Au pair

An au pair is a young person temporarily welcomed within a family that houses and feeds them in exchange for light, daily, family-type tasks. This participation in the host family's life enables the au pair to improve their language skills and increase their general culture through a better knowledge of the country.

At the time when they begin the role, the au pair must be aged between 18 (minimum) and 26 (maximum). This young person must have diploma that give them access to higher education in the country of origin or provide proof that they have taken courses until at least the age of 17.

The young person will have to take language lessons (FRENCH OR GERMAN) in a recognised educational institution in the Region. They will receive the sum of 450 EUR per month from the family as pocket money, in return for performing daily family tasks including childcare. This occupation cannot exceed four hours a day and twenty hours a week; it cannot be the main purpose of the stay.

A social inspection visit to the home is arranged beforehand, in particular to check that the young person will have their own room. A visit may also take place during the placement.

The permit is issued for a maximum period of 12 months. It can only be renewed once to reach the total duration of 12 months if this duration was not reached during the first permit.

Single permit or type B work permit?

The au pair must be employed under a type B employment authorisation.

Seconded worker or not?

The au pair can not be a seconded worker.

If you want to employ an au pair: request a type B permit

Where is the application submitted?

For the type B permit, you must still make the application using the paper form (2021). Click here to access the application form.

The form and its supporting documents must be sent

by email to: permisdetravail.enteprises@spw.wallonie.be
or by post to the following address:

Public Service of Wallonia, Directorate of Employment and Work Permits

Place de la Wallonie, 1

5100 Jambes

How long does it take to process my file?

If your file is complete, the application may take between 1 and 2 months but this can double if your file is incomplete.

What documents are required?

	First application	Renewal application
A copy of the placement agreement, in accordance with Appendix II of the Royal Decree of 9 June 1999	Yes	Yes
Appendix completed by the family	Yes	No
Appendix completed by the young person	Yes	No
Composition of the host family's household issued by the municipal administration	Yes	Yes
Extract of the criminal record of each adult member appearing in the household composition	Yes	Yes
Registration certificate for all children aged under 6 to for a nursery or kindergarten, or failing that, any document proving that their daycare is planned while their parents are at work	Yes	No
A copy of the au pair's qualification or proof of their schooling up until the age of 17	Yes	No
Insurance certificate covering the au pair's health care during the placement	Yes	(1)
Insurance certificate covering risks in case of the au pair's repatriation to their country of origin along with a copy of the insurance policy proving that it is indeed to the country of origin that the au pair would be repatriated	Yes	(1)
Original medical certificate, duly completed and legalised by Belgian diplomatic or consular officials abroad, dated within 3 months	Yes	No
Confirmation of the registration application for language lessons (the lessons must be intensive if the au pair does not speak the language used in the host family)	Yes	(1)
A copy of the most recent tax certificate of the head(s) of the family or copies of the last three payslips	Yes	No
Form providing proof of accommodation referred to in page 3 of the au pair placement agreement, at the bottom of the page	Yes	(1)
A copy of the young person's driving licence if use of a car is necessary to carry out the tasks defined by the au pair's placement agreement	Yes	No
Proof of payment of the pocket money	No	Yes
School attendance certificate	No	Yes