Au Pair in Austria: Visa & Legal Steps

EU/EEA/Swiss Au Pairs – Stay Over 3 Months

• Valid passport or national ID card
• Signed Au Pair contract
• Health insurance valid in Austria
• Proof that the Au Pair meets the conditions for residence in Austria
• Address registration (Meldezettel)

1. Entry into Austria 
   EU/EEA/Swiss citizens don’t require a visa to enter Austria.
2. Residence registration (Meldezettel)
   The Au Pair must register their address after moving into the Host Family’s home. This needs to be done within three days of moving in.
3. ​Social security registration by the Host Family
   
   Before the Au Pair begins their duties, the Host Family must register them with the Austrian statutory social insurance system, usually through the ÖGK. If the Au Pair’s pay is below the marginal earnings threshold (€551.10 in 2026), they are usually registered as marginally employed and covered by statutory accident insurance. Private accident insurance cannot replace this required registration.
4. Registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung)
   For stays longer than 3 months, Au Pairs must apply in person for a registration certificate from the competent residence authority. This must be done no later than 4 months after entering Austria. You can obtain the application form from the authority or download it online. The current costs for this are €44.
5. No AMS approval required
   Au Pairs from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland do not require AMS approval to work in Austria. 

Third-country Au Pairs – Stay Over 6 Months

Requirement

• Valid passport
• Signed Au Pair contract
• AMS confirmation
• Health and accident insurance covering all risks and valid in Austria
• Proof of basic German knowledge ( A1 level)
• Criminal record certificate, if required
• Recent biometric passport photo (colour, 35x45 mm)
• The Au Pair must be between 18 and 28 years old
• The Au Pair must not have worked as an Au Pair in Austria for more than 12 months within the last 5 years
• Further documentation for the residence permit application may be required in individual cases

1. Entry into Austria
   Third-country Au Pairs who wish to stay in Austria for more than six months require a residence permit for 'Special cases of gainful employment' for the entire duration of their stay. They may only begin working once the permit has been issued.
2. AMS notification by the Host Family
   The Host Family must notify the relevant regional AMS office about the Au Pair placement at least 2 weeks before the start date. AMS confirmation is required before the Au Pair may start working. On the AMS website, you can find the form to apply for this confirmation. A copy of the signed Au Pair contract is a necessary document for the application.
3. Residence permit application
   The Au Pair applies for a residence permit under the category of 'special cases of gainful employment'. First applications must be submitted in person, from abroad, to the relevant Austrian embassy or consulate before entry into Austria. The Austrian embassy or consulate checks the application and forwards it to the competent residence authority in Austria. Where applicable, i.e. for applicants who require a visa, an order to issue a visa is given. The relevant Austrian authority abroad will inform the applicant accordingly, and they may then enter Austria with a valid visa. Some visa-free third-country nationals may apply in Austria during their lawful visa-free stay. Au Pairs can collect their residence permit in person from the relevant local authority, and may only start working after the permit has been issued.
4. Social security registration by the Host Family
   Host Families must register their Au Pair with the Austrian statutory social insurance system, usually through the ÖGK, before the Au Pair starts working. Au Pairs are usually registered as marginally employed and covered by statutory accident insurance if their pay is below the marginal earnings threshold (€551.10 in 2026). Private accident insurance cannot replace this compulsory registration.
5. Residence registration (Meldezettel)
   After moving into the Host Family’s home, the Au Pair must register their address with the local registration authority. This must be completed within three days of moving in.
6. Practical steps after arrival
   Receiving monthly pay and managing daily expenses is best done by opening an Austrian bank account. It is also helpful for the Au Pair to have an Austrian SIM card to communicate with the host family, the authorities and, for instance, the language school. You can find more tips for the Au Pair's first days here.