No minimum stay defined.

The au pair cannot stay more than 1 year.

The duration of the validity of the employment authorization and the work permit relating to the au pair may not exceed 1 year.

The employment authorization and the work permit relating to the au pair may be renewed only once, and insofar as the placement does not exceed a total duration of 1 year.

The maximum stay is 1 year.

According to the official rules, an au pair can work:

• Maximum 4 hours/day
• Maximum 20 hours/week.

The working hour conditions are:

• Maximum 20 hours/week
• Maximum 4 hours/day

In contrast to an au pair visa the work and travel visa also allows to work more hours for more money, but then this is a nanny job which means minimum wages, social insurance, tax, ...

General recommendation: To be classified as an au pair job, the same rules should be obeyed as with an au pair visa (this applies to all points below).

One full day of rest per week.

There are no specific regulations concerning the amount of holidays an au pair is entitled to in Belgium.

The daily work of an au pair varies widely. It wholly depends on the type and lifestyle of the family that is hosting the au pair. In general, an au pair's everyday work includes:

• Carrying out light housework such as helping to keep the home clean and tidy as well as washing and ironing clothes;
• Making breakfast and simple meals;
• Looking after younger children, i.e. supervising them, accompanying them to kindergarten, to school or specific activities, bringing them for walks, playing with them;
• Watching over the house or apartment and looking after pets

Which work should and can be done by an au pair? Which work an au pair definitely doesn't have to do? Discuss with others in our community!

The au pair is not allowed to take care of children below the age of 6 years.

It is also common that the tasks of an au pair do not include caring for the sick or elderly (looking after family members in need of care).

450,00 EUR / month.

The pocket money must be paid regardless of any periods during which the au pair is not working.

Board and lodging are provided by the family for free, even in case of illness.

The au pair is entitled to his/her own room.

The au pair must participate in a Dutch, French or German language course, offered by an officially recognized institution.

Usually, it is the au pair who pays for his/her own language course.

The cost of traveling to and from the host country is usually borne by the au pair.

But depending on the agreement between the au pair and the host family, the travel costs will be either split between parties or paid in full by the host family or the au pair. This usually depends on the length of the au pair's stay and will be decided by the host family.

Citizens from non EU countries must check if their current health insurance remains valid in Belgium and if not, it will be necessary to subscribe to a health insurance with a private insurance company. 

Additionally, the host family must

conclude, in favour of the au pair, complementary insurance covering the risks with regard to medical, pharmaceutical and hospitalization costs in the case of accident or sickness and undertake to conclude insurance for the potential early repatriation of the au pair as the result of sickness or accident, and undertake to cover the costs which might arise from the State through the au pair’s stay or repatriation.

The applicant must have an “all risk” insurance valid for the period of his/her stay and covering occupational accidents, health care including medical costs, hospitalization and return home coverage.

The au pair is exempted from social contributions since the Social Security does not qualify the placement of an au pair as work.

All people exclusively employed in the Belgian territory at the service of an employer established in Belgium or linked to a place of business established in Belgium fall under the Belgian social security system for salaried workers.

The Belgian social security legislation for salaried workers determines the contributions to be paid and by whom.

For more information visit the Portal site for Social Security.

The au pair doesn't have to pay any tax in Belgium.

Professional income is taxed on its net amount.

A person living in Belgium for at least six months of the year and is registered with the local commune, is classed as a resident and has to pay Belgium income tax on the worldwide income. The taxable income is the income left after deductions for social security contributions, personal allowance, professional costs, etc.

A person living in Belgium for less than six months, will only be taxed on the income earned in Belgium, including rents and capital gains. 

More information Federal Public Service - Finance.

• pocket money: 450 EUR
• insurance
• lodging
• board
• public transportation ticket
• higher car insurance fee if the au pair is allowed to use it

In one of the model contract it is written that in case of serious misconduct of one party, the other party may immediately terminate the contract.
Either party may also terminate immediately when serious circumstances demand it.

In case of serious misconduct of one party, the other party may immediately terminate the contract.

Either party may also terminate immediately the contract when serious circumstances demand it.