The European Committee for Au Pair Standards (ECAPS)

What is ECAPS?

ECAPS (European Committee for Au Pair Standards) is a committee of European country representatives who meet regularly to exchange information on national developments and support each other with lobbying activities on a European level. IAPA supports ECAPS and helps organise its activities.

Who takes part in ECAPS?

Each European country can be represented in ECAPS, either through its national au pair association or, where no national association exists, through individual member agencies. Not every European country has a national association, so, nowadays ECAPS allows flexible, practical representation rather than requiring formal membership structures.

When was ECAPS established, and why?

ECAPS was established in April 2006 with the aim of defining common au pair standards across Europe. Its long-term goal was to develop a shared set of rules and guidelines for au pairs, host families, au pair agencies, and national au pair associations.

Has ECAPS achieved a common European standard?

ECAPS agreed on an initial set of shared standards some years ago, with the long-term aim of working towards common European regulations. In practice, this remains an ongoing effort: each European country still has its own national regulations for au pair programmes, though many follow similar underlying principles. ECAPS continues to work towards greater alignment, while recognising that full standardisation across all countries is a long-term and challenging goal.

What does ECAPS do today?

ECAPS holds regular meetings online and in-person where country representatives exchange news and updates, discuss developments in national au pair regulations, and support one another's lobbying efforts with national governments and European bodies such as the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

Mission

1. To help ensure the au pair sector is recognised across European countries as a cultural exchange programme
2. To work towards shared guidelines and minimum standards for a European au pair programme, including a common definition of au pairing
3. To increase public awareness of the au pair programme within individual countries
4. To promote the au pair sector and support the development of national associations active in the au pair industry
5. To build mutual understanding and cooperation between national au pair associations
6. Where possible, to support the development of au pair programmes in countries where they do not yet exist or are newly developing
7. To encourage governments and official bodies across Europe to formally recognise au pair programmes and create an own au pair Visa where there is none

Booklet

ECAPS has published a booklet outlining shared definitions, rules, and guidelines for au pairs, host families, and au pair agencies. It is available for download below in English, French, Italian and Spanish, with a German version planned.

The booklet is currently available in English, French, Italian and Spanish, and will also be made available in German in the future.