.png)
Glossary: Au Pair Visa
Category: Visa & Residence Permits (Residence permit as a temporary visa according to § 4 para. 1 sentence 2 no. 1 alternative 2 of the Residence Act )
Author: Mirko Vorreuter , LL.B. , Attorney at Law and Specialist Attorney for Immigration Law (License examination via the Federal Official Directory of Lawyers possible)
Image description: The image shows a standardized sample au pair visa issued by a German mission abroad (embassies and consulates general) according to the model of Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 on a uniform visa format . Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 on a uniform visa format has been transposed into German law by Section 59 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) . The visa stamp is printed in Annex D13a of the Residence Ordinance .
If the au pair visa is not issued abroad by a German embassy or consulate, but rather domestically by the immigration office as an " electronic residence permit (eAT) " pursuant to Section 78 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG ), the template for the au pair visa is governed by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 on the uniform format of residence permits for third-country nationals , which is regularly updated. In exceptional cases, the au pair visa can then also be issued as an adhesive label ("visa sticker") affixed to the passport by the immigration office, in accordance with Section 78a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) . Unlike the electronic residence permit, the corresponding template for the adhesive label is not regulated under European law in Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002, but nationally in Annex D14 of the German Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) (residence permit pursuant to Section 4 Paragraph 1 Nos. 2 to 4 of the German Residence Act ).
In the "Remarks" field (or on the supplementary sheet ), the word "Au Pair" and the name of the au pair's host family must be entered for au pair visas . In some cases, it is customary to provide the family's exact address (this is not standard practice in Berlin). Any restrictions imposed by the Federal Employment Agency regarding approval must be included in the residence permit in accordance with Section 4, Paragraph 2, Sentence 4 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG). In all cases, the statement " Self-employment not permitted" must be included for au pairs. The "Remarks" field must also include the visa's substantive validity period if it differs from the formal validity period (e.g., due to an expiring passport ("Visa substantively valid until...").
Table of contents
1. What does an au pair visa look like (picture)?
2. Definition of Au Pair Visa
3. Who needs an au pair visa?
4. Example: Au pair visa
5. Important information about the au pair visa
5.1 Duration of Au Pair Visa
5.2 Extension of Au Pair Visa
5.3 Costs of an Au Pair Visa
5.4 Processing time for au pair visa
5.5 Authority responsible for au pair visas
6. Rights and opportunities Au pair visa
6.1 Work permit with the au pair visa
6.2 Study, school, language course with the au pair visa
6.3 Family reunification with the au pair visa
6.4 Travel and stays abroad with the au pair visa
6.5 Eligible group of persons for an au pair visa
7. Requirements for an Au Pair Visa
8. Required documents for the au pair visa
9. Apply for an au pair visa online
10. Advantages of an Au Pair Visa
11. Permanent residence permit with an au pair visa
11.1 Path from Au Pair Visa to Permanent Residence Permit
11.2 Path from Au Pair Visa to Naturalization
11.3 Next steps Au pair visa
12. Legal basis for the au pair visa
13. Important laws regarding au pair visas
14. Important rulings on the au pair visa
15. Frequently Asked Questions about the Au Pair Visa
16. Further information
16.1 Au pair visa in other glossaries
16.2 Related Topics
16.3 Blog posts about the au pair visa
16.4 Glossary entries for the au pair visa
16.5 Sources and references for the au pair visa
Definition of Au Pair Visa
The Au Pair Visa is a temporary residence permit ( visa according to § 6 para. 3 of the German Residence Act ) for a stay with a family in Germany, which allows for work in the host family, learning the German language, and experiencing German culture ( § 12 of the German Employment Ordinance ). The Au Pair Visa can only be applied for by people under 27 years of age and does not entitle the holder to permanent residence in Germany (temporary purpose of stay).
Who needs an au pair visa?
All third-country nationals who wish to stay temporarily in Germany with a host family to help with household chores and learn German culture and language can apply for an Au Pair visa (§ 12 BeschV ). The Au Pair visa is not intended for long-term stays (temporary purpose of stay according to the Employment Ordinance (BeschV)) and can therefore only be converted into permanent residency under very specific conditions. The greatest advantage of the Au Pair visa is that the applicant's livelihood is considered secured through their stay with the host family.
Example: A young Georgian national wants to come to Germany for a year on an au pair visa to learn the German language and culture. For this purpose, she applies for an au pair visa to stay and work with a German family.
Important information about the Au Pair visa
Duration of Au Pair Visa
A national au pair visa is generally issued for a total duration of one year ( § 12 BeschV ). The duration of the au pair visa is shorter if, after entry , the au pair host family changes and a new au pair visa application is submitted. If a shorter stay is planned from the outset, the au pair visa will be issued for a correspondingly shorter period. A special rule applies to Turkish nationals. According to administrative regulations, au pair visas for Turkish nationals should be issued for less than one year to ensure that the applicant does not fall under the scope of Decision No. 1/80 of the Association Council .
Au Pair Visa Extension
The Au Pair visa is difficult to extend, as it is designed for a temporary stay.
Au Pair Visa Costs
The fee for issuing an au pair visa (category "D") is €75 (§ 45 AufenthV). This fee is usually payable at the visa appointment . When paying the au pair visa fee, it's important to note whether it must be paid in the local currency or in euros, and whether payment must be made in cash or electronically. Legal fees, potential court costs , and translation and authentication fees may also apply to the au pair visa.
Au Pair visa processing time
The processing time for an au pair visa depends on the embassy or country, the efficiency of the embassy, and the domestic authorities involved (particularly within the approval process of the Federal Employment Agency for au pair placements). In practice, the processing time depends significantly on the restrictiveness and workload of the respective embassy. Studies show that processing times in poorer countries are considerably longer than in wealthier Western countries . Accordingly, the processing time for an au pair visa varies between 2 and 9 months. However, this also depends significantly on appointment availability at the respective embassy. The processing time for au pair visa applications can be expedited after 3 months by filing an action for failure to act ( § 75 VwGO ).
Competent authority for Au Pair visas
According to Section 71 Paragraph 2 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG ), the German missions abroad authorized by the Federal Foreign Office are responsible for issuing au pair visas . These missions include embassies, consulates general, consulates, and permanent missions to intergovernmental and supranational organizations (Section 3 Paragraph 1 of the German Foreign Service Act (GAD)). In many cases, there are several German missions abroad in the respective countries. In these cases, the embassy's jurisdiction for issuing au pair visas can usually be found on the website of the respective mission (see, for example, the consulate finder in the USA and the overview of consular districts in Great Britain ). The designation as "embassy" or "consulate" does not affect the technical responsibility for issuing au pair visas.
Rights and options Au Pair visa
Work permit Au Pair visa
The Au Pair visa authorizes employment solely within the scope of an Au Pair activity. An Au Pair's duties typically include childcare, assistance with light housework, and house-sitting. Caring for family members is not part of an Au Pair's responsibilities. If the Au Pair is to provide care for dependent relatives (parents, children, etc.) living in the host family's household, this is not considered an Au Pair activity. In practice, the lines between these two categories can sometimes be blurred.
Studies , school , language course , au pair visa
Attending university, school, and language courses is possible with any residence permit, including an au pair visa . Further education as an au pair is even explicitly encouraged by law, as it aims to enable young foreign nationals to improve their language skills and any professional experience they may have, and to broaden their general knowledge by getting to know the host country (see also the administrative guidelines of the Federal Employment Agency, BA Central Office, 5731, INT 24, as of 12/2024 ).
Family reunification Au Pair visa
Family reunification for the holder of an au pair visa is theoretically possible. However, this scenario plays no role in practice, as au pairs can usually only cover their own living expenses with their au pair allowance.
Travel and stays abroad Au Pair visa
Entry to and exit from Germany is straightforward for au pairs as long as their au pair visa is valid . A temporary residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung) is required for travel with an expired au pair visa. Stays abroad of up to six months are permitted with an au pair visa ( § 51 para. 1 no. 7 AufenthG ).
Eligible group of people for an Au Pair visa
All non-European foreigners (third-country nationals) are eligible to receive an au pair visa . The au pair visa can be issued to all third-country nationals with basic knowledge of German who are under 27 years old and are employed as au pairs for up to one year in a family where German is spoken as the native language ( § 12 BeschV ). European au pairs do not require an au pair visa due to freedom of movement . Au pairs who are already residing in Germany or who already hold an au pair visa generally cannot apply for the au pair visa, as the au pair visa is not intended for permanent residence (so-called temporary employment according to Part 3 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV) ).
Requirements for an Au Pair Visa
According to Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) in conjunction with Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV), an au pair visa can be granted to third-country nationals with basic knowledge of German if the person is under 27 years old and is employed as an au pair for up to one year in a family where German is spoken as the native language. However, the requirements for the au pair visa are considerably more complex in practice than the law initially suggests. This is because the au pair visa is disproportionately used for illegal immigration (especially from Georgia, Moldova, and Venezuela), which is why the authorities apply a very strict standard of review ( plausibility check ). The actual requirements for the au pair visa are therefore primarily derived from the Federal Employment Agency's Technical Instructions on the Residence Act and the Employment Ordinance (BA Zentrale, 5731, INT 24, page 98 of 204, as of December 2024 ). The Federal Employment Agency carefully examines the employment relationship between the au pair and the host family. Accordingly, the requirements for an au pair visa are as follows:
Au pairs are between 18 and 27 years old ( § 12 BeschV )
Au pair has basic knowledge of the German language / A1 language skills ( § 12 BeschV )
There is no existing au pair working in the family (two au pairs at the same time are only permitted if there are at least four minor children in the family).
The au pair is not related to the host family (otherwise the regulations on family reunification would be circumvented).
The host family has at least one minor child (otherwise there are no typical au pair duties).
The au pair is expected to perform classic family work in the host family (e.g., childcare and help with household chores), and there is no indication that regular employment takes place.
German is spoken as the native language in the host family (§ 12 BeschV)
An au pair receives pocket money of at least 280 euros net.
Au pairs are covered by health and accident insurance ( basic income protection in accordance with Section 5 Paragraph 1 No. 1 of the Residence Act ).
Au pairs have the opportunity to participate in a language course during their stay, at the host family's expense.
Au pair placements last a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 months; even if the maximum duration is not fully utilized, re-registration as an au pair is not possible.
There is no evidence to suggest that the host family is unreliable.
No application based on a tolerated stay or protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act (this would contradict the idea of the Au Pair visa as a residence permit for cultural exchange)
The authority exercises its discretion in favor of the applicant.
Valid passport and verified identity ( § 5 para. 1 no. 1a, no. 3 Residence Act )
No ongoing investigations/no pending criminal proceedings against the applicant (see Section 79 Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act )
No grounds for deportation (no negative AZR/SIS/VIS entries ), no security risk, no criminal record (§ 5 para. 1 no. 2, no. 3 AufenthG) and no entry ban ( § 11 AufenthG )
No specific grounds for refusal (e.g., Section 10 of the Residence Act ) and no grounds for expiry ( Section 51 of the Residence Act ) exist.
In practice, the main focus of the Au Pair visa review process lies with the Federal Employment Agency, depending on the requirements. The publicly available guidelines of the Federal Employment Agency are very helpful in verifying eligibility for an Au Pair visa.
Required documents: Au Pair Visa
The required documents for an au pair visa vary considerably depending on the country where the visa is being applied for. Therefore, a key focus of the document review for an au pair visa is the so-called plausibility check , i.e., how credible the applicant's statements are. Since the au pair visa requires the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (see Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance ), the necessary documents for this approval must also be submitted to the German embassy or consulate. The Federal Employment Agency provides a dedicated information website for applying for an au pair visa .
The following documents must be submitted to apply for an Au Pair visa :
Application form ( VIDEX form when applying for a visa abroad; when applying for a residence permit at the immigration office, the specific form depends on the authority (e.g. contact form or appointment booking))
Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months after planned departure from Germany, the passport must have at least 2 blank pages and must have been issued within the previous 10 years)
Au pair contract with the host family according to the template of the Federal Employment Agency
Au pair questionnaire for host parents based on the template of the Federal Employment Agency
A copy of the data page of the passport/identity card of both the host mother and the host father.
A self-written and signed letter of motivation in German explaining the reasons for applying for the Au Pair visa.
Complete tabular CV in German
Proof of basic knowledge of the German language at level A1 (usually demonstrated by a recognized language certificate)
Proof of health and accident insurance in accordance with EU standards (valid throughout the EU; minimum coverage: €30,000 including repatriation in case of illness or death; valid from the day of entry for the entire stay)
Other formalities:
Only required if applying through an authorized representative (e.g., a lawyer ): Power of attorney
When applying for a visa in a country other than the country of origin: valid residence permit of the respective country.
Fees for the residence permit
Photograph (passport photo) that complies with the standards of Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 ; see also sample photos of the Federal Foreign Office
Depending on the authority: Data protection declaration/Consent to data processing
If the foreigner's name in the submitted documents differs from the name in the passport : Certificate of name change
Apply for an au pair visa online
The Au Pair visa cannot currently (01/2026) be applied for online via the Federal Foreign Office's international portal . To apply for the Au Pair visa, the VIDEX form must be completed according to the instructions on the website of the relevant German mission (embassy or consulate) and submitted at the appointment. The online application forms for the Au Pair visa can be found on the respective embassy's website as follows:
→ Apply for an Au Pair visa online from Colombia
→ Apply for an Au Pair visa online from Venezuela
→ Apply for an Au Pair visa online from Georgia
→ Apply for an Au Pair visa online from Madagascar
If you are already in Germany, the Au Pair visa can be applied for online as a residence permit at the immigration office as follows:
→ Apply online for a residence permit for employment as an au pair in Berlin
→ Apply online for a residence permit for employment as an au pair in Munich
→ Apply online for a residence permit for employment as an au pair in Hamburg
Advantages of an Au Pair Visa
Entry , residence and work in a host family in Germany is permitted.
No recognized qualification is required to work in a host family in Germany.
Livelihood secured through stay with a host family.
An opportunity to learn about German culture and language.
The path from Au Pair visa to permanent residence permit
The au pair visa is not intended to be converted into a permanent residence permit , as the au pair stay is only meant to be temporary. Therefore, the au pair visa must first be converted into a residence permit , if possible.
The path from au pair visa to naturalization
In theory, naturalization is possible with an au pair visa , since Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act and the Employment Ordinance are not excluded in Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Number 3 of the Nationality Act . In practice, however, an au pair visa is a temporary residence permit, so the authorities will refuse to extend it for a period long enough to allow for naturalization.
Next steps for the Au Pair visa
If you want to apply for an au pair visa, the most important thing is to first find a host family, as this is a mandatory requirement. You can find suitable host families through certified placement agencies. Once you have found a host family, you need to check whether you also meet the other requirements for an au pair stay in Germany (e.g., language skills). If so, you can apply for the au pair visa at the embassy. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on the specific requirements and assist you with the application process. → Book an appointment
Legal basis for Au Pair visa
The legal basis for the au pair visa is Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) in conjunction with Section 12 of the German Employment Ordinance (BeschV) . According to Section 12 BeschV, approval can be granted to individuals with basic knowledge of German who are under 27 years of age and are employed as au pairs for up to one year in a family where German is the native language. At the European level, the legal basis for the au pair visa is Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, study, traineeship, voluntary service, student exchange or educational schemes and au pair employment . In a broader sense, the corresponding application guidelines of the Federal Employment Agency also form the legal basis for the au pair visa.
Important laws Au Pair visa
Important rulings on Au Pair visas
Au pairs and students can also be considered workers within the meaning of ARB 1/80 ( ECJ, judgment of 24.01.2008, case C-294/06 ).
Frequently Asked Questions about Au Pair Visas
What kind of visa do I need to be an au pair?
To come to Germany as an au pair, you need a special national visa (D visa) for the purpose of au pair employment (§ 19c para. 1 AufenthG in conjunction with § 12 BeschV). This must be applied for at the competent German embassy or consulate in your home country before entering Germany, unless you are from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland.
Do au pairs need a visa?
Whether a visa is required depends on nationality. Nationals of EU member states, the EEA, and Switzerland do not need a visa and enjoy full freedom of movement under the Freedom of Movement Act (FreizügG/EU). However, individuals from so-called third countries must apply for a visa before commencing their journey.
What type of residence permit is required for an au pair?
After entering Germany with a national visa, you must convert it into a residence permit at the local immigration office. This permit is issued according to Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act in conjunction with Section 12 of the Employment Ordinance and is specifically tied to the au pair position with the host family specified in the contract.
How long is an au pair visa valid for?
An au pair visa and the subsequent residence permit are issued for the duration of the planned placement, but are limited to a maximum of 12 months. An extension beyond this one-year period is not legally possible, and the status generally cannot be extended within Germany for another unskilled job.
Au Pair Visa in other glossaries
The au pair visa can also be found in the following glossaries:
Sources and references for the Au Pair Visa
( Government resources and literature )
[1] Visa Handbook, Au Pair, 78th Supplement, Version: 02/2024
[3] BeckOK AuslR/Klaus, 46th Ed. October 1, 2025, BeschV § 12 Rn. 1-35
[4] Tim Kliebe in Marx, Ausländer- und Asylrecht, 4th edition 2020, para. 74
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Need help? VISAGUARD offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of residence permits. → Book an appointment