There are two legal ways to work as a nanny in Germany: as a freelance nanny or an employed nanny. Their are pros and cons to each side, but if you do decide to become a freelance nanny, there are quite a few steps you’ll want to be sure you take care of so you don’t run into issues later on. Here’s a quick guide to getting started as a freelance nanny in Germany.
1. Legal requirements for freelance nannies in Germany
- Freelancer Registration: Register as a self-employed person (“Freiberufler”) with the local tax office (Finanzamt). You’ll need to fill out a form called Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung to receive a tax number. If you aren’t a native German speaker—or even if you are—this form can be quite complicated. You might wish to consult with a tax advisor, or at the very least read this step-by-step guide to filling out your freelance registration form from Accountable.
- Health Insurance: Ensure you have valid German health insurance, as it is mandatory in Germany. This applies whether you are a resident or moving there for work. If you don’t have insurance yet, we recommend Feather for helping you to find the right public or private health insurance. All their information is available in English, making it super simple for expats to sign up.
- Residence and Work Permit: If you’re not an EU/EEA citizen, ensure your visa allows you to work as a freelancer.
- Liability Insurance: Consider taking out liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) to cover any potential accidents or damages that might occur while you’re working. Feather’s personal liability insurance is less that €5 per month and allows you to cancel on a month-to-month basis.
2. Qualify for the Role
- Relevant Experience: Highlight any prior nanny or childcare experience. Make sure you are highlighting previous nanny, babysitting, or au pair roles. It’s also beneficial to showcase any educational roles such as teaching or tutoring, or enriching hobbies such as sports, music, or spending time in nature.
- Certifications: Obtain first aid and childcare certifications. These are highly sought-after in Germany and can increase your credibility. Without a valid first aid certificate, most nanny agencies will not agree to add you to their pool.
- Language Skills: If you’re not fluent in German, learning the language will significantly help in communication with families. However, native English can be a huge bonus, as many families want to encourage their children to speak English from an early age. Lighthouse Nanny for instance prioritizes English over other native languages.
3. Set Your Services and Rates
- Define the type of services you offer (e.g., babysitting, tutoring, school pickups, meal preparation). You may also offer special services such as infant care, overnight care, travel nannying, and more.
- Research market rates in your area to set competitive pricing. Rates can vary depending on the city, hours, and additional services. At Lighthouse Nanny, our rates for freelancers start at €25 per hour.
4. Create Professional Profile
- Use online platforms like: Betreut.de, ErsteKinderbetreuung.de, or Babysitter.de
- Join local Facebook groups or community boards for parents and childcare providers.
- Contact respected nanny agencies to start inquiring about possible roles.
- Create a standout CV. Here are a few tips we have for writing the ideal nanny CV that gets you noticed.
5. Market Your Services
- Networking: Join local expat or parenting groups to connect with families looking for nannies, as well as reputable nanny agencies.
- Online Presence: Build a professional online profile or website showcasing your experience, skills, and client reviews.
6. Manage Finances and Taxes
- Maintain accurate records of your income and expenses. Unlike employees, freelancers are able to deduct many expenses from their taxes each year. But in order to do this, you must keep extremely organized records and have everything ready to submit to your tax advisor or to the Finanzamt, should they request it.
- Submit an annual tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung) as required by German law. You may want to consult a tax advisor (Steuerberater).
Freelance nannies at Lighthouse Nanny agency
Lighthouse Nanny is always recruiting freelance nannies to join our pool. Freelance nannies have the advantage over employed nannies that they are able to take on one-off assignments such as events, emergency nannying, and temporary nannying. If you’re considering becoming a freelance nanny in Germany but would like to learn more, feel free to send us your application.
