-hour work week over 4 days (10 hours per day and three days off). How much "cash in hand"? Does it make a difference if the contract is official and we pay social charges per Swiss law (pension/AVS, accident insurance etc.). What's considered decent out there?
Many thanks,
Michal
[email protected]
079 276 39 56
sela_michalJun 8, 2009 @ 15:03
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 1
Jun 8, 2009 @ 16:17
Hello,
First of all, you cannot by Swiss law make someone work 10 hours per day. It's 42.5 hours per week maximum, and a 8.25 hour day. To avoid getting into trouble, you will need to pay social charges and provide minimum 4 weeks holiday (if over 20) or 5 weeks holiday (if under 20). If she's an official au-pair, then you would have to check but I think she is entitled to French courses and you do have to pay for this.
Hope this helps
larissa (am Swiss!)
The text you are quoting:
Hello,
First of all, you cannot by Swiss law make someone work 10 hours per day. It's 42.5 hours per week maximum, and a 8.25 hour day. To avoid getting into trouble, you will need to pay social charges and provide minimum 4 weeks holiday (if over 20) or 5 weeks holiday (if under 20). If she's an official au-pair, then you would have to check but I think she is entitled to French courses and you do have to pay for this.
Hope this helps
larissa (am Swiss!)
larissa, Jun 8, 2009 @ 16:17
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 2
Jun 8, 2009 @ 18:43
Dear Michal,
I am currently working in Geneva as an au pair, and although I do not know all of the legalities of it... I can at least give you a bit of an idea of the salary.
In Switzerland, you are required to pay for at least 1/2 of the au pair's french lessons, as well as 1/2 of his/her health insurance, which is required by law, as well as give at least 4 weeks paid vacation time if he/she is over 20, and 5 weeks if he/she is under 20 years old. I am pretty sure that the minimum salary for an au pair is 780 chf per month, although that is for the maximum of 30 hours per week that the au pair is supposed to work. I'm sure you could work out something with your au pair if you needed them to work 40 hours per week, although you should probably offer a higher salary. I know that you are also supposed to pay for accident insurance for the au pair, and also deduct the appropriate taxes. I am not exactly sure how that works, but I'm sure if you went through a reputable agency, they would be able to help you with all of the technicalities.
If you would like to know anything else I would be more than happy to help you, including if you would like the contact info for the au pair agency that I went through.
Good luck with everything!
~Sam~
I am currently working in Geneva as an au pair, and although I do not know all of the legalities of it... I can at least give you a bit of an idea of the salary.
In Switzerland, you are required to pay for at least 1/2 of the au pair's french lessons, as well as 1/2 of his/her health insurance, which is required by law, as well as give at least 4 weeks paid vacation time if he/she is over 20, and 5 weeks if he/she is under 20 years old. I am pretty sure that the minimum salary for an au pair is 780 chf per month, although that is for the maximum of 30 hours per week that the au pair is supposed to work. I'm sure you could work out something with your au pair if you needed them to work 40 hours per week, although you should probably offer a higher salary. I know that you are also supposed to pay for accident insurance for the au pair, and also deduct the appropriate taxes. I am not exactly sure how that works, but I'm sure if you went through a reputable agency, they would be able to help you with all of the technicalities.
If you would like to know anything else I would be more than happy to help you, including if you would like the contact info for the au pair agency that I went through.
Good luck with everything!
~Sam~
The text you are quoting:
Dear Michal,
I am currently working in Geneva as an au pair, and although I do not know all of the legalities of it... I can at least give you a bit of an idea of the salary.
In Switzerland, you are required to pay for at least 1/2 of the au pair's french lessons, as well as 1/2 of his/her health insurance, which is required by law, as well as give at least 4 weeks paid vacation time if he/she is over 20, and 5 weeks if he/she is under 20 years old. I am pretty sure that the minimum salary for an au pair is 780 chf per month, although that is for the maximum of 30 hours per week that the au pair is supposed to work. I'm sure you could work out something with your au pair if you needed them to work 40 hours per week, although you should probably offer a higher salary. I know that you are also supposed to pay for accident insurance for the au pair, and also deduct the appropriate taxes. I am not exactly sure how that works, but I'm sure if you went through a reputable agency, they would be able to help you with all of the technicalities.
If you would like to know anything else I would be more than happy to help you, including if you would like the contact info for the au pair agency that I went through.
Good luck with everything!
~Sam~
EmrldGrl16, Jun 8, 2009 @ 18:43
I am currently working in Geneva as an au pair, and although I do not know all of the legalities of it... I can at least give you a bit of an idea of the salary.
In Switzerland, you are required to pay for at least 1/2 of the au pair's french lessons, as well as 1/2 of his/her health insurance, which is required by law, as well as give at least 4 weeks paid vacation time if he/she is over 20, and 5 weeks if he/she is under 20 years old. I am pretty sure that the minimum salary for an au pair is 780 chf per month, although that is for the maximum of 30 hours per week that the au pair is supposed to work. I'm sure you could work out something with your au pair if you needed them to work 40 hours per week, although you should probably offer a higher salary. I know that you are also supposed to pay for accident insurance for the au pair, and also deduct the appropriate taxes. I am not exactly sure how that works, but I'm sure if you went through a reputable agency, they would be able to help you with all of the technicalities.
If you would like to know anything else I would be more than happy to help you, including if you would like the contact info for the au pair agency that I went through.
Good luck with everything!
~Sam~
EmrldGrl16, Jun 8, 2009 @ 18:43
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 3
Jun 8, 2009 @ 19:35
hello! I'm currently an au pair in geneva and soon I will be a nanny. Swiss law requires 700chf per month and no more than 30 hours a week and no more than 8 hrs per day. I think the situation you have is more of a "nanny" job than an au pair. Of course, nannies are more expensive. Expect to pay around 500 chf or higher a week. hope this helps!
The text you are quoting:
hello! I'm currently an au pair in geneva and soon I will be a nanny. Swiss law requires 700chf per month and no more than 30 hours a week and no more than 8 hrs per day. I think the situation you have is more of a "nanny" job than an au pair. Of course, nannies are more expensive. Expect to pay around 500 chf or higher a week. hope this helps!
ktkimmle, Jun 8, 2009 @ 19:35
ktkimmle, Jun 8, 2009 @ 19:35
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 4
Jun 8, 2009 @ 22:38
Hello there,
It really depends on how many kids you have, their ages, and what exactly the responsibilities your au pair is doing.
By the sounds of these last posts, it sounds like I am getting the shaft. But I take after 4 kids, ages 12, 10, 8, and 4, I live it, my french class is fully paid for, as is my health insurance. I get paid 1000 swiss francs monthly and I work monday-friday about 8-9 hours monday, tuesday, thursday, friday, and wednesdays usually from 9-8. I am off every evening at 8 and have all day saturday and sundays. I am pretty happy with my situation.
If you have any questions let me know.
Jessica
The text you are quoting:
Hello there,
It really depends on how many kids you have, their ages, and what exactly the responsibilities your au pair is doing.
By the sounds of these last posts, it sounds like I am getting the shaft. But I take after 4 kids, ages 12, 10, 8, and 4, I live it, my french class is fully paid for, as is my health insurance. I get paid 1000 swiss francs monthly and I work monday-friday about 8-9 hours monday, tuesday, thursday, friday, and wednesdays usually from 9-8. I am off every evening at 8 and have all day saturday and sundays. I am pretty happy with my situation.
If you have any questions let me know.
Jessica
JessicaBates, Jun 8, 2009 @ 22:38
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 5
Jun 8, 2009 @ 22:42
I should also mention that this is my first au pair job. Also I cook lunch and dinner for the kids most days.
Hope this helps.
Jessica
The text you are quoting:
I should also mention that this is my first au pair job. Also I cook lunch and dinner for the kids most days.
Hope this helps.
Jessica
JessicaBates, Jun 8, 2009 @ 22:42
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 6
Jun 8, 2009 @ 23:52
Hi I am an au-pair in Bellevue (rive-droit) it is also my first au-pair job and I live in with my family of which there are 3 kids and a single mum. I clean and prepare meals and do a lot of taxiing : It is (I believe) legal only to be made as an aupair to work 30 hours standard a week in Geneva. I get all weekends off and am paid 700 chf a month. I have met a lot of other au-pairs and believe this is quite a standard rate or 700/800 chf /month and a lot of my friends get paid extra for babysitting/cleaning. Hope that is helpful.
Cheers
The text you are quoting:
Hi I am an au-pair in Bellevue (rive-droit) it is also my first au-pair job and I live in with my family of which there are 3 kids and a single mum. I clean and prepare meals and do a lot of taxiing : It is (I believe) legal only to be made as an aupair to work 30 hours standard a week in Geneva. I get all weekends off and am paid 700 chf a month. I have met a lot of other au-pairs and believe this is quite a standard rate or 700/800 chf /month and a lot of my friends get paid extra for babysitting/cleaning. Hope that is helpful.
Cheers
snoopy123, Jun 8, 2009 @ 23:52
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 7
Jun 9, 2009 @ 15:48
Thank you to everyone for your posts and sharing information. I thought I'd summarize what I've found out so far. Official info is from the Geneva and . Info concerns Geneva only. Vaud regulations are different.
Citizens of EU: don't need visa but will need permit. Au pairs can be recruited directly by family.
Non-EU citizens: need entry visa. Recruitment thru agencies only. The official list of agencies included about 6 personnel/temping agencies, none seemed specialised in au pairs/childcare.
All work permit requests are forwarded from OCP to and are evaluated individually. Must include signed work contract.
Au pairs in Geneva may only work max 30 hours per week. Family must pay language school, as well as the usual pension benefits and various insurances. Salary range, according to your replies, around 600 (young unqualified, less than 30 work hrs) to 750-1000 (over 18, more qualified, more hours). Must live in family home.
For someone to work over 30 hours per week, within Swiss legal limitations (10-hr day not a problem - this should probably be researched further re age etc.), they may not be considered as au pair but rather an employee (no specific category). At first they said they may not live in family home (then automatically considered au pair with above limitations), when I insisted and mentioned the Geneva housing crisis (how would this employee find reasonable housing) they said they could live in family home. Minimum salary, are you sitting down: CHF 3,760 per month if person holds qualification equivalent to CFC (Certificat fédéral de capacité, obtained after 9 yrs schooling + 3 yrs apprenticeship). Slightly less if no such qualification (still above CHF 3000). If live-in, can deduct up to CHF 900 for room and board. I insisted and was told that a permit request indicating lower salary would not be approved.
So there. It seems that for working families in Geneva, finding a place in a creche is no more an option than hiring reasonable live-in childcare. Got to be wealthy to work.
I guess what most families and au pairs do is outside the strict letter of the law. As long as everyone is happy and nobody gets caught...
Hope this does not stir trouble for anyone. Since so many of you came back with helpful replies, I thought it would be fair to share what I've learned. Not sure what we'll do in the end but good luck to all!
Michal
Citizens of EU: don't need visa but will need permit. Au pairs can be recruited directly by family.
Non-EU citizens: need entry visa. Recruitment thru agencies only. The official list of agencies included about 6 personnel/temping agencies, none seemed specialised in au pairs/childcare.
All work permit requests are forwarded from OCP to and are evaluated individually. Must include signed work contract.
Au pairs in Geneva may only work max 30 hours per week. Family must pay language school, as well as the usual pension benefits and various insurances. Salary range, according to your replies, around 600 (young unqualified, less than 30 work hrs) to 750-1000 (over 18, more qualified, more hours). Must live in family home.
For someone to work over 30 hours per week, within Swiss legal limitations (10-hr day not a problem - this should probably be researched further re age etc.), they may not be considered as au pair but rather an employee (no specific category). At first they said they may not live in family home (then automatically considered au pair with above limitations), when I insisted and mentioned the Geneva housing crisis (how would this employee find reasonable housing) they said they could live in family home. Minimum salary, are you sitting down: CHF 3,760 per month if person holds qualification equivalent to CFC (Certificat fédéral de capacité, obtained after 9 yrs schooling + 3 yrs apprenticeship). Slightly less if no such qualification (still above CHF 3000). If live-in, can deduct up to CHF 900 for room and board. I insisted and was told that a permit request indicating lower salary would not be approved.
So there. It seems that for working families in Geneva, finding a place in a creche is no more an option than hiring reasonable live-in childcare. Got to be wealthy to work.
I guess what most families and au pairs do is outside the strict letter of the law. As long as everyone is happy and nobody gets caught...
Hope this does not stir trouble for anyone. Since so many of you came back with helpful replies, I thought it would be fair to share what I've learned. Not sure what we'll do in the end but good luck to all!
Michal
The text you are quoting:
Thank you to everyone for your posts and sharing information. I thought I'd summarize what I've found out so far. Official info is from the Geneva and . Info concerns Geneva only. Vaud regulations are different.
Citizens of EU: don't need visa but will need permit. Au pairs can be recruited directly by family.
Non-EU citizens: need entry visa. Recruitment thru agencies only. The official list of agencies included about 6 personnel/temping agencies, none seemed specialised in au pairs/childcare.
All work permit requests are forwarded from OCP to and are evaluated individually. Must include signed work contract.
Au pairs in Geneva may only work max 30 hours per week. Family must pay language school, as well as the usual pension benefits and various insurances. Salary range, according to your replies, around 600 (young unqualified, less than 30 work hrs) to 750-1000 (over 18, more qualified, more hours). Must live in family home.
For someone to work over 30 hours per week, within Swiss legal limitations (10-hr day not a problem - this should probably be researched further re age etc.), they may not be considered as au pair but rather an employee (no specific category). At first they said they may not live in family home (then automatically considered au pair with above limitations), when I insisted and mentioned the Geneva housing crisis (how would this employee find reasonable housing) they said they could live in family home. Minimum salary, are you sitting down: CHF 3,760 per month if person holds qualification equivalent to CFC (Certificat fédéral de capacité, obtained after 9 yrs schooling + 3 yrs apprenticeship). Slightly less if no such qualification (still above CHF 3000). If live-in, can deduct up to CHF 900 for room and board. I insisted and was told that a permit request indicating lower salary would not be approved.
So there. It seems that for working families in Geneva, finding a place in a creche is no more an option than hiring reasonable live-in childcare. Got to be wealthy to work.
I guess what most families and au pairs do is outside the strict letter of the law. As long as everyone is happy and nobody gets caught...
Hope this does not stir trouble for anyone. Since so many of you came back with helpful replies, I thought it would be fair to share what I've learned. Not sure what we'll do in the end but good luck to all!
Michal
sela_michal, Jun 9, 2009 @ 15:48
Citizens of EU: don't need visa but will need permit. Au pairs can be recruited directly by family.
Non-EU citizens: need entry visa. Recruitment thru agencies only. The official list of agencies included about 6 personnel/temping agencies, none seemed specialised in au pairs/childcare.
All work permit requests are forwarded from OCP to and are evaluated individually. Must include signed work contract.
Au pairs in Geneva may only work max 30 hours per week. Family must pay language school, as well as the usual pension benefits and various insurances. Salary range, according to your replies, around 600 (young unqualified, less than 30 work hrs) to 750-1000 (over 18, more qualified, more hours). Must live in family home.
For someone to work over 30 hours per week, within Swiss legal limitations (10-hr day not a problem - this should probably be researched further re age etc.), they may not be considered as au pair but rather an employee (no specific category). At first they said they may not live in family home (then automatically considered au pair with above limitations), when I insisted and mentioned the Geneva housing crisis (how would this employee find reasonable housing) they said they could live in family home. Minimum salary, are you sitting down: CHF 3,760 per month if person holds qualification equivalent to CFC (Certificat fédéral de capacité, obtained after 9 yrs schooling + 3 yrs apprenticeship). Slightly less if no such qualification (still above CHF 3000). If live-in, can deduct up to CHF 900 for room and board. I insisted and was told that a permit request indicating lower salary would not be approved.
So there. It seems that for working families in Geneva, finding a place in a creche is no more an option than hiring reasonable live-in childcare. Got to be wealthy to work.
I guess what most families and au pairs do is outside the strict letter of the law. As long as everyone is happy and nobody gets caught...
Hope this does not stir trouble for anyone. Since so many of you came back with helpful replies, I thought it would be fair to share what I've learned. Not sure what we'll do in the end but good luck to all!
Michal
sela_michal, Jun 9, 2009 @ 15:48
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 8
Aug 8, 2009 @ 20:47
If you're interested I'm launching a new nanny agency for Geneva, with good rates for expats.
http://angloswissnannyagency.com/
http://angloswissnannyagency.com/
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If you're interested I'm launching a new nanny agency for Geneva, with good rates for expats.
http://angloswissnannyagency.com/
MarionGeneva, Aug 8, 2009 @ 20:47
http://angloswissnannyagency.com/
MarionGeneva, Aug 8, 2009 @ 20:47
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 9
Sep 26, 2009 @ 08:54
Sam, Jessica, Heather,
How did you find your host families? I will be needing an au pair at the beginning of the year and am lost in the sea of au pair web sites out there. Any information would be appreciated!!
How did you find your host families? I will be needing an au pair at the beginning of the year and am lost in the sea of au pair web sites out there. Any information would be appreciated!!
The text you are quoting:
Sam, Jessica, Heather,
How did you find your host families? I will be needing an au pair at the beginning of the year and am lost in the sea of au pair web sites out there. Any information would be appreciated!!
clonell, Sep 26, 2009 @ 08:54
How did you find your host families? I will be needing an au pair at the beginning of the year and am lost in the sea of au pair web sites out there. Any information would be appreciated!!
clonell, Sep 26, 2009 @ 08:54
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 10
Sep 26, 2009 @ 11:18
I used Sunshine Au Pair Agency... They were extremely helpful!
http://www.au-pair-sunshine.ch/en/
http://www.au-pair-sunshine.ch/en/
The text you are quoting:
I used Sunshine Au Pair Agency... They were extremely helpful!
http://www.au-pair-sunshine.ch/en/
EmrldGrl16, Sep 26, 2009 @ 11:18
http://www.au-pair-sunshine.ch/en/
EmrldGrl16, Sep 26, 2009 @ 11:18
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 11
Sep 12, 2010 @ 18:35
Is it normal ,in Switzerland , as an au pair, to receive 800 CHF from which I should pay my monthly insurance of 170 CHF and language classes around 150 CHF/month, once a week? This salary involves taking care of 3 children under 10, 5 days a week, bringing/taking from school, cleaning, cooking, ironing, shopping for the whole familly, starting 7:30-18:00, and paying my transport, coming ASAP...
I saw the salaries you where talking and I really can't believe I received only offers like the one above, different more or less...
I can work as a nanny because I have a big background with kids, starting with my brothers and cousins since the age of 6, because in my family was always this idea that the big brother is in charge for the others and the whole house when parents are not home. I will like to do this for one year, to try this living abroad experience, but only if I find a nice family to appreciate me. I can't understand how some families pay so less for a person to be in charge for their children...Are children, not poppies...
Perhaps you can give me your advice regarding this , and maybe some advices. If some one you know is interested in my profile I can give you any time in a message, not to post it here to make an advertisement, because this is not to purpose of this forum.
Waiting for your replies
The text you are quoting:
Is it normal ,in Switzerland , as an au pair, to receive 800 CHF from which I should pay my monthly insurance of 170 CHF and language classes around 150 CHF/month, once a week? This salary involves taking care of 3 children under 10, 5 days a week, bringing/taking from school, cleaning, cooking, ironing, shopping for the whole familly, starting 7:30-18:00, and paying my transport, coming ASAP...
I saw the salaries you where talking and I really can't believe I received only offers like the one above, different more or less...
I can work as a nanny because I have a big background with kids, starting with my brothers and cousins since the age of 6, because in my family was always this idea that the big brother is in charge for the others and the whole house when parents are not home. I will like to do this for one year, to try this living abroad experience, but only if I find a nice family to appreciate me. I can't understand how some families pay so less for a person to be in charge for their children...Are children, not poppies...
Perhaps you can give me your advice regarding this , and maybe some advices. If some one you know is interested in my profile I can give you any time in a message, not to post it here to make an advertisement, because this is not to purpose of this forum.
Waiting for your replies
Miriam L, Sep 12, 2010 @ 18:35
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 12
Jan 24, 2014 @ 09:32
if the three children are at school all the day, i think 800chf per month is ok. but if only one of the children stay at home and you have to look after him from 7.30 till 18.00, the family is supposed to pay you more for every extra hour
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if the three children are at school all the day, i think 800chf per month is ok. but if only one of the children stay at home and you have to look after him from 7.30 till 18.00, the family is supposed to pay you more for every extra hour
francesca faccioli, Jan 24, 2014 @ 09:32
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 13
Jan 24, 2014 @ 10:29
The text you are quoting:
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Re: Au pair salaries
Post 14
Jan 24, 2014 @ 10:45
