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Iceland's au pair program lets 18 to 25 year olds live with a host family for up to two years in exchange for childcare and light housework, with regulated pay, working hours, and a dedicated residence permit.
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Iceland's au pair program allows young people aged 18 to 25 to live with an Icelandic host family for up to two years. In exchange for childcare and light housework, au pairs receive free accommodation, meals, and a weekly allowance. The program is regulated by the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun, or UTL), and only non-EEA/EFTA citizens need a residence permit to participate. EEA/EFTA nationals can work as au pairs without a permit.
The arrangement is not employment in the legal sense. Au pairs have no right to take other paid or unpaid work in Iceland, and the permit does not count toward permanent residency. It is a cultural exchange program with strict rules protecting both the au pair and the host family.
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following requirements at the time of application:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Age | 18 to 25 (date of birth is decisive; applications before 18th or after 25th birthday are rejected) |
Marital status | Unmarried, no children |
Intent | Not planning to settle permanently in Iceland |
Family connection | No familial connection to the host family |
Criminal record | No prison sentence longer than 3 months in the past 5 years; no Icelandic conviction with imprisonment over 3 months |
Passport | Valid at least 90 days beyond the requested permit period |
There is no formal language requirement in the law, but a basic understanding of English or Icelandic is expected in practice. Prior childcare experience is preferred but not mandatory.
Not every household in Iceland can host an au pair. The official requirements are specific.
The family must consist of a married couple or cohabiting partners with at least one child, or a single parent with at least one child. At least one adult in the household must hold Icelandic citizenship or a permanent residence permit. Couples on temporary residence permits cannot host an au pair, and neither can a single parent on a temporary permit.
Each family may only have one au pair at a time. The family must provide the au pair with free food, a lockable private room with a window, and a minimum weekly allowance of 15,000 ISK (60,000 ISK per four weeks, as of March 2026). Paying a higher allowance does not entitle the family to demand additional work.
The host family must also demonstrate sufficient financial means to support both themselves and the au pair. As of February 2025, the minimum monthly amounts are:
Household type | Monthly minimum |
|---|---|
Individual | 247,572 ISK |
Married couple | 396,115 ISK |
Additional for au pair | 123,786 ISK |
These figures are based on the City of Reykjavík's basic financial assistance amount and are updated periodically.
The maximum working time is 30 hours per week or 5 hours per day. All work must be performed during daytime hours. Night work is not permitted, and overnight babysitting counts as night work. The host family and au pair cannot agree to longer hours, even voluntarily.
Au pairs are entitled to one free day per week and at least one free weekend per month. After 26 weeks of service, the au pair is entitled to one full week of holiday and may stay somewhere other than the host family's home during that time.
The host family's obligation to provide food and accommodation continues during holidays and sick days.
The application process is paper-based. There is no digital application option for au pair permits.
Search for families through established platforms such as AuPairWorld or AuPair.com. Discuss expectations thoroughly before committing. Make sure you agree on working hours, duties, free time, and travel cost arrangements.
The contract must use the official form issued by the Directorate of Immigration. Both the applicant and the host family sign the contract. The applicant's signature must match the one on their passport.
The application requires:
Signed au pair contract (copy)
Passport copy (personal information page and signature page; machine-readable zone must be clearly visible)
Passport photo (35 x 45 mm)
Health insurance certificate (valid in Iceland, minimum 6 months, minimum coverage 2,000,000 ISK)
Criminal record certificate from the applicant's home country (original, legally authenticated via apostille or chain authentication; translated into English, Icelandic, or a Nordic language if in another language)
Documents from the host family proving secure means of support (original format, confirmed by employer or issuing institution)
Payment receipt for the processing fee
The processing fee is 120,000 ISK (as of March 2026). Payment must be made by bank transfer before submitting the application. The fee is non-refundable.
Submit the application by mail or in person:
Directorate of Immigration
Dalvegur 18, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland
Applications can also be submitted at district commissioner offices outside the capital area.
Applicants who need a visa to travel to Iceland cannot be in the country during processing. The application will be refused if they are. Applicants from visa-exempt countries may remain in Iceland during processing, as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
If the application is approved, visa-required applicants will have an entry visa request sent to the relevant Icelandic embassy.
After arriving in Iceland with an approved permit, the au pair must:
Attend a photo appointment at the Directorate of Immigration (book in advance) or at a district commissioner's office
Submit a notification of residence
Undergo a medical examination within two weeks of arrival, if applicable
These steps must be completed within 90 days of the permit being granted. Failure to do so means the permit will not be issued, which can lead to illegal stay, expulsion, and a re-entry ban.
The Directorate sends a request to Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) to register the au pair's legal domicile and assign a kennitala (national ID number). A residence permit card is ordered and can be picked up five days after the order email is sent.
The host family must purchase health insurance for the au pair covering the first six months of the stay. The policy must be valid in Iceland with a minimum coverage of 2,000,000 ISK.
After six months of registered legal domicile in Iceland, the au pair is automatically covered by Iceland's national health insurance (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands). For more on how the system works, see the guide to health insurance in Iceland.
The au pair permit is valid for the duration of the au pair contract, up to a maximum of one year. It can be renewed once for up to one more year, making the maximum total stay two years.
A renewal requires a new au pair contract (with the same or a different host family) and updated documents on secure means of support. The renewal fee is also 120,000 ISK (as of March 2026).
Important limitations of the au pair permit:
No right to work (paid or unpaid) outside au pair duties
No right to family reunification
Does not count toward permanent residency
If the au pair stays abroad for more than three consecutive months, the permit can be revoked
After the au pair permit expires, the holder must wait two years of continuous residence abroad before applying for a work-based residence permit in Iceland
The host family and au pair negotiate how travel costs to and from Iceland are split. The host family must pay at least half.
The host family pays the full travel cost in three situations: if the family terminates the contract without fault by the au pair, if the au pair cannot continue due to illness or injury, or if the au pair terminates the contract due to misconduct by the host family.
Both parties can terminate the au pair agreement in writing. The host family must give 30 days' notice. The au pair must give 15 days' notice. A copy of the termination notice must be sent to the Directorate of Immigration.
Immediate termination is permitted in serious cases, such as illness or serious misconduct by either party (including breaches of Icelandic law or the au pair contract).
An au pair can sign a new contract with a different host family after a termination. The new contract and updated financial support documents must be submitted to the Directorate. If fewer than three months remain on the current permit, a renewal application should be filed alongside the new contract.
The au pair permit is deliberately designed as a temporary cultural exchange, not a stepping stone to permanent residence. After the permit expires, au pairs must leave Iceland and wait two years before applying for a work-based residence permit.
For those who want to stay in Iceland longer-term, it is worth exploring other pathways early. Options include applying for a student visa to study at an Icelandic university, or finding an employer willing to sponsor a work permit. The visa and immigration overview covers all available pathways.
For a broader picture of what life in Iceland involves, start with the complete guide to moving to Iceland.
Can I work a second job while on an au pair permit?
No. The au pair residence permit does not grant the right to any paid or unpaid work outside the au pair duties specified in the contract. This is a strict rule set by the Directorate of Immigration.
Do I need to speak Icelandic to become an au pair?
There is no formal language requirement in the permit rules. In practice, basic English is expected, and some families may prefer applicants with basic Icelandic. Many au pairs use the placement as an opportunity to learn Icelandic while in the country.
Can I switch host families if the arrangement is not working?
Yes. Either party can terminate the contract in writing (30 days' notice from the family, 15 days from the au pair). The au pair can then sign a new contract with a different host family and submit it to the Directorate of Immigration along with updated financial support documents.
How long can I stay in Iceland as an au pair?
The initial permit is valid for up to one year. It can be renewed once for up to one more year, making the maximum total stay two years.
Is the au pair program only for women?
No. The program is open to anyone aged 18 to 25 who meets the eligibility requirements, regardless of gender.
Can I apply for permanent residency after my au pair stay?
No. The au pair permit does not count toward permanent residency requirements. After the permit expires, you must live outside Iceland for two continuous years before you can apply for a work-based residence permit.
Last updated: March 2026
