Au pairs that do not need a visa:

-Au pairs from the EU/EFTA member states

Au pairs that require a visa:

-Au pairs from non EU countries (e.g. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand)

Important changes! The Swiss government has decided to limit the number of residence permits for au pairs from Non-EU countries. Please get in touch with the respective authorities in your canton.

Travel costs: The au pair has to bear the travel costs him/herself. In some cantons though it is the host family who has to pay for the travel expenses. Please get in touch with the cantonal authorities for further information.
We recommend not to pay these costs before the au pair has successfully stayed at least 3 months with your family and to make no advance payments.

Pocket money: An au pair usually gets a net monthly salary of 500 to 800 CHF depending on the respective Canton (plus board and lodging).

Duration of stay: The contract of employment is to be for a maximum of 12 months. For EU- and EFTA-citizens the contract between the au pair and the host family can be prolonged by another 12 months.

Entry regulations

EU/EEA countries
Accession before 2004

• Age: 17-30
• an au pair agency is not necessary
• need to register with the communal authorities, where they receive their short-time residence permit or residence permit after presenting a work contract

Accession 2004/2007

• Age: 17-30
• an au pair agency is not necessary
• need a residence permit from the cantonal authorities before they enter the country

Non-EU countries

• Age: 18-25
• since 01.01.2008 they are allowed to work as au pairs only if they use the services of an au pair agency that is accredited by SECO. Please use this search engine to find accredited agencies. If you choose a German version, you will need to click on "Betrieb suchen" ("Company search") and mark "Au Pair".

Important changes! The Swiss government has decided to limit the number of residence permits for au pairs from Non-EU countries. Please get in touch with the cantonal autorities if you want to invite an au pair from a Non-EU country.

Native language: The native language of the au pair may not be the language mainly spoken in the part of Switzerland where he/she is an au pair.

Working hours: may not exceed 30 hours per week and 5 hours per day. The au pair is entitled to at least 1,5 days off per week. The au pair should have his/her day off at least on 1 Sunday per month. At least one parent must be present during half of the au pair's working hours.

Holidays: The au pair is entitled to at least 4 weeks of holidays (up to the age of 20 years inclusively, the au pair is entitled to 5 weeks of holidays)

Language course: The au pair must attend a language course of at least 4 hours per week. The employer has to pay the language course fees.

Illness/Accident: The employer has to conclude a health insurance with an accredited insurance company for the au pair. This insurance shall cover the consequences of illness (including sickness benefit) and accidents. The employer pays 100% of the workmen's compensation insurance fees and 50% of the rest of fees.

Social security contributions: The employer has to register the au pair with the Swiss Compensation Office. 50% of the fees for social contributions may be deducted from the au pair employee's salary.

Taxes: Au pair employees are subject to taxation and must be informed about this by the employer. Tax at source may be deducted from the au pair's salary.

Useful information can also be found on the pages of the Swiss Federal Office for Migration - FOM.