Au pair in Sweden
Official Au Pair in Sweden Program Information
There is an official program to become an au pair in Sweden. The
purpose of working as an au pair in Sweden should be to gain
international experience, to have the opportunity to learn Swedish
and become acquainted with Swedish culture.
Au pair in Sweden Mandatory Criteria
- An au pair in Sweden must be between 18-30 years old
- Have a valid passport that will remain valid for your entire
stay in Sweden
- Be able to show that you have a distinct interest in or use for
Swedish language studies
- To be an au pair in Sweden, you must have a written offer from
the host family in Sweden, where the terms and conditions of
employment are clearly stated (available from the Swedish Public
Employment Service - although it is not required for EU and EEA
citizens staying less than 3 months)
- Be willing to attend Swedish language classes if you require a
work permit
Au Pair in Sweden General Information
Pocket Money
- An au pair in Sweden is paid a minimum salary of SEK 3,500 per
month before tax
Working hours, free time and holidays
- An au pair in Sweden works a maximum of 25 hours work per
week
- Free time and holiday arrangements are not specified for an au
pair in Sweden, but recommended that one full day off is given each
week, preferably on a weekend
Accommodation and Meals
- An au pair in Sweden is to be provided with their own room, 3
meals per day and also have free access to the family home
Travel Costs
- The au pair is to pay for travel costs to and from Sweden
- The host family may wish to pay for the return journey after a
successful completion of the stay. Do not pay any money in
advance
- Please refer to our Travel
Partners for discounts on flights and travel
insurance
Language skills and courses
- TheBestAupair recommends an au pair in Sweden has at least a
basic knowledge of the Swedish language but it is not
compulsory
- A large part of the remaining 40 hour week (i.e. 15 hours) is
to be spent studying the Swedish language
Length of stay
- An au pair in Sweden may stay up to 12 months (Visa duration
will be based on the term in the letter from your host family)
Insurances
- An au pair in Sweden is not entitled to the same social
benefits as permanent residents and therefore we recommend you take
out comprehensive travel insurance which covers medical, accident,
liability and repatriation expenses
Job Duties
- Au pair in Sweden job duties incldue childcare and light
housework
Driving
- If you are required to drive as an au pair in
Sweden, you will need to be at least 18 years of age and
have a valid driver's licence
- TheBestAupair recommends obtaining an international driving
permit from your home country if your licence is not valid on its
own in Sweden
- Discuss with your host family what happens if you have a car
accident, who pays, and have your agreements put in the
contract
- More information on foreign drivers' licences can be found here
Visa Information
Au pairs from Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and
Norway, do not need a work permit or a residence permit to work in
Sweden.
EU and
EEA citizens do not need a work permit to be an au pair in
Sweden. For stays less than 3 months, a residence permit is not
required. For stays greater than 3 months a residence permit is
required. A residence permit may be applied for either before or
after entering Sweden.
For non-EU
/ EEA citizens, you will require a work permit to be an au pair
in Sweden. The permits must be applied for and received before
entering Sweden. It is critical that your passport will not expire
whilst in Sweden.
For non-EU
/ EEA citizens intending on staying longer than 3 months, you
will also require a residence permit to be an au pair in Sweden. A
residence permit must be applied for and received before entering
Sweden.
Residence permit requirements: duly completed application form,
copy of valid ID card or passport, written and signed invitation
from your host family stating the terms and conditions of your
employment as an au pair in Sweden, a receipt of paid application
fee, a certificate from your place of study stating how many hours
per week you will study.
Permit applications can be made through the Migration Board's website or at your local
Swedish embassy or consulate. You must use the form Au pair, no. 131011. In order for the
Migration Board to be able to issue a residence permit card, you
will be photographed and will need to submit fingerprints either
when you submit your application or when you receive your residence
permit. The permit will not be issued longer than the passport
validity.
The permit will be issued as a residence permit card (UT-card).
The card will contain biometrics (photo and fingerprints of two
fingers) and an electronic signature. You will need to submit the
biometric data in person at the embassy, in connection with
submitting the application or once the residence permit has been
granted. If you apply electronically you will need to book an
appointment with a Swedish mission abroad. The UT-card is to be
presented alongside a valid passport when crossing the border, and
should be with you when travelling to Sweden.
Citizens from Australia, New Zealand and South Korea who want to
be an au pair in Sweden:
Sweden has a working holiday agreement with Australia and New
Zealand that allows young people between 18-30 from Australia, New
Zealand and South Korea to work as an au pair in Sweden on a
working holiday visa for 12 months. Please refer to the Swedish
Migration Board (http://www.migrationsverket.se/info/164_en.html)
website for eligibility requirements and conditions of the visa
whilst living and working in Sweden. Above all, please make sure
your passport will remain valid during your stay in Sweden, your
application is duly complete, you have comprehensive travel
insurance, including medical cover (Australians please check the
Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Sweden and Australia to
see if this medical component is sufficient for you), you have
sufficient funds and a return ticket or enough money to purchase
one.
Please note Citizens from Australia, New Zealand and South Korea
can apply for either the au pair visa or the working holiday visa.
The visas are quite different. The au pair visa is exclusively for
working as an au pair in Sweden and all arrangements must be made
before going to Sweden. The working holiday visa is for work and
travel and you can find work once you are in Sweden.
Citizens from Canada between the ages of 18-30 who want to be an
au pair in Sweden can obtain a work and residence permit for up to
12 months through the Canada-Sweden Youth Exchange Programme.
Please refer to the Swedish Migration Board (http://www.migrationsverket.se/info/163_en.html)
website for eligibility requirements and conditions of the visa
whilst living and working as an au pair in Sweden. Above all,
please make sure your passport will remain valid during your stay
in Sweden, your application is duly complete, you have
comprehensive travel insurance, including medical cover, you have
sufficient funds, a return ticket or enough money to purchase one
and that you have a signed employment offer from your host
family.
Please note Citizens from Canada can apply for either the au
pair visa or the youth exchange programme visa. The visas are quite
different. The au pair visa is exclusively for working as an au
pair in Sweden and all arrangements must be made before going to
Sweden. The youth exchange programme visa is for work and travel
and you can find work once you are in Sweden.
Additional Information
You can find additional information about being an au pair in
Sweden in the websites listed in the Relevant links section on the
right panel of this page.
If you have any comments regarding this page,
please Email us - we value your feedback!