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 30 (maximum). This young person has a secondary level of education..
They will receive the sum of 750 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.
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.
Requirements for being an au pair :
- Be between 18 and 30 years old on the date the work permit is granted
- Take classes:
- If the au pair does not speak the family's main language, he/she must take intensive classes in that language as soon as he/she arrives in Belgium
- E.g.: If the family's usual language is French and the au pair does not speak this language, he/she must take French lessons.
- E.g.: If the family's language is Spanish and the au pair does not speak this language, he/she must take Spanish lessons.
- If the au pair has a basic knowledge of the family's usual language, he/she may take a course of his/her choice.
- E.g.: If the family's language is French and the au pair speaks this language, he/she may take a computer course.
- E.g.: If the family's language is Turkish and the au pair speaks this language, he/she may take sewing lessons.
- If the au pair does not speak the family's main language, he/she must take intensive classes in that language as soon as he/she arrives in Belgium
- Have completed secondary education.
- Not have previously held a work permit in a French-speaking region for any reason whatsoever.
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.
To submit a request
To submit an application, please provide the following documents:
- Application form (avaliable in English)
- Hosting agreement (containing a series of information and commitments set out in Article 61 of the Order of 6 June 2024 (click here to download a non-mandatory template)
- Copy of the au pair's passport
- Copy of the au pair's diploma
- Proof that the au pair has a basic knowledge of the language spoken by the host family
- Proof that the au pair is enrolled in language classes
- Copy of the host family's household composition
- Copy of criminal record extracts for adult members of the household
- Proof that day care is arranged for children under the age of 5 who are members of the household
- Tax assessment notice and/or the host family's last three payslips
These documents can be returned to us
by email to the address permisdetravail@spw.wallonie.be
by mail to the address:Public Service of Wallonia
Directorate of Employment and Work Permits
PLACE DE LA WALLONIE, 1 - building. II - 4th floor - 5100 Jambes
Contact
Public Service of Wallonia Infodesk - Work information:
+32 (0)81 33 43 92, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12pm
permisdetravail@spw.wallonie.bepermisdetravail.entreprises@spw.wallonie.be for the submission of applications for unlimited single permits and type B permit
Regulation
- articles 61 et 87