Extra hands Happy children Balanced home
What should I know before becoming an au pair?
Starting your au pair adventure is exciting, but it can also come with many questions. Here you will find a clear overview of the programme, the steps to follow, and the practical information you need before and during your stay in Belgium.
From preparing your arrival to supporting you throughout your placement, Au Pair Office is here to guide you every step of the way. If anything is unclear, our team will always be happy to help.
Discover the next steps below
Important information
Navigate the tabs on the left to read detailed information
Navigate the tabs to read detailed information
» Non-European au pairs and host families sign the official Belgian au pair contract.
» European au pairs and host families sign an official European contract.
» The au pair contract remains valid for the entire duration of the au pair stay.
» The au pair undertakes not to work in Belgium in any other way during the au pair stay or after the work permit expires and undertakes to leave Belgium from that moment onwards.
» It is important that all expectations are discussed in advance and communicated to Au Pair Office so that we can include them in the official contract.
» Au pairs are allowed to work 4 hours per day (including babysitting) which amounts to 20 hours per week, spread over a maximum of 6 days per week. The work schedule should be agreed in advance and should be clear to both parties.
» One day off per week is mandatory. It should always be possible to freely engage in religious expression.
» (Public) holidays of au pairs are not regulated by law in Belgium; during (public) holidays, au pairs are paid.
– In case of early termination-
» It is possible to terminate the contract early for valid reasons.
» The advice here is to observe a 14-day notice period with mutual consent.
» For serious reasons, the au pair contract can also be terminated immediately without notice.
» In Belgium, the au pair is entitled to a one-off rematch if the au pair has not yet reached the age of 26.
» It is possible for a resident to drive with an international driving license for 185 days in Belgium.
» An au pair can drive with a recognized European or recognized non-European driving license and convert it into a Belgian license during the stay.
» Recognized licenses in Belgium can be found here.
» Questions about liability and insurance will be answered by an insurance broker.
» The program is one of cultural exchange.
» Communication is key.
» Light household chores and childcare are not the sole purpose of the stay.
» All services are subject to different authorities; therefore, the au pair’s arrival may be delayed or cancelled. Au Pair Office cannot be held responsible for the consequences.
» If the au pair arrives later than the start date of the work permit, APO can take care of extending the paperwork at an administrative cost; this is done by Belgian au pair legislation.
» We also offer short-term and summer placements for EU candidates.
» The host family will pay for the au pair’s flight to Belgium and the return flight upon completion of the contract.
» The au pair will have a private bedroom with a door.
» The host family will pay the au pair at least 450€ pocket money/month, not paid by a third party.
» The host family will cover obligatory language course costs.
» During the placement in Belgium, au pairs can tour the most vibrant cities all across Europe with pm2am Trips.
» Each au pair must be insured during the au pair stay.
» Host families can take out these policies via Au Pair Office.
» Outbound au pairs can take out this policy via the receiving or sending agency.
» Each host family is obliged to take out an insurance for the Non-EU au pair during the entire period of the stay. The insurance shall cover medical, pharmaceutical and hospitalization costs. Furthermore, this insurance should cover any early repatriation of the au pair due to illness or accident.
» The EU au pair should check with the health insurance company whether the cover for the stay in Belgium is guaranteed. The host family should also take out an additional insurance policy covering all medical costs and repatriation.
» Au pairs must attend language courses throughout their placement. Depending on the region, the au pair will attend a language course in Dutch, French or German.
» The course must be offered by a recognized institution: private lessons or distance learning will not be accepted by the Belgian authorities.
» If the au pair has no basic knowledge of one of the regional languages, he/she will attend an intensive language course on arrival in Belgium.
» The time commitment will be organized so that the au pair has the opportunity to follow courses.
» You can check these links for accredited schools in Belgium.
– Flanders and Brussels Capital region:
· Compulsory test Dutch for foreigners click here. For adult education schools click here.
– Wallonia and Brussels Capital region:
· For recognized schools click here.
» Au pairs receive at least 450 euros pocket money per month, including during inactivity or holidays.
» Non-European au pairs must open a bank account on arrival.
How does it work:
» An au pair must have a private bedroom with a door, monthly pocket money, and health insurance.
» Au pair work in Belgium is limited to 4 hours of work per day, 20 hours per week.
» An European au pair does not need a work permit or visa in Belgium.
» A Non-European au pair legally resides in Belgium with a work permit and visa and/or residence permit.
Thinking about a rematch can feel confusing and emotional. Living in another country, adapting to a new family and culture can sometimes be challenging. If you feel unhappy, overwhelmed, or unsure about your situation, this is not unusual and you are not alone.
Sometimes difficulties arise because of misunderstandings, homesickness, or different expectations. The program is based on mutual respect and on following the program rules. Before taking any decision, it is important to take a moment to reflect and, if possible, talk openly about what you are experiencing. Au Pair Office is here to support and to guide the emotional, practical, and administrative aspects of a rematch.
Things you may want to reflect on:
• Have I clearly communicated how I feel to my host family?
• Could the situation improve through better communication or clearer expectations?
• Am I experiencing homesickness or culture shock that might improve with time?
• Have I spoken with Au Pair Office so we can help explore possible solutions?
Sometimes these conversations already help improve the situation. If not, a rematch may lead to a better match for everyone involved. A rematch does not automatically mean that the program has failed. Sometimes it simply means that the match was not the right one.
-Important facts-
• In Belgium, an au pair can rematch once during the program within the maximum timeframe of one
year (NON EU nationals) .
• The work permit is linked to one specific host family and cannot be transferred to another family.
• When the agreement ends, the original work card must be returned to Au Pair Office, so it can be forwarded to the competent authorities.
• The au pair must still meet the age requirements: under 26 years old in Flanders and Brussels and under 30 years old in Wallonia.
• The au pair must maintain a valid legal residence status, remain continuously insured, and continue following a language course during the entire stay in Belgium.
• There is no legally fixed notice period, but in mutual respect we strongly recommend observing a two-week notice period whenever possible.
• After the notice period or end of the agreement, the au pair and the new host family must ensure that a new work permit application is submitted within one month. In practice this means that the au pair has up to four weeks after the end of the agreement or notice period to find a new host family and submit the new application.
• During a rematch the au pair must not deregister from the municipality, as this may affect the legal residence status. In some cases the municipality may receive a notification when a work permit ends. This does not automatically mean that the au pair must leave Belgium, but it is important to follow the correct rematch procedure and keep Au Pair Office informed.
• Once the au pair has moved and once the new work permit is approved, the au pair must register at the municipality of the new host family’s address with the new work permit and residence documents. Failing to do so may eventually lead to the residence status being cancelled by the authorities.
• An inspection may take place after an early termination before a new work permit can be approved. Per region different rules apply for living with a new host family, pre work permit approval.
Rematching is always handled with respect for the rules of the au pair cultural exchange program and the applicable Belgian regulations.
-Additional support-
Au Pair Office operates within the legal framework of the Belgian au pair program and cooperates with the competent regional and federal authorities responsible for work permit and residence procedures. Au Pair Office supports both family and au pair in understanding and respecting the conditions of the Belgian au pair program, so that the cultural exchange remains positive and balanced for everyone involved. If you ever feel uncertain about your situation, you can always contact Au Pair Office. We are here to listen and to help guide you through possible solutions.
Au pairs in Belgium may also seek independent advice from external organizations or public authorities if they wish to discuss their situation confidentially. Au Pair Office will guide the rematch process and help ensure that the transition happens in a respectful and well-organized way for everyone involved.
» You are between 18 and 26 years old in Flanders and Brussels.
» You are between 18 and 30 years old in Wallonia.
» You are unmarried and have no children.
» You have completed secondary school up to 17 years of age and possess a diploma giving you access to higher education.
» You have a good knowledge of English, at least B2 level.
» Knowledge of French, Spanish or Dutch is a plus.
» You would like to learn one of the national languages.
» You have researched Belgian culture.
» You are mature, motivated, reliable, energetic and independent.
» You can provide at least two references (+200 hours), not written by family or friends.
» Each reference relates to an experience of the past five years, where you are over 15 years old.
» You have sufficient financial resources (min. €500,-).
» Having a driving license is a big plus.
» You can cook, cycle and swim.
» You hold a valid international passport.
» You have a blank criminal record and have the official certificate.
» You have a clean medical record and produce the official certificate.
» Non-European au pairs: you are available for 12 months.
» European au pairs: you are available for at least two months up to 2 years.
» A European au pair can apply for a residence card in Belgium without a Visa.
» A Non-European au pair can apply for a residence card in Belgium with a Visa.
» Some countries are exempt from Visa requirements for short-term stays, and can therefore already travel to Belgium as a tourist. These nationalities can apply for a residence permit without Visa, if the other procedure has been followed.
» It is allowed to stay in Belgium, during a work card application.
Conditions and costs
The costs associated with an au pair programme vary depending on the au pair’s country of origin and whether a sending agency is involved. These expenses may include visa and work permit procedures, insurance, translations, legalisations, and fees charged by external providers in the home country.
Au Pair Office does not charge au pairs. We are happy to help you understand the expected expenses applicable to your individual situation.
Why choose Au Pair Office?
» We work closely with a trusted network of international sending agencies.
» We support host families and au pairs throughout the entire placement journey.
» We take care of the administration professionally and transparently.
» We help host families and au pairs embrace and enjoy the cultural exchange experience.
» We provide personalised guidance and ongoing support throughout the placement.
» We offer practical support and solutions when challenges arise.
» We organise monthly coffee calls and regular social & cultural events to help au pairs build a community in Belgium.
» We provide follow up support and one to one calls for both host families and au pairs.
» We maintain close contact with host families and au pairs throughout the programme.
» We are available 24/7 in case of emergencies.
Let's keep in touch!
Leave your contact details and receive updates from Au Pair Office.