Right of residence for au pair workers (EU/EEA) - apply for a certificate

  • Performance specification

    Nationals of the Member States of the European Union(EU Member States) enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union, which also includes the right to free movement of workers. They do not require a visa to enter the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany and are not subject to any restrictions on taking up gainful employment.

    Au-pairs who are nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway(EEA States) shall receive a certificate on the right of residence under Community law free of charge.

    Au-pairs from Switzerland receive a residence permit according to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between the EU and Switzerland if the requirements are met.

    The residence permit under the EU/Switzerland Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons is issued free of charge and at least for the duration of employment; it serves as proof of the right to free movement.

    The au pair employment may not last longer than one year. A stay as an au pair in Germany is not a tourist or visiting stay. A tourist or visiting stay is always limited to a maximum of 3 months in a half-year. During the tourist stay, it is generally not allowed to work, not even as an au pair.

  • Process flow

    First you have to register your main residence. Then you can apply for the certificate of right of residence at the Aliens' Registration Office. Depending on where you live, the aliens' registration office is either the city council or the district administration office.

  • Requirements

    Prerequisites for the issuance of the certificate are:

    • For au pair workers:
      • They are between 18 and under 25 years old.
      • You have a basic knowledge of the German language.
      • Existence of health insurance
      • registered main residence with the host family
    • For host families:
      • The host family speaks German as their mother tongue.
        In principle, at least one adult family member must have German citizenship.
        The family can also come from a German-speaking country or a part of the country where German is the native language. Foreign families are eligible by way of exception if German is their colloquial language.
        A family includes married couples with or without a child as well as unmarried couples or single parents with a child in the same household.
    • completed au pair contract

  • Which documents are required?

    • valid passport
    • a recent passport photo
    • Confirmation of registration of the main residence with the host family
    • Proof of health insurance
    • Au pair contract

    Application for a residence permit 

  • Legal basis

    § Section 5 Freedom of Movement Act/EU (Certificates on Community Residence Rights)

    § Section 284 of the Third Book of the Social Code (SGB III) (EU work permit for nationals of the new EU member states)

  • What else should I know?

    Au-pairs from non-EU/EEA countries require a residence permit for the purpose of au-pair employment.


    Applying for a residence permit for au pair workers (non-EU/EEA)

  • Applications / Forms


Start your request directly online

Who do I need to contact?

Do you live in the northern district: municipality of Willingen (Upland), municipality of Diemelsee, town of Diemelstadt, town of Volkmarsen, town of Bad Arolsen, city of Lichtenfels, town of Bad Wildungen, municipality of Vöhl or in the town of Waldeck? Then you will find the right contact persons for your request here:

First letter Surname

Responsible processing

Aa - Aln, H, I, S, Y, UMA

Sabine Schlüter

Aa - Aln

Claudia Schweinsberg

Alo - Az, H, I, S

Jenta Sesselmann

B, E, D, Mj - Mz, L, U, V, W, X

Detlef Reimann

B, E, L, Mj - Mz

Jörg Jordan

C, G, Alo - Az

Eleni Bangert

C,G

Judith Schlömer

D,W

Elfi Schäfer

F, J, K, Ma - Mi, N

Elke Geiseler-Matsuda

F, J, Kh - Kz, U, V, Y, X

Franziska Brücher

Ka-Kg, 0, P, Q, Z

Ruslan Kosjan

Ma-Mi, N, UMA

Claudia Jellen

O, P,Q, R, T, Z

Beate Hocke

R,T

Monika Plathe


If you live in the southern district: Gemeinde Edertal, Stadt Frankenau, Stadt Frankenberg (Eder), Gemeinde Allendorf (Eder), Stadt Hatzfeld (Eder), Gemeinde Burgwald, Gemeinde Haina (Kloster), Stadt Gemünden (Wohra) or in the Stradt Rosenthal, you will find your contact persons here:

First letter Surname


Responsible processing

A-K

Carolina Bergener

A-K

Denise Klauke

A-K

Gerlinde Schäfer-Vogel

L-Z

Dominik Stenzel

L-Z

Andreas Hartmann

Responsible departments

Responsible staff