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Important information for families
Here we present a detailed overview of everything there is to think of and which steps to follow.
You can begin by choosing for Self match or Full service, and then commence finding a match. Once you have found a candidate, the registration process begins! Don’t hesitate to contact us if anything is unclear. We are happy to help!
How does it work?
1.
You’ve carefully read through all the information on our website and booked an intake call with us. You are now fully informed and ready for registration on our platform.
You can choose the Self-match or the Full service formula.
2.
After you have completed your registration, we schedule an interview for your Self-match au pair. Full-service candidates will be presented to you now.
3.
Once a match is made, we take care of the complete administration. When the administrative file is completed, flights can be booked. We assist you and suggest flights. You can monitor your file online or contact us for updates. Before the au pair’s arrival, we send you the insurance policy and provide the necessary arrival information.
4.
Once arrived, the au pair must register with the municipality and fulfil various formalities. Au Pair Office assists. Au pairs can participate in our events, training sessions and monthly online meetings. We keep in touch during the entire placement.
Requirements
To host an au pair, the host family must meet these conditions:
» officially live in Belgium;
» at least one child under 13 years old lives home at least 50% of the time;
» all members have a clean criminal record.
» speak one of the country’s languages;
» is able to communicate with the au pair;
» provide board and lodging;
» provide a private bedroom, with a door;
» provide a minimum of €450,- (Flanders, Brussels) or €750,- (Wallonia) pocket money/monthly;
» provide insurance for the au pair;
» give the au pair time to attend the obligatory language lessons;
» experience Belgian culture with the au pair;
» allow the social inspectorate to visit and interview the au pair;
» ensure the au pair works a max. 4 hours/day and 20 hours/week;
» invite the au pair as full member of the family;
» grant the au pair free access to the house.
Self match
In this formula, we handle all the administrative tasks for an au pair chosen directly by the family. You can find your au pair through platforms like AuPairWorld . You can contact us before or after your search. To ensure a smooth process after a Self-match, not only the host family, but also the au pair will register on our website and will be interviewed by our team.
We will check the required documents and start the administration for the EU or non-EU au pair. As a representative of the host family, we apply for a work permit and assist in applying for a work visa for non-EU au pairs. EU au pairs can start the placement faster once all formalities are completed.
The Self match fee is divided into two parts: (1) start-up costs, which are paid upon completion of the host family registration, and (2) administration and consultancy costs, which are paid when the match is confirmed.
Full service
We offer the host family a selection of qualified candidates that our partners recruit. The host family begins their application online, and we provide them with multiple comprehensive au pair profiles.
Candidates are expected to have good communication skills in English, as well as a strong affinity for children and culture. Throughout the process, we cooperate closely with you. Once positive video interviews have taken place between the host family and the au pair, the match is confirmed.
The Full-Service fee is divided into three parts: (1) start-up costs, which are paid upon completion of the registration, (2) recruitment and selection costs, and (3) administration costs, which are paid when the match is confirmed. Once confirmed, we handle all necessary administration for both EU and non-EU au pairs.
Good to know
» Host families should know that the program is one of cultural exchange.
» Household chores and childcare are not the sole purpose of the au pair stay.
» If an au pair arrives later than the start date of the work permit, we can take care of extending the paperwork at an administrative cost;
» We also offer short-term and summer placements.
» Your kids of age are welcome as an outbound au pair with us too.
» Families pay for the ticket/travel of au pair to Belgium, and for the return ticket home, if the contract is completed.
» Host families pay for the obligatory language courses.
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 & light household chores) 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 in Flanders and Brussels and 30 in Wallonia.
» It is possible for a resident to drive with a legally valid national driving license plus international driving license for 185 days in Belgium.
» An au pair can drive with a recognised European or recognised 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.
» Host families should know that the program is one of cultural exchange.
» Household chores and childcare are not the sole purpose of the au pair stay.
» If an au pair arrives later than the start date of the work permit, we can take care of extending the paperwork at an administrative cost;
» We also offer short-term and summer placements.
» Your kids of age are welcome as an outbound au pair with us too.
» 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,- (Flanders, Brussels) or €750,- (Wallonia) pocket money per month, including during inactivity or holidays.
» Non-European au pairs must open a bank account on arrival.
Considering a rematch can be a difficult step. Living together in a cultural exchange setting requires flexibility, communication, and mutual respect. Occasionally expectations or personalities simply do not match as hoped.
Before considering a rematch, it is important to take time to reflect and to discuss concerns openly. In many situations misunderstandings can be resolved through clearer communication or adjustments in expectations.
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 expectations and responsibilities been clearly discussed with the au pair?
• Could the situation improve through better communication or clearer structure?
• Have concerns been discussed calmly and respectfully with the au pair?
• Has Au Pair Office been informed so that 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.
Au Pair Office will always encourage open dialogue and constructive solutions first, while ensuring that the rules and spirit of the au pair program are respected by all parties.
Important facts
• The work permit issued for the au pair is specific to your host family and cannot be transferred to another family.
• If a rematch takes place, a new work permit application must be submitted by the new host family for the next placement.
• After the notice period ends, the new work permit application must be submitted within one month.
• During the rematch process the au pair must remain legally registered, insured and enrolled in a language course, as required by the au pair program.
• The rematching au pair must not deregister from the municipality during the rematch process, as this may affect the legal residence status.
• 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. If this registration does not take place within the required time, the residence status may eventually be cancelled by the authorities.
• In case of an early termination, the authorities may carry out an inspection before a new work permit can be approved.
• There is no legally fixed notice period, but in mutual respect we strongly recommend observing a two-week notice period whenever possible.
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.
» 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 or with a valid residence card from another EU country.
» 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 a visa, if the other procedure has been followed.
» It is allowed to stay in Belgium, during a work card application.
To host an au pair, the host family must meet these conditions:
» officially live in Belgium;
» at least one child under 13 years old lives home at least 50% of the time;
» all members have a clean criminal record.
» speak one of the country’s languages;
» is able to communicate with the au pair;
» provide board and lodging;
» provide a private bedroom, with a door;
» provide a minimum of €450,- (Flanders, Brussels) or €750,- (Wallonia) pocket money/monthly;
» provide insurance for the au pair;
» give the au pair time to attend the obligatory language lessons;
» experience Belgian culture with the au pair;
» allow the social inspectorate to visit and interview the au pair;
» ensure the au pair works a max. 4 hours/day and 20 hours/week;
» invite the au pair as full member of the family;
» grant the au pair free access to the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 candidate selection, legal procedures, and administration, and provides 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.
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