Au pair
If you wish to work as an au pair in Sweden you must have a work permit. If you intend to work for longer than three months you must also have a residence permit.
An au pair lives with a family and receives payment of minimum SEK 3,500 before tax for light household duties/taking care of children. The aim of the visit is to acquire international experience and to have the opportunity to learn Swedish and become acquainted with Swedish culture. If you have a permit to work as an au pair you are consequently not permitted to work as a nanny or housemaid full-time.
In order to be granted a permit you must have:
The Philippines does not permit its citizens to travel to Europe as au pairs. Please contact the Philippine authorities for more information.
You must apply for a residence permit from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you are living. Those who receive a residence permit will be given a residence permit card. The card is proof of your residence permit. When you enter Sweden, you must therefore show your card along with a valid passport.
You can apply on the Migration Board's website or at a Swedish embassy or consulate in the country you are living in. You must use the form Au pair, no. 131011. In order for the Migration Board to be able to issue a residence permit card, you will be photographed and will need to submit fingerprints in connection with:
Enclose the following documents with your application:
Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.
Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned. You must also pay a fee when you apply for an extension to your permit.
The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied or that you specified when you applied via the website. If you have not previously been photographed and had your fingerprints taken, you will need to visit a Swedish mission abroad to do so. Once the residence permit card is ready, the mission abroad will issue, or in certain cases send, the card to you.
People who stay in Sweden for a period that is shorter than one year are not entitled to the same welfare benefits as those who reside here. It is therefore important that you and your family have good insurance cover when you travel to Sweden.
You can be granted a permit for the period covered by the offer of work although subject to a maximum stay in Sweden of one year.
You can not appeal against the decision to reject your application for a work permit as an au pair.
A previous period spent as an au pair in another country immediately prior to the planned stay in Sweden could reduce the chances of you being granted a permit in Sweden. The reason is that this could be an indication that it is a question of regular work as a nanny or a similar position and not as an au pair.
For work that is shorter than three months, citizens in certain countries must have an entry visa; see link in the right column.
Requirements to be granted a work permit
In order to be granted a permit you must have:
- a valid passport.
- be between 18 and 30 years old.
- be able to show that you have a distinct interest in or use for Swedish language studies.
- a certificate of admission to the course of study concerned.
- a written invitation from your host family in Sweden stating the terms and conditions of your employment as an au pair.
Your host family must offer you the following
- a maximum of 25 hours housework per week
- studies in Swedish for a large part of the remainder of a normal 40-hour working week
- board and lodging
- a minimum salary of SEK 3,500 per month before tax
Special note for citizens of the Philippines
The Philippines does not permit its citizens to travel to Europe as au pairs. Please contact the Philippine authorities for more information.
Applying for a work permit
You must apply for a residence permit from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you are living. Those who receive a residence permit will be given a residence permit card. The card is proof of your residence permit. When you enter Sweden, you must therefore show your card along with a valid passport.
Different ways of applying
You can apply on the Migration Board's website or at a Swedish embassy or consulate in the country you are living in. You must use the form Au pair, no. 131011. In order for the Migration Board to be able to issue a residence permit card, you will be photographed and will need to submit fingerprints in connection with:
- submitting your application or
- when you receive your residence permit.
Make sure your application is complete
Enclose the following documents with your application:
- Copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity, the validity period of your passport and whether you have permits to be in countries other than your native country
- A written invitation from your host family stating the terms and conditions of your employment as an au pair.
- A receipt of paid application fee
- A certificate from your place of study stating how many hours per week you will study.
If you plan to work for less than three months and need an entry visa, you must also enclose two photographs in passport format. They must be taken from the front and not be older than six months.
Check the requirements of Swedish missions abroad
Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.
Application fee
Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned. You must also pay a fee when you apply for an extension to your permit.
If you are granted a work and residence permit
The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied or that you specified when you applied via the website. If you have not previously been photographed and had your fingerprints taken, you will need to visit a Swedish mission abroad to do so. Once the residence permit card is ready, the mission abroad will issue, or in certain cases send, the card to you.
Important to remember
People who stay in Sweden for a period that is shorter than one year are not entitled to the same welfare benefits as those who reside here. It is therefore important that you and your family have good insurance cover when you travel to Sweden.
Permit validity period
You can be granted a permit for the period covered by the offer of work although subject to a maximum stay in Sweden of one year.
Right to appeal
You can not appeal against the decision to reject your application for a work permit as an au pair.
Page updated: 2011-07-20
Migrationsverket
