Everything You Need to Know About Working as a Caregiver Abroad

The fact that you clicked on the link to this article and continue reading indicates that you are at least toying with the idea of becoming a caregiver. Are you interested in what this job, or rather this calling, entails, and whether you have the potential to be successful in this field? In today's edition of our blog, we will focus on this topic and hope it will help you in deciding on your next profession.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Good Caregiver?

The answer to this question is quite simple. If you have a close affinity for seniors and helping others fulfills you, you will certainly be a great caregiver. This is the most essential prerequisite for performing this profession well. Elderly people often suffer from various more or less serious illnesses, so personal experience will be useful to you. Sometimes, unfortunately, one gains this experience while caring for their own relatives. In such cases, the attending doctor and healthcare professionals will explain how to care for your relative. If you want to provide care at a professional level, a caregiver course will also be beneficial. Some agencies will require this from you as proof of qualification, while in others, your personal experience will suffice. 

Caregiver Course - Where Can You Take It? Will the Employment Office Cover It?

Caregiver courses are now available in almost every major city in Slovakia. They are offered by various companies and organizations, with the Red Cross being among the globally recognized ones. It is important that the caregiver course you choose has the necessary accreditation valid in Slovakia, and if you plan to travel abroad, also internationally.

Under certain conditions, the Office of Labor, Social Affairs and Family may provide a subsidy for certain types of retraining courses. A caregiver course is among the courses eligible for this subsidy. Such a course must be completed within the territory of the Slovak Republic. More detailed information and whether you meet the conditions for course reimbursement by the labor office can be found directly on their website www.upsvar.sk or directly at the office of labor, social affairs, and family in your place of residence.

Choosing an Employment Agency

Of course, you can decide to work independently. For the rest of you, an important step in job selection will be finding a reliable employment agency. One that will help you not only find a job but will be available to you throughout the duration of your employment stay. Tips on how to find such an agency can be found here: Tips on Choosing a Good Agency.

What Does the Job of a Caregiver Entail?

For transportation, always check in advance with your agency. Some intermediary agencies have their own dedicated transportation to get you to the family where you will be working. Others do not offer transport services at all. Various companies specialize in caregiver transportation, and their references can be easily found online. If you are traveling for the first time and have the opportunity to travel directly through an agency, it is recommended to take advantage of this option.

What are the salary conditions in German-speaking countries?

The financial remuneration for a caregiver working abroad can vary greatly. Many factors determine the final price, such as the required language proficiency or the condition of the patient. The average wage in Austria and Germany is around 45-65 €/ per working day, while in Switzerland it is somewhat higher. The work is performed either as self-employment or as an employment contract.

Self-employment vs. employment contract

Typically, caregiver work abroad is performed either as self-employment in the country of work or as self-employment in the home country. Sometimes it is possible to work under an employment contract either with a Slovak or foreign agency. The main difference between self-employment and an employment contract is that while during an employment contract your social and health insurance is covered by the employer, in the case of self-employment, you cover the contributions yourself. This difference is usually reflected in the salary conditions of job offers. How to set up self-employment and what it entails can be found in one of our other articles on our blog. We hope we have made your decision a little easier and look forward to seeing you next week.