SWEDEN

The age to work as an au pair in Sweden should be between 18 and 30 years old. 
Working hours are a maximum of 5 hours per day, but not more than 25 per week.
Travel expenses are in charge of the au pair unless otherwise agreed with the family.
Pocket money can not be less than 3.500 SEK per month.

The aim of the au pair in Sweden is the study of the Swedish language and knowledge of Swedish culture, and  the au pair must be given enough spare time to be able to attend a language course.
The EU and EEA citizens do not need a work permit  to be an au pair in Sweden, but they need a residence permit, so they can start working immediately, even if they are waiting for the permit, which is useless if the duration of the stay is less than 3 months. They must apply for the permission only for periods longer than 3 months, and it can be required after their arrival in Sweden.

Citizens of Nordic Countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, do not need a work permit or residence permit.

The au pairs from a non-EU Country or an EFTA Member State  need a work permit that must be given before entering in Sweden. The au pair must ensure that the validity of their passport does not expire during their stay in Sweden. The validity of work permit can not go beyond the validity of the passport.
To request permission to work, the au pair must be in possession of an offer of employment of the host family in duplicate with a claim of 25 hours a week at most, the opportunity to take courses in Swedish during most of spare time (it should be added to the application a letter  of admission to the school language), free room and board and a monthly salary minimum of 3500 SEK.
It also serves a valid national passport or other travel document (U.S. citizens need a U.S. Alien Registration Card or valid visa type A, E, F, G, H, I, J , K, L, O or R)
The work permit is valid for 12 months and can not be renewed. You will need to wait between 2 and 3 months before the work permit is issued.
The au pairs from a State that is neither the EU or EFTA member wishing to stay in Sweden more than 3 months must apply for a residence permit. Usually, the permit is required and pasted in the passport of the au pair before they arrive in Sweden. The application for issuing residence permits is to be done in the Country of origin of the au pair or in the Country where she/he has her/his permanent residence. It is the Swedish Embassy or Consulate or  the Office of Migration (Migrationsverket) to decide whether the permit is granted. The request for a residence permit is free. The certificate of employment is required to apply for a residence permit. This certificate must be issued and signed by the host family and shall include:
• name, address and telephone number of the host family
• the number of hours worked per week
• a description of the work to be completed by the au pair including its rights and duties
When all documents are received, the request will be forwarded to the Office of Migration (Migrationsverket). The passport of the au pair will be held at the Consulate General until a decision is taken. The permission to stay - if granted - will be attached to the passport and sent to the au pairs.

For au pairs from Australia and New Zealand, Sweden has signed bilateral agreements with those Countries for vacations and work programs.
To participate in this program the au pair must be between  18 and 30 years old, working hours shall be 25 per week maximum, but not more than 5 hours a day, pocket money cannot be less than about 3.500 SEK per month . Travel expenses are in charge by those who participate in the Working- Holiday Program.
The main reason for the stay in Sweden must be spending a holiday. Au pairs must have sufficient financial means to support themselves during the first 3 months of stay (at least 15 000 SEK), and they must have a valid insurance and a return ticket or sufficient financial means to buy one.
The work permit is granted for 12 months at most and can not be repeated. The visa for vacations and work may be granted only once. The visa can be obtained at the Swedish Embassy or Consulate in the Country of residence of theau pair.
Participants in the Working Holiday program who remain in Sweden for a limited period are not entitled to the same social benefits of people who have their permanent residence in Sweden.
The host family must ensure that the young have enough spare time to attend a language course. The application for work permit must be accompanied by a certificate of registration for a course in Swedish. The participant in the program  is authorized to work for a living in Sweden. For this she will be granted a work permit. The work they do must be of a temporary nature. The young may require a work permit soon after her/his arrival in Sweden.

For more information about au pair job in Sweden visit:
 http://www.migrationsverket.se/

Read the information concerning the others countries 
 
Read our FAQ to learn more about the au pair job