Au-pairs and domestic staff
"Au pair"
A young "au pair" is a young temporarily welcomed in a family where he will receive a room and food in exchange for minor family tasks. The goal is that he improves his language skills by participating in the life of the host family.
EU nationals or with equivalent status
These au pairs don't need a work permit.
The host family must take out an insurance policy for domestic staff and draw up an au pair contract.
The contract includes the following information:
- how the au pair arrived in Belgium (through an organisation, friends, family, etc.);
- a proof of enrolment in a language course (in one of the official languages of Belgium);
- A description of the au pair’s duties within the host family (number of hours of childminding, domestic chores, free time, etc.);
- the money amount that the family will give to the au pair by month and via bank transfer (minimum allowance of 450 euros as pocket money)
On arriving in Belgium, the au pair has a series of obligations:
- register with the municipality within eight days;
- provide a document (such as a passport or ID card) showing that he/she is between 18 and 26;
- submit the au pair contract at the ministy;
- register with a health insurance association, or show that he/she has a valid European health insurance card;
- provide a certificate of good conduct (or an equivalent document recognised by the Belgian authorities).
Non-EU nationals or from Romania and Bulgaria
These au pairs have to apply for a work permit.
The host family must ask the competent service in the Region for permission to employ a foreign au pair and for a B-type work permit (see under salaried employees). The host family will also have to draw up an au pair contract (see above at contract) and suscribe for an insurance policy for domestic staff or include the young au pair in her insurance policy.
the au pair has a series of obligations:
- before coming to Belgium, apply for a one-year temporary residence permit at the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in his country;
- to provide a birth certificate showing that he is between 18 and 26;
- to have a certificate giving him access to higher education in the country of origin, or proof that he attended school until the age of 17;
- to show a basic knowledge of the language commonly used by the host family, or commit to learn the basics of this language by following an intensive course after arriving in Belgium;
- an au pair contract provided by the host family;
- a medical certificate
- to enroll in a language course in Belgium to study one of the national languages (French, Dutch or German);
- to register with a Belgian health insurance association.
More information:
Domestic staff
EU nationals or with equivalent status
They do not need a working permit.
Non-EU nationals or from Romania and Bulgaria
Non-EU nationals and nationals from Romania and Bulgaria must have a work permit. The potential employer (the head of family) has to apply for a permit. Works permits, however, are only granted in very specific circumstances, such as a nanny required for a disabled child, or a nurse caring for an elderly person.