Belgium•EuropeAu Pair Visa
At a Glance
Varies
EUR €180
1 year
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Au pair work in Belgian households for young adults aged 18-26, providing childcare with accommodation and meals included, renewable up to 1 year.
Belgium's Au Pair Visa is a cultural exchange work program for young people aged 18–25 (up to 26 or 29 in Wallonia) who live with host families, provide childcare and light household duties, and develop language skills in Dutch, French, or German. Rather than traditional employment, it emphasizes cultural immersion and education for international youth.
Applicants must have secondary education and speak basic Dutch, French, or German. The visa is valid for up to one year. Fees are EUR 180. Au pairs cannot work elsewhere and receive accommodation, meals, and a stipend from the host family. Spouses have no work rights.
This visa is ideal for young adults seeking a year-long cultural and language immersion in a Belgian family home.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 1 year |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Aged between 18 and 25 (inclusive) at the time of permit issuance (can be up to 26)
Must not have previously held a work permit in Belgium
Must have completed secondary education
Must possess basic knowledge of one of Belgium's official languages (French, Dutch, or German)
Host family must include at least one child under the age of 13
Host family must provide a private room and health insurance
Must sign an au pair contract with the host family
Must obtain a Work Permit B for Au Pairs issued in Belgium
KEY CRITERIA
Education
high_school or higher
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (at least 1 year validity)
Completed and signed visa application form
Recent passport-sized photographs
Original Work Permit B for Au Pairs
Signed au pair contract
Medical certificate (not older than 6 months)
Police clearance certificate (not older than 6 months)
Proof of payment of administrative contribution fee
Proof of registration for a language course
Statement for the au pair form
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Work authorization included in visa — you can legally work as an au pair
- Up to 1 year stay with potential renewal for continued au pair placements
- Host family provides accommodation, meals, and stipend — minimal living costs
- Immersive language learning in Dutch, French, or German in a family setting
- Non-professional visa opens to all nationalities without education restrictions
- Open to young adults aged 18-26 with secondary school education or equivalent
- Fast-track pathway for returning au pairs to renew placements
Worth Knowing
- Requires prior Work Permit B approval from regional authority before visa application
- Age capped at 26 (18-25 standard; up to 26 or 29 in some regions) — qualification window limited
- Host family must have at least one child under 13 — restricts household types
- Basic language proficiency (Dutch, French, or German) required before placement
- Total stay capped at 1 year maximum — cannot extend indefinitely in same family
- Cannot hold other employment while on au pair visa — childcare only
- Not a pathway to permanent residence — strictly temporary cultural exchange program
Application Process
Secure au pair placement
Obtain placement offer from Belgian host family
Host family applies for permit
Family applies to regional authority for work permit B
Receive work permit
Obtain work permit B valid up to 1 year
Obtain medical certificate
Get medical clearance from approved doctor
Obtain criminal certificate
Obtain police clearance from country of residence
Apply for visa
Submit D-visa at Belgian embassy with all documents
Pay fee
Pay EUR 180 visa fee
Receive visa
Obtain au pair visa
Application Forms
| Au Pair Visa Application | — |
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