English native speakers as au-pair: Which countries, which visas? (2026)
The easiest option is an au pair from Ireland: Irish nationals are EU citizens and do not need a work permit in any EU country. Au pairs from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on the other hand, need a national au pair residence permit or, depending on the country, a working‑holiday visa. For a full year with a host family, the au pair permit is usually the right route, because many working‑holiday agreements limit employment with the same host to a few months. In Germany, au pairs from these five countries can enter visa‑free and apply for the permit on site.
This guide is intended for families in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and Spain. All information comes from authorities and embassies, retrieved on 18 September 2026. Rules change — always check the current page of your country’s authority before applying.
The six nationalities at a glance
| Origin | Status in the EU | Working Holiday with our 9 countries | Best way to spend an au-pair year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | EU citizens, free movement | No translation needed. | No permission required; in the Netherlands still through a recognized agency. |
| United Kingdom | since 2021 third country | with none of the 9 countries | national Au-Pair title |
| USA | third country | only Austria, and only for recent university graduates | national Au-Pair title |
| Canada | third country | with all 9 countries, 18–30 or 18–35 | Au-Pair Title; Working Holiday depending on the country check |
| Australia | third country | with all 9 countries, usually 18–30 | Au-pair title; Working holiday often with employer limits |
| New Zealand | third country | with all 9 countries, 18–30 | Au-pair title; Working holiday often with employer limits |
Two paths: Au-Pair title or Working Holiday
Those who are not from the EU may travel visa‑free within the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180‑day period, but they cannot work as an Au‑Pair during that time. There are two ways to do it:
- National Au‑Pair title: Most of our countries have their own Au‑Pair program with fixed rules on age, pocket money, hours and language course. These titles are open to Au‑Pairs from all non‑EU countries, including Britons, Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders. The arrangement is clearly framed as cultural exchange with pocket money.
- Working Holiday or Youth Mobility: Bilateral agreements for young people who want to travel and work on the side. Vacation is the primary purpose, work is secondary. Several agreements therefore limit work for the same employer: in Denmark and Italy to three months, in Spain for Australians to six months; in the Netherlands only occasional work is permitted. A year with one family does not fit.
It is also unclear whether the Au‑Pair rules apply to an Au‑Pair on a Working‑Holiday visa or whether standard labor law with minimum wage applies. This must be checked for each country — ask the authorities before you rely on this route.
Ireland: the simplest case
Irish citizens enjoy freedom of movement throughout the EU. An Irish Au-Pair does not need a visa or work permit in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, or Spain; depending on the country, only a registration at the place of residence is required. An exception in the process is the Netherlands: there the Au-Pair program runs through agencies recognized by the IND. The same applies with an Irish Au-Pair: pocket money, hours and days off are determined by the Au-Pair rules of your country, and a written contract protects both parties.
United Kingdom and USA: only with Au-Pair title
Since January 1 2021, British citizens are considered third‑country nationals in the EU. None of our nine countries has a working‑holiday agreement with the United Kingdom. The EU and the United Kingdom have been negotiating a joint youth programme since 2025; it will not be in force in September 2026. Therefore, a British Au‑Pair retains the national Au‑Pair title.
The same applies to Au‑Pairs from the United States. The only exception is Austria: the working‑holiday programme with the United States is open only to graduates of a U.S. university within twelve months of graduation and is limited to 100 visas per year.
Tip for families in Germany: Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States may, under § 41 of the Residence Regulation, enter visa‑free for an extended stay and apply for a residence permit with the foreign‑authority within 90 days of entry. The Au‑Pair may only start working once the permit has been issued. Requirements for the German Au‑Pair title include, among others, an age of 18 to 26 years and beginner‑level German (A1).
Canada, Australia, New Zealand: Working Holiday depending on the country
| host country | Canada | Australia | New Zealand | Au-Pair Title (Age) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 18–35, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–26, German A1 |
| France | 18–35, up to 24 months | 18–35, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30 |
| Netherlands | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–25, only through agency |
| Belgium | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | depending on the region 18–25 or 18–30 |
| Austria | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 6 months | 18–27 |
| Denmark | 18–35, 12 months | 18–35, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30 |
| Sweden | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30 |
| Italy | 18–35, 12 months | 18–35, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | No own title |
| Spain | 18–35, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | 18–30, 12 months | No own title |
Sources Working Holiday: country pages of International Experience Canada (canada.ca), Federal Foreign Office, IND (page updated on August 19, 2026), Belgian Embassy in Canberra, Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nyidanmark.dk (August 2026), Swedish Migration Agency, Italian Embassy in Wellington, Spanish Consulate in Sydney, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy in Australia, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Au‑Pair column: national Au‑Pair rules, as of September 11 2026. Retrieved on September 18 2026.
Canadians have the broadest options: there is an agreement with all nine countries, sometimes up to 35 years, in France up to 24 months. For Australians and New Zealanders it is usually 18 to 30. How long someone may stay with the same host varies in each agreement—read the conditions of your country's authority before planning a full year.
Italy and Spain: no distinct Au-Pair title
Italy and Spain have ratified the European Au-Pair Agreement of 1969, but they do not have a dedicated Au-Pair visa. This is not an issue for an Irish Au-Pair. For Au-Pairs from third‑country states, the Working Holiday is the obvious route — with the mentioned limits: in Italy Australians and New Zealanders may work for the same host for a maximum of three months, in Spain Australians for a maximum of six months. For Canadians and other visa types: check according to the country, preferably with the consulate in the Au-Pair’s home country.
No work start without permission
An au pair who enters as a tourist and starts working illegally—even if the application is already in process—can result in fines for you as a family and an entry ban for the au pair. Wait until the residence permit or visa is granted. Also, when on a Working Holiday, pay attention to the limit for the same employer: staying longer than allowed violates the visa conditions.
How to find an English-speaking Au-Pair
In five steps
Set the path
Which nationality, which path? Au-pair title of your country or Working Holiday — check age limits and employer restrictions.
Create family profile
Write in your profile that your children should hear English in everyday life and indicate which language you speak at home.
Getting to know candidates
Writes to suitable au-pairs and conducts detailed video conversations, also taking the time difference to North America or Australia into account.
Document the contract in writing
Hours, days off, pocket money, language course, and insurance according to your country's regulations.
Submit an application
Depending on the country, through the authorities, region, embassy, or a recognized agency. Allow several weeks for processing.
On AuPairMatch you create a family profile and see, via the match score, which au-pairs match your preferences — including languages. Messages and profile texts are automatically translated, and getting to know each other via video call happens within the app. In the launch phase this is free for host families, including contact initiation. The visa assessment provides an initial orientation of the rules that apply to your country; it does not replace advice from the authorities. AuPairMatch launched in 2026 and is growing — many families search on multiple platforms simultaneously, and an additional free profile expands your search.
Finding an au-pair who speaks English with your children
Create a family profile, specify languages, and contact suitable au-pairs directly — free during the startup phase.