Au pair to student visa Germany — how to stay after your au-pair year
Reviewed by Steffan Grund, insurance specialist for foreign residents in Germany · Last reviewed 2026-04-11
Sources: § 16b · § 16a · § 20 AufenthG · § 12 BeschV · BAMF au-pair guideline · HanseMerkur AVB · Care Concept AG
Quick answer: The au-pair residence permit under § 12 BeschV is limited to 12 months and typically not extendable as an au-pair. To stay in Germany you switch to a student visa (§ 16b AufenthG), an Ausbildung (§ 16a) or a job-seeker visa (§ 20) — and you replace Care Au-Pair with a tariff that fits the new permit (Care College, Care Student, or Care Expatriate).
Stay in Germany after au pair is one of the most-searched post-au-pair questions among native English-speaking au-pairs from the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. The path is well-trodden — but you must apply for the new residence permit before the au-pair permit expires, and you must show a new German-recognised insurance certificate that matches the new purpose of stay.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Continuing in Germany after au pair — pick the right follow-on insurance
Recommended tariffs — student switch and language-course bridge
Care Student
from €101.54 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For international students in Germany: bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies & eligible university enrollment cases
- Accepted for university enrollment – electronic M10 notification
- Health insurance + mandatory long-term care insurance from €101.54/month
- Save at least €50/month compared with statutory student health insurance
- For bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies & eligible university enrollment flows
- Private-patient status: free choice of doctor, often faster appointments
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- Support with exemption from statutory health insurance
- Recognized by universities and immigration authorities
- Coverage term up to 5 years · entry age 12–39
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Student?
For international students in Germany who need private health insurance for enrollment, M10 notification and proof of coverage for authorities — with strong benefits and potential savings compared with statutory health insurance.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security during your studies: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap during a bachelor's, master's, doctoral program or eligible university enrollment case.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance AG
- 📄 M10 notification + proof for universities & immigration authorities
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & prescription medication
- 🏷️ From €101.54 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, secure your M10 notification, prepare for enrollment
Care College
from only €27.50 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For language schools, Studienkolleg, DSH, continuing education, visiting researchers & educational stays
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Affordable health insurance from €27.50 / month
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- For educational stays in Germany or the EU/Schengen Area — except Austria
- Suitable for language students, Studienkolleg, DSH, continuing education & visiting researchers
- Coverage up to 5 years – less renewal stress
- 3 plan levels available: Basic, Comfort & Premium
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Coverage term: 1 month to 5 years · entry age up to 40
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care College?
For foreign nationals with an educational stay who need affordable health insurance and proof of coverage for authorities — suitable for language school, Studienkolleg, DSH, continuing education or visiting researchers.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security during training, language courses or study preparation: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €27.50 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
One wrong insurance choice can cost you money, time and your application deadline
A medical incident can become expensive fast — but the wrong certificate can also delay your visa, enrollment, residence permit or work start.
🏥
€500–€1,500
Emergency doctor visit
One urgent doctor or emergency-room visit can already create a painful bill — before tests, medication or follow-up treatment are added.
🏨
€2,000–€10,000+
Hospital treatment
If observation, surgery, overnight stay or specialist treatment is needed, costs can quickly move from hundreds to thousands of euros.
👨👩👧
24 months max
Contract and visa proof must match
Au-pair insurance should match the host-family contract, stay dates and visa documents before the application is submitted.
- Wrong or incomplete proof can delay your visa, enrollment or authority process.
- Cheap home-country policies may miss the exact coverage, dates or repatriation wording required.
- The cheapest policy can become expensive if it is the wrong proof for your situation.
Before you apply, check: coverage amount, validity dates, destination area and repatriation cover.
Why act before the au pair contract starts
Au pair insurance proof should match the host-family contract, visa documents and stay dates before travel begins.
Contract proof matters
Care Au-Pair can provide proof for au pair, host family and visa documents where required.
1 to 24 months
Choose the coverage term that matches the planned au pair stay.
Pick the plan level early
Si, S, M and XL differ by budget and benefits. Do not wait until the visa appointment.
Trips need checking
Temporary trips outside the host country may be covered depending on tariff and conditions.
Switch matrix — new purpose → new insurance
| New residence purpose | Legal basis | Standard follow-on insurance |
|---|---|---|
| German language course / Studienkolleg | § 16f AufenthG | Care College (ages 12–40, 1–60 months) |
| University degree (Bachelor / Master / PhD) | § 16b AufenthG | DAK Studenten (under 30) or Care Student (30+ / GKV-exempt / PhD) |
| Apprenticeship (Ausbildung) | § 16a AufenthG | GKV through the training employer (typical) |
| Job-seeker | § 20 AufenthG | Care Expatriate until the GKV-eligible job starts |
| Opportunity Card | § 20a AufenthG (Chancenkarte) | Care Economy or Care Expatriate (depending on duration) |
Care Au-Pair ends with the au-pair residence permit and is not transferable to the new residence purpose — every switch needs a fresh insurance certificate.
Care Au-Pair — all tiers, all monthly prices
| Care Au-Pair |
Care Au-Pair SI
|
Care Au-Pair S
|
BestsellerCare Au-Pair M
|
Care Au-Pair XL
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monatsprämie (€/Monat) | 21,– € / Monat | 26,– € / Monat | 35,– € / Monat | 43,– € / Monat |
| Selbstbeteiligung | 50 €/Fall | 35 €/Fall | 0 € | 0 € |
Alle Preise pro Monat/Person in Euro. Eintrittsalter bis 35 Jahre. Laufzeit 1–24 Monate. Versicherbar sind ausländische Au-pairs mit ständigem Wohnsitz im Ausland während eines Aufenthalts in Deutschland sowie deutsche/österreichische Versicherte im Ausland; Geltungsbereich abhängig von Wohnsitz, Gastland und Tarifbedingungen, USA, Kanada und Mexiko ausgenommen. Nachhaftung 3 Monate (alle Tarife). Stand 2026.
Case study: Carla, 22, from São Paulo → au-pair year, then Studienkolleg in Cologne
With 11 months of her au-pair year done, Carla booked the Ausländerbehörde appointment 8 weeks before the § 12 BeschV permit ran out. She bought Care College Basic online in 6 minutes (PDF issued instantly), brought the language-school confirmation, and the authority granted a Fiktionsbescheinigung on the spot — no gap, no exit-and-reentry.
Time saved: waiting until after the au-pair permit expired would have meant flying home, applying for a new D-visa at the consulate, and re-entering — roughly a four-figure euro bill in flights plus 6–8 weeks lost. Care College from €27.50/month bridges seamlessly into the language-course / Studienkolleg period. Get Care College now →
Document checklist for the Ausländerbehörde
- Old au-pair residence card (still valid) and passport
- New insurance certificate (Care College / Care Student / Care Expatriate, depending on purpose)
- Purpose proof — enrolment letter from the German university, Sprachkurs confirmation, signed Ausbildungsvertrag, or Chancenkarte points sheet
- Anmeldung (Meldebescheinigung) — current German address
- Biometric passport photos and the residence-permit fee (~€100)
- Proof of financial means (Sperrkonto / scholarship / employment contract / parental funding declaration)
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Continuing in Germany after au pair? Get the right insurance for the new permit.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend the au-pair visa beyond 12 months in Germany?
The au-pair residence permit under § 12 BeschV is granted for up to 12 months and is typically not extended as an au-pair. Most former au-pairs switch to a language-course visa, an apprenticeship (§ 16a AufenthG), a student visa (§ 16b AufenthG) or a job-seeker visa (§ 20 AufenthG).
Can I stay in Germany after my au-pair year — switch to student, Ausbildung or work visa?
Yes. The standard paths are: § 16b AufenthG for a university degree or Studienkolleg, § 16a AufenthG for an Ausbildung, § 20 AufenthG for job-seekers and § 20a (Chancenkarte) for points-based qualified job seekers. Apply at the Ausländerbehörde BEFORE the au-pair permit expires.
Does Care Au-Pair still cover me if I switch to a language course (Sprachkurs)?
No — Care Au-Pair is specific to the au-pair residence permit. For Sprachkurs or Studienkolleg the standard follow-on tariff is Care College (ages 12–40, 1–60 months), which the Ausländerbehörde regularly accepts for the new permit.
Which insurance do I need if I become a student after the au-pair year?
Under age 30 and enrolling at a German university you typically join statutory health insurance (DAK Studenten). Over 30, on PhD, or formally GKV-exempt, you switch to Care Student (the recognised private alternative for foreign students).
What is a Fiktionsbescheinigung and do I need one between the au-pair and the new permit?
If you apply for the new residence permit before the au-pair card expires, the Ausländerbehörde typically issues a Fiktionsbescheinigung — a temporary certificate that legalises your stay (and any allowed work) until the new card is printed.
Can a former au-pair from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or South Africa apply for the Chancenkarte?
Yes, if the points threshold under § 20a AufenthG is met (qualification, German or English language proof, age, work experience). Most former au-pairs combine the language skills earned during the au-pair year with their existing degree or vocational training to qualify.