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Au Pair in Portugal: Visa & Legal Steps

On this page, you will find all the information you need related to visa procedures to become an Au Pair in Portugal. The type of visa you will need to apply for will depend on your nationality and the duration of your stay. There are also some exciting opportunities for citizens of specific countries!

We have laid out all the requirements and legal steps you need to take before and during your stay, whether you are an EU/EEA and Swiss citizen or from a Non-EU country. Read on and we'll guide you through the process!

Click here to learn about pocket money, working hours, time off and much more about the Au Pair program in Portugal.
 

General Required Documentation

Before applying for your visa, make sure you have the following documents ready:
Health Insurance

Valid Passport and/or ID Card

Valid for up to three months after the end of your stay

Language Course Enrollment

Proof of enrollment in a course for at least 25 weeks

Bank Statement

Proof of means to stay in Portugal

Invitation Letter

From the Host Family

Visa Application Form

Filled out and signed official document

EHIC and/or Private Insurance

A statement of health insurance coverage

Travel Insurance

Depends on nationality and the length of the stay

Au Pair Contract

Written contract with all the details about your stay

Free Registration as CandidateFree Registration as Family

Visa Categories

To be an Au Pair in Portugal, there are different visas and procedures, depending on your country of origin and the length of your stay:
 
Au Pairs from an EU or EEA country (up to 3 months' stay)Au Pairs from an EU or EEA country (over 3 months' stay)Au Pairs from non-EU countries (up to 3 months' stay) Au Pairs from non-EU countries (between 3 and 12 months’ stay) Au Pairs from non-EU countries (over 12 months’ stay) Student VisaYouth Mobility Program

EU/EEA Au Pairs – Stay Up to 3 Months

Candidates of EU or EEA countries only need an ID card to enter Portugal. No visa is required. 
Requirements
  • Valid ID card or passport
  • Have an EHIC and/or private health insurance
  • Signed Au Pair contract
  • Accommodation Bulletin with SIBA
Legal Steps
  1. Accommodation Bulletin (Boletim de Alojamento)
    If your stay lasts less than 3 months, your Host Family will need to register you through an official Accommodation Bulletin (Boletim de Alojamento) within three days of your arrival. This can be done online through their website.

EU/EEA Au Pairs – Stay Over 3 Months

Requirements
  • Valid ID card or passport
  • Have an EHIC and/or private health insurance
  • Proof of means to stay in Portugal
  • Certificate of Registration (Certificado de Registo)
  • Register for Tax Number (NIF)
  • Register for Social Security Number (NISS)
  • Register for the National Health System (SNS)
Legal Steps
  1. Certificate of registration (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) 
    You will need to register yourself at a local/city Council to formalise your right to residency in Portugal if you are staying for a period between 3 months and 5 years. You need to register within the first 30 days of your arrival; otherwise, you will be charged a fine. You can find more information on AIMA’s official website by clicking here.
  2. Register for a Tax Number (NIF)
    In Portugal, NIF (the tax Number) is essential for any financial and legal action. You can register for a Tax Number in person at a Loja do Cidadão, Espaço Cidadão, or at the Autoridades Tributárias e Aduaneiras. You can also request it online with a fiscal representative. You will need your valid Passport or Identity Card and your Certificate of Registration.
  3. ​Register for Social Security Number (NISS)
    In order to work and have access to social benefits, you need to register for a Social Security number. You will need to book an appointment with the Social Security System and you need a valid Passport or Identity Card. It is also possible to request the NIF and the NISS together in some Espaços Cidadãos (in person). You can find more information on the official website here.
  4. Register for the National Health Service (Serviço de Saúde Nacional)
    You can register for the National Health Service in person at your closest public Health Centre or at an Espaço Cidadão. You can request the NIF, NISS, and SNS number together in person at an Espaço Cidadão. You will need a valid Passport, your NIF and proof of residence. You can find more information here.

Non‑EU Au Pairs – Stay Under 3 Months (Short-stay Schengen Visa)

Requirements

  • Valid Passport
  • Short-stay Visa
  • Signed Au Pair contract
  • Proof of flight tickets (both ways)
  • Proof of private residence (Host Family's house)
  • Proof of means to stay in Portugal
  • Invitation letter from the Host Family
Legal Steps
  1. Short-stay Schengen Visa
    In case your Au Pair stay in Portugal is less than 3 months, you have to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa. In order to apply for this visa, you will need a number of documents and information:

    - Filled out form
    - ​Picture passport-style
    - Valid passport valid for up to three months after your planned date of exit
    - Proof of flight tickets both ways
    - Medical travel insurance (private)
    - Proof of employability (invitation letter of your Host Family)
    - Invitation letter from the Host Family
    - Proof of private residence (Host Family’s residence information)

Non‑EU Au Pairs – Stay Over 3 Months But Less Than 12 Months (Long-stay Temporary Visa)

Requirements
  • Valid passport
  • Long-stay Visa required
  • Signed Au Pair contract
  • Proof of flight tickets (both ways)
  • Proof of private residence (Host Family's house)
  • Proof of means to stay in Portugal
  • Invitation letter from the Host Family
  • Register for Tax Number (NIF)
  • Register for Social Security Number (NISS)
  • Register at the National Health System (SNS)
Legal Steps
  1. Long-stay Temporary Visa
    In case your Au Pair stay in Portugal is longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a Temporary Stay Visa, which allows you to stay in Portugal up to 12 months. You will need to apply under the Purpose of “Independent work” and provide all the necessary documentation in advance. Find out more information here. 
  2. Register for a Tax Number (NIF)
    Any financial or legal action you need to do in Portugal will require you to have a tax number, called NIF in Portuguese. There are several physical places where you can quest it, including at a Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão), Citizen Spot (Espaço Cidadão), or at the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridades Tributárias e Aduaneiras). For online requisition, you would need to prove you have a fiscal representative. On top of that, you will need a valid Passport and your Certificate of Registration.
  3. Register for Social Security Number (NISS)
    You will need to register with the Social Security System to have access to social benefits that come with working in Portugal. This is something you need to do in person, as you will need to provide a valid Passport. You can also request your NIF alongside the NISS at some Citizen Spots (check in advance if they offer this service). You can find more information on the official website here.
  4. Register for the National Health Service (Serviço de Saúde Nacional)
    Despite it being mandatory to have private insurance, you should still apply with the National Health Service. It is a free service you can register for at your local Health Centre or Citizen Spot (Espaço Cidadão), and all you need is your valid Passport, NIF and proof of residence. If you go in person to an Espaço Cidadão, you can register for the SNS along with the NIF and NISS. You can find more information here.

Non‑EU Au Pairs – Stay Over 12 Months (Residency Visa)

RequirementsIf your Au Pair stay in Portugal is over 12 months, you will need to apply for a Residency Visa and then, after being in Portugal already, begin the process of applying for a Residency Permit with AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo).
  • Valid Passport or ID Card
  • Valid Residency Visa (valid for 4 months)
  • Proof of means to stay in Portugal*
  • Signed Au Pair contract
  • Proof of residence/address
  • Valid Tax Number (NIF)
  • Valid Social Security Number (NISS)
  • Valid SNS Number (National Health System)
? Important Note
*Citizens from CPLP countries (including Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe) are generally exempt from providing proof of means to stay in Portugal in order to apply for a Residency Permit as long as they provide a Term of Responsibility. Find out more information here.
Legal Steps
  1. Apply for a Residency Visa (Visto para Obtenção de Autorização de Residência)
    This type of visa is requested when you intend to apply for a long-term Residency Permit. It is valid for 4 months, during which you need to begin the process of obtaining a Residency Permit with AIMA. 
  2. Register for a Tax Number (NIF)
    NIF stands for Fiscal Identity Number in Portuguese; it is a necessary requirement for any legal or fiscal action you need to do in Portugal. To request it, you will need a valid Passport and your Certificate of Registration. Typically, you are able to request it in person at any Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão), Citizen Spot (Espaço Cidadão), or at the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridades Tributárias e Aduaneiras). However, if you want to, you can also request it online as long as you have a fiscal representative.
  3. Register for Social Security Number (NISS)
    Once you arrive in Portugal, you will need to make an appointment to get your Social Security Number. This gives you access to social benefits and allows you to be a worker in Portugal. Depending on the Espaço do Cidadão (Citizen Spot) you go to, you can request both the NIF and the NISS together. You will need a valid Passport to do this. You can find more information on the official website here.
  4. Register for the National Health Service (Serviço de Saúde Nacional)
    The SNS is a free national healthcare service that you can register for, even if you have private insurance already. The easiest way to register is at a local public Health Centre or at a Citizen Spot (Espaço Cidadão). However, it is also possible to request it alongside your NIF and NISS at an Espaço Cidadão. Among the requirements documents to request it, you will need a valid passport, proof of residence in Portugal, and your NIF. You can find more information here.
  5. Apply for Residency Permit (Título para Fixação de Residência)
    Lastly, apply for your Residency Permit (valid for 2 years). You will need to get an appointment with AIMA to get this permit. When you apply, you will need proof that you have applied for the Tax and Social Security Number, but you do not need to have them yet. Due to delays in getting the Residency Permit, we recommend beginning this process as soon as possible.

Student Visa 

According to Portuguese law, if you have a Student Visa, you can work part-time (around 20 hours a week), as long as it does not disrupt your studies. Find out more information here.
Requirements
  • Valid ID card or passport
  • Be enrolled in a higher education institution
  • Residence Visa
  • Temporary Residence Permit
  • Proof of means to stay in Portugal
  • Return ticket
  • Paid student fees
  • Proof of residence/address
  • Valid Tax Number (NIF)
  • Valid Social Security Number (NISS)
  • Valid SNS Number (National Health System)
Legal Steps
  1. Residence visa
    The residence visa allows you to stay in Portugal for 4 months so that you can submit an application for a Residence Permit. You apply for this visa at the embassy or consulate in your country before travelling to Portugal.
  2. Apply for a temporary Residence permit
    You will need to schedule your appointment to apply for the residence permit during the first 4 months of your stay. There is a list of required documents you need to take to make the application. You can find more information here.
  3. ​Register for a Tax Number (NIF)
    For financial and legal purposes, you will need to apply for a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF). You can make this application at a Loja do Cidadão (Citizen Shop), at an Espaço do Cidadão (Citizen Spot), or with the Autoridades Tributárias e Aduaneiras (Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority). It is also possible to apply for the NIF online; you just need to have a Portuguese fiscal representative.
  4. Register for Social Security Number (NISS)
    In Portugal, the NISS (Social Security Number) is mandatory to have in order to work and access social benefits. To obtain it, it is necessary to book an in-person appointment with the Social Security System. For your appointment, you will need to take a valid Passport or Identity Card. In some places (Espaços do Cidadão), you can also request the NISS together with the NIF, though you need to check in advance if this service is provided where you are going. You can find more information on the official website here.
  5. ​Register for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde)
    Even if you have private health insurance, you should register for a Serviço Nacional de Saúde Number (National Health Service). This is something you can do in person at any public Health Centre or at an Espaço do Cidadão (Citizen Spot). Alternatively, you can also apply for all three numbers, NIF, NISS, and SNS, in person at a Citizen Spot. The required documentation includes a valid Passport, your NIF (which you will have then), and proof of residence. You can find more information here.

Youth Mobility Program

If you are a citizen of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, or Uruguay, you can become an Au Pair in Portugal through the Youth Mobility program for a period of up to a year. However, you can only legally work for a maximum of 6 months, and there is a limited number of visas/entry permits granted for this program per year.

RequirementsRequirements vary depending on the country of origin. You can find here an information table: 

Country Age Purpose Limit
Argentina 18-30 years old Extended holiday with authorization to work
or to study culture or languages
 		 100 visas/entry permits per year
Australia 18-31 years old  Extended holiday with authorization to work   500 visas/entry permits per year
Canada 18-35 years old      To travel and work 600 visas/entry permits per year
Chile 18-30 years old     Extended holiday with authorization to work           Not disclosed
Japan 18-30 years old Extended holiday with authorization to work Not disclosed
New Zealand 18-30 years old Extended holiday with authorization to work 50 visas/entry permits per year
Peru 18-31 years old* For work and holiday purposes 400 visas
Republic of Korea 18-34 years old Extended holiday with authorization to work 200 visas/entry permits per year
USA Not specified For work and holiday purposes 400 visas
Uruguay 18-35 years old For vacation with the possibility of working 
and/or attending training courses or study 
programs of up to 6 months		 200 visas
*Also required to be qualified with a graduate degree or have successfully completed 2 years of a graduate program.
 
Legal StepsYou can check out the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Portugal for more information about each specific country.

Additional Information

Portugal did not transpose the Au Pair category from Directive 2016/801. Therefore, Portugal does not have any specific residence permit for this category. Au Pairs could apply for a long-term visa, but there is no legal entitlement for that, and it would be assessed on an individual basis.