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What conditions must a host family meet to host an au pair?
Host families must reside in Belgium and have at least one child under the age of 13 who lives in the household for at least 50% of the time. They must provide the au pair with a private bedroom and all meals, ensure appropriate insurance coverage, respect the legally defined limits on working hours, allow sufficient time for mandatory language courses, and fully cooperate with any official checks, audits, or interviews conducted by the social inspectorate or other competent authorities.
What does it mean to host an au pair in Belgium?
Hosting an au pair is first and foremost a cultural exchange. The au pair joins your household as a young adult who helps with childcare and light household tasks related to children, while discovering Belgian culture and learning the national language. Childcare and household support are part of the exchange, but not its sole purpose.
Why is choosing the right au pair agency important?
Choosing a professional au pair agency is essential for a smooth and legally correct placement. A reliable agency guides you through the process, legal procedures, and administration. We provide support to both the host family and the au pair before and during the placement.
What should we consider before starting interviews with au pairs?
Before interviewing candidates, it is important to define what truly matters to your family. Consider the personality you are looking for, your expectations, your family values, and whether the au pair program truly aligns with your family’s needs. Because the program is based on cultural exchange, host families are expected to actively engage in sharing culture and daily life throughout the year.
What are we required to provide as a host family?
Belgian regulations require host families to provide a private bedroom, full board, meaning normal meals as part of family life, monthly pocket money in line with the regional minimums, valid health and accident insurance for the au pair, and sufficient time and support for the au pair to attend the mandatory language course. Host families must also offer a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment. The au pair must be treated as a temporary family member, not as household staff.
What tasks is an au pair allowed to do?
An au pair is not a nanny or domestic worker. An au pair comes to Belgium as part of a cultural exchange program, not as an employment arrangement.
Key differences:
» An au pair lives with the host family and becomes part of daily family life
» The main purpose is cultural exchange and language learning
» An au pair may help up to 20 hours per week, while a nanny works full-time
» An au pair receives monthly pocket money, not a salary
» Belgian labour law for employees does not apply to au pairs
An au pair is ideal for families looking for flexible, part-time childcare with an international and cultural dimension.
Can an au pair stay longer than 12 months in Belgium?
This depends on the au pair’s nationality. For non-EU au pairs, the au pair stay is strictly limited to a maximum of 12 months. Extensions beyond 12 months are not permitted, and the au pair may not change host families to prolong the stay as an au pair. Rematch can take place once during the initial 12-month period.
After the program, the au pair must leave Belgium or change to another legal status outside the au pair framework. EU au pairs may extend their stay for a second year, provided an official contract is signed, and the au pair has not exceeded the maximum age of 30.
What happens if the placement turns out to be a mismatch?
Despite careful screening by the family or by the agencies, mismatches can occasionally occur. Open and respectful communication is always the first step. Au Pair Office offers guidance and mediation to help resolve issues where possible. If no workable solution can be found, the placement may be ended early in accordance with the contract and legal framework. Where feasible, Au Pair Office can assist with a replacement solution, depending on timing, availability, and administrative conditions. The well-being of both the host family and the au pair is always the priority.
Does Au Pair Office employ the au pair or guarantee the placement?
No. Au Pair Office acts as a mediation and administrative agency and does not employ au pairs. The agency guides the process and handles administration in line with Belgian legislation, but it cannot guarantee personal compatibility or the outcome of a placement.
What information should we share with the au pair?
Host families should be open about their family composition, location, daily routine, children, pets, and expectations. Honest and transparent communication helps avoid misunderstandings later and leads to more realistic and successful matches. It is not necessary to present yourselves as a “perfect family”.
How is an au pair different from a nanny or cleaner?
An au pair is not a nanny and not a domestic worker. An au pair comes to Belgium as part of a cultural exchange program, not as an employment arrangement. An au pair lives with the host family and becomes part of daily family life. The main purpose of the stay is cultural exchange and language learning. An au pair may assist up to 20 hours per week, while a nanny usually works full-time. An au pair receives monthly pocket money rather than a salary, and Belgian labour law for employees does not apply. An au pair is therefore suitable for families looking for flexible, part-time childcare with an international and cultural dimension.
Questions au pairs have:
Au Pair Questions »
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Can I become an au pair in Belgium?
You can become an au pair in Belgium if you meet the legal and program requirements. Both EU and non-EU citizens can participate, provided all conditions are met and the correct procedures are followed. To be eligible, you must be between 18 and 25 years old, be unmarried and have no children, have completed secondary education, be genuinely interested in cultural exchange and family life, be willing to learn or improve Dutch, French, or German, and be in good physical and mental health.
How many hours am I allowed to work per week?
Belgian regulations strictly limit the working hours for au pairs to protect the cultural exchange nature of the program. You may work a maximum of 4 hours per day and 20 hours per week. Work may be spread over a maximum of 6 days per week. Babysitting is included in these hours. Your weekly schedule must always be agreed upon in advance with your host family.
What pocket money do I receive, and what benefits are included?
The minimum monthly pocket money depends on the region where you live. In Flanders and Brussels, the minimum is €450 per month. In Wallonia, the minimum is €750 per month.In addition to pocket money, you receive a private bedroom, meals as part of normal family life, health and accident insurance, time to attend mandatory language courses, and at least one full day off per week. Pocket money is paid every month, including during holidays or periods of illness.
Do I need previous au pair experience?
No. Previous au pair experience is not required. However, you should enjoy spending time with children and have some basic childcare experience, for example, through babysitting, caring for siblings, family members, or volunteering. You are expected to be motivated, responsible, and open to living as part of a host family. Au Pair Office carefully matches au pairs and host families to ensure a positive experience for both sides.
How long does the process take before I can start as an au pair in Belgium?
The timing depends on your nationality and how quickly all documents are completed. On average, EU au pairs can start within 1 to 2 months. Non-EU au pairs usually need between 2 and 6 months due to work permit and visa procedures. Au Pair Office guides you through every step to help avoid delays.
Which costs am I responsible for as an au pair?
You are usually responsible for travel costs to and from Belgium unless otherwise agreed with the host family, visa costs if applicable, personal expenses such as clothing, leisure activities, phone use, and transport for personal use, and language course fees unless another agreement is made with the host family. Accommodation, meals, pocket money, and insurance are provided by the host family. There shall be no payments to Au Pair Office.
How will Au Pair Office support me before and during my stay in Belgium?
Au Pair Office supports you before your arrival and throughout your entire stay in Belgium. Support includes intake calls for Self Match au pairs, guidance with documents, contracts, and legal requirements, assistance with visa and work permit procedures for non-EU au pairs, and ongoing support or mediation should any questions or challenges arise during the placement. Additional support includes monthly coffee calls, access to one-on-one sessions with our in-house psychologist when emotional or mental support is needed, quarterly social events where au pairs can connect and explore Belgium together, and access to our Au Pair WhatsApp community to stay in touch throughout the year.
How can I talk to my host family about concerns or difficult topics?
Clear, respectful, and timely communication is the key to a successful au pair year. If something is bothering you, if you do not understand a routine, or if you feel uncomfortable, it is always better to discuss this calmly with your host family rather than keeping it to yourself. Host families appreciate honesty and clarity, and can only help or adjust expectations if they know what is going on. If a conversation feels difficult or you are unsure how to approach it, Au Pair Office can guide you or help mediate.
What should I expect when I arrive as an au pair in Belgium?
Living as an au pair in Belgium means joining a host family as an extra adult member of the household. Adjustment takes time for both you and the family. Patience, open communication, mutual respect, and clear agreements are essential. You are expected to behave responsibly, communicate clearly, and respect house rules while actively participating in family life.
Is it normal to experience culture shock?
Yes. Many au pairs feel overwhelmed at first due to cultural differences, homesickness, or new routines. This is completely normal. Sharing your feelings, asking questions, grounding yourself in your new environment, and connecting with other au pairs or people in your area can help you adapt. Taking time to enjoy your new surroundings and recognising what you have achieved by coming to Belgium also supports this adjustment.
What is expected of me when caring for children?
You are expected to care for children with warmth, patience, and responsibility. This includes being attentive, setting clear boundaries, and acting consistently. Physical punishment is never allowed. Any form of discipline must always be discussed with and agreed upon by the host parents.
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