Procedure descriptions
Applying for a residence permit for au pair workers (non-EU/EEA)
If you come from a country outside the EU or the EEA and would like to work as an au pair in Germany, you will need
- a visa to enter Germany and
- then a residence permit for au pair employment.
You do not need a visa, but only a residence permit if you come from one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of Korea
- Switzerland
- United States of America
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The residence permit for an au-pair employment is only valid for
- working in the household of the host family and
- child care.
Care activities (e.g. nursing or care of the elderly) are not permitted- care of the elderly).
Responsible department
- for the issuance of a national visa before entering the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
- after entry: the Foreigners' Registration Office,
- The foreigners authority is
- if you live in a city district or in a large district town: the city administration
- if you live in a town or municipality belonging to a district: the district administration office (Landratsamt)
Details
Prerequisite
- You possess
- a health insurance policy
- a concluded au pair contract and
- a valid national visa "for au pair employment".
- You are at least 18 years old and not older than 27 years.
- You have a basic knowledge of the German language (A1) and
- You have registered with your host family with your main residence.
- In your host family
- one adult has German citizenship or the citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and
- german is spoken as a mother tongue. The family can also come from a German-speaking country or part of the country where German is spoken as a mother tongue. If the family does not speak German as a mother tongue but does speak German as a family language, the competent authority can only allow your stay if you do not come from the host parents' home country. A family includes married couples with a child and unmarried couples or single parents with a child in the same household.
- The Federal Employment Agency approves your employment.
Procedure
Before entering Germany, you must apply for a national visa for au pairs in your home country, if necessary.
After entering Germany, you must first register your main residence.
Afterwards, you apply for the residence permit in writing at the competent office. If the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required, the Foreigners' Registration Office will obtain it.
Attention: If you enter Germany without a visa, you may only work as an au pair after you have received the residence permit for the au pair employment. This does not apply if you are a citizen or national of Switzerland.
Taking up work before the residence permit has been issued may result in criminal proceedings and fines and have a negative effect on your residence status.
The residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year and cannot be extended for the same purpose .
Deadlines
Apply for the residence permit before your visa or visa-free stay expires.
Required documents
- valid passport
- a recent passport photo
- Proof of registration with the host family as your main place of residence
- Proof of health insurance
- Au pair contract
Costs
EUR 100.00
.
Miscellaneous
Please apply for your residence permit before the expiry of 90 days after your entry or before the expiry of your visa.
Tip: Despite existing visa exemption, it may be advisable in individual cases to enter Germany with a visa for au pair employment. Please enquire at the German representation in your home country.
Release note
17.07.2023 Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg
Contact
Bürger- und Standesamt (Bürgeramt)
eMail buergeramt@heidenheim.de
Telefon (0 73 21) 3 27-33 42
Fax (0 73 21) 3 23-33 32