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If you would like to host an au pair from abroad, whether a visa is required depends mainly on the au pair’s nationality.
Au pairs from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland generally do not need an au pair visa for Germany. Au pairs from third countries, however, usually require the appropriate residence permit.
In short:
First comes the match, then the visa question. Which rules apply depends mainly on the au pair’s nationality.
The easiest way to determine this is by nationality:
No au pair visa required
The au pair can generally come to Germany without a specific au pair visa and work here as an au pair.
Entry generally possible without obtaining a national visa in advance
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Apply for the required residence permit in Germany
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Begin the au pair activity only once the necessary permission has been granted
Apply for a national visa before entering Germany
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Travel to Germany after the visa has been issued
Important: Visa-free entry does not automatically mean that a person can immediately start working as an au pair. What matters is whether the relevant residence permit allows au pair employment.
Because entry regulations can change, the au pair should also check the latest information from the responsible German embassy or consulate before submitting an application.
Certain requirements apply to au pairs from third countries.
These include, among others:
basic knowledge of German
being under 27 years old at the time of application
a suitable host family
an au pair stay of no more than one year
a residence permit that allows au pair employment
The language situation within the host family may also play a role.
We explain the full requirements on a separate page.
→ View all au pair requirements
This allows this page to remain focused on its main question: When does an au pair need a visa, and what does this mean for the host family?
The visa is applied for by the au pair. Nevertheless, the host family plays an important role in the process.
After a successful match, the family and au pair should first clarify the following together:
Duration of the stay
When should the au pair start and how long should the stay last?
Tasks and everyday life
Which tasks will the au pair take on, and what does everyday family life look like?
Documents
Which documents does the host family need to provide for the application?
Depending on the responsible German mission abroad, information about the family and documents relating to the planned au pair stay may be required.
It is important that the information in the contract, forms, and visa application is consistent.
The exact process can vary depending on nationality. For many au pairs from third countries, the process generally looks like this:
Family and au pair find each other
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Clarify expectations and duration of stay
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Prepare the au pair documents
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Apply for the visa or residence permit
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Review by the relevant authorities
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Travel to Germany
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Begin the au pair stay
Tip for host families:
Do not plan the arrival solely around your preferred start date. What matters is when the au pair actually receives the required permission.
You can find a more detailed explanation of the application process and required documents in our detailed visa guide.
→ Apply for an au pair visa: documents & process
An au pair from a third country should only begin the au pair activity once the visa or residence permit allows au pair employment.
Tourist entry or another form of visa-free entry is not automatically sufficient.
This is particularly important for nationals who are allowed to enter Germany without obtaining a national visa beforehand but must apply for the required residence permit after arriving in Germany.
You should therefore allow sufficient time between arrival and the planned start of the au pair activity.
Further steps may be necessary after entering Germany.
Depending on the individual situation, these may include:
Registering the place of residence
Applying for or collecting the residence permit
Ensuring appropriate insurance coverage
Au pairs who are permitted to apply for the necessary residence permit only after entering Germany should contact the responsible local immigration authority.
→ Information about au pair insurance
The visa process only begins after the family and au pair have found each other.
It is therefore a good idea to discuss nationality, the possible start date, and the necessary preparation openly during the matching process.
An au pair who is expected to start within only a few days may not be suitable for a family if a multi-step visa process still needs to be completed beforehand.
Nevertheless, the visa question should not be the most important criterion when choosing an au pair.
What matters most is that the family and au pair are compatible personally, practically, and in their expectations.
Still looking? → Discover suitable au pairs
No. Au pairs from EU and EEA countries as well as Switzerland generally do not need a specific au pair visa. For au pairs from third countries, the requirements depend on nationality and the residence permit required.
No. The application is generally submitted by the au pair. However, the host family provides important information and documents relating to the planned stay.
Nationals of certain countries can generally enter Germany without obtaining a national visa beforehand and apply for the necessary residence permit after arrival. However, the au pair activity may only begin once the required permission has been granted.
An au pair stay can generally be planned for a period of up to twelve months.
There is no universal processing time. It depends, among other things, on the responsible German mission abroad, the documents submitted, and whether additional authorities need to be involved.
What matters is whether the current residence permit or issued visa allows au pair employment. A pending application alone does not automatically allow the au pair to begin working.
The information on this page is based in particular on:
Federal Employment Agency
Federal Foreign Office
Section 12 of the German Employment Regulation (BeschV)
Visa regulations can change, and individual German missions abroad may require additional documents. Before submitting an application, the latest checklist from the responsible embassy or consulate should therefore always be reviewed.
Last professionally reviewed: [08.08.2026]
Before organising the visa, insurance, and arrival, everything starts with finding the right match.
Discover au pairs, explore suitable profiles, and find out who could fit your family and everyday life.
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