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Au-pair in France

France is considered as a classical au-pair country. France ratified and signed the European agreement about the au-pair employment in 1971. There are a lot of host families which are interested in au-pairs. The au-pair system is developed very well. Majority of host families live in Paris or cities like Tours or Aix-en-Provence, which have universities. In the south of France there are also families which are ready to take au-pairs.

Requirements for the au-pairs‘ stay in France:

-  single and without children
-  Age:  according to the law between 18 and 27 years old
-  Experience in child care and household
-  Knowledge of French
-  Stay period is from 3 to 12 months, max. 18 months
-  Perfect non-conviction certificate
-  International passport or ID
-  Au-pairs are taxed in France
-  Driving license is preferable
-  Doctors certificate
-  Au-pair pays his/her journey. Sometimes host families can pay for a part of journey.
-  Au-pair pays for the language courses. Sometimes by agreement host families can take costs for the courses upon themselves. Visiting of the courses is according to the au-pair rules in France.

Conditions for au-pairs in host families:

-  Own room and support
-  Work time: 30 -37 hours per week
-  Pocket money from 260 to 300 euro per month, under „Au-pair Plus" program till 400 euro
-  Free days: 11/2 days per week
-  By agreement with the host family paid vocation is 1 week after a half year of work according to the law
- Costs for the monthly ticket (Carte Orange) are taken upon the host family
- A family car can be used
- Insurance: if the au-pair‘s stay is absolutely official, the host family should pay for the social (Sécurité sociale) and medical insurances. According to unofficial figures a lot of au-pairs stay in the country illegally. Host families do not want to register au-pairs officially, because of high prices for the insurance. Before departure make sure about the cases your insurance covers abroad. In some cases it is advisable for au-pairs, who go abroad, to obtain medical unsurance themselves. The same is with guarantee and accident insurances. To avoid troubles appeal to an insurance agency or any insurance company.

Entry and stay formalities:

-  EU-Au-pairs can enter the country without visa. EU-Au-pairs, who wants to stay in the country more than 3 months, need to get residence permit. You can apply for the residence permit in France. It is possible only when all the conditions of social insurance (Sécurité sociale) are fulfilled.  
For applying for the residence permit you need following documents:

- A valid international passport or other ID
- Doctor certificate, which should not be older than three months
- Copies of education certificates, translated into French and authenticated
- Host family's invitation letter
- Registration/enrolment into French courses
- Passport photos
- „international" birth certificate
- Confirmation of insurance (foreign or private insurances are often not accepted)

A host family should find out in authorized local department what documents are exactly required.
After arrival the au-pair should register in Préfecture de la Police for getting Carte de Séjour Provisoire. Also, there she should bring: a valid ID, the invitation letter, passport photos, the registration in French language courses (3-10 hours per week), and the doctor certificate. Then, apply to the labor activity department (Service de la Main dÓeuvre Etrangére).  The labor activity department will give you the forms of the au-pair contract (accord de placement au pair de stagiare aide-familiale), which is necessary for getting of the residence permit. Then, the collected documents are delivered to the labor activity department for the further processing: the au-pair contract signed by the au-pair and the host family (4 copies), the doctor certificate, the copies of the education certificates, the registration at the language school, and the birth certificate „Carte  de Seéjour provisoire". After checking of your application Préfecture de Police summons you for giving you Carte de Séjour Définitive.
You can find the address of  the authorized labor activity department in a local employment center (Direction Départmentale du Travail et de lÉmploi et de la Formation Professionelle).

A lot of au-pairs are not registered in France. We recommend you to make an efforts to be insured during your stay period.

- Au-pairs from non-EU countries should apply for the visa (Visa de long séjour) in authorized consulate or French embassy located in the au-pair's home country. The au-pair contract and the registration at French language courses are necessary for the application.

- Within one week after the entry the au-pair should be regestered in the region Préfecture for getting the student residence permit. According to the law the au-pairs from non-EU countries need to have the work permit (2 „Autorisation provisore de travail").

Specifics:

- Language courses: there are a lot of language courses in France. The participation in French language courses are officially provided for au-pairs in France. Université populaire or Cours Municipal dÀdultes are similar to German Volkshochschule. These courses are often booked up. You can also register for the languge courses in Universities. Also, for the au-pairs it is valuable that some of the certificates received after the courses are can be accepted in French universities.  

- The insurance situation in France is not optimal for au-pairs, because they should think of it themselves.

- Before departure the Swiss should find out in French embassy about what regulations are valid for them.

- In France au-pairs are officially called as "stagiaire aide familial étranger".

More information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Frankreich
Information for au-pairs in France, EU-au-pairs registration

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