Au pair stay in the Netherlands

PLEASE NOTE: From 1 June 2013, it will be COMPULSORY to apply through an offically recognised agency in the Netherlands to organise the au pair stay! For further information, please read our news.

Who can work as an au pair for your family?

EU & EFTA countries

If your au pair is an EU or EFTA citizen, he/she can enter the Netherlands with a valid passport or identity card. No entry visa is needed. EU and EFTA citizens enjoy freedom of movement. Au pairs in the Netherlands have to register with your municipality. They will then have to apply for a residence permit (VVR – verblijfsvergunning) at the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND – Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst). The issued residence permit is valid for a maximum 12 months and cannot be extended. Do not forget to sign the official au pair contract with your au pair. You will also have to sign a declaration of awareness (bewustverklaring) as well as a sponsor declaration.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Citizens from Canada, Australia or New Zealand can apply for the Working Holiday Programme (Canada) or the Working Holiday Scheme (Australia, New Zealand). These exchange programmes allow them to work as au pairs in the Netherlands without having to apply for a work permit. The main purpose of their stay should however be to learn more about Dutch society and culture. Candidates have to apply for a residence permit in the Netherlands. If the application is accepted, a residence permit is granted for 12 months and cannot be extended. Au pairs do not need to be registered as students to take part in these programmes.

Other countries

If your au pair comes from a non-EU country, he/she will need a valid passport to come to the Netherlands and will have to apply for a Provisional Residence Permit (MVV)* as well as a Regular Residence Permit (VVR) in the Netherlands. 

The au pair can apply for an MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate in their home country, or you can submit a so-called request for advice (adviesprocedure)  yourself as a host family. This request for advice precedes the actual application and enables the au pair to apply for an MVV if you receive a positive answer. The application for an MVV as au pair costs 600 euros and the sum is not refunded if the application is refused. This is the reason why a request for advice proves to be quite useful.

Once in the Netherlands, the au pair will have to register with your municipality and then apply for a residence permit (VVR – verblijfsvergunning) at the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND – Immigratie- en naturalisatiedienst). The issued residence permit is valid for maximum 12 months and cannot be extended. Do not forget to sign the official au pair contract with your au pair. You will also have to sign a declaration of awareness (bewustverklaring) as well as a sponsor declaration.

*Please note that citizens from the following countries are exempt from applying for a MVV: EU/EEA member states, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, the USA and South Korea.