Age: 18-25 years

Working hours: 30 hours per week. Babysitting 1 to 3 times per week (paid extra).

Pocket money: 10.000 IKR per week

Duration of the stay: An au pair permit can be granted for a period of 12 months maximum. It cannot be renewed.

Days off: The au pair shall have at least two full days off per week, not less than one weekend of each month shall be free.

Holidays: The au pair is entitled to one week holiday to be spent either at home or away from home for each completed 6 months of residence with the family.

Travel costs: The travel costs have to be paid by the au pair him-/herself.
If the host family wants to bear a part of the travel costs, it is advisable to do this after a successful stay of at least 50% of the stipulated time.

Language requirements: If the au pair does not speak Icelandic, she should have a good knowledge of English.

Language course: The au pair shall be given adequate time to attend a language course. Working hours shall be arranged in order to make this possible.
The language course has to be paid by the au pair him-/herself.

Health insurance: Au pairs from non-EEA countries need to conclude a medical insurance covering at least 2.000.000 IKR. The insurance has to be issued by an insurance company which is authorized to provide services in Iceland.
Au pairs from EEA countries should enquire at the health insurance of their home country whether it is valid in Iceland. Otherwise they will need to take out a private health insurance.

Au pair contract: The au pair contract is only available at the Directorate of Immigration Utlendingastofnun (UTL) and the labor office.

Entry regulations

Au pairs from EEA countries

Au pairs from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden do not need a residence permit at all.

Au pairs from all other EEA countries who stay in Iceland up to 3 months do not need a residence permit. Au pairs from Bulgaria and Romania who want to stay longer than 3 months will have to apply for a residence permit for wage-earners after their arrival in Iceland. The application has to be made at the Directorate of Immigration Utlendingastofnun (UTL). The application form can be downloaded here.

Au pairs from EEA countries other than Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Romania and Bulgaria who want to stay longer than 3 months will have to register residency in Iceland with Þjóðskrá, Borgartún 24, Reykjavík. The application form can be downloaded here.

Au pairs from non-EEA countries

Au pairs from non-EEA countries have to apply for a temporary au-pair permit. The au pair may not be in Iceland when applying for the au-pair permit and while the application is being processed. The au pair will have to submit the following documents:

• A completed and signed application form for an au-pair permit.
• One passport sized photo (35x45 mm) must be attached to the application.
• A passport copy. The passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond the proposed permit.
• Criminal Records Check (must not be dated earlier than 6 months prior to being submitted to the Directorate)
• Medical Insurance (must cover at least 2.000.000 IKR and shall be issued by an insurance company authorized to provide services in Iceland).
• Authorization. The applicant may grant an individual in Iceland authorization to enquire about his/her application.
• A written au pair contract. The contract is only available at the Directorate of Immigration Utlendingastofnun (UTL) and the labour office.

If the application is approved, the au pair will obtain a D-Visa at his/her closest embassy issuing such visas on behalf of Iceland.

Upon arrival in Iceland the au pair has to register at the National Registry (Þjóðskrá) and deliver a Medical Certificate to the Directorate of Immigration Utlendingastofnun (UTL). Afterwards, s/he needs to go to the Directorate's Office, or to the nearest District Commissioner office to be photographed for a residence permit card.