FRANCE

The requirements to be an au pair in France are:
• aged between 18 and 30 years old
• be unmarried,
• have a high school diploma
• have a basic knowledge of French,
• enrol in a French course.

The contract must be not less than 3 months and must not exceed one year, the period can be extended for another 6 months.
Travel expenses are in charge of the Au Pair.
The host family must have at least one child under the age of 14 years and the au pair cannot take care of children less than 2 years old.
Pocket money is between 280 and 350 euros. 
Working hours are 5 per day and maximum 30 per week.
The au pairs have one day off per week and one week of vacation for every 6 months of work in the same family. The au pair is also required to attend a French language course; the family will help the au pair getting enrolled to this course, but the au pair has to pay  the course expenses.

The au pair will join the social insurance of the place of residence of the family and the contributions shall be paid by the host family, who within 8 days of the au pair’s arrival will have to enrol the au pair as "stagiare aide familiale"  at  the National Social Security Institute (Urssaf) of the place and at the local insurance (CPAM).

The contract "Accord Européen pour le placement au pair” must be signed before the au pair leaves her country. The French Work Office DDTEFP approves contracts and gives 3 copies to the family, who will send two to the girl together with the certificate of membership in the French courses. The DDTE authorizes the temporary work permit.

The au pair must apply for the extra-long-stay visa (Visa long séjour), at the French consulate of her country. After obtaining the visa the au pair can leave her own country, but within 8 days from her arrival in France she must go to the Prefecture to request a temporary residence permit for study purposes. The au pair will undergo a health inspection at the Office Migration IMO to ensure a healthy and robust constitution.
The EU citizens needn't a visa to enter in France, but they need a residence permit at the Prefecture.

For more information please consult the following sites:

http://www.sdtefp-paca.travail.gouv.fr/accueil.swf direct link

http://www.urssaf.fr/ direct link

Read the useful information concerning the other countries

Read our FAQ to learn more about the work of the au pair