Reviewed on March 3, 2026
Apply for a residence permit for employment as an au pair
Want to work as an au pair in Berlin? Apply for your residence permit here – simply and online.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit as an au pair?
Are you working as an au pair in Berlin or do you want to? Then you can apply for a residence permit for this employment. The authority decides on a case-by-case basis whether to grant the permit.
The residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year. An extension is not possible. After that, however, you can obtain a residence permit for another purpose. For example, for a language course or a degree programme.
For the application, you must meet several requirements. You have to be between 18 and 26 years old. You need German language skills at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). You also must not yet have worked for a year as an au pair in Germany. In your host family, German has to be spoken as the native language. If the family speaks German as the family language, you may not come from the home country of the host parents. In addition, the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) must consent for you to receive the permit.
There are cases in which you cannot submit an application. If you entered the country with a national D visa for exactly one year as an au pair, the authority cannot grant you a residence permit. There must also be no indications of a threat to public safety or order. Even fines can prevent the permit from being granted. If a criminal investigation is ongoing against you, the authority is not allowed to process your application.
Submit your application online using the form "Temporary residence title for employment". Upload your documents as PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG. The total size of all files may not exceed 100 MB. A single file may be a maximum of 7 MB. Pay the processing fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or PayPal. Afterwards, save and print the application confirmation. It automatically extends your current residence title until the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) has decided. This does not apply if you have a Schengen visa (C visa) or your residence title had already expired on the day of application. Note: If you only want to change your host family, use the service "Residence title for employment – change of employer" instead.
Requirements
How to apply
Check whether you meet the requirements: you must be between 18 and 26 years old, have German skills at level A1 (CEFR), have not yet worked for a year as an au pair in Germany, and live in a family with German as the native language.
Collect all required documents: colour passport copies, the completed "Au-pair" questionnaire (from the host parents), the au-pair contract, proof of your German skills, as well as proof of health insurance — and, if needed, copies of your current residence title or visa.
Submit your application online using the form "Temporary residence title for employment" — upload your documents as PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG (max. 100 MB total, max. 7 MB per file).
Pay the processing fee directly in the online procedure by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or PayPal.
Save and print the application confirmation — it automatically extends your current residence title until the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) has decided (does not apply with a Schengen visa/C visa or if your residence title had already expired on the day of application).
Done! The authority decides on a case-by-case basis — if approved, you''ll receive a residence permit as an au pair for a maximum of one year.
Issuance of the residence permit as a sticker
- Issuance of the residence permit as an electronic residence title (eAT)100,00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to age 2427,60 EUR
- Turkish nationals aged 24 and over46,00 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal (additional)6,00 EUR
Good to know
Your residence permit expires if you end or terminate your au pair activity. This happens automatically. You must then apply for a new residence title.
Erlischt mit Beendigung oder Abbruch der Tätigkeit als… bei…
VAB A.19c/D.12, S. 223-798
For au pair activities, your income does not have to cover the full livelihood. This is an exception to the general rule. Your livelihood can also be secured in other ways.
Etwas anderes gilt mit Ausnahme von Au- Pair- Tätigkeiten (§ 12 BeschV) grundsätzlich, wenn durch die Vollerwerbstätigkeit kein für die Lebensunterhaltssicherung ausreichendes Einkommen erzielt wird
VAB A.19c/D.12, S. 223-798
If the Federal Employment Agency gives its approval, the authority generally decides in your favor. The discretion is then exercised positively. A rejection is then unlikely.
Das Ermessen kann bei Zustimmung der BA grundsätzlich zu Gunsten des Ausländers ausgeübt werden.
VAB A.19c/D.12, S. 223-798
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Apply for a residence permit for employment as an au pair
If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment. A residence permit as a sticker can be issued on site at the appointment. If issued as an electronic residence title (eAT), it takes 4 to 6 weeks until it can be collected.