DENMARK

The age to work as an au pair in Denmark must be
between 17 and 29 years old and the au pair must speak 
one of the following languages: Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English
or German. Besides this, there is a written contract between the family
and the au pair (the Au Pair’s parents if a minor).
The "Danish Immigration Service" has made available
a standard contract that must be used.

Pocket money is at least of DKK 3000 per month

The au pair must receive lodgement and food in
the host family's house.

The working hours should be 5 per day and no more than 30 per
week.

The au pair must have at least one day off per week.

The au pair has the right to a single and independent room.

Furthermore, the au pair must not have children, must not be
married and cannot be accompanied by her family.

Travel expenses are in charge of  the Au Pair, but if the au pair
lives in a non- EU State the
host family will assume the responsibility to pay the expenses of the flight
back.

The host family must have at least one minor child
(under 18 years), and at least one parent must have
Danish citizenship. The family must declare not to receive public funds
under the law on active social policy. This form
is available only at the Danish immigration Office.

Host families can not have more au pairs simultaneously.

Citizens of the Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway,
Sweden) needn't a residence permit nor a
work permit to work in Denmark.

Citizens of other countries need a residence permit to be an au pair in Denmark,

but not a  work permit because the au pair job is not
considered as a job.

Despite this, the relationship between the au pair and the host family
is regarded as a relationship between employee and
employer and then follows Danish laws for both
the taxes and for the holidays. For further
information see the website of the Revenue Danish SKAT.

Au pair can obtain a permission to stay for no more than one
year, renewable for another six months. In exceptional cases
residence permit may be extended to allow
the au pair a maximum period of two years. In this case the au pair
must continue to work for the same family and with the same conditions
of the original contract, which must be extended for the same
period of time.

Regarding health care, the EU and EEA citizens
are insured by the Danish health service. Even citizens
from States participating in the working-holiday program are
provided by S.S.D. but the insurance shall start only after 6 weeks
after their arrival in Denmark. The host family must
ensure that the au pair is included in social security
as soon as she starts work.

Special conditions apply to young people participating
in the working-holiday program. These au pairs are the ones who come from
countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. In this case
the residence permit is garanted for one year at maximum
and cannot be renewed. In addition, participants in the program
must have a ticket for the return journey or enough financial resources
to buy one. Participants in the working-holiday program are not allowed to work for more than 6 months and cannot accept a job for an indefinite period of time.

Au pairs  from Australia and New Zealand  must be aged between 18 and 30 years old,
and they have to be  Australian or New Zealand citizens, have good health
and have a good reputation. Au pairs can participate in the program
Working-Holiday just once.

Program participants must have sufficient financial resources
for their maintenance during the first 2 months of their stay in
Denmark. They are covered by the Danish National Health Service, but the coverage starts only 6 weeks after their arrival in Denmark.

Australians and New Zealanders are allowed to
study or attend other training for a limited duration
of 3 months. It is not allowed to work for the same employer
for more than 3 months.

Young people coming from Canada must be aged between
18 and 35 years old, must have the Canadian citizenship and must
have their habitual residence in Canada when
requiring a visa. The au pair has the possibility to participate in the program
Working- Holiday just once.

Program participants must have sufficient financial resources
for their maintenance during the first part of their stay
in Denmark - at least $ 3200 Canadian.

Participants in the Working- Holiday program should be in possession of
insurance covering the risks of  life, a possible
accident and repatriation. The insurance must be in force
throughout their stay in Denmark. Canadians are allowed
to attend courses for studying or other training for a limited period
of 6 months.

Read the information concerning the other countries.

Read our FAQ to learn more about the au pair job.