What is an "au pair"?

An "au pair" is a foreign national temporarily hosted by a family for cultural and language-learning purposes.

There are rules and conditions that both you and your host family must comply with.

Access conditions for becoming an "au pair"

Authorisation

You must hold a type B work permit. Your host family is responsible for applying for it. Your family will find all information about type B work permit here.

Age and status

First, you must be between 18 and 30 years old and have completed secondary education.

You must not have previously obtained work authorisation in Wallonia. You cannot combine "au pair" status with worker status and, under no circumstances, may you have the status of a “posted worker”.

Mandatory training

During your "au pair" stay, you are required to attend courses:

• if you do have a basic knowledge of the usual language spoken by your host family, you must take intensive courses in that language as soon as you arrive in Belgium;

Example: If your host family’s usual language is French and you do not speak it, you must take French courses.

Example: If your host family’s usual language is Spanish and you do not speak it, you must take Spanish courses.

• if you have basic knowledge of the usual language spoken by your host family, you may take courses of your choice.

Example: If your host family’s usual language is French and you speak it, you may take computer courses, for example.

Example: If your host family’s usual language is Turkish and you speak it, you may take courses such as civic education, citizenship, Belgian history or even poetry, for example.

Living conditions

You must benefit from specific living conditions. Your host family accommodates you and includes you in their daily life. They must provide you with:

• your type B work permit;
• a private, furnished and heated bedroom;
• a cultural programme to discover Belgium;
• insurance coverage in case of problems, including health issues, accidents or repatriation.

These hosting conditions are checked before your arrival and may also be checked during your stay.

Length of stay

You may stay in Belgium as "an au pair" for a maximum of 12 months.

You may renew your application once only, provided that your "au pair" stay does not exceed one year in total.

If you experience problems during your stay, you may change host family. However, this change is only possible once, as the total duration of your stay may not exceed one year.

Authorised activities

As an "au pair", your activities consist of helping with light household tasks and childcare. These activities must not exceed 4 hours per day or 20 hours per week.

Your stay is intended to be cultural. You are therefore not allowed to carry out heavy tasks, additional work or any other job, whether at the host family’s home or elsewhere.

Organise your working time in consultation with your host family. Make sure you have at least one full day off per week.

Pocket money

Your host family must pay you at least €750 in pocket money per month throughout your stay.

To receive this allowance, you will need to open an account with the bank of your choice and provide your bank details to your host family. 

Have you started the procedures but are still waiting for your residence permit? In that case, you may receive your allowance in cash in the meantime. Make sure you keep the signed monthly receipts as proof of payment.

Monitoring of the "au pair" stay

Inspections may be carried out during your “au pair” stay to ensure that the conditions laid down in the regulations are being properly complied with.

How does an inspection take place ?

Inspectors from the Walloon Public Service may visit your host family’s home. This visit may take place without prior notice.

The inspector may ask questions and check on site that:

• the hosting conditions are being respected ;
• the rules on authorised activities are being applied ;
• the working time complies with the regulations ;
• the stay is taking place under good conditions for all parties.

During this inspection, inspectors from the Walloon Public Service may ask to see your room to check that the situation remains the same as the one presented during the preliminary visit.

Your rights

During the inspection visit, you may:

• speak freely with the inspector ;
• ask questions ;
• report a problematic or abusive situation.

Brochure

Need help ? 

Are you experiencing a problem or a difficult situation during your "au pair" stay? The following services may be able to help you :