The UK was one of the most popular Au Pair destinations for decades before Brexit. After the United Kingdom officially left the European Union in 2020, many young people's dream of experiencing British culture while working or studying in the country came to an end. 

On AuPair.com, UK Host Families can create a profile, and Au Pairs from all over the world can select the UK as one of their desired destinations. Does it mean that the program has opened for everyone again? Let’s break this down together!

UK Host Families: Who am I allowed to host as an Au Pair?

The UK does not offer a specific visa for Au Pairs. Moreover, despite the Au Pairs being entitled to minimum wage, the Au Pair program is not a job, but a cultural exchange. This means that candidates will not receive a work visa to enter the country as Au Pairs. Furthermore, it is illegal to host someone who’s in the UK on a tourist visa as an Au Pair.

As a Host Family in the UK, you can only host a candidate who is already entitled to stay in the UK. This means that you can host an Au Pair if she/he:

• Is a UK or Irish citizen
• Is an EU citizen who already has a settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Is eligible for a Youth Mobility Visa

Right from the beginning, there have been several discussions about reintroducing visas for short-term work and study permits, as well as cultural exchanges, such as the Au Pair program. Unfortunately, in 2026, the situation remains very limited. Let’s explore together the legal possibilities for Host Families in the UK to host an Au Pair in 2026. 

Pre-Settled/Settled Status for EU Citizens

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 could apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. Those with Pre-Settled or Settled Status can work without separate visa conditions, which includes Au Pairs.

This scheme closed in 2021, so new arrivals cannot use it now; it only applies to those who were already in the UK before the deadline.

Youth Mobility Scheme (Key Route for Au Pairs)

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is currently the main route that allows many Au Pairs to live and work in the UK. However, it is only available for certain nationalities. It is a cultural exchange/work visa, not specifically for Au Pairs.

The nationalities who can apply for this visa are: 

• Andorra
• Australia
• Canada
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• Japan
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Uruguay

Age requirements and eligibility differ based on nationality. Please read our page about the requirements to become an Au Pair in the UK by clicking here, or visit the official UK government page here. 

Duration and Conditions

• Up to 2 years' stay under this visa.
• Work is permitted in the UK at any job, including au pairing, as long as employment law (e.g., minimum wage) is respected.

Important: This route is often the only possible way for many non-UK/EU residents to be an Au Pair in the UK at the moment, unless they have another right to work. However, the number of places is limited and subject to annual allocations.

Hiring a Domestic Worker in the UK

Au Pairs are treated as workers if they are resident and have the right to work (e.g., under the Youth Mobility Scheme or EU status). The UK government also offers an Overseas Domestic Work Visa; however, this is not an Au Pair route: it is for domestic workers (including nannies) coming with their existing employer for up to 6 months and assumes a formal employment relationship.

This visa does not provide a long-term stay and cannot be used as a standard Au Pair route if going independently to join a Host Family.

Brexit-Era and Future Mobility Agreements

We are optimistic that some change will come soon. Recently, the United Kingdom and the European Union reinstated their agreement under Erasmus+, offering a glimmer of hope for other possible agreements.

There are ongoing UK-EU discussions about Youth Mobility agreements that might make Au Pair stays easier for EU nationals, but no official scheme has been finalised for 2026 yet. Government ministers aim to negotiate a Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU by around the end of 2026, but specifics (quotas, work types, entry conditions) are still being negotiated.