The au pair job is for young people, and give them the chance to make a living abroad, providing a financial cover for their general expenses and without the task of finding an accommodation.
The main purpose that pushes thousands of young people every year to go abroad doing this kind of job, is the need to learn a new language as well as the desire to experience the customs and the traditions of a foreign country.
This last aspect may create problems related to integrations and management of daily life with the host family.
The knowledge of a few simple rules could prevent the sense of inadequacy and confusion that anyone can feel for the first time when facing the daily tasks in a foreign country.
Let’s start by identifying the necessary conditions required for working in our country:
• Aged between 18 and 30 years
• Basic knowledge of the language
• If you are European citizens, you will only need the identity card, otherwise the passport is needed.
• Presentation of the declaration of hospitality by the hosts within 48 hours after the arrival.
If you will stay more than three months, there are other duties to be fulfilled: Subscriptions to the General Register Office, request of the tax code and registration to the National Health Service.
The rules listed above belong to the legal obligations, but actually what worries the most the au pair workers when they are in another country, are the unwritten rules of “everyday life”.
• How many hours do I have to work?
• What is the right compensation?
• What if I am going to take the children of the host family to school?
• How does the garbage collection works?

Following articles will provide this important information, not only about bureaucracy, to make easier the experience of young people who come to Italy for work or study.