What visa do au pairs need to have in Belgium? There are different entry requirements for EU and non-EU citizens in Belgium. Everything that's important for an au pair entering Belgium is presented here in a clear and compact overview.
EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
EFTA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
Non-EU: Citizens of all other countries
EU or EFTA citizens do not need a visa to travel to Belgium. Nonetheless, au pairs from these countries do need to have a valid identity card or passport. A tip at this point: Au pairs should check the validity of their identity papers well in advance.
Citizens of EU or EFTA countries do not need a residence permit in Belgium but they do have to register with the municipality of the host family upon arrival if the au pair will be staying longer than three months. A valid passport or identity card is necessary for this step. Au pairs do not need to have a work permit for the au pair stay, and they are not allowed to undertake any other paid work during the stay in Belgium
Au pairs from non-EU countries need to have a valid passport to enter Belgium. This passport should be valid for at least one further year.
Non-EU citizens require a valid work permit to work in Belgium as an au pair. Au pairs must not have had a work permit in Belgium in the past. The host family needs to apply for a work permit B and employment permit. This application needs to be made with the immigration authority for the respective host region in Belgium (Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia).
The work permit is valid for 12 months and cannot be extended. It is only possible to change host families once in this 12 month period. Another important point is that the au pair cannot have any other paying work during the au pair stay.
For a stay of less than 3 months, a short-term visa (Schengen visa Type C) must be used. Please note, however, that some countries are excluded from this visa. In any case, au pairs must fulfil the entry requirements of the Schengen area for a short-term stay. Further information is available from the responsible authorities
When the au pair stay will be longer than 3 months, then a Schengen Type D visa is required. The application for this visa can be made at the Belgian embassy or consulate in the au pair's home country. The following documents must be submitted:
After arriving in Belgium, the au pair must register with the local administrative officials in the municipality of the host family. The au pair's Shengen Type D visa and passport are necessary for this step.