Au Pair in Denmark: Visa & Legal Steps

On this page, we have gathered the most important documents and procedures for becoming an Au Pair in Denmark. The exact process depends mainly on your nationality and residence status.

Click here to learn more about the program requirements and regulations for both Au Pairs and Host Families in Denmark.

General Required Documentation

Before starting the procedure, make sure you prepare the documents that apply to your nationality and type of application.

Host Family Documents

Information from the Host Family about accommodation, food, work tasks, and compensation

Au Pair Contract

A signed, binding Au Pair contract with the Host Family

Valid Passport / ID

A valid passport or, where relevant, another valid travel document

Passport Copy

Copy of passport pages, where required for the application

Application / Fee Payment

Proof that the application fee has been paid. For non-EU/EEA applicants only

Biometrics

Photo and fingerprints, where required for the residence card

Proof of Language Skills

Proof that you can communicate in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, or German at a moderate level

Additional Documents

Other documents may be required depending on your nationality and case

Free Registration as Candidate Free Registration as Family

Visa Categories

To become an Au Pair in Denmark, the procedure depends mainly on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or a non-EU/EEA citizen.

Au Pairs from an EU/EEA country Au Pairs from a non-EU/EEA country

Au Pairs from an EU/EEA country

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you do not apply for an Au Pair residence permit. Instead, you must apply for an EU residence document.

Requirements

Valid passport or national ID card
Au Pair contract with the Host Family
Right to residence under EU rules

Legal Steps

Entry into Denmark
EU/EEA citizens can enter Denmark with a valid passport or national ID card.
Apply for an EU Residence Document

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens must follow the rules on EU residence instead of the non-EU Au Pair permit scheme. To start, fill out the application form OD1A.

Note

Nordic citizens can live and work in Denmark under Nordic rules and do not need an EU residence document. Swiss citizens also follow the EU residence route on Nyidanmark, not the standard non-EU au pair permit route.

Au Pairs from a non-EU/EEA country

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you must normally apply for a residence permit as an Au Pair with SIRI.

Requirements

Age 18 to 29 at the time of application
Valid passport
Signed Au Pair contract
Proof of language skills in Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English, or German
Other conditions assessed by SIRI

Important notes:
SIRI takes into account a number of criteria when processing your residence permit request. To read the criteria, follow this path: click here > What conditions do I have to meet as an au pair? > Your stay as an au pair must be in accordance with the purpose of the scheme.

Legal Steps

Residence Permit Application
The Au Pair must apply for a residence permit as an Au Pair with SIRI.
Case Order ID and Fee Payment
Before submitting the application, you must create a case order ID and pay the application fee of DKK 4,305.
Host Family Completes the First Part
The Host Family must complete the first part of the application. In the online procedure, the Host Family fills in its section first.
Sign the Au Pair Contract
The Host Family receives the pre-filled Au Pair contract via Digital Post, signs it, and sends it to the Au Pair for signature and submission. If there are two parents, both must sign.
Submit Supporting Documents
The Au Pair must submit the required supporting documents together with the application.
Biometrics / Residence Card
If the permit is granted, the Au Pair will receive a residence card containing biometric data.
Visa / Entry to Denmark
Depending on nationality, some applicants also need a visa to travel to Denmark. Click here to read the official list of visa-required and visa-free countries.
CPR Registration After Arrival
The Au Pair must register in the CPR registry no later than 5 days after moving into the Host Family’s home in Denmark. The Au Pair must appear in person with the residence permit and passport. In some cases, the municipality may also ask for a written declaration from the Host Family.
Danish Bank Account
After receiving a CPR number, the Au Pair must create a Danish bank account, because the Host Family must pay pocket money into that account.
Tax Card
The Au Pair must apply for a tax card, because pocket money is taxable in Denmark.

Special rule for Philippine citizens

Philippine citizens need an additional exit permit (“Red Ribbon”) from the Philippine authorities before travelling as an Au Pair to Denmark. The Philippine authorities decide whether the permit is granted.

Free Registration as Candidate Free Registration as Family

Additional Information

When SIRI assesses an Au Pair application, it does not only check the basic requirements. It also considers your education, your reason for applying, any previous au pair stays, any previous applications or residence permits in Denmark, and whether you are related to or share nationality with the Host Family.

If you submit the application while you are legally in Denmark, you may, in some cases, stay while waiting for the decision. If you submitted abroad and later travelled to Denmark, you cannot stay longer than your visa, residence permit in another country, or visa-free period allows.

If you apply for an Au Pair residence permit while already staying in Denmark on a visitor visa, this may lead to a 5-year penalty period for future Danish visitor visas if the application is refused.