Au Pairs and Interns/Trainees

Au pairs and interns/trainees are usually covered by the social security and healthcare system of the EU/EEA country where they work, similar to regular employees.

However, in some cases, you may find yourself in a gap situation where neither your home country nor your host country provides social security or healthcare coverage.

This can happen if the country where you are working as an au pair or intern has a minimum income requirement for access to social security and healthcare services.

You may still be entitled to social security and healthcare in your home country. In that case, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary treatment while working abroad.

However, if your stay exceeds a certain period (e.g., more than six months), you may, in the case of some EU countries, lose this right to healthcare coverage in your home country.

If you find yourself in this gap situation, you may need to pay contributions to access healthcare in your host country. Alternatively, you can take out private health insurance to ensure continuous coverage.

Last updated on 31 January 2025.