The requirements

So as to get the maximum benefit from their stay in Denmark, au pairs are expected to have a reasonable command of English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian or German. In addition the following conditions apply

• The au pair must be 17 - 29 years of age.
• A written contract between the au pair and the host family is required. If the au pair is under 18 years of age, the contract must also be signed by his/her parents. The contract form drawn up by the Danish Immigration Service must be used.
• The au pair must receive an allowance from the host family of at least DKK 2,500 per month.
• The au pair must receive free room and board and have his/her own room in the host family's residence.
• The au pair must perform 3 – 5 hours' worth of household chores daily (i.e. 18 – 30 hours per week) and receive at least one day off per week.
• As a rule, the au pair may not be married or be accompanied by minor children.
• At least one or more young children must be living at home with the host family, and the au pair must assume a role as a member of the family.
• As a rule, at least one of the parents in the host family must be a Danish citizen.
• As a rule, the host family may not receive a social welfare benefit as their primary means of support and must sign a declaration to this effect.

An au pair is granted a residence permit for one year, but not for longer than the length of the au pair contract. A six-month extension can be granted. In exceptional cases, the residence permit can be extended to allow the au pair residence for combined maximum total of two years.

If an au pair applies for an extension of his/her residence permit, he/she may continue to work as an au pair while the Immigration Service processes the application, but only if he/she continues as an au pair for the same family and under the conditions of the original contract. The contract between the au pair and the host family must also be extended and sent in together with the application. An au pair may not begin with a new host family until the service has granted permission to do so.

A permit will not normally be granted if the applicant has previously held a Danish residence permit.

Special information about the residence permit

An au pair receives a residence permit but not a work permit, as the tasks undertaken by the au pair for the host family are not considered as work. An au pair may have neither paid nor unpaid work in addition to their au pair duties, nor may they be compensated to perform household duties for their host family beyond the maximum 30 hours per week.

Despite this fact, the relationship between the au pair and the host family is regarded as an employee/employer relationship, and is thus subject to Danish laws regarding vacation and taxation. The tax authority in the municipality where the host family lives can answer questions regarding taxation. Questions regarding vacation regulations should be directed to Feriekontoret, Finsensvej 78, 2000 Frederiksberg C; tlf.: 38 14 84 84 (telephone consultation: Mon. - Thurs. 12 - 15, Fri. 12 - 14).

Applying for an au pair visa

To apply for an au pair visa please make an appointment with your nearest Danish Consulate (click here).

Before doing so you should ask your Danish host family to download the application form, and fill their part in. They should then send you the application form, so that you can complete your part of the application. Alternatively, you can send your host family the form first. Please note that you must not sign the form yourself in advance of your appointment as your signature must be witnessed by a Danish consular official.

Please note that the earliest you can submit your application is 10 weeks before your planned arrival in Denmark.

The following documentation is required:

• your original passport
• One copy of your passport (all pages including the cover)
• two sets of the completed and signed application form (one can be a copy)
• Remember to write your e-mail address and expected date of arrival in Denmark in section 5 'The applicant's comments' of the form
• three (!) passport photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm. good quality photos - please NO home made digital prints). The Consulate General requires an extra photo for our copy of the application, therefore we require three photos instead of two which is stated in the application form.
• two copies of your flight itinerary and proof of a paid return air fare if you have bought your return flight already.
• an original statement from your bank stating the current balance in your full name (statements with a shortname or initials are not accepted) plus one copy. You must prove to have at least NZD 6,000.00 in your account. If you have not yet paid for your return flight, you must prove to have at least NZD 9,000.00. Statements printed from the internet are not accepted unless they have been verified by the bank with a stamp and a signature of a bank employees. The statement must not be older than two months from the time of your arrival in Denmark!
• Two copies of your travel health insurance covering the whole period of stay in Denmark.

Application fee AUD 180.00 payable in cash, cheque or money order issued to the Danish Consulate General.

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